Trumpeter 1/700 USS North Carolina BB-55 By Bob Pearson

History

The North Carolina (BB-55) was laid down on 27 October 1937 at the New York Naval Shipyard; launched 13 June 1940 and commissioned on 9 April 1941 at New York. North Carolina completed her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and after intensive war exercises, she entered the Pacific on 10 June 1942.

When the US invaded Guadalcanal in early August of 1942, North Carolina was the only battleship available to provide protection for the carriers Wasp, Saratoga and Enterprise. In the BAttle of the Eastern Solomons, North Carolina forever changed the role of the new battleships when she downed seven Japanese aircraft in one battle. After that battle it would not be uncommon for the fast battleships to screen aircraft carriers because of their massive anti-aircraft batteries.

On teh afternoon of 15 September 1942, a torpedo hit the North Carolina tearing a hole 10 metres long and 6 metres high in the side which resulted in five dead.

North Carolina received 12 battle stars for her service in WWII and after deactivation, she decommissioned in New York on 27 June 1947. On 29 April 1962 she was dedicated at Wilmington, NC as a memorial to all North Carolinians killed during WWII.

The Kit

Packaged in a very sturdy, and crowded box, the kit consists of seven sprues with 261 parts. The option is included to make either a full hull or waterline model. Deck detail includes planking, splinter shields, bollards, hatches and ready use lockers.

The main superstructure is akin to old Airfix kits in that it uses separate bulkheads and decks. However the upper levels are moulded in one piece, but also have separate bulkheads attached to the sides. All the bulkheads have very fine portholes drilled in place where required - a nice touch, that will save much tedious work.

The ten-piece 16" turrets can be made with either elevating barrels with no blast bags, or fixed in place with blast bags. Other weapons are the ten 5" turrets as well as two sprues of 20mm, 40mm andn 1.1" AA guns.

Two Kingfisher observation planes are included.Each is four pieces and has a very fine propellor in place. To go with the full hull option, rudder and screws are also provided.

Documention consists of a 12 page instruction booklet and a three view colour profile of the ship. Decals and a stand round out the contents.

The kit looks to be a straightforward build and should fill a hole in anyone's collection of WWII USN ships.

Thanks to Stevens International for the review sample