"Skirmish Gaming with Revell's 1/72 Gato Sub & PT?" Topic

Today, I was reading a Tamiya Model Magazine from 2006 and saw an article on Revell's 1/72 Gato submarine. The model is 52" long and fantastic looking. Retails for $100 USD but goes for $65 USD online.

Here is a link to the kit:
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Link to the kit's interactive page:
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It got me thinking. Anyone every use one of these model for a skirmish game on top of the sub or maybe create a dock scene using the sub? Maybe cut the hull to make it water level. It might also work in a 28mm WWII or Pulp skirmish game as well. I think it would make a great and attractive convention game. I would love to play in such a game.

They also make a 1/72 PT-109 at only 13" long.
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Thought someone might be interested. I began my modeling hobby as a kid building ships.

BTW they also make 1/72 Star Wars models.

Revell has a 1/72 U Boat as well. Also check Lindberg for 1/72 Japanese subs. Rob.

One of my many ongoing (read, never-to-be-finished) projects involves a 1/72 U Boat dock, E Boats, MTBs and commandoes. I've got most of the stuff although nothing is cut down to water level yet.

WE, THE BLUES BEARS, HAVE USED THE REVELL PT BOAT FOR OUR PARTICIPATION GAME "EXTRACTION BY SEA" OR "LIFES A BEACH" FOR SEVERAL YEARS. A NICE MODEL, ALTHOUGH A COMPLETE @$*#ER TO CONVERT TO WATERLINE.

FATMAN

I built and altered up the PT boat a bit and used it as a docked craft in a VOID (sci-fi) scenario on a pier.

Koralon forces coming in from the sea, VASA & Militia on the docks defending. Koralon goal was to get across the table through the defenders lines and into the city. A key engagement took place on the PT boat, so it was relevant to the mission.

Yes, it was cut at the waterline.

The scenario and battle report was published in the fanzine "INN" #14 available here if anyone is interested:

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Our local group had run a 'pulp' game using a sub, but our GM had made the sub out of some styrofoam and had 'floor plates' for the sub interior fighting. I had built some warehouses, docks, and lots of crates and barrels (Wood blocks and short sections of wood dowels, painted with some shipping labels attached.) to populate the wharf. I even had found a plastic toy crane (about 12" tall) for about $8 USD at a dollar store that fit in great with the 28mm scale figures and the wharf.

I've also re-used the wharf terrain for a 28mm zombie game. It was funny to see a gang of armed bikers climb the crane stairs to an upper platform to get away from the zombies, while continuing to fire at them. But as the saying goes, "once out of ammo, what goes up, must come down!" The lucky two survivors did manage to steal a small boat and make their getaway.

-David G.

There has been several other 1/72 boats available as well:

Airfix German E Boat (A10280)
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Airfix British Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat (A05280)
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Matchbox used to do a HUGE Flower Class Corvette and Revell hsa since re-released it and it can be built either as HMCS Snowberry or USS Saucy (05061)
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Besides the recent(ish) Revell U Boats there must be other 1/72 ships produced during the years. These are just some that immediately sprang to my mind.