by Ken Hart
1/200 USS Tullibee SSN-597 (Dragon Model & Pattern Works)
Here are 8 photos of a project which I submit in the name of humility - namely my own... I blew this one in a major way. Even though only those familiar with this ship, USS Tullibee SSN-597, might be the only one who'd spot the blunder, I share this with my fellow modelers as a way to illustrate, with emphasis, to never rush a project. Look your checklist over twice, thrice, and then again, and then look and make certain that everything is there !
During the late 1970s, Tullibee's three PUFFs sonar modules were raised up much higher, which exposed for the first time the PUFFs antenna amidship, underneath her "turtleback" superstructure. Before this modification, all of these PUFFs antennae sat low enough that only the bow and aft modules were easily visible as a part of this unique ship's appearance -- the amidship module was concealed from view. When they were raised up higher, the amidship one had to be raised at equal height, exposing it on the amidship deck. A deck extension plate was installed to facilitate crew traffic around the protruding obstacle.
This cast resin model came with that PUFFs dome and the deck plate extension, but I'd shaved it off, as it was simply too thick for its scale. I'd put the PUFFs dome aside, built a new deck plate, and then put it aside with the PUFFs dome. A deadline was fast approaching, and I hastened to finish the model up. Got it done, photographed it, and then off it went.
The client, who'd served aboard Tullibee long before the raised PUFFs modification, made mention to me that the two PUFFs domes seemed a bit too tall. I explained about the later modification, and he simply shrugged, happy just to have a model of his old ship. A few weeks later, I came upon the PUFFs dome and deck plate I'd set aside, and, in horror, I quickly reviewed the slides I'd shot of the model... Even while photographing it, I failed to notice that something was obviously missing. I must have crossed that step off on my checklist, assuming it had already been completed. Never even noticed it ! And I had already sent the slides and text off for publication in one of the major model magazines !
Surprisingly, no one ever asked me about the missing amidship PUFFs, but I still agonize over committing such a simple, stupid, and obvious blunder. It happens. No matter how painstakingly we might research, measure, compare, test-fit, and inspect our work, we'll often discover or learn something we did wrong later on down the road. Keep a checklist of each and every step along the way, and check it often during the project -- look at the list, then at the project, and always be certain nothing is checked off until you can see that it is completed.
This model was a prototype from the genius of Paul Fisher, the founder of Dragon Model & Pattern Works in the state of Washington back in the late 80s, early 90s. (A one-time associate stole many of Paul's designs and ideas, went east, and even used the name Dragon, which later became DML, known for their 1:700 scale plastic modern submarine kits.)
A fellow submarine enthusiast and a collector / maker of guitars, I enjoyed building a friendship with Paul. He sent me his prototype Tullibee model to see what I thought of it. My only complaint was the over-thickness of the amidship PUFFs deck protrusion, and maybe a lack of deck detail scribing. Paul was thinking of producing the Tullibee model as a kit, but eventually took up more pressing priorities, and so it never came about. But I had the one.
The model was made of solid cast resin, cast all in one piece, including the sail, superstructure, rudders, and PUFFs domes. Only the stern diving planes, the fairwater planes, and the propeller needed to be attached. I left the masts off, but added the signature whip antennae unique to Tullibee's sail profile. With added deck scribing and a few details such as deck safety rail track and main ballast tank vents, it turned out a decent model of a rare and unique submarine.
