Dave,
In other recent conversations here, it's been discussed where the ladder in the Gato/Balao control room was actually located during the war years. Pics such as this one from
Wahoo show it to be behind the dive planes:
While this undated picture shows it to be behind the main gyro compass:
So, was it standard during the war to have the ladder behind the dive planes? And if so, was it part of the postwar revision process to move the ladder to the other position?
Pampanito shows the ladder to be behind the dive planes. Since it doesn't seem like that particular boat was extensively modified in the postwar years, that would lead me to believe the ladder's correct position should be behind the dive planes.