Description

The 1/192 scale (15.5" long) USS Choctaw requires novice and scratch building skills, but assembly is very straightforward. UNION IRONCLAD RAM USS CHOCTAW Originally built as a packet (medium sized vessels used for domestic mail, passenger and freight transportation) in 1853 at New Albany, Indiana, she was purchased by the Army in 1862 and converted into an ironclad ram. Packet ships were in European countries and in North American rivers. Choctaw was transferred to the Navy and commissioned at St. Louis, Mo. On March 23, 1863 with Lieutenant Commander F. M. Ramsay in command. From April 23, 1863 until the end of the war, Choctaw operated on the Mississippi river and its tributaries. Between April 29 and May 1, 1863 she stood up the Yazoo River for a feigned attack on Haynes’ Bluff designed to prevent the Confederates from reinforcing Grand Gulf. During this action, Choctaw was struck 53 times. Remaining on the Yazoo, she took part in attacks with the Army which led to destruction of Confederate works at Haynes’ Bluff and the burning of Confederate Navy yards and ships lying there at Yazoo City during May 18 - 23. On June 6 and 7, Choctaw joined in repelling a Confederate attack at Millkins’ Bend La. After which rescued a large number of Confederates from the river and sent them in as prisoners. Between March 7, and May 15, 1864 Choctaw took part in the operations leading to the capture of Fort DeRussy. Choctaw was decommissioned at Algiers La. on July 22, 1865 and was sold at New Orleans, La. on March 28, 1866. Find an independent review of this kit here: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/ships/misc/ironclads/Choctaw-192-fs/choctaw_flagship.html