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Frank Cronin
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U.S.S. Salem, CA-139 1/350

June 12, 2013 · in Ships · · 7 · 3K

The gentleman that wanted this model built had served on it as an enlisted seaman. He served just prior to it being decommissioned. Salem had a 10 year career from 1949-59. It served in the Atlantic and never fired a shot in anger. It was distinctive by it's one stack. Salem is on display in Quincy, MA at the US Naval and Shipbuilding Museum.

The gentleman wanted it on a base with a case. This was the first resin ship of this size I have built. I mounted it on a walnut base that I made especially for it and then had the case made at a local plastic shop.

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


7 responses

  1. gorgeous model...stunning base

  2. I sure do wish Trumpeter would do this in plastic, right after they do a Baltimore.

    Really nice work on the model. Salem did fire her guns in "anger" when she portrayed the Graf Spee in the British movie "The Battle of the River Plate." The US Navy wouldn't let them put German helmets on the crew, so they had to do a bit of dialogue about how Graf Spee was pretending to be a US cruiser.

  3. Very interesting. I did not know that.

  4. Great work Frank. I wonder how many closet ship builders there are out there. I have a resin Indianapolis. Maybe after seeing your work I'll get inspired & start on it.
    The base is impressive also.

  5. As usual...Nicely done Frank!

  6. very nice job looks fantastic

  7. Hi Frank!, good job!...I really like when I see ship models here in iModeler!...Beautiful base and work. I personally like to add a bit more variation in the colours and applying some washes and dry brushes in order to make look less flat and more weathered, but I do understanding people have other preferences and like this clean "museum" look...Well done!

    cheers mate

    jorge

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