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Historic Background

The ship was originally authorized as the fleet collier "Erie" in 1904, but was renamed "Vestal" as war broke out, and it became USS Vestal (AR-4) , configured as US Navy fleet repair ship. The indispensable ship served in both World War I and World War II. The Vestal AR4 played even more significant role in World War II, particularly during the attack on Pearl Harbor. At Pearl Harbor, she was moored alongside the USS Arizona when the attack began, and despite being struck by bombs, her crew heroically helped rescue sailors and repair damaged ships, and then valiantly beached itself on a reef well out of the harbor channels to avoid blocking the warships escape. The dependable ship survived the attack, and went on to faithfully support the US Navy through all phases of the war.

Design Concept

This USS Vestal AR4 is a detailed replica of a US NAVY WWII repair ship, designed for enthusiasts of maritime history and model building. This intricate scale model of more than 75 different highly detailed parts faithfully replicates the original historic vessel in a 450mm (1:300 scale) or larger size, making it perfect for display or as a capable motorized or RC hobby project. Designed to print well on 250x250 or larger bed printers, you may print the hull in 3 parts, 2 parts lengthwise or whole. The 3 part chop is 3 separate hollow compartments that fit into each other to create a overlapped seal, while the 2 piece is filleted lengthwise so you can individually color print the halves without support and mate flush when assembled. The whole hull printed requires support and can be printed either right-side up or down. For display use, its recommended to print deck up while for RC the hull will print better if upside down and support is against deck. In either option, use interface "ironing" on support for a better print. The 2 piece will yield the fastest and highest quality multi-color print.

Purpose

The model kit serves as both a decorative piece and a learning tool, allowing builders to explore naval architecture. It's also a great addition for hobbyists who enjoy assembling scale models and RC enthusiasts looking for a rewarding project.

Printing Recommendations

The design is compatible with most FDM printers. For best results, use a whole or split hull depending on your print bed size. Ensure that settings are optimized for fine detailing, especially on features like mast cranes and the prop driveshaft.

Assembly Instruction

The kit includes a video guide for easy assembly. It consists of 75 parts that are easy and fun to assemble. The hollow shell with hatch access and working prop drives add to the excitement and realism. Prepare the mast cranes and stand for stability before mounting other components. VIDEO GUIDE https://vimeo.com/1108903136