Posted by Ken Hart As rare and unique a ship as TRITON was, there are very few photos to be found of her. Especially close-up views of any of her detailings. I'm putting a call out here to anyone who might have any photos showing a clear view of the front of TRITON's sail after it was modified. From what few photos I could find in the public domain, it looks as if she still had the farthest aft deadlights remaining in place after the modification installation. But I'm not certain, as the photos I saw weren't very clear. As for the top of the sail, I believe the openings for both her radars, once they were removed upon her conversion to SSN designation, were simply plated over, with no new masts installed in those areas. I'm really hoping I might hear from someone who knows these details. Photos would help the most, but knowledge from someone who was there would help too. My model work has appeared in national and international magazines and periodical over the past twelve or so years. I've sent photos of my pierside diorama models to the USS SKIPJACK website -- visit there and have a look, and you'll see that I'm serious about building accurate models to represent the actual boats. SKIPJACK is and has always been my favorite boat - all the "S"-girls were some sleek SSNs. But TRITON was a one-of-a-kind, a prototype which deserves more recognition in history, and more homage from hobbyists like myself. A few years before he'd passed on, I'd spoken with and corresponded with Ned Beach, who'd helped me get TRITON drawings released from their classified status. He wanted to offer some photos, but he'd given away nearly all of them to authors over the years. I plan to honor TRITON on this website with photos of both the full-hull as-launched model, and the soon-to-follow modified TRITON moored alongside at pier. Any help would be much appreciated and put to good use. Any e-mail and/or photos can be submitted to this website, or to me directly at Thank you. Fair winds and following seas to all. Keep a zero bubble.
on 4/25/2007, 12:07 am
63.22.196.66
To all TRITON crewmembers -- I'm Ken Hart, from Syracuse, New York, a submarine model builder and historian. I'm currently working on a 30" model of TRITON in her as-launched appearance. Soon, I plan to follow that model up with a pierside diorama, but I would like the diorama TRITON to feature her sail with the avoidance array modification done on the leading edge.
mcfitt@juno.com
-- Ken Hart --
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