Revell U.S.S. Lionfish Submarine 1/220 Scale

A Balao-class submarine, USS Lionfish was laid down on 15 December 1942, launched on 7 November 1943, and commissioned on 1 November 1944. Her first captain was Lcdr. Edward D. Spruance, son of the famous World War II admiral, Raymond Spruance. After completing her shakedown cruise off of New England, she headed to the Pacific and commenced her first war patrol in Japanese waters on 1 April 1945. Ten days later, she dodged two torpedoes fired at her by a Japanese submarine and on 1 May destroyed a Japanese schooner with her deck guns. After a rendezvous with the submarine Ray, she transported B-29 survivors to Saipan and then made her way to Midway Island for replenishment.

Full history:
http://www.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~nstevens/lionfish.html

Model Review Comments:

FAIR. The Lionfish is an old and very popular polystyrene kit of roughly 1:178 scale, originally issued in the 1970s as Flasher, and later as Growler by Revell, both of these subs being Gato class. The conning tower is closer (but not that close) to a Gato than to a cut down Balao class tower, although SS-298 Lionfish herself is a Balao. As is their usual practice, Revell merely changed the box labeling, and did not alter the kit components at all. One important issue to consider when building models of WWII Fleet Submarines is the tremendous variation in outfitting between subs, as well as the continuous change and update in armaments, radar, and paint schemes during the war. In other words, get references and pick a particular sub at a particular time. Good references include Alden's "The Fleet Submarine in the US Navy" and the Floating Drydock's "Plan Book-Gato and Balao Class Submarines".
The kit itself is fair at best, with the hull shape being basically correct. It is worthwhile drilling out the limber holes and filing to shape (check the differing patterns for individual subs!) and replacing the cleats with inexpensive white metal SS cleats (1:192 scale) from HR Products. Also replace the anchor and the capstan with white metal versions. The conning tower is marginal at best, and a good strategy is to replace it with one of the Nautilus Models resin conversion kits, which also include improved gun sets (see separate descriptions under Nautilus). These kits (3 Gato versions and 1 Balao) were made specifically for this model. Alternative is to rework the tower with plastic strip, beams, and rod from Evergreen. The guns will need some upgrading via scratchbuilding, too. Shutters (plastic strip) on the forward torpedo tubes are necessary, and the blister on the rear torpedo tubes should be sanded off. With some extra work, this can be built into an impressive version of a US Navy Fleet submarine. Out of box is much less attractive!
(TD), review dated 16 November 2003.

FAIR. This kit builds a reasonable example of a Gato class sub, but not the USS Lionfish, which is a Balao class sub. To model the Lionfish, the conning tower needs considerable cutting down and revision, and the periscopes/masts need to be relocated farther aft. Includes one 3" deck gun and two AA guns. Kit can be reworked to make reasonable model of USS Lionfish, biggest problem (aside from conning tower) is that the anchor and its recess is located on opposite side of hull from where it should be.