Hi guys! I'm new here and its my first time giving warship moddeling a go, so take it easy on me.

I'm intrested in doing a Tench Class USN Submarine. Any idea which kit I should go for? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I'm not a sub builder, but I do want to welcome you to Armorama, and the Warship forum! I'm sure one of the sub guys will be along shortly to answer your questions.
Now if it were WW-2 surfice ships!

Once again welcome aboard, glad to have you with us!

Garry

Hello Valkyrie04

Welcome to Armorama!!
Regarding the Tench there's no real model of the Tench Class Fleet Submarine, but it can be accomplished using some references and some aftermarket parts:

References:
Norman Friedman's "U.S.Submarines since 1945"
ISBN 1-55750-260-9 and
Alden's "the Fleet Submarines in the U.S.Navy"
ISBN 0-87021-187-0

The model:
Revell-Monogram 1/220 USS Lionfish

Aftermarket Parts:
Nautilus Models conning tower.
The conning tower isn't made for the Tench, but is very similar and can be made, with a little work.

Your main "trouble" would be modifying the hull, but that's what modeling is all about!

Hope I could help

Best regards from Lisbon,
Skipper

Sometimes the best way to enter a new modelling field is to build something kinda easy and cheap. AS for sub kits, there ae a ton of the WW 2 stuff that should be cheap and easy . A lot of U-boats ad a few US in scales ranging from 144 to 400. I know only a little about them. I'm planning on doing the 72nd scale Revell Type VII. Have gathered up a ton of stuff for it, the problem is they keep making more and more wonderful items for it.

I Blaster,

I think tht's the easy and right way to enter into modeling!
I had been "teaching and guiding" 12-15 year old kids during '96 to '99 as an extra activity and i still remember same faces when i told them to bring small models that they like to make and take, and sometimes some of them brought 1/32 and 1/48 aircraft that they enjoyed and when opened the box..... the desperation on seeing so many little pieces!!!
OOB and small amount of pieces are the recipe to keep on into modeling whatever the area.
It's difficult to start running when you don't know how to walk

Gary thanks for the warm welcome!

Rui Matos and General, thanks for the piece of advice and the huge amount of info.

You're most welcome, Valkyrie04!

If you take the project and need any info or help,please just ask

Just take your time

Skipper

Well I just got hold of the Revell Lion Fish kit. What exact transformations do i need to do to the hull and conning tower? To get it to look something like this. Essentially the 1960's look., with the snorkel and without the deck gun. I think its called the guppy conversion.

Hi Valkyrie!

Yes it's a Guppy IA conversion.

The GUPPY II conversion, from 1947 to 1951
was generally similar to the GUPPY I except for the sail. The addition of three new masts -- snorkel induction, snorkel exhaust, and ESM mast -- required more room in the upper portion of the sail to support the new masts. The Bureau of Ships approved two different sail designs: The "Electric Boat Sail" had a straight trailing edge, round windows, a wider top and a more rounded forward edge. The "Portsmouth Sail" had a thinner top, curved trailing edge, square windows and a sharper lower forward edge. It was put on all boats which used the government plans for the conversion. Some boats with a Portsmouth Sail had an SV-radar and needed extra room to house the screen, thus had a bulge at the sail top. Later modifications put the SS or SS2 radars on these and other boats which had a smaller screen and had an indicator with interlocks which allowed the mast to be housed only with the screen in certain angular positions. Also, some GUPPY II and GUPPY III boats had their sails extended higher above the waterline, the "Northern Sail," to raise the bridge, allowing it to be manned in more severe weather.

Because of the expense of the GUPPY II program, the GUPPY IA program of 1951 provided an interim measure that included the less-expensive changes, but not the drastic modifications performed on the GUPPY IIs.

So you have to take a looj at the Hull flooding holes and make them according to the Tench type (their different according to the Shipyard who build the sub).

The conning tower or sail:
I have one resin copy of each of the Guppy sails.
They where given to my by Rusty Sub (also a sub modeler). His set includes other pieces and bits to include in the sub (security hull handrails, domes).

Although the resin cast are not to Verlinden standart, they are a good base to work. Your other option is to scratchbuild it.

I have an article at home - it's just a matter of scanning it and send it to your email.
This article was written by Tom Dougherty and send by him, so I don't think there's a copyright problem here


Also look at good references to see if the bow is rounded or original...

I let you know more in the evening,
Skipper

Valkyrie,

I forgot to ask you this:
Why don't you post your intention to participate on the Submarine Campaign? You're most welcome

Skipper

Skipper, thanks for the info. I'd love to join but can't seem to find an existing sub campaign.

I'm trying to make the Tench Class USS Diablo/ PNS Ghazi after it underwent the Guppy conversion, yeah the same boat that sank at the Bay of Bengal.

Hi Valkyrie!!
Just go to the Warship Homepage (last link on the left top of the page) and see the latest foruns posted (the five highlighted ones)...
The name is "Recruiting for the Submarine Campaign"

It's kind of "Join the Navy and see the World" Post

Skipper

Hey Skipper,

I can't seem to find a conversion set by Nautilus for the SS479 conning tower. What do you say if I stuck with the original conning tower of the lionfish and used placards that wrapped around to give it that streamlined shape?

What other conversions would you deem necessary?



Thanks.

Hi Valkyrie!!

Please send me an email to
skipper dot rfdm at sapo dot pt
so that I can email you the conversion article.

The Guppy conning tower where made by Rusty Sub,
not Nautilus Models - these are only for initial and WWII conning towers
Skipper

Hi Valkyrie

Please ignore my request to send me an email on my previous post!!!

I've just email you three email with the article!

Enjoy,

Skipper

Sorry Valkyrie

All the 3 emails bounced....
email me to the email mentioned two post up!!

Skipper

I'm afraid its the same with me too. Both of my email bounced too. Perhaps you can give me an alternative email address or you can email me at [email protected]

Sorry for the inconvienience.

It was sent Valkyrie,
and there's no need to appologise

A Modeler in need is a modeler in deed!!

Skipper