Lindbergh's USS Gato...now done 08/18/2021!

Darren, This is a great starter kit for a model Submarine.  It is also a fun model to try scratch-building a bit of detail.  Too bad there is no 1/240ish scale AM stuff for it. 

It's an easy kit to turn into the Balao class too as the Conning tower is already correct for the Balao.

You're doing a nice job on the assembly. Check the WEB for some Camo painting ideas.

Here is one: 

  I wanted to suggest you might want to get another one of these inexpensive Lindberg kits to have some extra fun.  The kits plastic top deck sits a bit Proud on the hull. On a real Sub it would appear flush, bow to stern.  A simple "fix" could mean just adding some plastic sheet to the bow and stern to meet with the deck. 

The deck and the Hull should meet with a more rounded edge too. 

Just some ideas for the future.

     Nino.

This may be the same model that is being offered new by Atlantis Models.

It's probably a better kit for getting the painting sorted, and there are a number of interesting paint schemes with cool fades and the like.

It' probably not a kit to get committed to trying to get the details right, that's like to be more of a scratch re-build by the time a person was done.

At 1/240ish, it's probably better for good-ish.

I hope you move onto a better kit soon. Like the Revell Lionfish, in the world of USN subs of that era and general scale.

The Lindy Gato goes aaalll the way back to 1945. The original was boxed by Varney, they of model railroad fame.

I would not spend any time or money trying to make it better.

But fun.

Bill

Nino

 

 

Bill

Going to try to keep this as fun and not stress on accuracy.  This si also a test on how Vallejo's Model Air works on several different models.  Just more practice for me on working on my technique.  

I did check the primer, it looks pretty good, just sand it down a bit.  As for the color scheme, I've had problems findng a good color scheme, but I will keep an eye out.  I could also not be lazy and check out the instructions of other companies that make the a Gato class submarine and see what they use on their color call outs, but that wouldn't be quite as fun. :)

Trumpeter has a callout for a grey and black scheme, most boats were done in allover black.  Lot of builders favor nato black.  By the time they got back from patrol, you can see alot of wear and tear in the paint work. Take a look at NavSource pics for weathering ideas.

Nino is right, the'scope shears are pure Balao, but the hulls of the Gatos and Balaos are virtually the same, just a little thicker pressure hull in the Balaos.

Hi - looks like a fun build.

Mustang8376

I did check the primer, it looks pretty good, just sand it down a bit.

If you haven't actually sanded it yet, be careful - I used Vallejo primer on a Revell U-boat last year, and sanded it down after waiting a day.  It peeled like a layer of very peely stuff, and left a very visible hole showing the bare plastic.  After leaving it for a few days (I gave it a week next time I used it) and sanding VERY gently, it was OK.  Hope I've caught you in time, and I look forward to seeing your build - looking good so far.

Take a look at this site. It's pretty reliable, not perfect but useful.

https://www.shipcamouflage.com/submarines.htm

Bill

...primed.  Trying not go all lay and just do the paint in dark gray.

20210329_104236 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

 20210329_104304 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210329_104305 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210329_104308 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

FYI, Gold Metal Models has a 1/240 PE set intended for the old Revell Campbelltown destroyer. 
Might be something in there you could use, if you're interested. 

http://goldmm.com/ships/gms2buwa.htm

Hi;

 That sub is fun. I have done all sorts of things with numerous editions of that kit. Now the last one was way better than most. I created an inner hull and found grating of a scale that was close so that became my deck and some plastic sheet artfully shaped became the pressure hull inside.

   Then I proceeded to open one torpedo door as well as Cutting away all the plastic in the Limber holes. I used Brass for the posts for the Railing on the tower and Fine Wire for the rails. The guns got rebuilt with Brass components and the dive planes, rudder and props got redesigned and mounted.

     You want to know what I like best about this kit? It's from Lindberg and so it's simple, fun, and fine looking when done. It won't be confused for any other navy's sub. plus, it's a whole lot cheaper than other brands.

Slowly but surely, it's coming along.  I'm going to call the painting portion of this build done.  Next up... putting on all "4" decals!, sealing it and then going to try my hand at weathering.

SAM_8332 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8333 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

Looking sharp - nice work!

Nino

Darren, This is a great starter kit for a model Submarine.  It is also a fun model to try scratch-building a bit of detail.  Too bad there is no 1/240ish scale AM stuff for it. 

It's an easy kit to turn into the Balao class too as the Conning tower is already correct for the Balao.

You're doing a nice job on the assembly. Check the WEB for some Camo painting ideas.

Here is one: 

  

 

 

  I wanted to suggest you might want to get another one of these inexpensive Lindberg kits to have some extra fun.  The kits plastic top deck sits a bit Proud on the hull. On a real Sub it would appear flush, bow to stern.  A simple "fix" could mean just adding some plastic sheet to the bow and stern to meet with the deck. 

 

The deck and the Hull should meet with a more rounded edge too. 

Just some ideas for the future.

     Nino.

 

 

 

Nino, 
Friend and I took the SS Badger across Lake Michigan a few years ago and took the full tour of the Cobia.
Good LORD, those must've been midgets in that crew. Lol; I about threw my back out getting through the compartment hatches. I can't even imagine being in one of those for a 60-70 day patrol. 

Hmm;

     Looks kinda like an Unfinished Unterzeeboot ta me! And after reading Aurora's, history, YES! Aurora! They acquired Varney's old molds Before OLIN ( Lindberg) did! That's the boat fer sure!

Ah!

      1911,The sound of a slide moving forward with a round. Oh Sorry, Straycat, I am a fan of that Pistol too(See Thread on Nicknames,Handles etc.) I have found some some supposedly 1/200 from Toms' That would work. It is a little to small for what I bought it for!

        Oh, NOTE: If you look closely, The Deck does NOT have Planks. It's an illusion caused by the rows of freeing holes in them! Some were wood. I don't believe the " Gato's " Were!

Still chugging along with this.  Just finalized the painting, decals (all 4!), and sprayed a layer of Future in preperation for the weathering.

SAM_8363 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8364 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8366 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8367 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

Great progress.  Looking good

Goodness, what are those hull numbers?

Bill

The kit provided hull numbers.  Yeah, I know they are not correct, but I am going more for a fun build than a accurate build.  

Sorry for the poor quality of the pics, but it is hard to get good pictures in my workshop.  Need to work on the lighting.  So far, I've attempted to weather with some light rust from the Tamiya weathering set.  Came on too heavy so unknown if I will try to remove and do over.

SAM_8376 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8375 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8374 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

 SAM_8373 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

Almost done!  Just a small fix to the stand.  Plus I might retouch the weathering since I am not happy with it.  All in all, an interesting build.  Pictures are horrendous, sorry about the quality.  Lighting in my shop is awful for pictures.  Will take a better set once I label this one done.

SAM_8410 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8407 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8408 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

SAM_8408 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

...and I shall call this one DONE! :)

20210818_072147 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072152 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072156 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072201 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072207 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072212 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072217 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072221 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072228 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

20210818_072236 by Darren Keller, on Flickr

Nice job!  She looks good - and that was a pretty quick build.

Thank you, pretty quick. Spent more time on the painting then the build itself.