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USS GAMBIER BAY
CVE-73 escort carrier model

The Casablanca-class escort carrier, USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), was commissioned on December 28, 1943, at Kaisier Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington.  

The ship was referred to as the "Bonus Ship" by yard personnel. The yard had originally projected 16 carriers would be delivered before the end of 1943, however, in September the Navy asked the yard to increase that number by at least two more. To rally the workers, Kaiser initiated a campaign called "18 or More by '44" to meet the new challenge. Gambier Bay—being the 19th and last Kaiser-built carrier—hence was dubbed the "Bonus Ship". 

Departing for the Pacific, Gambier Bay supported the landings at Saipan, Peleliu and Angaur, and the Philippines in the summer and fall of 1944. Assigned to Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague's escort carrier task unit, known as "Taffy 3", Gambier Bay participated in the precarious early morning Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Though the escort carrier fought valiantly against a much larger attacking Japanese surface force, she was severely damaged by enemy cruisers and sank at 09:07 a.m. Despite her loss, Gambier Bay was part of the other ships from "Taffy 3", joined by aircraft from "Taffy 2" that had turned back a more powerful Japanese Center Force. Her crew of nearly 800 survivors was rescued.

No ships of Casablanca class survive to this day.

This primarily wood model of the Gambier Bay is 32" long (1/192 scale.) It is by far the best Casablanca-class escort carrier model money can buy. Note the two 'real' elevators, the tiny scratch-built elaborate guns, and thousands of lines on deck. Compare our model with the others' and you'll see the our correct beam size, correct airplane (Three types: FM-2 Wildcat, SBD Dauntless, TBF Avanger). Our model is realistic, lively, in action. It doesn't look like a plastic toy

$3,790 Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $300 flat rate.

This model is built per commission only. We require only a small deposit (not full amount, not even half) to start the process $500  The remaining balance won't be due until the model is completed, in about four months.

Any service era or vessel configuration - we can build a model of them all - Your choice

Learn more about the Casablanca class here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca-class_escort_carrier