DOWNLOAD research document on what boats had what type of shutter (also available in
LIBRARY)
Anything “Gato” (/Balao) means wild variation, numerous inconsistent exceptions, and individuality.
The Torpedo Shutters are no different! RESEARCH your specific boat and time period to find out what shutters it (most likely/probably/possibly?) had.
In general, the Shutter story goes something like this...
“VALLEY”
A long, scoop-like concave shutter, from bow piece through entire shutter door. A holdover from Tambor, seen mainly on
early Electric Boat (EB) boats: SS212-214, SS215-221, and early Manitowac boats. Portsmouth-built Tambors/early Gatos had
the flat-angled style shutters (termed “Balao” here).
“SPOON”
A flat shutter body, but a spoon scoop at the hinge end, meeting a spoon scoop at the bow. The main flat was
reinforced with a strengthener. The Revell Gato kit depicts these, though in a mishapen and totally inaccurate way. The kit is also modeled after the USS Cobia,
which presently has Balao style shutters! (These may have been added later, the launching photos of Cobia are inconclusive). The spoons seem to be
the rare type of shutter, limited to Mare Island boats and a few odd others.
“BALAO”
A flat shutter body with a flat, angled piece where the spoon used to be, meeting a flat-angle at the bow.
Obviously easier to build, and probably quicker. A shutter like this was used in non-EB early Gatos and even some Tambors. Late Gatos and the Balaos had these shutters.
Photos and plans show a much more complex shape then a “flat” body, the main feature being a very slight square and concave channel in place of the
strengthener. But some illustrations and even a few photos show a convex stengthener, much like the mid range shutters, but very wide.
SET USN-TORSHTSPN-B-072
TORPEDO SHUTTER GATO SPOON (BOW) US$9.95
The Revell 1:72 Gato kit is generally accurate, but can be improved, especially the shutters. The kit depicts a wildly inaccurate version of a type of shutter
only used on a small number of boats.
AMP shutters with scratchbuilt track slots and linkage
Set comes with #1-6 Bow shutters in resin. Can be used in CLOSED position, OR in OPEN (with additional kit - USN-TORTUBE-072 Tube/Door/Deck)
US Tullibee Shutters, Gato Bow - Warship Pictorial 28 - Gato Type Fleet Submarines by Steve Wiper
Revel Kit Shutters (molded to hull)
SET USN-TORSHTBAL-B-072
TORPEDO SHUTTER GATO BALAO (BOW) US$10.95
Resin Balao Shutters. Includes bow pieces. Port and Starboard.
SET USN-TORSHTBAL-B-072
TORPEDO SHUTTER GATO EARLY (BOW) US$10.95
Resin Valley Shutters. Includes bow pieces and short bottom shutter “cheek”. Port and Starboard.
Torp Kit - Taped Test fit
GATO Bow Limber Holes PE Set
1 January 2010
Gatos had 5 major bow limber patterns but the Revell 1:72 kit only supplies one, and not much of a bow interior.
AMP has designed a set to offer the patterns and the interior reinforcing frames (based on a combination of boats).
We are taking “Expressions of Interest” right now, to determine production. This will be a LIMITED RUN ONLY.
If you are interested, please email us at:
amp@rokket.biz.
(Note that these expressions are NOT pre-orders.)
Each set will be .005" (.127mm) thick, the closest scale equivalent to non-pressure hull thickness (1/4") steel.
Technically, .004" (.10mm) is closer, but just too weak. Price is TENTATIVELY set at US$21.95.
For more information on the bow limbers, see our document, available below or in the LIBRARY.
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