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Originally named after
the great physician-educator William Osler, the USAHS Wisteria
was a WWII hospital ship that originally started out as a
Liberty ship. The William Osler was converted in a Brooklyn
shipyard to a hospital ship in the summer of 1944 along with
six other Liberty ships. |
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She was given a new superstructure
with 23-m masts and a funnel wide enough to display Red Cross
symbols more than 3.7 m in width.
Spotlights shown all around
on this large cross to light her up like a city block so the
German submarines would not torpedo her. The "rules of engagement"
were honored as she was never attacked.
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Once completed, Wisteria
had 44 wards with a total capacity of 595 patients. She had everything
needed for emergency medical care of our troops. A laboratory,
radiology facilities, autopsy room, a morgue and even an operating
room all at sea. |
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Armed with only a few photographs,
what limited information we could find in military achieves and
the memories of serving solders; we began to build. |
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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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Our scratch
built models are not like any others you've seen before. |
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Our attention
to detail results in a much more interesting model to view from
both a distance and up close under magnification.
Master Modeler built by
hand. As with all our models, Wisteria is completely made
in America.
Notice all her detailed
rigging work and the flags flying the family name of the original
commissioning patron.
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Brass, decal and paint
embellishments really bring this model to life. So much so that
a former soldier began recalling specific events, pointing to
where they happened and creating a living history for his family. |
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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.
The brass accommodation
ladder on this side is down while it is placed up against the
hull on the other.
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The intricacy involved
in this type of detail work is immense.
All porthole windows and
doors are even drilled through.
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She is mounted on a custom
base made of a beautiful Northwest Red Cedar which highlights
the red and green of the model. Wood is sealed in a durable satin
Polycrylic finish. An engraved brass name plate and flame polished
clear acrylic dust cover complete this elegant presentation. |
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1/350th
scale: 17"
long x 8" deep x 5" tall |
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