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Named after South Carolina
statesman William Lowndes, the USS Lowndes APA-154 was launched
from Portland Oregon in July of 1944.
A Haskell Class Attack
Transport which was acquired by the US Navy in September of that
same year with Commander Charles H. Perdue in command.
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Lowndes received two battle
stars for her World War II service carrying troops and equipment.
In January of 1945 the
USS Lowndes departed Pearl Harbor for Iwo Jima via Saipan. Arriving
in February she began launching a massive amphibious assault.
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Eight days she stood by
Iwo Jima as her beach party went ashore to attend and evacuate
casualties, to salvage boats and to clear the beaches for landing
craft.
Some of the landing craft
were carried hanging off the side of the vessel.
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Lowndes arrived in Okinawa
in the morning hours of D-Day. After 12 days under constant enemy
air raids, she began to debark troops and unload cargo for the
vigorous campaign ashore.
She made several other
voyages before being decommissioned at Norfolk in April of 1946
and returned to WSA for disposal.
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Our scratch built models
are not like any others you've seen before. |
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Our experience and artistic
expertise give a depth of realism that is unparalleled.
Many adjustments are made
to capture a more realistic model by interpreting light and shadow
with numerous color tones of paint.
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The result is a much more
interesting model to view from both a distance and up close under
magnification. |
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Each of the 14 Landing
Craft Vehicle Personnel or LCVP were painted with 5 different
colors. There are numerous LCP and rafts placed throughout the
deck.
The Captain's Gig Boat
has been modeled from images of the actual vessel. Complete with
windows, rafts and trim.
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The rigging on this Attack
Transport is extensive. Intricate details include standing, running
and support rigging. Brass radars and accents abound.
This impressive beauty
is adorned with 30 individual rafts. Each raft is wrapped, 22
knots are tied in this process, with waxed line. The depth of
realism this type of meticulous workmanship instills is immeasurable.
The difference between craft and fine art.
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Her decks are loaded with
brass enhancements to create that incredible look and depth of
realism.
Ladders, railings, windows,
doors, stairs, radar dishes, hose reels, life rings, hooks, gates,
hardware and more abound throughout the model.
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The intricacy involved
in this type of detail work is emmense. |
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All porthole windows are
even drilled through.
Lowndes was heavily armed
on this model with one Quad Bofor, 6 Twin Bofors and 8 Oerlikons
all made of cast metal and brass.
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USS Lowndes
was commissioned by the Brinkman Family and is currently on display
at the South Carolina State Museum. |
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She is mounted on a custom
base made of an exotic Bee's Wing Mahogany which is varnished
to a high gloss. An engraved brass name plate and flame polished
clear acrylic dust cover complete this elegant presentation. |
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1/125th
scale: 45"
long x 10" deep x 18" tall |
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