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Gato Submarine - SS-223 Bonefish

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GSG
  • Member since
    January 2022
Gato Submarine - SS-223 Bonefish
Posted by GSG on Monday, January 24, 2022 1:25 PM

I am modelling the 72 scale Revell Gato basing it off fo the Bonefish.  Primarily because when evaluating the out-of-the-box fore and aft topedo shutters and as well as the limber hole design, the Revell model most closesly represents the Electric Boat Bonefish.  Plus the Bonefish has an amazing history and is on eternal patrol.  

I can't figure out however if the Bonefish had portholes in the forward fairwater.  My understanding is that the portholes were part of the enclosed fairwater in very early Gato versions before being cut away.  However in the photo 0822306a.jpg (5900×4708) (navsource.org) I can make out what appears to be very faint porthole cutouts at the 11 o'clock, 1 O'clock,  and 2 O'clock position behind the sailors head.  (I assume that there would be another porthole on the other side obstructed from the view)  Additionally, when reviewing photos of the Bluefish which preceeded construction at Electric Boat by 2 weeks I find the photo 0822202.jpg (807×504) (navsource.org)  This clearly shows two portholes behind the 20mm gun.   Does anyone have any information whether the Bonefish or other Gatos had portholes cut in the modified fairwaters after the early fairwater was cut away? 

  • Member since
    August 2021
Posted by goldhammer88 on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:31 AM

The boats underwent several fairwater diets as the war progressed.  A lot of it is going to depend on what period you are showing her, and how many times she was on the yard.  They tended to trim more and more as the war went on.  From what I've seen, she was at Mare Island for overhaul between the sixth and seventh patrols, And lost on her eighth.  Her fairwater was undoubtedly cut down, but don't know how far.  Also was not uncommon to have minor changes to the fairwater, as well as gun fit done during the 2 week refits between patrols.

 

 

To the best of my knowledge, once the ports were gone, they were gone for good.

Sounds like a good project, honoring a boat still on patrol.

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