On the Gato and Balao fleet boats I have not been able to get a good reference shot of the standing rigging they would have up while on patrol- I want the boat I'm building to look like it just surfaced and I need the lifelines and stanchions to be accurate - any advice - we got any bubbleheads out there? BTW I'm building a clean version of the revell lionfish- Balao and I don't mean Bubblehead in a negative way- I for instance am a skimmer -puke deck ape

Ahoy, John!
How's the build going, mate? I'm doing some looking around for some proper shots, my friend...I can use them too (if I can snag any!) for my column, since I'm using the same kit as a tutorial subject...I have a bunch of good pics, but none suitable for your application...not giving up sooo easy, though!
~Gunny

Early on in the war most all fleet boats left their rails ( wires) up while on patrol. At some time during mid production of the Gatos and on into the Balaos all had permenant steel rails installed on the cigarette deck ,periscope shears ( for lookouts) and on both sides of the deck from just forward the bow gun mount to just aft the aft gun mount. Many variations of these rails are evident in contemporary photos. These permenant rails offered some on deck protection for sailors after a surface to combat stations guns and they did not rattle etc while underway submerged.The safety rails which were used mainly in port were stanctions that screwed into the deck and wire lines were run through the stanction padeyes and tightened with turnbuckles etc. While at sea these were usually stowed away in the conning tower or in a line locker located in the free flood area below the deck. All these changes as well as the removal of the "screw guards" from operational boats came about as Jap and German ASW Sonar improved.. ( the early stanctions were noisey) and the screw guards caused underwater music that was loud enough to be dangerous to the Boat.
I model my fleetboats in port with full rigging... underway with only perminent railings in place. Almost all mid to late war Boats had their Screw Guards removed.
I served on the Bang SS 385 while she was in Guppy Mod. All permenant rails were removed from her during conversion because of the lack of deck guns etc. But we did have stactions and wire rails installed both Port and Starboard fore and aft while in port. The invention of deck walkers which were rails in the deck where a clip was attached that had a line attached to the sailors safety belt which allowed for a safer deck area to work on while underway etc. They eliminated the need for topside railings while underway too. I don't think these came about until the Guppy conversions.
It has been a while. I hope this is helpful.

Hi Walt, Welcome to Model Shipwrights, mate!

Thanks for the reply, hands on experience is priceless, as far as I'm concerned...it's fantastic to have members on the site that we can rely on for invaluable information in our searches, and luckily, here at MSW we have a great deal of them, and all great seamen alike!
~Gunny

Wow - thanks Walt great source ! As a skimmer I am kinda lost when it comes to the subs!