1

Didn't the Japanese capture or refloat an old four piper in the early days of the war?  Wasn't she the Stewart?  Heard the story long time ago, but I looked her story up in DANFS and she fits the verbal (no pictures).

I could be very wrong, as usual....

2

You are absolutely correct - that is IJN patrol boat PB-102, formerly the CLEMSON class destroyer USS STEWART (DD-224).  One of two former Allied destroyers to be repaired and taken into IJN service during WW2, and which says a lot about the IJN's priorities and lack of resources.  Depending on which source you read, she was named 'ex-STEWART' or simply 'DD-224' following her repossession by US forces at the end.

Given the different appearance of the other Allied destroyer to be captured by the Japanese during WW2, it is easy to deduce PB-102's identity.

3 Oops, my mistake.  There was three Allied destroyers captured by the Japanese during the Pacific War which were put into service for the IJN.  The comment about appearances still applies, though.

4 The Old Man becomes a first time winner!  Let me know what topic you want!  I'll admit that I thought it'd be harder...

1 As a dish served cold, it certainly provides fiber, but I imagine it falls short in taste. 

2 Hmm, I had not heard of that aircraft before, but according to Wikipedia, over 1500 of them were built and they saw service in the "back corners" of the WW II.  As our resident expert on the Pacific theater, perhaps you could use your new found Vengence! as a starting point for one of your excellent articles?

3 Mmmmmaybe.