1/72 GATO QUESTION.

 When one of our 688s returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom, I don't remember which boat, she had the broom lashed to the mast indicating that all of the cruise missiles she launched hit their designated targets.   I should say so!

 I believe that the tradition is that the broom denotes that all of the targets attacked were destroyed, not so much that all of the torpedoes actually hit the target.

Not coming back from sea trials,  its coming back from a patrol.  

Its a symbol of a clean sweep.  All torpedos launched, all torpedos hit.

IIRC, there is a broom on the Silversides in Manitowoc, WI.  Revell took much of their mesaurements & details from that museum ship since its close to the Revell USA headquarters in Illinois.  

Adding the broom to the mast head is a personal choice