LHA-1 TARAWA 1/700 (Made-to-Order)

Made-to-Order, 10 to 12 weeks production lead time. $45 Shipping Fee

Named in honor of the US Marines who fought in one of World War Two's bloodiest battles, the USS Tarawa is the lead ship of her class of assault ships. Now, a handcrafted full-hull solid wood ship model of the helicopter carrier is available for the first time ever in precise 1/700 scale model. More than 14 inches long, this ship replica is carved by hand from mahogany wood and is heavily detailed with handcast resin and metal pieces. It comes ready to display model on an elegant, handmade, furniture-finish 15-inch display model base using hand-turned brass pedestals. A brass name plate completes the display ship. Overall the quality of this helicopter carrier model would command a $800 retail value, but it is now available at our extremely low factory price. 

This is not a mass-produced wood model ship. Each museum-quality ship replica is handcrafted by master modelers and will make a perfect gift or memento for the sailor, ship or military enthusiast. As such it is shipped to the customer in a heavy-duty carton box; the ship model itself is encased in a secure wood frame which will require some disassembly. 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

USS Tarawa (LHA-1), nicknamed "Eagle of the Sea", is a United States Navy amphibious assault ship, the lead ship of her class, and the second ship to be named for Tarawa Atoll, site of a Marine landing during World War II. The first Tarawa was the USS Tarawa (CV-40).

She was laid down in November 1972 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding, launched 1 December 1973, sponsored by Audrey B. Cushman, the wife of General Thomas J. Cushman, former Commandant of the Marine Corps; and commissioned on 29 May 1976, Capt. James H. Morris in command.

Tarawa is the first of five ships in a new class of general-purpose amphibious assault ships and combines in one ship type the functions previously performed by four different types: the amphibious assault ship (LPH), the amphibious transport dock (LPD), the amphibious cargo ship (LKA), and the dock landing ship (LSD). She is capable of landing elements of a Marine Corps battalion landing team and their supporting equipment by landing craft, by helicopters, or by a combination of both.

The ship departed Pascagoula on 7 July 1976 and set a course for the Panama Canal. She transited the canal on 16 July and, after a stop at Acapulco, Mexico, arrived at San Diego, California on 6 August. During the remainder of 1976, the amphibious assault ship conducted trials, tests, and shakedown in the southern California operating area.

During the first half of 1977, Tarawa was engaged in training exercises off the California coast. On 13 August, she entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for post shakedown availability which was completed on 15 July 1978. Following four and one half months of intensive individual ship and amphibious refresher training with embarked marines, Tarawa ended 1978 in her home port of San Diego on Christmas standdown.