![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Division6/Models/USS%20Bream/layingkeel.jpg)
Hello,
My name is Eric.
I live in the US, Central California to be more precise.
About a 2 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, my home until about 8 years ago.
I'm just recently getting back into modeling after being away for many years.
I actually jumped back in by joining a group build over on Fine Scale Model Forum building a couple PBY 5A Catalina's.
Some pix of the builds can be seen here
http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Division6/Models/I've been lurking on the site for some time while doing research on the Gato sub model in preparation to get started on my own build.
I'm the one that gave Rokket the head's up about the Silversides article in the Tamiya Model Magazine.
Just signed up for the forum last night.
I've always loved submarines mainly from growing up watching war films so when I saw that they had a large model of the Gato I had to have it.
Little did I know how much was involved in working on this beast.
The boat I am building is the
USS Bream SS-243Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 5 February 1943, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 17 October 1943; Commissioned USS Bream (SS-243), 24 January 1944; Decommissioned, 31 January 1946, at San Francisco, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 5 June 1951; Decommissioned, 10 September 1952, for conversion to a Hunter-Killer Submarine; Recommissioned, USS Bream (SSK-243), 20 June 1953; Redesignated (SS-243) in August 1969; Reclassified Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-243), 1 February 1964; Decommissioned, 28 June 1969, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Struck from the Naval Register and sunk as a target, 7 November 1969 by Sculpin (SSN 590). Bream was awarded four battle stars for World War II service.
She will be late war configuration.
Now as for the reason I picked this particular boat, since most folks have a reason be it relative of friend serving on one, historical record, current museum location, etc.
Well for me it's this.
Being a movie buff I wanted to depict a boat form a sub movie and one of my favorites is Run Silent, Run Deep with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.
Now in the movie the USS Nerka was a Balao Class played by the USS Redfish SS-395 a Portsmouth built boat.
The actual Nerka being a Manitowic was never completed.
Both boats would require a fair amount of rework and scratch building that are beyond my current skills, not to mention that the Redfish is rather ugly and missing most of the deck guns since the film was made in 1958.
BUT for a few moments as she is seen coming onto port they used footage of the USS Bream a Electric Boat, the same yard and build group as the Cobia that the model is based on.
In fact the Bream launched just a few months before the Cobia.
She had all guns and was in an attractive cut down configuration.
For this build I have recently purchased some after market parts as well as having some parts machined.
I have the Eduard Gato Class Submarine Detail Set, White Ensign Cut Down Conning Tower and Radars/Antennae PE sets.
I also had some Sonar Sound Heads machined up in brass (I have extras for sale for those interested)
I will also be adding some Czech Master's Crew on Watch (2 sets) and Warriors Scale Models Bridge Crew figures.
Blueprints from Floating Drydock are on the way.
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Division6/Models/USS%20Bream/kit-n-parts.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Division6/Models/USS%20Bream/brass-sound-heads.jpg)
The first order of business is the fairwater.
The main modifications to be made are the removal of most of the storage lockers, enlarging the aft cigarette deck and cutting down the top to the bridge to covered wagon style.
So far I have begun the removal of the lockers and have cut down the front of the bridge, the sides will be done after I assemble the PE framing and sheers ti ensure I cut in the correct places.
I have also begun the removal of the prop guard brackets since this boat didn't have them.
Also I have made frames for the marker buoys and have even attempted upper ring in brass sheet for the top of the buoy, unfortunately it didn't last the bending process so it will have to be attempted again later.
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Division6/Models/USS%20Bream/markerframes.jpg)
Something in PE would be nice but I don't see it happening before I get this model built.
The ones offered by ISB are completely wrong.
The flood openings on the bottom have been marked but I am waiting for blueprints to make sure they are the correct configuration and to see which ones are open or have valve covers before cutting.
I also need to know where the sea chests go along the lower hull.
I just got some silicone molding putty and casting resin so I am hoping to replicate a few of the details on the deck to replace the area where the incorrect marker covers are as well as making a few open hatches.
I started marking off the rivet panel lines on the upper sides but will have to double check these once the prints arrive.
I'd like to try my hand at doing some oil canning on her.
I'm a real glutton for punishment.
Guess thats it for my long winded first post.
Looking forward to sharing the build with you and hope more of you will break out those models and join in.
Show this sexy boat some love.
![Grin ;D](https://models.rokket.biz/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Cheers.
Eric...