The history of USS Alabama BB-60From its humble beginnings on February 1, 1940, as the keel was laid at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, Battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) has had a remarkable career. She began her World War II adventures in the North Atlantic in 1943, then later that year, went to the South Pacific seas. She ended up in Mobile, Alabama as a National Historic Landmark and memorial to millions.Home to a crew of 2,500 courageous Americans, this 45,000-ton war machine''s WWII adventure culminated with BB-60 leading the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay on September 5, 1945. Nine Battle Stars for meritorious service were awarded the "œMighty A" during her brief three-year tenure as the "œHeroine of the Pacific".Alabama assisted in Operation Magic Carpet after the war, carrying some 700 men home from the former war zone. She was decommissioned in 1947 and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet, where she remained until 1962 when she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. A campaign to save the ship from the breakers'' yard succeeded in raising the necessary funds, and Alabama was preserved as a museum ship in Mobile Bay, Alabama.About the USS Alabama BB-60Home to a crew of 2,500 courageous Americans, this 45,000-ton war machine''s WWII adventure culminated with BB-60 leading the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay on September 5, 1945. Nine Battle Stars for meritorious service were awarded the "œMighty A" during her brief three-year tenure as the "œHeroine of the Pacific".Master craftsmen handcraft these highly detailed wood models from scratch using historical photographs, drawings, and original plans. They are built to scale with high-grade wood such as western red cedar, rosewood, and mahogany. They are 100% hand built individually using plank-on-frame construction method and are similar to the building of actual ships. Each model requires hundreds of hours to finish and must go through a demanding quality control process before leaving the workshop.The model contains stunning details which include the camouflage paint, cannons, jet fighters, crane, machine guns, lifeboats, anchors, radar tower, railings, riggings, and much more. The model rests on a solid wood base with a brass nameplate engraved "œUSS Alabama". It''ll make a perfect gift for all the passionate history buffs or collector!