USS Pampanito

basilio · 08-29-06, 03:49 AM

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!

More pictures here
http://picasaweb.google.com/carlomor...-IpzFXwaSKSgMA

Kruger · 08-29-06, 05:51 AM

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 · 08-29-06, 11:17 AM

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

Quagmire · 08-29-06, 02:36 PM

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

Conning tower looking forward

Another of the same

Depth sounder

Diving station

Radar gear

Guts of a MARK IV

Could this be a magnetic pistol???

Captains Quarters - Take note devs... Use this for your 3D modelling.

Later!

Driftwood · 08-29-06, 04:28 PM

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 · 08-30-06, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driftwood

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 · 08-30-06, 04:19 AM

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

Sailor Steve · 08-30-06, 10:28 AM

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

Quagmire · 08-30-06, 12:43 PM

LOL!

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

But I aint sharin'...

Ark · 08-30-06, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

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

Lmao!

08-29-06, 03:49 AM	#1
basilio Machinist's Mate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Italy Posts: 124 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	USS Pampanito 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! More pictures here http://picasaweb.google.com/carlomor...-IpzFXwaSKSgMA Last edited by basilio; 08-29-06 at 04:16 AM.

08-29-06, 05:51 AM	#2
Kruger Commander Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 476 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	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. Last edited by Kruger; 08-29-06 at 05:54 AM.

08-29-06, 02:36 PM	#4
Quagmire Watch Officer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 335 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	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 Conning tower looking forward Another of the same Depth sounder Diving station Radar gear Guts of a MARK IV Could this be a magnetic pistol??? Captains Quarters - Take note devs... Use this for your 3D modelling. Later! Last edited by Quagmire; 08-29-06 at 02:39 PM.

08-29-06, 04:28 PM	#5
Driftwood Chief Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western NC Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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! __________________ Retired US Army Paratrooper Virtual Sub Skipper Last edited by Driftwood; 08-29-06 at 04:34 PM.

08-30-06, 04:19 AM	#7
McBeck Admiral Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,023 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	Yup...great sub. Was there in about 1 year ago __________________ "I like subcommanders...they dont have time for bull**!" Proud member of the Subsim army of zombies Becks website

08-29-06, 11:17 AM	#3
Capt. D Helmsman Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 109 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	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

08-30-06, 10:28 AM	#8
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Those are great pictures. Are they real screenshots or photoshopped?

08-30-06, 12:43 PM	#9
Quagmire Watch Officer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 335 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	LOL! Yes, those are real screenshots! I have a double-secret, leaked copy of SHIV! But I aint sharin'...