NORTH CAROLINA BB-55 FAMOUS WW II BATTLESHIP SCRATCH BUILT WOOD CASED MODEL Ca 1949. DIMENSIONS: The model 33 1/2″ L x 10 3/4″ H x 5 3/4″ W The Case 36″ L x 13 1/2″ H x 9″ W Weight 18 pounds estimate. She was the first new-construction U. Battleship to enter service during World War II and was commissioned in June, 1942. Built on a 35,000 ton standard displacement required under the 1936 London Treaty, she set the basic pattern with her sixteen inch guns for all subsequent US Navy battleships, and was the first to reach 28 knots. She participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific theater to become the most decorated U. Battleship of the war with 15 battle stars. During the War, Navy ships did not carry hull numbers or names. She was decommissioned, laid up in June, 1947 and placed in Reserve. Vintage World War II warship models hardly exist outside museums. The ones you see today are mostly made in the Philippines. Made models of this caliber are becoming extremely hard to find. Bridge and midships at gangway. Two 16 inch turrets forward. Two propellers on each side, single rudder. No known prior ownership or maker history. CONSTRUCTION: With every indication of being scratch built, the model’s hull and appurtenances, deck houses, turrets and cannons are of wood. The stanchions, ladders, portholes and bulwarks are metal. The cranes are of wire. The rigging blocks are of wood with tread falls. Some parts may be cast in lead or plastic such as the deck hardware, windlass, cleats, bollards, etc. The flags are made from paper. Painted in Haze Grey with dark grey decks and boot top, and black bottom paint, the model rests on a black Lucite base with rectangular pedestal. It shows great care in its construction and is visually impressive, but lacks the finesse of coming from the hands of. A master model maker. The molded case is Lucite. It and the base may be a later addition. CONDITION: Like new with everything first rate except for a stain on the starboard side of the aft turret. The two aircraft on the catapults are not OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes. Later, Curtis introduced a low wing, single seat float plane, the SC Seahawk. There are superficial light scratches on the case. SCROLL DOWN FOR A GALLERY OF MORE PICTURES. NORTH CAROLINA CLASS BATTLESHIP. 37,484 long tons(38,086 t) (standard) 44,377 long tons (45,089 t) (loaded). 4 × General Electric Steam Turbines 8 × boilers 4 × shafts. 2,339 (144 officers and 2,195 enlisted). Sensors and processing systems. CXAM-1RADAR from 1940 on. 9 × 16 in 45 caliber Mark 6 guns 20 × 5 in 38 caliber dual-purpose guns16 × 1.1 in (28 mm)anti-aircraft autocannons; replaced by 20 mm and 40 mm guns. Maximum: 16 in (410 mm). 3 × Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes. 2 × trainable catapults on the fantail. Return items must be insured for their full value. International buyers welcome, but should inquire first. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. It is an excellent addition to any nautical collection. The item “U. S. S. NORTH CAROLINA BB-55 VINTAGE WARSHIP MODEL SCRATCH BUILT ORIGINAL HI QUAL” is in sale since Sunday, March 15, 2015. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Transportation\Boats & Ships\Military\Models”. The seller is “authentic_nautical_antiques” and is located in Palm City, Florida. This item can be shipped to United States.