USS Astoria Heavy Cruiser CA-34 1942, 1:700 Scale Model Kit

• Plastic model kit, assembly & paint required
• Molded in light gray
• 196 Pieces
• 10 sprues plus upper and lower hull, waterline plate
• 1x seaplane included
• Approximate Dimensions: 10.1” L x 1.1” W x 2.5” H
• Box dimensions: 15.5” L x 5.6” W x 1.8”H
• Recommend for 14 years and above.

The second USS Astoria (CL/CA-34) was a New Orleans-class cruiser of the United States Navy that participated in both the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, but was then sunk in August 1942, at the Battle of Savo Island. Astoria was the first Astoria-class cruiser to be laid down but launched after and received a hull number higher than New Orleans, which the class was renamed for after Astoria sunk.

Immediately after the months-long Guadalcanal campaign ended in February 1943, the remaining ships of the class would go through major overhauls to lessen top-heaviness due to new electrical and radar systems and advanced anti-aircraft weaponry. In doing so the ships took on a new appearance, most notably in the bridge.

The New Orleans class represented the last class of the second generation “Treaty” heavy cruiser built between the two World Wars. The seven heavy cruisers in the class were outwardly similar. Their wartime displacement was 10,136 tons standard and 12,436 tons at full load. This displacement increased year by year due to the addition of radar, electronic equipment, and anti-aircraft protection. New Orleans class cruisers were some of the most used ships in the US Navy during World War Two. They were found at every major naval skirmish even though there were only four units remaining after 1942. New Orleans class heavy cruisers earned a total of 63 Battle Stars in the fight against the Japanese in the Pacific.

This Trumpeter 1/700 Scale model is of the USS Astoria from 1942. The model kit comes with 10 sprues plus lower hull, upper hull, decks and waterline plate and display stand.