Everything I read about the PBR's in Vietnam they mention the weapons used on them. In pictures it corroborates the use of the standard weapons. 50 cals, M60s, AGLs like the hand cranked one and the later models plus personal weapons, M3 grease guns, M16s, M79s and anything else they could find. I even saw a picture of a bow and arrow with a flame to set fire to the brush.

Does anybody have a picture of a PBR with a 20MM cannon? It says they used them. I have asked before and nobody came up with anything. I plan on building some and would love to see one with a 20MM. But I do not think they used any. They where not very good weapons and the PBR was a light boat for that powerful a weapon.

The Hispano Suiza cannon was not well liked by the seaman and needed a lot of maintenance. On other boats the commentary and opinion was that is was too powerful to use on the short engagements of only a few hundred meters at most and they preferred the 50 cal and grenade launchers. Plus I have read that it's range was too long and the rounds would pass through the target and hit friendlies.

I could only think they it would be mounted aft instead of the 50 cal mount. Not in the middle behind the bridge, that was the area that covered the engines, not a good place to mount this weapon.

So if anybody has a picture or knows where a picture is, like a book or web site I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Even any odd weapons on a PBR or LSSC that you have a picture of would be appreciated.

Greetings,

I am a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer (E7) and have a vast amount of personal experience with all naval weapons of Vietnam and served with the Naval Special Warfare Group in direct support of the SEAL teams over there. As a Gunner's Mate I was responsible for maintaining and operating the various weapons found on all small craft of the NSWG. I served on an MSSC and LSSC in a crew of either boat type of which one of each was assigned to a boat support detachment. More info is available at www.warboats.org as well as www.seafloat/solidanchor.com as the true stories of all of us over in Vietnam are told along with modifications for boats. I never saw a 20mm cannon mounted on any PBRs as the recoil would tear up the fiberglass hull. 50.cal Browning MGs would rip up real estate just as well though as the armor piercing round (1 out of 5) in a series linked in a typiclal 200 round belt really got Charlie's attention. Best of luck in your research.
John

Thanks John, I think it is finally put to rest.

I fired the 50 cal in the Army on a M113 dragon mount. It's a beast and I was a very strong guy, one of the few that could control it. I can't see firing a 20mm on a fiberglass boat.