These parts represent the persicope shears and separate mast for either the SD or SV radar antenna of many of the 122 World War Two-era Balao class submarines, successor to the Gato class (antenna not included).
The Balao class had a differently shaped fairwater (sail/conning tower) than the earlier Gato class although the hull was externally nearly identical. These parts have 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. This model was designed based on US Navy drawings. The Balao fairwater is not the same size and shape of a Gato fairwater, it is much shorter at the aft end. Click here for excellent submarine references from NavSource.
Other Balao class parts available separately to help complete the fairwater:
Material Selection Notice: if you choose to have this product printed in "Natural Versatile Plastic", which is nylon, the model will have noticeable striations (print lines) requiring filling with primer to create a smooth surface. Google "primer for nylon" and "paint for nylon" to find good options near you. Natural Versatile Plastics do not sand easily. This material is recommended for radio control models where strength and durability are important.
Fine Detail Plastic, which is acrylic, also available, is recommended for static display models that are not exposed to high stress or heat. Unlike Natural Versatile Plastic (nylon), the level of detail for Fine Detail acrylic products is higher. Fine Detail acrylic plastic sands and cuts easily and accepts acrylic hobby paints meant for plastics beautifully.
Although details varied widely between boats, the general shears with separate mast configuration depicted by this model is known to have been fit to the following Balao class boats:
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