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Shown in the photo below is a 32nd Parallel Gato/Balao Fleet Submarine. The model was recently built and completed by a gentleman from the UK, Paul Cook, that is his son at the controls of this monster boat.
For those who are not familiar with the company, I can tell you that it is no longer doing business. However, back in the early 80's the company,32nd Parallel, was founded by Simon & Sheila Smith whose name in model manufacturing is still recognized as the model submarine specialists of their time. The company was located in Pismo Beach California, and some may even say that the company was at the forefront in design and manufacture of model submarine kits, all of which were in 1:32 scale hense their company name.
Many of their kits still pop up now and again, offerred by those who had once purchased them only to have them lay dormant for many many years. Mostly known for their ever popular Type VII German U-boat, they also produced the Gato/balao sub for the ultimate in model submarine realism both in visual detail, and operating performance. Other model kits incl. the surface piercing hydrofoil which was considered an industry first in Action Model ships.
The Gato however was the largest model offered, as its length stretched to 9 Ft. 9 inches. The company rated all of their kits, providing skill level info. by which they felt were needed to build many of the kits. They offered the prospective buyer the opportunity to first purchase the plans and instructions for a nominal fee, this to give one a better idea of the kits features and construction details. Customers who then decided to go on to purchase the kit would have the price of the plans deducted from their purchase price. Obviously, due to the complexity of the Gato it was rated for the Master ship Modeller, and it was offered complete with a Mark I submarine torpedo Launcher for an additional fee of course. Much of what was needed to build the model was offered either separately, or as an all inclusive equipment package at a reduced price.
The kit offered the running gear, HD water pumps, guns and other various hardware such as twin (76mm) that's 3" four bladed brass props, universal couplings, shaft supports and bracing, stuffing tubes, seals, belts, linkage components, etc. Four (4) Pitman motors, that when installed in a duel V configuration and driven thru a belt drive system to twin 40" stainless steel shafts was said to closely resemble that of the actual boat's drive system. Ha! Also needed at that time were three (3) 12v sealed batteries. Yes, a challenging and rewarding model to build, no doubt. Too bad there time had come and gone. : )
For those who are not familiar with the company, I can tell you that it is no longer doing business. However, back in the early 80's the company,32nd Parallel, was founded by Simon & Sheila Smith whose name in model manufacturing is still recognized as the model submarine specialists of their time. The company was located in Pismo Beach California, and some may even say that the company was at the forefront in design and manufacture of model submarine kits, all of which were in 1:32 scale hense their company name.
Many of their kits still pop up now and again, offerred by those who had once purchased them only to have them lay dormant for many many years. Mostly known for their ever popular Type VII German U-boat, they also produced the Gato/balao sub for the ultimate in model submarine realism both in visual detail, and operating performance. Other model kits incl. the surface piercing hydrofoil which was considered an industry first in Action Model ships.
The Gato however was the largest model offered, as its length stretched to 9 Ft. 9 inches. The company rated all of their kits, providing skill level info. by which they felt were needed to build many of the kits. They offered the prospective buyer the opportunity to first purchase the plans and instructions for a nominal fee, this to give one a better idea of the kits features and construction details. Customers who then decided to go on to purchase the kit would have the price of the plans deducted from their purchase price. Obviously, due to the complexity of the Gato it was rated for the Master ship Modeller, and it was offered complete with a Mark I submarine torpedo Launcher for an additional fee of course. Much of what was needed to build the model was offered either separately, or as an all inclusive equipment package at a reduced price.
The kit offered the running gear, HD water pumps, guns and other various hardware such as twin (76mm) that's 3" four bladed brass props, universal couplings, shaft supports and bracing, stuffing tubes, seals, belts, linkage components, etc. Four (4) Pitman motors, that when installed in a duel V configuration and driven thru a belt drive system to twin 40" stainless steel shafts was said to closely resemble that of the actual boat's drive system. Ha! Also needed at that time were three (3) 12v sealed batteries. Yes, a challenging and rewarding model to build, no doubt. Too bad there time had come and gone. : )
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