Calling all Tang-class (SS/AGSS-563) fans

[D-Boy]

My build log for the Gudgeon started here: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=120097.

I've been asked to build one on commission for someone who's father was a Gudgeon plank-owner.

Richard Sliwka recently had his build of the Gudgeon posted to the Gallery: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... /index.htm. Nice and tidy!

- D-Boy

[Fritz]

I Know a couple of you were wondering where the added section for the puffs equipment was placed. I happened across some scans of the USS WAHOO GA's the other day. According to the updated BuShips drawing the section was 15 feet long (5 frames at 3 ft spacing) and placed just forward of the sail. While there is hull taper at this area, the section added is prismatic. I.E. the the hull starts to taper, then becomes parallel in this area, then begins tapering again towards the front. This plug was inserted halfway between frame 43 and 44. (I indicated this in red)

HTH

[Patman]

It�s time to start my Tang.
Zapping the gap between sail and hull:





I�m tempted to start a simultaneous build, Hoby Boss Alfa in 1/350 maybe.

Saudos

P

[aptivaboy]

Hi all,

I'm currently working on the Blue Ridge Gudgeon. I plan on modeling her as submerged with bow planes out and masts retracted. Does anyone know how much of the masting should show while submerged? I'm guessing that just the tops of the resin mast parts should be there roughly flush with the top of the sail. Could anyone comment on this? The PE radar located just aft of the bridge station also represents an issue. Should the PE radar be there but just lowered into the bridge recess, or should it literally not be there at all? I can't tell from pictures just how deeply it retracted on the real thing.

Many thanks,

Bob

[Fritz]

Hi Bob

For all masts retracted: Mount the SV-3 radar (resin part 20 with PE part 9) in place, but without the brass rod. It should sit well withing the cockpit without extending past the coaming edge. Trim snorkel (resin part 13) just below the slot where the diffuser plate (PE 12) attaches. Add the plate and install in place, such that the diffuser plate should sit flush with the step in the aft end of the sail. Whip antennas (PE 13) are attached so that they are trailing horizontally aft. Pelorus (part 14, but mislabeled as 13) is a fixed item, so install in the cockpit as shown.

Simply omit all other masts and periscopes, as these retract well below the sail top in their respective apertures.

[aptivaboy]

Thank you ! That was exactly what i needed!

bob

[Vepr157]

I recently did a bit of digging on some submarine veterans' websites and I came across two picture of Wahoo in dry dock. Both of these photos show the prop shafts as being exposed and supported by struts, like on the earlier fleet boats. The PDF of Wahoo's plans on navsource shows the same configuration as well. Also, Darter (I know it's not technically a Tang) has exposed prop shafts. The Blue Ridge Gudgeon (and IIRC the drawing in Friedman's Submarines Since 1945) has its prop shafts contained within fairings similar to those used on Nautilus and the Skate class SSNs. Did all boats have the exposed prop shafts or were they built with the fairings but had them removed later?

[Fritz]

Hi Vepr

The shaft fairings were Tang, Gudgeon, and Harder only. All three had them throughout their service. The remaining boats in the class all had the V-struts. Bu-ships never worked out whether the efficiency of the fairings were worth the vibration/noise they had. Likewise, Nautilus, and Skate class were also noisy with their fairings. Despite efforts by Bu-ships they never resolved the problems, until they started getting away from twin shaft boats and went to the single axial props that required neither struts (draggy) nor fairings (noisy).

Best Regards

Fritz K.

[Vepr157]

Thanks Fritz! I was worried that if I got the Blue Ridge model I would have to modify the stern. So many companies that make sub models do such annoyingly inaccurate jobs (I'm looking at you, Hobby Boss 1/350 Typhoon), but the Blue Ridge models really impress me with their accuracy and this only further confirms that for me.

[Fritz]

Sorry.. Just reviewed my old notes.. There were four!.. Trout also had the fairings..

[Vepr157]

Does anyone have information about Prairie-Masker as it applies to the Tangs? I have some pictures of Tang and Wahoo with piping on the stern for Prairie, but I can't see any Masker belts. Would Gudgeon have had either Prairie or Masker around the time that the Blue Ridge kit depicts?

[Timmy C]

Would photos of Turkish museum Tangs help? Waterline-up only, of course. Or if you have an image of what to look for/where they're located, I can check through what I have.

[Vepr157]

Sure! Here's a pdf which shows the Masker: http://navsource.org/archives/08/pdf/0856565.pdf. The emitted bands are located ~10 feet forward and aft of the sail. They will appear as raised strips that go down the hull.

[Timmy C]

Doesn't look like it - just a bunch of cables and ropes.

[Vepr157]

Thanks for those photos! Yeah I don't see anything either. I don't mean to be overly pedantic, but the last photo is a GUPPY, not a Tang. We sure gave a lot of diesel boats to the Turks.

[Timmy C]

You're right, it's a Tench class - always get them mixed up.

[mike_espo]

Any body know if Blue Ridge Models will re-release the 1/350 Tang?

Can't find it anywhere..

[Tom Dougherty]

I'm not sure that they have plans to rerelease any of their resin submarines. The molds may have worn out and unfortunately, despite superb submarine models, I don't think they were big sellers. I'd be happy to be proven wrong! I have their Gudgeon, Albacore, Growler, and Halibut kits, and these are outstanding kits!! I know they also acquired the old MB/Yankee Modelworks resin submarine line and brought out at least one update version (IIRC, George Washington). I don't know if revitalizing and upgrading that line has stalled as well.

It's been quiet for a while from Blue Ridge on submarines until recently; I see they are going to bring out an Argonaut in 1/350 next year.

[krgf15]

I missed out on the Growler.... I really want that one.

[mike_espo]

I missed out on the Growler.... I really want that one.

Me too