Question on Propeller Guards for Gato Submarines (Answered)

Well, seems like you ask a question and then you find the answer!  Here's a photo of the Gato's launch which seems to show propeller guards on her stern.  Guess I'll have to change the title.  This is included for any future searchers.

Gary

Launched is one thing, service another. She didn't have those bow numbers for very long either, or a red bottom.

You've no doubt heard that no two boats were the same after a short time. The Captains had unusual latitude to make modifications while in theater.

Bill

GMorrison,

True.  I've found some good references. For colors:

https://www.shipcamouflage.com/measure_9.htm

And for modifications:

https://www.submarinemuseums.org/docs/fleetboats1r.pdf

The bow numbers appear to have been painted out in December, 1941 or January, 1942 according to this image:

The numbers are still visible in outline.  Now, whether they remained like that, I don't know.

Gary

Probably not after first yard period refit.  Boats got a repaint during those 3 month overhauls.

Just looked on eBay.... white Ensign PE set has prop guards and the antenna standoffs.  Also has the scope shears and structure.  Depending on if you're doing a boat very early in the war or later.  She went through at least 2 sail and bridge cutdowns to make her harder to see on the surface.

As for rigging at sea.... pretty much only from the stern "T" mast, ends of the horizontal bar to the sail standoffs mentioned above, with a short line from the standoff go the sail but them.

GAF

The numbers are still visible in outline.

Long-standing maritime/naval practice to use weld beads to define things like hull numbers and the like.

That way the hull could be quickly painted after stripping/scaling & re-priming.  Then, details can be filled in afterwards.

Wartime hull numbers were to be 24" tall, maximum, in white or the palest gray in stock--unless directed otherwise by local Command authority.  Subs were often fully "blacked out."  As were patrol craft and the like.

As others have said, I found that when doing research for my Gato submarine/Japanese subchaser diorama, that the only standard was "there is no standard." Which in some ways makes it pretty easy, I can do whatever the heck I want and it won't be "wrong," but in other ways very hard because the detail geek in my wants my effort to match up as closely as possible with the real deal.

mfsob

because the detail geek in my wants my effort to match up as closely as possible with the real deal.

Ain't that always the way of it?

My approach, after all these years of trying, is to pick just the one photo for time/place desired, and use that over all else.  Then, fill in as best you can with the best of the resources available.