USS Sangamon CVE-26

USS Sangamon CVE-26.

First in the Sangamon class of WWII US Navy auxiliary aircraft carriers, converted from Esso Cimarron class high speed oil tankers in early 1942 in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. Laid down on March 13 1939 as Cimarron class high speed oil tanker "Esso Trenton", launched on November 4 1939, commissioned as AO-28 on October 23 1940.

Refit included flight deck (502ft x 81ft), hangar deck, aircraft catapult, sonar, aircraft ordnance magazines, workshops, stowage space for aviation spares, enlarged crew accommodation and increased anti-aircraft defence capability. Redesignated AVG-26 (Aircraft Escort Vessel) on February 14 1942 and ACV-26 (Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier) on August 20 1942. SANGAMON provided aerial support during "Operation Torch" (landings in French North Africa) in November 1942 and shielded supply convoys during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific from January 1943.

Redesignated CVE-26 (Escort Carrier) on July 15 1943, SANGAMON entered the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, and sustained damage in the Battle of Kwajalein in January 1944. Following repairs SANGAMON served in the Marshall Islands campaign and participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. Covering the landings at Leyte, Philippines in October 1944, SANGAMON also saw action in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and was damaged in the Battle of Samar on October 25 1944. After repairs at Bremerton WA SANGAMON was engaged in the Battle of Okinawa, April 1 - June 21 1945. On May 4 1945 SANGAMON was struck by kamikaze, damaging the flight deck with the loss of 11 crew, 21 seriously wounded, 25 missing.

SANGAMON returned to Norfolk VA for repairs in June 1945 but were suspended after the Japanese surrender on August 15 1945. Decommissioned on October 24 1945, SANGAMON was sold in February 1948 and scrapped (in Japan, ironically) in 1960. SANGAMON earned eight battle stars during the Pacific War, and is remembered by Trumpeter with this first plastic injection moulded model kit. [NF]

• 25 sprues and decks
• L: 478.3mm, W: 95.8mm
• Total parts 390+
• 1:350 scale plastic model kit from Trumpeter, requires paint and glue