Trumpeter 1/350 LIberty Ship
S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien
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History
One of the triumphs of US industry in WWII was the mass constructed
cargo vessels that became known as the Liberty Ships. Designed for quick
production, they were produced in record times - Jeremiah O'Brien taking
just 56 days.
Launched on June 19. 1943, the Jeremiah O'Brien made four Atlantic voyages
as well as 11 trips across the Channel to support the D-Day landings.
Following this she sailed to Calcutta, the Philippines and Australia before
returning to San Francisco in 1946. Placed in mothballs, she was saved
from the scrapyard in 1966 when she was taken in hand to be restored to
her WWII condition. In 1994 she made the return trip to Normandy for the
50th Anniversary of D-Day ... she was the only ship to do so.
The Kit
The kit comes in a very sturdy cardboard box. The hull sections are
in a separate compartment. Besides the three hull pieces there are another
265 pieces on five sprues. All of these are then in five baggies.
The hull provides the choice of either full hull or waterline. The basic
hull consists of an above water section and either a flat waterline, or
below hull section. These last two pieces are molded in a dark red plastic.
The hull itself has basic detail molded to the inner gunwales, there is
no plating detail on the exterior hull. At this scale, plating should
be added. This can be done by scribing or perhaps by careful application
of multiple coats of paint to represent the different plates. To complete
the hull, the bow and stern are molded separate - perhaps different configurations
are in the works.
Sprue A has the aforementioned bow and stern deck sections, as well
as the midships superstructure deck.
Sprue B contains the various superstructure bulkheads, funnel, gun platforms
and cargo hatch covers. The superstructure is molded with each upright
as a separate piece, so care will be needed in aligning them. Detail on
these consists of hatches and portholes.
Sprue C has the three masts and their associated cranes, cargo hatch
sides, propellor as well as a 5" gun and a winch.
There are two sprues marked D. These contain: lifeboats, vents, anchors,
winches, floats and 20mm Oerlikons.
The instructions are a 16-page booklet containing 17 steps in the build
as well as a painting guide. The sides of the box have full colour side
and top views of the ship.
One of the unexpected bonuses is the decal set. Jeremiah O'Brien had,
for want of a better term, nose art on the bow 5" gunshield, and
this is provided on the Cartograph printed sheet. Other decals are the
ship's name, draft markings, award board (possibly a modern addition).
Conclusion
The Liberty looks to be a pretty straightforward build. The detail,
as is, is more than acceptable for an out of box build, while the superdetailers
will want to add one of the aftermarket photoetch sets that no doubt will
follow shortly. Another option, that I may avail myself of, is to make
this into a fancy pool toy using one of the mini micro RC subs that can
be found at shops like Radio Shack. The design of the upper/lower hull
as well as making the superstructure removable seems to almost cry out
for this to be done. If I don't go that route, I may just have to use
it in a diorama with one of my 1/350 escort models .. having a Hunt or
Flower alongside would look most impressive.
Thanks to Stevens International for the review kit.
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