Just got my Trumpeter 1/144th scale Gato submarine, 1944 fit and all I can utter is, WOW!...I have the REG 1/144th scale U-boat and thought it would be a good companion piece...hull is 26 inches long---even in this scale...
If you have any doubts about the quality of this kit, erase them...even better than the ROG U-boat...very impressive...
I also bought a basic White Ensign PE set for a few minor fittings and the White Ensign gun set as well, which includes very finely rendered replacement deck guns for any version of a Gato you want to reproduce---they are very detailed and molded very cleanly...I think I will be able to get an awesome model outta these three sets...even with all of the sets put together the part count will likely be less than 125 pieces