1/350 USS Essext CV9 Carrier

The fourth Essex (CV-9) was launched 31 July 1942 by Newport News Shipbuilding; and commissioned 31 December 1942. Following her shakedown cruise Essex sailed to the Pacific in May 1943 to begin a succession of victories which would bring her to Tokyo Bay. The Essex first saw action in the raids on Marcus Island on 31 August 1943. Essex also participated in raids against Wake and Rabaul and supported the landings in the Gilberts and the Marshalls. In 1944 Essex saw action in the Marshalls, Truk, the Marianas, the Palaus, the Philippines, and off Okinawa and Formosa. In the final year of the war she participated in actions off the Philippines, Taiwan, Iwo Jima and Japan. Essex was hit by a kamikaze in November of 1944 while operating off Luzon with the Third Fleet. Following the Japanese surrender, Essex continued defensive combat air patrols until 3 September when she was ordered to Bremerton, Wash., for inactivation. On 9 January 1947, she was placed out of commission in reserve. Modernization endowed Essex with a new flight deck, and a streamlined island superstructure, on 16 January 1951 when recommissioned. Essex received the Presidential Unit Citation, and 13 battle stars for World War II service. After modernization and further service, Essex was decommissioned in 1969 and scrapped in 1975. Plastic cement and paint are required for assembly, and are sold separately.