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Trumpeter Ship Models 1/350 USS Massachusetts BB59 Battleship Kit

ACCEPTING BACK ORDERS

$108.10 $135.95
SKU: TSM-5306

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ACCEPTING BACK ORDERS

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The USS Massachusetts (BB 59) was the third ship of the South Dakota (BB 57) class battleships, which in turn was the second and final class of battleships to be built in compliance with the 1923 Washington Treaty for the Limitations of Naval Armaments. The North Carolina (BB 55) was the lead ship in the first class. The South Dakota class was 10,000 tons lighter in displacement that the ultimate (and final US battleship class, the Iowa), but in operations, its armor plating and firepower made it one of the most effective battleship classes built.

The 'Big Mamie' was laid down in mid-1939, more than two years before Pearl Harbor, and launched in late September 1941 - a little over two months before that surprise attack. The ship completed its fitting and was commissioned in mid-May 1942. Her first action was part of Operation Torch, the US invasion of North Africa. The French battleship Jean Bart engaged the Massachusetts with her 15-inch guns in the early morning hours of 8 November 1942, day one of Operation Torch. Massachusetts returned fire at 0740, firing the first 16 inch rounds from the US against the axis powers and silencing the Jean Bart for a few days. The Massachusetts continued its engagement against French destroyers, dispatching two of them to the deep. After the surrender of the French forces on 12 November, the USS Massachusetts returned to the US for preparations for Pacific duty.

The Massachusetts arrived in the Pacific theater in early March 1943 and over the next 14 months, supported combat operations in the South Pacific around the Solomons, Gilberts and on to Kwajalein. From there. The Massachusetts supported the push through Siapan, Tinian, Guam, and Truk. On 1 May 1944, the Massachusetts headed back to Puget Sound for a much-needed overhaul and relining of her guns. Big Mamie was back in the fight by October and supported operations against Formosa, Leyte Gulf, and on to retake the Philippines. During mid-December of 1944, the Massachusetts sailed into a 120-knot typhoon which sank three destroyers. After support of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Massachusetts sailed through another typhoon in early June 1945. From that point, Massachusetts took part in attacks on the Japan itself and having the distinction of firing the last 16-inch shell of the war into Kamaishi on 9 August 1945.

The USS Massachusetts was decommissioned in 1947 and is on display as a memorial to Massachusetts veterans in Fall River, MA. While the Massachusetts earned 11 battle stars in World War II, one of its most interesting distinctions was the fact that no US Navy personnel were killed in combat while serving aboard her.

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