--Originally Posted 10/9/13--

[Editor's Note: While, among her contemporary USN BBs Arkansas was not particularly close to Arizona - nor, indeed, Revell's mold of the latter particularly the best foundation from which to build her - still, such a kitbash is do-able (see "Responses", below) and is included here.]

Of the WWI-vintage, USN "Old" Battleships to see action during WWII, perhaps the most unsung - both historically and in modelling depictions - has been USS Arkansas:


Click on Image for FULL-RESHere seen in March of 1944, Arkansas shows off the unique, even grotesque (IMHO) dragon-like appearance of all BBs having (main battery) turrets amidships - in Arkansas' case two (twin-12"), of her total of six. She was the only USN BB to both see action in WWII and remain so fitted - thus, the last to echo that epitome of multi-turretted BBs: the Royal Navy's Agincourt, which had 7 main-battery turrets (though she did not remain in service for WWII). Likewise, Arkansas was the closest USN counterpart - in terms of turrets, anyway - to the historic IJN sisters Fuso and Yamashiro, each of which also retained their six original (twin-14-inch) main battery turrets - right through to their simultaneous ends, at Surigao Strait in October 1944.

Clearly then, Arkansas is the USN's most emblematic example of such historic, dreadnought-type battlewagons. Indeed, Arkansas and her ilk were the only ones to demonstrate any real utility remaining in the Big Gun - for amphibious fire-support, at which they apparently excelled - during WWII. Accordingly, the above neglect of Arkansas is wholely undeserved - particularly as compared with the recognition - indeed, even historical preservation - afforded to her contemporary, USS Texas. Fact is - except for the Cassablanca/TORCH engagements - Arkansas served right alongside Texas at the war's other three, most historic amphibious fire-support operations: D-Day (as fitted above), Iwo Jima and Okinawa. And at the landings in Southern France, as well.

This thread will help rectify the above attention deficiency - not to mention take a good look at a ship, very interesting in her own right, and options to model her - for which I invite one and all to browse, to ponder, and to contribute as you may desire!


Cheers,

- Matty