1/32 USS Balao SS-285 Fairwater (JMCHQSHJS) by Model

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1/32 USS Balao SS-285 Fairwater 3d printed

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1/32 USS Balao SS-285 Fairwater 3d printed Hatches, shears and radar mast available separately.

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Product Description

Catalog of over 2500 scale models and nameplates (click here).

Scale: 1/32

This model represents the fairwater of USS Balao SS-285, the first of 122 World War Two-era Balao class submarines, successor to the Gato class. The Balao class had a differently shaped fairwater (sail/conning tower) than the earlier Gato class although the hull was nearly identical externally. This model has features specific to USS Balao SS-285 as it appeared during 1945. It can be adapted to other boats of the class with similar features.

Notice: due to the size of this product, it can only be printed in "White Natural Versatile Plastic". This material is a kind of nylon. Customers report that this material will have noticeable striations (print lines) which some modelers find unacceptable for static display models. "Natural Versatile" nylon plastics do not sand easily. Therefore, to create smoother surfaces if desired, apply thin layers of primer meant specifically for nylon, then smooth the primer. Google "primer for nylon" to find several good choices. Google "paint for nylon" to find good paint that will adhere to nylon. Because of its durability, "White Natural Versatile Plastic" is a good choice for radio control models where strength and durability are important.

© Model Monkey LLC. This 3D-printed item may not be copied or recast.

Due to the very large size of the complete fairwater, the following products are available separately:

Click here for excellent submarine references.

Although details varied widely between boats, the persicope shears and radar mast configuration depicted by this model is known to have been fit to the following Balao class boats:

SS-285 Balao
SS-286 Billfish
SS-287 Bowfin
SS-288 Cabrilla
SS-291 Crevalle
SS-297 Ling
SS-308 Apogon
SS-311 Archerfish
SS-319 Becuna
SS-321 Besugo
SS-383 Pampanito
SS-384 Parche
SS-402 Sea Fox
SS-404 Spikefish
SS-409 Piper
SS-413 Spot
SS-415 Stickleback
SS-426 Tusk

From military.wikia.com: "The Balao-class was a successful design of United States Navy submarine used during World War II, and with 122[5] units built, the largest class of submarines in the United States Navy. An improvement on the earlier Gato-class, the boats had slight internal differences. The most significant improvement was the use of thicker, higher yield strength steel in the pressure hull skins and frames,[6] which increased their test depth to 400 feet (120 m). Tang actually achieved a depth of 612 ft (190 m) during a test dive,[7] and exceeded that test depth when taking on water in the forward torpedo room while evading a destroyer.[8]

"Museums: Eight Balao-class submarines are open to public viewing. They primarily depend on revenue generated by visitors to keep them operational and up to U.S. Navy standards; each boat gets a yearly inspection and a "report card". Some boats, like Batfish and Pampanito, encourage youth functions and allow a group of volunteers to sleep overnight in the crew's quarters. The following is a complete list of Balao-class museum boats: