The USS Sangamon was unique in that it was in demand both as a Cimarron-class tanker and as a converted aircraft carrier. The first of four converted from a T2 tanker hull, the Sangamon and its sister ships proved resilient and capable in both roles during World War II. Faster, longer, and deeper-hulled than other conversions, it could carry a full 35-aircraft air wing with improved stability. Beyond its 24,000-mile range, it hauled an additional 14,000 tons of fuel for its escorts. Initially deployed in 1942 for Operation Torch in North Africa, the Sangamon also served in the Pacific and was the first to encounter the Kamikaze off Leyte, surviving significant battle damage.
Trumpeter’s 1/350 scale kit comprises 252 plastic parts and 62 photo-etched metal (PE) details on a single fret. Sixteen aircraft from Sangamon’s 1942 deployment are included, as is an instruction booklet, decal sheet, and painting guide.