Calling all Gato-class (SS-212) fans

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:24 pm

Thanks Tracy, I think that pretty much confirms what Mario said about the Tang... as the sail is different. More like the 1944 Gato

Tom Dougherty · Post by **Tom Dougherty** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:39 pm

I think that pretty much confirms what Mario said about the Tang... as the sail is different. More like the 1944 Gato

Tang was NOT a Gato, she was a Balao class boat, hence the very different sail. The Gato and Balao sails were very different designs, and were not alike even after the Gato sails were modified and cut down. You could use one of Mario's Balao sails to build Tang. BUT, Tang was built by Mare Island, and hence had a very different limber hole pattern than the Electric Boat pattern. On the other hand the USS Blenny (among others) was a Balao, but built at EB, and hence had the EB limber hole pattern

If you want to stick with the kit supplied tower, you are limited to a handful of early Gatos built in 41- early 42. Aftermarket parts give you a bit more leeway. One piece of advice, pick a specific submarine at a specific point in time, and get photos of that boat at that time. These submarines were constantly altered during the war with conning tower modifications, radar mast changes, deck and small gun changes, sonar outfittings, and other items. Different yards did the work, and some captains had custom modifications made (such as Dick O'Kane's Tang, with its crows nest). At the end of the war, no two submarines were exactly alike.

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:55 pm

Tom Dougherty wrote:
I think that pretty much confirms what Mario said about the Tang... as the sail is different. More like the 1944 Gato
Tang was NOT a Gato, she was a Balao class boat, hence the very different sail. The Gato and Balao sails were very different designs, and were not alike even after the Gato sails were modified and cut down. You could use one of Mario's Balao sails to build Tang. BUT, Tang was built by Mare Island, and hence had a very different limber hole pattern than the Electric Boat pattern. On the other hand the USS Blenny (among others) was a Balao, but built at EB, and hence had the EB limber hole pattern

If you want to stick with the kit supplied tower, you are limited to a handful of early Gatos built in 41- early 42. Aftermarket parts give you a bit more leeway. One piece of advice, pick a specific submarine at a specific point in time, and get photos of that boat at that time. These submarines were constantly altered during the war with conning tower modifications, radar mast changes, deck and small gun changes, sonar outfittings, and other items. Different yards did the work, and some captains had custom modifications made (such as Dick O'Kane's Tang, with its crows nest). At the end of the war, no two submarines were exactly alike.

OK Thank you Tom for that run down. So, I am basically limited to the EB yard at Groton,CT then? Regardless of Gato or Balao class due to the limber holes? Ok, Makes sense now!
I'm thinking of OOB but am leaning towards AM stuff for this once I figure out which sub to build.
And I thought researching the PT Boats was difficult! LoL...

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:54 am

I just want to clarify what I explained to Ed about the Tang which I think he has misunderstood. As Tom explained Tang is a Government Mare Isl Long balao tower, The Trumpy kit that Ed has is the EB holed early Gato kit. To make the Tang out of that particular kit is done by plugging the EB holes and drilling out new limber holes by using the pm/mare Island stencil that comes with the long balao styles ibs kit. This procedure has also been done on the EB Revell 1/72 for PM/Mare Balao conversions. Mario

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:04 am

Thanks Mario, I now understand what you were saying.
Also, I've been looking at the Eb yard Gatos ((SS-212-227, 240-264)
and the Eb & Manitowoc Balaos (SS-313-318) along with the USS Golet (SS-361)
Hammerhead (SS-364) and Hardhead (SS-365)
But, still leaning towards the Baya (SS-318) as I like the shark's mouth and heavy armament on her deck

J. Soca · Post by **J. Soca** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:37 pm

Hi Ed

Just like I promised you

it�s a pity to see that sub rusting away the inside was cool though, what really impressed me was the size of the torpedoes

J. Soca · Post by **J. Soca** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:38 pm

3 more

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10 ... CF0454.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10 ... CF0455.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10 ... CF0456.jpg

Jose

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:54 pm

Awesome pics!!

Tell me that's not ALL that ya took of the boat!?!
Where's dem torpedos at?
It's sad to see it rusting away but, the interior looks like it has been well maintained.

Navarone · Post by **Navarone** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:54 am

Can anyone tell the main differences between the Tambor/Gar/Gato classes. I have been looking for a Tambor/Gar class line drawing or schematic. I figured you Gato class guys might know the answers. My interest is in the SS-206.

wildspear · Post by **wildspear** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:37 am

most of the differences were in the conning tower and the vents. Different ship yards did different things and as time and war progress they tried new things to make the boats better. Most boats were different than thier sister boats. The best thing to do is settle on one sub and then research like crazy.

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:49 pm

Navarone wrote:Can anyone tell the main differences between the Tambor/Gar/Gato classes. I have been looking for a Tambor/Gar class line drawing or schematic. I figured you Gato class guys might know the answers. My interest is in the SS-206.

All I can say is look here http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/04idx.htm

You'll find the USS Gar, and other fleet subs
hth,
Eddie

J. Soca · Post by **J. Soca** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:56 pm

Ed I�m sorry buddy these are all the pics I took on the sub I really tried to take a shot on the fore torps but people started coming down the ladder and I couldn�t I had to keep moving aft. I don�t recall of seeing any torpedoes aft. like I said before the inside of the sub is really something I still can�t believe 70 guys lived inside this can of sardines

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:29 pm

J. Soca wrote:Ed I�m sorry buddy these are all the pics I took on the sub I really tried to take a shot on the fore torps but people started coming down the ladder and I couldn�t I had to keep moving aft. I don�t recall of seeing any torpedoes aft. like I said before the inside of the sub is really something I still can�t believe 70 guys lived inside this can of sardines

Ok bro, I can understand that. Having been on tours before & ya get shoved thru/ around pretty quick on them when it's busy. From the pics, I can tell it's kept up really nice & thanks for sharing them

It is hard to believe so many people lived in such a tiny space!
I worked on a B-17G at March Field one day & 3 of us were in the plane together and while in the nose, we kept bumpin' into one another! I was thinkin' gee... this musta been somethin' when flak was flyin' & Bf 109s were firin'...

Navarone · Post by **Navarone** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:12 am

I was wondering if anyone could identify what type of guns are shown in thess photos of the USS Gar SS-206. I think the photo was taken early to mid 50's.

: ss-206

: SS-206

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:51 pm

From aft to fore, 4"50 cal deck gun, 40 mm bofor, 20 mm canon mount. The large stanchion in the back railing is the pintle mount for the M2 air cooled MG. There are most likely smaller mounts on the upper fairwater for the Browning M1919 30 cal MG. Mario

wildspear · Post by **wildspear** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:43 am

hey all,

been awhile since I posted. Here is a shot of the hull of my gato.

wildspear · Post by **wildspear** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:45 am

here is a shot of the fairing that I'm attempting to scratch build.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z72/ ... iring1.jpg

Hippy Ed · Post by **Hippy Ed** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:31 am

wildspear wrote:hey all,

been awhile since I posted. Here is a shot of the hull of my gato.

Awesome!!

Glad ta see ya postin' again

Navarone · Post by **Navarone** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:16 pm

Mario wrote:From aft to fore, 4"50 cal deck gun, 40 mm bofor, 20 mm canon mount. The large stanchion in the back railing is the pintle mount for the M2 air cooled MG. There are most likely smaller mounts on the upper fairwater for the Browning M1919 30 cal MG. Mario

Thanks Mario, I am trying to see what you are calling a large stanchion. I don't see what your talking about, can you point it out?

Navarone · Post by **Navarone** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:24 pm

wildspear,
I am courious what plans or photos are you using to build your Gato. I noticed you have several vent holes on what appears to be the bottom of the hull. I don't remember seeing anything like this on my plans I got from the Floating Drydock. Can you explain?

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