USS Louisiana BB-71 1:700 Very Fire 700902

Plastic model kit: USS Louisiana BB-71 1:700 Very Fire 700902

The USS Louisiana BB-71 model kit in 1:700 scale from Very Fire is a unique offering for enthusiasts of naval history and modeling. This plastic model represents the American battleship USS Louisiana, which was planned as part of the Montana class, but its construction was canceled before the keel was laid. Although the USS Louisiana was never built, its design was an important element in the history of the American navy.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:700
• Manufacturer: Very Fire
• Catalog number: 700902

History of USS Louisiana BB-71: USS Louisiana was to be the fourth ship named after the state of Louisiana and one of the Montana class battleships, which were planned as successors to the Iowa class. The Montana class was intended to be slower but larger, better armored, and with greater firepower. These battleships were planned to be equipped with twelve 16-inch (406 mm) Mark 7 guns, arranged in four turrets with three guns each. They would have been the largest and best-protected battleships in the history of the US navy, capable of competing with the Japanese Yamato class battleships in terms of displacement.

The design of the Montana class began before the US entered World War II. The first two ships were approved by Congress in 1939, but changes in construction priorities during the war led to their cancellation in favor of the production of Essex class aircraft carriers and Iowa class battleships. Ultimately, all five Montana class battleships were canceled on July 21, 1943.

During the interwar period, the US navy focused on competing with the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific. The system of international arms limitations, initiated by the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922, gave the US navy an advantage over Japan in terms of total displacement. However, in the 1930s, this system began to break down, prompting major naval powers to initiate armament programs.

The Montana class was designed without treaty limitations, allowing for increased anti-aircraft capabilities and significantly thicker armor in all areas. Although these battleships were never built, their design influenced later constructions, such as the Midway class aircraft carriers.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.