Nautilus Models 1/144 USS Haddo Conversion First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Nautilus Models has released two very nice detail sets for the equally nice Trumpeter 1/144 USS Gato submarine kit (see the review here, and the build-up review here). This release converts the early-war USS Gato (as depicted by Trumpeter) into the USS Haddo circa mid-1942.

The new superstructure is a drop-in replacement for the Trumpeter subassembly and provides the cut-down aft gun deck of the Haddo as well as some nicely done details.

The set also includes a laser-cut wood deck for the gun deck. If you've seen Nautilus Models' flight decks for the Trumpeter aircraft carriers, you'll know that this really adds some nice detail to the model.

Check out the images to the right. The laser-cut deck is a drop-in fit onto the lower portion of the conning tower and has properly sized holes to accommodate the pressure hatch and periscope/antenna masts. We've been stuck in the styrene/photo-etch/resin kit and detail set world for so long that it is surprising to see just how nice a laser-cut wood deck looks, even unfinished!

The resin parts provide the exposed periscopes and antenna masts for the exposed periscope shear superstructure. The detail set also includes the enclosed version periscope shear structure (in case you'd like to backdate the boat). The appropriate anti-aircraft and deck guns used on the Haddo are also included.

This is a nicely done enhancement for the Trumpeter Gato kit. If you stop by their website, you'll see a variety of other conversions available for the Trumpeter kit. Look for many of these conversions to be scaled up for the new 1/72 Revell Gato, but unless you have lots of display space, you can enjoy a wide variety of Tambor/Gato-class boats in 1/144 with the help of Nautilus Models. Check out their photo-etch detail set for the Ga to here.

My sincere thanks to Nautilus Modelsfor this review sample!