USS Pampanito

[basilio]

Three weeks ago I was in San Francisco and visited the USS Pampanito Balao class sub.
Too bad that the conning tower was not accessible!

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7549/img0175eh4.jpg

More pictures here
http://picasaweb.google.com/carlomoreschi/USS_Pampanito?authkey=4J3X8yPetgFU_-IpzFXwaSKSgMA

[Kruger]

Thank you very much Basilio for sharing that with us. It amazes me how much attention the americans have payed to crew confort..as opposed to german side. These Balao's must have been a little heaven for submariners... Also, I find the superstructure a little too crowded...looks more like a destroyer able to dive...rather than a submarine. The type VII and IX were less fitted with equipment ? Or is this Balao a late war sub ? There is much more radio and stuff equipment there, than on any other german sub.

[Capt. D]

Seems like you are not allowed in any conning tower. I have been on the Silversides, Cod, Crocker, and Lionfish and was not able to get into the conning tower. Something to do with liability insurance. Guess they don't want anyone falling from there to the control room. You can only climb the ladder and maybe get from your shoulders up into the tower to take a look.

I was on the USS Cero in the late 50's and they did allow you up there. Was very interesting.

The Pampanito along now with the Cod I believe are the only WWII subs with working TDC's!

Happy Hunting :ping:

[Quagmire]

Sweet pics. I was there in March and it was an amazing afternoon. The folks that operate her just hand you a walking tour recorder and give you the run of the place. In other words there is no tour guide. You are free to roam about the boat at your own pace. My friend and I must have spent over an hour walking from stem to stern and back again. Very few things are roped off inside as well. You can walk right up to the plotting table and the dive stations. It gives you shivers when you think that years ago there were officers and sailors standing in those very same spots plotting the demise of Japanese ships. Here are my pics.

Welcome aboard
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4695/gangwaykz6.jpg

Conning tower looking forward
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8550/conning1tr9.jpg

Another of the same
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4094/conning2gi6.jpg

Depth sounder
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/4444/depthsoundercf9.jpg

Diving station
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7831/divestationrn7.jpg

Radar gear
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5463/radartp0.jpg

Guts of a MARK IV
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4497/gutsofatorpwy4.jpg

Could this be a magnetic pistol???
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9128/magpistolcl1.jpg

Captains Quarters - Take note devs... Use this for your 3D modelling.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4679/captbeddy9.jpg

Later!

[Driftwood]

Great post Basilio! I'll be visiting SF on business in Oct and the Pampanito is definitely on my "to do" list! Anyone know what color scheme this is? MS-9 or MS-32? This will only mean something to those of you out there who are model builders too!

[basilio]

Great post Basilio! I'll be visiting SF on business in Oct and the Pampanito is definitely on my "to do" list!
Yes, I recommend the visit.
As pointed above it is not (fortunately) a guided tour, so you can spend inside the sub as much time as you want.
If you're planning to take pictures inside, I would suggest you to go early morning or near the closing time (5 p.m.) as the sub won't be too crowded.

[McBeck]

Yup...great sub. Was there in about 1 year ago :D

[Sailor Steve]

Those are great pictures. Are they real screenshots or photoshopped?

[Quagmire]

LOL!

Yes, those are real screenshots! I have a double-secret, leaked copy of SHIV! ;)

But I aint sharin'...

[Ark]

Those are great pictures. Are they real screenshots or photoshopped?

Lmao!