USS Cero SS-225

I built this with the very old Lindberg Gato model kit. I chose not to build it as with the decals and some of the instructions in the kit. I used Frog Tape to tape off the hull and used Testors small cans of spray paint. Tweezers, modeling knife, and rubber bands help also. Not the most accurate kit but for $15.00 and if you add a wooden base and the Navy pin and some logos it turns out rather nicely. She is a Gato class sub that won seven battle stars in WWII.
The Cero is a type of large Spanish Mackerel that is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.



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Update, made some changes,

 

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Nice Balao class submarine you have.

 

Thank you. Not one to argue, but wiki says Gato. But, a close sister.

 

Oh, sure, the Cero was a Gato class. However, the conning tower on your submarine is that of a Balao class - Gatos' never had conning towers like that.

 

I understand. Lindberg Company and I did not know. I just made sure of the deck gun placement per the photo on line. I believe this was first introduced as a model in the late 1940’s.

 

Visual Guide to the Gato Class
http://navsource.org/archives/08/pdf/0829294.pdf

Visual Guide to Balao & Tench Class
http://navsource.org/archives/08/pdf/0829295.pdf

 

One of their first, if not their first ship model.

Most folks would never know the differences any way.

 

I will say this, that wood base really spruces up an otherwise average model kit. Kudos.

 

Thanks, that was from one of those model fishing boats that you can buy in the gift shops at the seashore. It was very old.

 

Nice job !

 

I have now decided to go in accordance with the design of a Balao class sub conning tower and strip the letters, numbers and patch (on the base) of the Cero and rename my model the Bowfin, which was a Balao Class sub. I thank you for pointing that out to me. As you see in the photo (two down), I have now printed and cut out a logo and glued it to the base.
I believe the Bowfin is a submarine museum at Pearl Harbor. I realize that the paint scheme is not that accurate on the conning tower, but I may repaint the upper half, just the periscopes.

 

upper half painted gray

 

I remember going on the bowfin tour and it say 80 to 85 men crewed the boat I was like where the hell do they squeeze that many men in there like it was so tight. The mess area was so small they must have eaten in shifts. Anyway I was interesting to see and in the gift shop I found new printing of the old Leewards ship data books on the Arizona and Ward. I was happy to get those.

 

Thanks. And a few weeks ago, some additional changes.....