The USS Washington BB-56, together with the USS South Dakota fought one of the last battleship-to-battleship engagements in the world against the IJN Kirishima. About 2 years ago, I had built this 1/700 scale model of USS Washington from Trumpeter, and used photo-etched parts from Tom’s Modelworks. The model is painted in her 1942 camouflage scheme of Measure 22 (Haze Grey upper, Navy Blue lower hull) and shown with her guns fixed on the Kirishima. The shell plumes are not historically accurate (none landed near the Washington), but what’s a Fourth-of-July post without some explosions and fireworks? Happy Independence Day!
Gallery:
My grand father Royal Lloyd Mclane served on the U.S. Washington in the guadal canal I believe!!
Anyone know about it tell me I would love to hear
I have a Facebook. Type in USS WASHINGTON BB-56 battleship. Many papers and photos. My grandfather served on her 4.5 years. Ended up as a 5″ gunner. Enjoy!
Really cool Cory, I’m currently reading about that Naval engagement and came across your model which is really cool as I construct mostly armor models myself. Its cool if your grandpa was on the Washington during that vicious battle of Friday the 13th. Very little known battle but the ship is my favorite of the whole war except for the Big E. The only battleship to battleship close range night fight of the war and probably saved the whole Guadalcanal Campaign.
Cheers
Craig
it is true the battle was pretty important, its sad that most people have never even heard of it. My favorite battleship is U.S.S Missouri, an iowa class battleship, the ship that carried the peace treaty to japan in 1945 after the nuke bombings.
US History today is poorly taught and badly skewed towards social issues as though war efforts were meaningless. We would be bowing to the Emperor or saluting Adolf Hitler if these battles had not been won.
The Mighty Mo is famous for the Tokyo Bay scene and a worthwhile project to build as well.
Paul
You should correct the battle engagement statement; it was the IJN Kirishima!
Thanks for catching that after this has been in publication since 2013! Corrected.