1:35 U.S. Navy PBR31 MkII 'Pibber'
Item #35150

Description

About the U.S. Navy PBR31 Mk.II "Pibber"

Knowing that patrolling coastal and river waterways during a
conflict in Vietnam was going to be extremely hazardous, the U.S.
Navy searched for a boat design that could be quickly produced
and employed. One chosen was a fiberglass-hulled pleasure craft
built by Modutec Marine in Seattle Washington.

The Patrol Boat, River or PBR as it was known militarily, became
one of the most successful weapons systems used in Southeast
Asia. It was 31' 11" long ; 11; 7" wide, and 9'9" high above the
waterline. It displaced 8 3/4 tons loaded drawing two feet of
water. It's crew of four was armed with a pair of .50 cal gun or
grenade launcher mounted on a tripod in the fantail, plus a
single M-60 on a pipe mount bolted to one of the amidships
splinter shields. It was powered by two turbocharged Detroit
Diesel 205 HP, V-6 marine engines, driving a pair of Jaccuzzi
14JY water jetdrives. The engines were located underneath the aft
decking, and the boat was steered by two movable nozzles below
the water line, mounted on the rear transom. The water intakes
were located on the hull bottom. It had a top speed in excess of
25 knots. Surface radar and two-way radio equipment provided
communication and maneuvering safety.