Individual Submarine Boards > USS Pampanito (SS-383)

Deck guns?

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Lance Dean:
I've written Dan about the Pampanito's deck guns.  In the photos he sent me, it seems there are 2 different deck guns (see the photos below).  I was curious as to if there had been some deck gun swapping going on.

Notice also an attached photo of the deck gun on the Ling.  It looks identical (even in paint scheme) to the deck gun on the Pampanito.  Any ideas or comments?

JTheotonio:
The turrets are painted different.  Is there any indication of the age of the Pampanito photos?  She was used in the movie Down Periscope and it is possible that they painted the gun all gray then.  Now back to this paint configuration.

Originally when Pampanito was being restored they did not have the proper topside guns, but since found suitable replacements elsewhere.  So maybe that’s the difference in the two photos.  Pampanito was never retro fitted as many WWII boats were and remained pretty much in her WWII configuration. 

Tom Bowser:
The top photo is the 5", the two lower photos may be the 4 or 6". Not many fleet boats got the 6", reportily the Drum got one for a short time but it is not in the records. The Drum got the 4" in '43 and the five inch in 45.
Tom Bowser

Lance Dean:
Dan wrote me back.


--- Quote ---The images labelled Pampanito1 and Ling are of a 4 inch 50 caliber gun,
which used to be on the Pampanito.

The image labelled Pampanito2 is of a 5 inch 25 caliber gun, which is
currently on the Pampanito.

I believe the 5 inch 25 caliber is the correct gun for the Pampanito, circa
summer 1945.

She also has a twin 20 mm forward of the bridge, and a single 40 mm aft of
the bridge.
--- End quote ---

I've asked him where the 4 inch 50 caliber gun went to from the Pampanito.

Lance Dean:
Finally heard from the man, Rich Pekelney:


--- Quote ---Folks,

The 4" 50 cal was traded with the Sub Force Museum Groton.  During our 6 war patrols we had a 4" 50 forward, single 20 mm on the cigarette deck, 40 mm aft.  During the summer of 1945 refit, the 4" 50 forward was replaced with a twin twenty, the single twenty with 40 mm, the 40 mm aft stayed and a 5" 25 was placed aft.  The 5" 25 is now forward only because we need to rebuild the foundation aft where our brow currently lands, we also need move the brow.

rich
--- End quote ---

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

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