Nautilus Models

1/72 USS Batfish Conversion For the 1/72 Revell Gato

Stock Number: 72-010

Reviewed By  Dave Morrissette, IPMS# 33653

MSRP: $95.00 Web Site: nautilusmodels.com/ . Contact Info: nautilusmodels@bellsouth.net Nautilus Models (IPMS/USA's own James Corley) has produced a thorough conversion set to be used with Revell's 1/72 Gato class sub. When used together, they will produce the USS Batfish, SS-310. The set includes a complete resin conning tower, periscope shears, a 5" deck gun and one Oerlikon plus new laser cut wooden decking and an exquisite photo etch sheet for detailing the conning tower and guns. The laser cut decking comes with a choice of decks which is dependent on location of the ladders, either centerline or offset. Construction of the guns can be all resin and straightforward. There is minimal clean up needed and the guns go together quickly. I have included built and painted pics of the 5# gun and the Oerlikon. There is also a resin cover for the 5# gun but I left it off to better show the detail. The detail is excellent and the fit is good also. To add even more detail, the gunner's seat for the 5" and the ring and bead sights are also supplied as nice PE parts and would make the detail even better. This 5# mount is sold separate also, see Nautilus web site above for details. Construction of the CT starts with a little clean up on the conning tower base opening the doors which is slightly molded over. The main induction valve is added (the conning tower base interior is nice and complete so it is not just see through! I choose the offset ladder decking and attached that with super glue. I cleaned some small mold lines off the periscope shears and elected to use the PE observations platform (there is a molded in resin one but the PE was too nice not to use). I cleaned off the resin platform and added the PE. Next were the very plentiful handrails on the shears. Nautilus has indentations for these and I deepened them with a pin vise and drill bit. The PE rails were bent and glued in place and then the shears added to the base. The remainder of the parts for the shears are from the kit (such as the periscopes, etc.). Since I didn't intend on using this right away, I stopped. The railings are still to be added from PE stanchions and small evergreen round stock (which is included). Last would be the remaining PE details for the observation platform. To finish off the conversion, you need to modify the deck on the boat and Nautilus includes the new decking and excellent instructions on its placement. The decking is laser cut basswood and has excellent detail. There will be some surgery involved but nothing that should be difficult. The Nautilus USS Batfish conversion is superb- excellent research, great details and casting, excellent PE work ands beautiful wood decks. This would also make an excellent starting place for other conversions! I can without reservations recommend this set to anyone wanting to build the USS Batfish. I would recommend having some experience with resin and PE parts as there are many of both to be used. My thanks to Nautilus Models and Jim Corley for the chance to review this set.

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