Introduction to the "Swiftboat"

A quiz to test your general knowledge about Swiftboats

The Swiftboat's actual US Navy, official designation was:
1. Patrol Coastal or "PC"
2. Landing Craft Patrol Launch or "LCPL"
3. Assault Support Patrol Boat or "ASPB"
4. Patrol Boat Fast - "PTF" or "Nasty"
5. Patrol Craft Fast or "PCF"
6. Patrol Boat River or "PBR"
All US Navy Swiftboats were built by only one shipyard, who was it and where were they located?
1. Seward Shipbuilding of New Orleans, LA
2. Bath Iron Works, General Dynamics Shipyards in Bath, ME
3. Northrop Grumman Shipyards in Newport News, VA
4. Swiftships of Morgan City, LA
5. Sewart Seacraft of Berwick, LA
6. Northup Grumman Shipyards in Groton, CT
Swiftboats were constructed entirely of one material, it was:
1. 7/32 inch steel hull with a 1/4 inch aluminum superstructure
2. 5/8 inch all fiberglass
3. All wooden construction, mostly plywood
4. 1/4 inch aluminum alloy
What were the dimensions of the most common version of a Swiftboats?
1. Length: 80 foot
  Beam 24 foot 6 inches
2. Length: 50 foot 1.5 inches
  Beam 13 foot 6.5 inches
3. Length: 31 foot
  Beam 10 foot 7 inches
4. Length: 35 foot 9 inches
  Beam 10 foot 4 inches
A Swiftboat's was powered by:
1. One General Electric LM-100
2. Two 64HN9
3. Two General Motors 6V53N truck diesels
4. Two General Motors 12V71 "N" Detroit Marine diesels
Propulsion of a Swiftboat was provided by:
1. A single, controllable pitch prop
2. Two counter-rotating props
3. A Jacuzzi water jet
What was the fuel used by the engines of a Swiftboat?
1. JP-5 in an emergency
2. JP-4 or JP-5
3. Standard Diesel fuel
4. Gasoline
Electrical power for a Swiftboat was provided by:
1. An Onan AC generator
2. An alternator mounted on the port engine
3. Two engine mounted generators
4. Two 24volt Battery banks
The manning of a Swiftboat was usually:
1. A Senior Officer, two junior officers and 11 enlisted
2. A senior First Class Petty Officer and three junior enlisted
3. A Junior officer and five enlisted personnel.
4. A Chief Petty Officer and at least four senior enlisted
The typical patrol on a US Navy Swiftboat was 24 hrs in length, what creature comforts did the Swiftboat have to make the time on the boat a bit easier.
1. Bunks to sleep five
2. Hotplate/griddle and fresh water
3. Refrigerator & reefer for fresh food
4. Dining table
Are there any swiftboats still in service?
1. Yes, twelve with the Philippines Coastal Defense Force.
2. Yes, three in the US Navy.
3. Yes, two with the Malta Defense Force.
4. Yes, nine with Thailand Coastal Defense Force.
Is there anywhere in the USA that someone can visit an actual Swiftboat?
1. Yes, PCF 2 is still in service and being used by Tidewater College, in Norfolk, VA. The boat is an active research vessel with access strictly controlled by the college.
2. Yes, PCF 104 is part of the "Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument," at CISM field, on the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA.
3. Yes, at the Washington Navy Yard, in Washington DC. However it is a static display of PCF 1 and you cannot board the boat or see the inside.