What is the difference between a Swift Boat and a World War 2 PT-Boat?

Answer 1

Other than the war they fought in, WWII for the PT, Vietnam for the Swift Boat, the biggest difference was: 1. The PT Boat was constructed totally from WOOD. The Swift Boat (officially designated PCF-Patrol Craft Fast) was constructed totally from ALUMINUM. 2. Abit of a size difference: the PTs were anywhere from 76 feet long to 80 feet with three internal engines. The Swifts were 50 feet long with two engines. 3. PTs were manned by about 14 to 18 officers and men (2/3 officers & 12 or so crewmen). Swifts were manned by 1 officer and 5 crewmen. 4. PTs were originally designed for attacking other sea craft (thus armed with torpedoes); Swifts were never armed with torpedoes, but with .50 caliber machineguns and an 81mm lanyard fired mortar and were designed for "Riverine Warfare"; as part of the US Navy's "Brown Water Navy" during the Vietnam War.