Like the Arizona, the U.S.S Vestal was a veteran of both world wars, beginning life as a Fleet Collier (Coaler) in 1909. She was converted to a Fleet Tender ship in 1912 then spent the entirety of the First World War stationed in Queenstown, returning in 1919. In 1927 she was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor...
On December 7th, 1941 the Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy and Army installations at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Arizona was a victim of the first wave of attacks when bombs detonated her forward powder magazines, blowing off her bow and sending her to the bottom... Tied along side at the time of the blast was the Fleet Tender U.S.S. Vestal. Hit herself by several bombs, the Vestal managed to get clear of the Arizona, steer herself by engines only (her rudder having been damaged and rendered in-operable) to a beach further down the Harbor and affect her own repairs. She then engaged in rescue and salvage operations, aiding in the recovery of crewmen and ships after the attack!
As the war in the Pacific progressed, the Vestal was refitted and saw action in almost every major engagement of the war from then on, conducting many dangerous repair and salvage operations sometimes right on the front lines! Due to her gallant actions through out the war, the Vestal and her fine crew received many awards including battle stars and unit citations...
The USS Vestal model includes over 30 moving parts, such as: guns, cranes, turrets, spotlights, and propellers.
.: Product Features :.
* Main USS Vestal figure
* 3 smart-propped versions of the Anchors
Original model by Chris Schell and uploaded for sale here with permission.
Software: Poser 6+
