1:490 USS Pittsburgh (CA-72) Baltimore-Class Heavy Cruiser

U.S.S. Pittsburgh CA-72 Baltimore-Class Heavy Cruiser Plastic Model Kit

Build “The Longest Ship in the World” with the Atlantis Models U.S.S. Pittsburgh CA-72 Baltimore-Class Heavy Cruiser plastic model kit.

This classic 1:490 scale U.S. Navy cruiser measures approximately 16.75 inches long when complete and includes 77 parts. The kit features movable guns, rotating turrets, two scout planes with catapults and crane, a display stand, a flag sheet, detailed instructions, and decals for the entire Baltimore class of heavy cruisers. That gives builders the option to finish the model as U.S.S. Pittsburgh or another famous Baltimore-class cruiser.

The real U.S.S. Pittsburgh CA-72 was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser and a World War II veteran with one of the most remarkable survival stories in U.S. Navy history. Commissioned in 1944, Pittsburgh served in the Pacific and supported major operations including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the fighting around Iwo Jima, she helped rescue sailors from the badly damaged carrier U.S.S. Franklin, then assisted the crippled carrier while under threat from enemy aircraft.

Pittsburgh’s most famous moment came in June 1945, when she was caught in a powerful Pacific typhoon. Huge seas tore away the ship’s bow, but the crew fought for hours to save the cruiser. Incredibly, Pittsburgh reached Guam without the loss of a single man. Her separated bow was later nicknamed “a suburb of Pittsburgh,” and the ship became known as “The Longest Ship in the World” because her bow and stern were separated by hundreds of miles.

This Atlantis Models release is a great choice for naval modelers, World War II history enthusiasts, U.S. Navy collectors, and fans of classic plastic model ships. With a large finished size, moving features, aircraft details, and decal options for the Baltimore class, the U.S.S. Pittsburgh CA-72 makes an impressive addition to any model fleet.

Kit Features

• 1:490 scale
• Measures approximately 16.75 inches long when complete
• 77 parts
• Includes decals for the entire Baltimore class of heavy cruisers
• Includes flag sheet
• Includes detailed instructions
• Features movable guns
• Features rotating turrets
• Includes 2 scout planes with catapults and crane
• Includes display stand
• Skill Level 2
• Recommended for ages 14 and up
• Paint and glue sold separately
• Suggested paint colors: black, dark blue, dark gray, hull red, silver, and tan
• Ships factory sealed direct from Atlantis
• Manufactured and packaged in the USA by Atlantis Models

Add the legendary U.S.S. Pittsburgh CA-72 to your fleet and build a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser with one of the greatest survival stories of World War II.

Check out the IPMS/USA Review

The Longest Ship in the World! The U.S. Navy recruit who is asked, "What is the longest ship in the world?" ranks with seasoned Sailors when he answers: "the USS Pittsburgh!" The USS Pittsburgh has a special place in naval history. Only part of her story lies in her Battle Scars and decorations- two Battle Stars, the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the China Service Medal for meritorious peacetime service.A Story of Valor(bold)In 1945, the quick retort of her guns covered our ground troops in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima. She rescued 34 men of the flaming USS Franklin, when it had been hit by two 500 lb bombs, then saved the crippled carrier while fighting off enemy planes. Within the month she was at Okinawa resisting heavy air raids. Here two of her Scout planes located missing men in the heaving waters and daringly plucked them out under enemy fire. A Ship Without a Bow(bold)But her greatest adventure and claim to fame came when a typhoon at sea launched "the longest ship in the world."At 6:00 in the evening of June 4th 1945, the winds became gusty and throughout the night the barometer crept ominously down. By early morning, the Pittsburgh was battling 100 foot waves in a screaming wind. All at once, near the bow, the deck buckled. Then the entire bow shot upward and with a roar, it ripped completely off! Pittsburgh was masterfully maneuvered backward to keep her stern from being rammed by her own bow, which was tossing freely in the water. For seven hours the crew labored against the pounding sea to shore the gaping forward bulkhead. Incredibly, without a single man lost, Pittsburgh arrived in Guam-- a ship without a bow! There, a false bow was fitted on her before she sailed back to the United States for permanent repair. The original bow of the cruiser was later towed to Guam. Admiral William Halsey dubbed it "a suburb of Pittsburgh" and, to this day, the USS Pittsburgh is called "the Longest Ship in the World", with hundreds of miles between her bow and stern.