BY BILL ENGAR

We're finally getting around to a review of Atlantis Models' USS Gato Fleet Submarine.  Atlantis obtained the tooling for this kit from a trade with Round2 models a few years ago and released the Gato in 2021.  The model is historic; originally, Varney first made the kit in 1945.  It is acknowledged as one of the first all-plastic model kits made in the USA.  Considered an innovation, price then was $US 5.00. That's nearly $100 in today's money.

ATLANTIS #L743 -- UNASSEMBLED MODEL KIT MOLDED IN BLACK STYRENE PLASTIC -- 40 PARTS -- PAINT AND GLUE REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY, NOT INCLUDED -- RECOMMENDED FOR BUILDERS AGES 14 AND ABOVE -- LENGTH OF COMPLETED MODEL 15.5" -- MSRP A LOW US$21.99

Atlantis' Gato uses historic Lindberg box art from 1953.

In 1/240-scale, Atlantis' USS Gato is a nicely-sized model, measuring out at 15.5" in length.  It will display very well with Atlantis' 16-inch ship models such as the 1/665 USS Missouri, Bismarck, Brooke, Forrest Sherman and others.  The kit has 40 parts molded in black plastic.  It comes with a stand.  Considering the period in which it was first released, it has some nice details.  Like just about any vintage kit, the builder can expect to clean up some flash, minor fit issues, sinkholes, and mold parting lines.  This will never be mistaken for modern engineering but with some skillfully applied paint and weathering, a very nice model can be built.

40 nicely detailed parts are included including a stand for the completed model.

One nice engineering consideration is that the hull seam on top of the sub is largely covered by the deck parts.  There's a spare propeller!  Planks on the teak decking are well represented.  Separate cleats and capstans provide a nice sense of detail and it is almost hard to believe that the model actually predates Revell's 1/535 USS Missouri by a few years.

By itself, the deck has some nice details.  A further level of realism is achieved after adding separate cleats and capstans.

A top view of the sail shows planking and hatch detail.  Lines for the rudder are engraved.

After gluing hull sides together, we recommend wrapping some rubber bands around the assembly tightly and letting it sit overnight.  While doing this, check that seams are aligned and the hull is straight.  Doing this will help prevent the seam from sinking down the road.

About the worst sinkhole we could find was on the periscope base.

The small parts are reasonably detailed.  We like how they did the propeller guards.  The guns aren't quite up to modern standards but the intermediate modeler could add some minor details to enhance their appearance.

Spend a little time scraping down mold-seam parting lines; we like to clean them up carefully with a hobby knife and then give them a light spray of primer, just enough to cover the plastic.  Once dry, this will indicate if the seams need any additional cleanup.  We like 2-part epoxy to fill sink marks such as that found on the base to the periscope mount.  Wash all parts in soapy water before starting and rough-up the surface where the epoxy will go with the tip of your hobby knife to help adhesion.

Decals provide nine names of subs that have historic value or are still in existence as museums or memorials.

One of the cool aspects of this kit is the high-quality decal sheet which gives you the option of building nine different subs.  Most of them happen to be museum ships or memorials so the model could be built as a memento of your visit to one of these boats.  We detect a minor misspelling for the Silversides!  You easily could fix it with a pair of scissors while applying.

Other than the photo, the instructions trace their roots to Lindberg's 2007 re-release of the kit.

We love this historic kit and Atlantis has done an amazing job with its re-release.  Any builder who is comfortable using glue to assemble a model should have an enjoyable, easygoing time with this kit as a nice weekend project.  The more experienced modeler wishing to add some extra detailing and a weathered finish can produce a striking model.  At nearly 16 inches in length, it'll stand out on your shelf.  Multiple schemes including options for several museum ships are provided.  At its low price, it is an incredible modeling value!  2Modeler.com gives this kit an enthusiastic Four Thumbs Up!  Why not order one--or more--on Amazon today!!!

BONUS FEATURE

ATLANTIS USS GATO FLEET SUBMARINE:  THE FIRST AMERICAN PLASTIC MODEL KIT

Originally tooled in 1945 (over 80 years ago at time of posting!), Atlantis' USS Gato Fleet Submarine is generally acknowledged as the oldest all-plastic model kit made in the USA.  Considered an innovation upon debut, original retail price was $US5.00, the equivalent of nearly $100.00 in today's money.

Varney's Fleet Submarine is acknowledged as the first all-plastic model kit made in the USA.  Just $5 (in 1945 dollars)!

Varney was a modeling company founded in 1936 which specialized mostly in model trains.  In 1945, They released the Gato Fleet Submarine.  Virtually all other models kits sold at the time were composed at least partly of wood.  Molex plastic was used for the hull of the Varney Gato, which was a heavy, crude formulation made from industrial byproducts including coal tar pitch.  The plastic was not great for rendering fine details.  ID aircraft models used to train gunners were made of this plastic.

When this kit was first tooled, the Balao and Tench-Class submarines were state-of-the-art.  Both of these were close derivatives of the Gato.  The kit was not a nostalgic item, it was a model of what was pretty much an in-service or recently used US Navy subject at the time.  WWII had just ended and there was interest in building replicas of vehicles used in the war.

A company named O-Lin bought the molds from Varney circa 1949.  They retooled the hull molds for styrene plastic, which was much easier to inject into molds than Molex.  O-Lin became Lindberg models.  Lindberg competed with Revell and as both companies and other competitors released plastic kits made entirely from styrene, prices plummeted.  Demand for wood display-models responded in-step and all-plastic model kits dominated the industry as the 1950's progressed.  Lindberg continued to sell the Gato submarine.  They kept the kit in their catalog during the early years of the plastic modeling hobby but later on, it was put into hiatus.  In the late 2000's, Lindberg, then owned by J.Lloyd International, re-released it.

"O-Lin" became Lindberg Models.  They did some retooling of the Gato submarine way back in 1949.  This is a few years before Revell produced their iconic USS Missouri kit.

In about 2020, Atlantis Models traded some of their licensed tooling with Round2.  Round2 models had taken possession when the original Lindberg Models, owned by J. Lloyd International, shut down their plastic kit division.  Atlantis re-released the Gato in 2021 with original Lindberg box art.  Atlantis' USS Gato Fleet Submarine builds into a pretty nice model and it's a significant piece of the plastic modeling hobby's history!

Late 2000's re-releases of the Fleet Submarine.

Check out these Amazon links to two historic former Lindberg model kits that have been re-released by Atlantis!  If you order after clicking the links, we get a small referral commission--at no extra cost to you!  Click the link - buy the model - help the website!

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