Crews extended endurance by strapping tanks, drums, or jerry cans to the boat and consuming that exposed fuel first. Quick-release arrangements let them discard the containers before action, even when fuel remained. The method traded greater reach against added weight, deck clutter, and a serious fire hazard during an air attack. PT-109's unofficial 37 mm gun came from the same culture of improvisation, although its precise origin remains disputed in the discussion. Official range and armament figures described a baseline, while access to fuel, weapons, and engineering skill determined the boat that actually went to war.
Notable Point · 25:01-28:15
Why official small-craft range figures mislead
Extra drums, tanks, and jerry cans made an attack boat's practical range depend on crew improvisation rather than its published specification.