Review 20120926* – USS Lionfish Submarine 1:180 Revell 85-5228 Review

RoR Step-by-Step Review 20120926* – USS Lionfish Submarine 1:180 Revell 85-5228 Review

The USS Lionfish (SS-298), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy named for the lionfish. Her keel was laid down on 15 December 1942; she launched on 7 November 1943, and was commissioned on 1 November 1944.

Revell has given us another fine reproduction of a WWII hero. The Balao class submarine, USS Lionfish. Although this is a re-release of 1988 vintage with a few exceptions the molding is very good. And though this kit is rated as a Skill Level 2 I believe it would be a great project for just about anyone with a little supervision when it comes to the rudder and bow and stern planes. I feel this is the kit for some parent- child bonding for some good family time.

For the Modeler: This kit consists of 40 pieces molded in gray and features highly detailed hull, deck, bridge and conning tower. Included are twin propellers, diving planes, deck gun, and anti-aircraft guns. Paint references; an altered assembly sequence; part orientation notes; construction tips; prop shaft alignment; modular construction techniques; and display stand finishing methods are all fully explored in this Step-by-Step review.

000a) Here is the kit box art and layout.

Painting. I used Model Masters Light Sea Grey on the upper surfaces and Hull Red on the lower for this kit

Assembly

[Photo# 03] I prefer to assemble the hulls before painting, in this kit there is a little more to it: First you must insert shaft {#4) thru right side hull making sure the pin on the shaft is toward the interior of the right hull and then attach the bow plane {#6} to end of shaft Right On Replicas, LLC ©2012 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.

[Photo#04] Then insert the stern plane {#8} and the rudder {#9} into the right hull half

[Photos# 05, & 06] When you are ready to glue the 2 hull halves together, insert decks {#13 } in place and tape the hull together to hold till glue dries.

[Photo# 07] Avoid getting glue where the moving parts are: rear planes and rudder

[Photo# 08] Attach the left bow plane {#6} and then the prop shafts {#11} insure your prop shaft align with the stern planes when installed.

[Photo# 09] Install propeller guards {# 16} right and {#17} left in their respective positions

Now is best time for painting

[Photo# 09a] Mask off the waterline so you can paint the top part Light Sea Grey, allow two days for paint to dry and cure before proceeding.

Don’t forget to paint the additional pieces that will go on the deck in final assembly if you haven’t placed them yet

Reverse your tape and paint the bottom with Hull red and let dry for another two days.

Important: Position the boat so the red paint is on the bottom to dry or you run the risk of it seeping under your tape and ruining your grey paint.

[Photo #10] I built, painted and installed the conning tower separately so I could add a few black details to it to break up the all-grey look.

Photo # 11] For the display stand I went a little unconventional, I first assembled it, then sprayed it flat black, after it dried I dry-brushed the fish gold and the submarine silver, leaving some of the black as depth and detail.

Add your decals and you’re finished.

Overall I enjoyed this kit; its assembly is well below the Skill level 2 assigned with the exception of the diving planes. The fitment and details are outstanding and it will make a great addition to any collection of WWII ships.

More Background: Her first captain was Lieutenant Commander Edward D. Spruance, son of Admiral, Raymond Spruance. She began her first war patrol in Japanese waters on 1 April 1945. Ten days later, she dodged two torpedoes fired 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. On 2 June she started her second war patrol, and on 10 July she fired torpedoes at a surfaced Japanese submarine. She subsequently fired on two more Japanese submarines and ended her second and last war patrol performing lifeguard duty (the rescue of downed fliers) off the coast of Japan.

When hostilities ended on 15 August 1945 she headed for San Francisco and was decommissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard on 16 January 1946. USS Lionfish was re-commissioned on 31 January 1951, and headed for the East Coast for training cruises. After participating in NATO exercises and a Mediterranean cruise, she returned to the East Coast and was decommissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 15 December 1953. In 1960, the venerable submarine was called to duty again, this time serving as a reserve training submarine at Providence, Rhode Island.

In 1971, she was stricken from the Navy Register, and in 1973, she was unveiled for permanent display as a memorial at Battleship Cove, where she has evolved into one of the museum’s most popular exhibits and a revered monument to all submariners.