31RP6665 - BIMM.US

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No mater who you are, if you have a PBR
project your boat started here
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Forward
Late Fall 2004, Bob Brower received some exciting
news, it was believed that the last Army PBR may
have been located. At the 2004 458th reunion
held at Ft. Eustis, it was heard that two PBRs
were used for harbor security at and around 3rd
Port at Ft Eustis. After a few calls and an
actual observation of the boat in Houlton,
Wisconsin, a tiger team was assembled for the
purpose of retrieving restoring the boat. The
following is a pictorial of our efforts to bring
home J-7844, the last Army PBR.
Boat History
In August of 1969 the US Army executed a contract
with Uniflite, formally known as United Boat
Builders for three MkII PBRs. The hull numbers
of these boats were J-7842, 43 and 44. PBR
J-7844 is the last PBR built for the US Army. It
is believed that the Armys original 39 PBRs
sent to the 458th PBR in Vietnam were built under
contract NC-8253. Production began November
1967 and completed May of 1968. PBR J-7844s
contract number NC-70-0245 appears to have been
attached to a 20 boat Navy contract completed
February 1970. It is believed that these three
PBRs were to be used as replacement boats for
the US Armys 458 Trans. Co. (PBR), which had
sustained combat losses in South Vietnam.
However, it seems they were not shipped due to
Vietnamization programs scheduled to begin
turning over the Armys PBR to the Vietnamese
Navy in 1971. The 44 boat was purchase at a
government sale by Fred Ropkey, a military
collector from Indiana. Fred later sold to Clay
Parks from Wisconsin. A team of Uniflite boat
enthusiasts secured and transport it back home
to Bellingham, Washington (where all the PBRs
were built). It is now on loan to Gamewardens
of Vietnam NW Chapter at Naval Station Everett /
Jim Creek for support restoration and their
continued mission to reach out to both the men
and women who serve on the waterways years ago
and today regardless of uniform service.
Our Project Team
J-7844 is owned / projected by Bob Brower Bob was
a boat captain with the 458th PBR (TC) out of Cat
Lo 69/70. Bob is also the Sole owner He is
also past Vice President of the 458th Sea
Tigers and Gamewardens NW Chapter Im happy
to report that the Army Navy are still working
together PBR Brothers Forever

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Army PBR Restoration Project
United Boat Builders / Uniflite Contract Sheet
Original 39 Boats Notice the Screw-up in the
Numbering
Courtesy Tim Southerland Secure Technology
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Dont take it personalit was a fleeing moment,
after 18 hrssun rain and salt spray !
My 1st Boat J7813
ME
Some things do not changeUp there on the 16
Boat, Dn here on the 44 Boat
2nd Boat J-7816
My Crews then and now Still have fun at the
Reunions
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Army PBR Restoration Project
Bringing Her Home to Bellingham, Washington
Packed and ready to leave Houlton, Wi. to
Bellingham, Wa.
Almost home !
Arrival at Padden Creek BIMM museum
Jerry Popovice Driver Bob Brower Trucker Aide
2nd Cls
Denise and Clay Parks A wonderful young
couple and American Patriots
Thank You Jack Hilde and Brownline Trucking
Clay Buff Bob Lyle Jerry
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Army PBR Restoration Project
Unloading Her at Padden Creek Marine / Old
Uniflite Site Where all the PBRs Were Built
Thank You Padden Creek Marine Bellingham ,
Washington
Bob Moorse past Prod. Mgr. on PBRs
Bob
Vic Duppenthaler past Proj. Mgr. on PBRs Pres.
of Padden Creek Marine
Best of Friends
Jerry Popovice Navy PBR
Bob Brower Army PBR
Todd Warger Historian
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Army PBR Restoration Project
Vic Duppenthaler Owner of Padden Creek Marine
Some of the Navy and Army Friends of the last
Army PBR J-7844
Andy Ross MP- Cogido Dock Lives in California
Less we forget
Chris Duppenthaler Is Vics son.
458th PBRs Table
Art Notdtvedt - Ralph Christopher
Designer / Builder Writer Of all the PBRs
Diane Bob Brower She has been with me all the
way