by Mario Grima
1/144 USS Torsk SS-423 (Trumpeteer/IBS Conversion)
A good friend of mine sent me a nice photo showing the Torsk in her twilight of her active career. It shows an overhead stern view PM sail, with a dark two tone measure treading water. What was really impressive to me was the way the rear deck structure tadpoled inward. USS Pampanito also has this trait. In the photo, the Torsk had lost its rectangle side limbers. Todays Museum Torsk differs from the photo. The Shark mouth on the Torsk Today was not an active scheme, So as much as I would like to put one on it would not go historically with this boat configuration. The deck was also restored but is missing the original 4 exhaust heat squares on its stern deck.
The Hull - The Trumpy hull is a excellent hull to tadpole, since it is round under the deck towards the stern. The Torpedo doors were reworked mostly in deeping the end tip holes. The Bow plane crevice was enlarged and rounded for the Torsk. The Deck was placed on in a 50's manner outcessed by placing lifters under the tabs.
The Sail- The Sail is the IBS 1/144 Torsk conversion set. Comparison photos to a 1/178 SSK conversion
