I just completed the Trumpy 1/144 Gato for the Submarine GB. The kit has no fit problems but it benefits from some AM details.
I used the WEM PE set for the shears and the cig deck railings. The lookout deck got some stretched sprue railings and the ones along the main deck were made using EZ Line. The stanchions got some additional details using stretched sprue.
Additional flood holes were drilled along the deck edge, stern and along the bottom of the hull. The wood stand came from Hobby Lobby along with the wood finials that were stained and polished. The grab irons were made from thin copper wire.
The 3"/50 cal and both 20mm guns are 3D printed from Shapeways. The level of detail is light years ahead of the Nautilus resin guns.
The colors used were a combination of Panzer Grey, RLM 70 and Nato Black applied in layers to show fading and discoloration on a Measure 9 scheme. Further weathering was done using artist oils and home made oil paint washes.
This is how Gato looked after her August 1943 refit at Mare Island. In Nov. 1944 she got her last refit that included upgraded guns and a cut down fairwater and a different shear arrangement. She received the Presidential Unit Citation and 13 battle stars for service in World War II. She was decomissioned in 1946 and placed out of service till 1960 when sold for scrap. Double click on the pictures for closeups.
