Folks,
Looking over Trumpeter's 1/144th Gato hull again, the interest is really increasing on doing a mod to one of the "GUPPY" boats. I know Iron Bottom Sound produces a conversion pack for this, but I've had quality issues with previous products from IBS. Plus I'd rather scratchbuild the sail area to include what I want. What I'm wondering, has anyone found or seen any decent plans for the sail on the GUPPY boats ? Scale really doesn't matter, I can adjust.
I appreciate any information, Thanks Crew.......................Bruce

Bruce,

Try this page. You may be able to gleam some info from the page.

Guppy Submarines

I'll keep looking.
Gator

Kenny,
Thank you, a Great web site. It has been a long time favorite. Unfortunately, still no drawings on the GUPPY sails...but I will keep looking.

But I do have to admit the Type 212A looks awful good !!!!! Thanks again, Bruce

Hi Frigate,

Mike Keating (who does frequent this forum) served on GUPPYs, so he's The Man to ask. I'll post your request on http://models.rokket.biz/index.php which Mike also frequents.

Rokket,
Thank you for the assistance. Believe me, any and all assistance is appreciated. There were quite a few mods to the fleet boats, so there is plenty for us to model. Appreciate it...................Bruce

Late (as usual) but let's see if I can help you, Bruce:
Books:
- Norman Friedman's "U.S. Submarines since 1945"
ISBN: 1-55750-260-9
Naval Institute Press

- John Alden's "The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy"
ISBN: 0-87021-187-0
Naval Institute Press

Resin Conversions at:
http://ibs.eastcoastarmory.com/

Hope that this (late) info can be of any assistance to you Bruce and to others interested in making a Guppy
Skipper

Skip,
Thank you for the info on these books. One question, do either of them have a plan drawing, regardless of scale ? Which version of the GUPPY mods doesn't really matter, and neither does scale.
I have Submarines of the US Navy by Terzibzschitsch (1991), which has quite a bit about the Guppy mods, but little in the way of plans. There are several internet sites that have some information, which I am researching as we speak.
Again Guys, Thank you for any assistance....................................Bruce

Bruce,
Is this what your looking for?

http://www.schiffsbilderarchiv.de/gatosubs/download.htm

Bruce,
Both have line drawings... Alden's book have two bigger plans with cutaway drawings on a Gato (WWII config), a Guppy IIA (SS 391 - USS Pomfret) and a Guppy III (SS 346 - USS Corporal). And lots of photos on both books
Hope this helps
Skipper

Don & Rui,
Whoa Guys !!!!! I can not thank the both of you enough. It may take me a while to do the project , but thanks to you two, it is now in my court. Time for me to get serious about the "Guppies" - and see what I can or can not do. Thank you.......................Bruce

Happy to help. Good luck with your project and keep us posted on your progress, no matter how long it takes.
Don

Gents,
Just a little update on the Guppy project all of you helped with. I did manage to get several of the books mentioned, which gave me quite a bit of information and some basic plans. But as usual, the more I got into these boats, the more I could see 1/144th boats would end up being way too big for my place and budget.

Well, as usual, I went back and started digging around, and Voila ! Tamaya's 1/700 Gato boats became the answer ! As I write this, the USS Torsk is coming down the ways as she was in the early 50's as a "Gunslinger". The Portsmouth sail has been built, and as usual, I'm getting way too carried away trying to detail as much as possible. But in this scale, even if I mess up a hull, it isn't panic, plus I can build quite a collection.

Once again, Thanks to all that assisted with the basic info. If nothing else, this will be an ongoing fun project to see how many different sub-types I can build of this series.

Take it easy, ..............................Bruce

Hi Bruce...

Looking forward to see your 1/700 modification
Keep up and keep us posted
Cheers,
Skipper

Skipper,
Not a problem keeping you folks in the loop. I'm posting a few photos of the present condition of the build. Although 1/700 mods may not be that popular, I'm having a ball. And again, Thanks to all the folks who helped with the request for assistance.

As always, critiques are always welcomed. Semper Fi ..................Bruce

Images...




Now, Bruce!
What a wonderful job you've made with the Tamiya Gato!
I know that the mold was skywave, which is always a good start, but you have mastered a relatively easy conversion, but in small scale is always hard to make it perfect!
I have nothing to say but CONGRATULATIONS!
Now, to the painting part
Cheers
Skipper

EDIT: Don't forget the semi hemispherical perspex radome on the open bridge - you can easily make this with acetate

Skipper,
Thanks for the extremely kind words. Unfortunately, I have a looonng way to go before painting. This morning I started working on some of the antennas and comm gear, plus highlighting the surface of the Portsmouth sail. So I have quite a way to go with this project. I just wanted to Thank all who helped and give you a taste of what is coming.

Also Skip, what did I do wrong with the photos ? I copied the url and pasted, but it only came up with the box x.

I'll keep everyone interested how this project proceeds. Thanks again, guys.....Bruce

Hi Bruce

The new gallery has a different way of "writing" the image url (it has now the html and the BBCode followed - so you have to chose the part that starts with [ img ])
As for your Guppy, I know that there are still missing some antennas and other minor details, but you are making a good built there!
I know you will be able to make it to Good Port!

Now for a trick question: You are not going to paint it all black, right?
Cheers and keep up
Rui

Skip,
Believe me, there are more than a few details missing. But that's OK, I'll just plug away at it and keep researching. The bad thing is, I already have lined up at least 3-4 more boats to build from the 1/700 kit. But it really is a fun project.

As for the color scheme, grey over black, my friend. IMHO these boats had "character" in those colors.

I'll keep the crew posted........................................Bruce

Mario,

Please check your email...
Rui