ModelWarships reveiw

Reviewed by Timothy Dike

The U.S.S. Sigsbee (DD502) under air attack off Okinawa in 1945.

The U.S.S. Sigsbee was built at Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. in Kearny, N.J. in 1942, and commissioned into the United States Navy in January 1943. Sigsbee was one of the 175 Fletcher Class destroyers built during a two–and–one half year period—a spectacular example of American warship design and mass production.

The Fletcher class destroyers formed the backbone of the Navy’s destroyer force in Pacific. These fast “Greyhounds” were involved in all actions and operations from 1943 until the end of the war.

A Japanese suicide plane heavily damaged the U.S.S. Sigsbee on April 14, 1945 while she was serving as a radar picket destroyer off Okinawa.

Want to add that perfect touch to your den or model room. How about a dramatic painting of the USS Sigsbee fighting off an air attack at Okinawa? Paul Bender, already well known for his color profile and cover art work has begun offering prints of his paintings online. Many artists can paint a ship, but few can capture the drama of a ship in action. Paul Bender is one of those exceptions. When I look at this print, I feel as if I was in a raft watching this elegant Fletcher slice by with guns blazing. As your eye wanders around the the scene, you notice the attention to detail and accuracy.

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Close ups of actual print.

I took several photo's of various areas of the print. When you view them by themselves, you get an idea of how each area draws your attention. Please forgive my shaky hand as some of the above images are slightly blurred. The print is very sharp and clear.

As you can tell, I'm quite excited about my new print. Even my wife was impressed, and who knows maybe I can get away with hanging it in the living room! OK, maybe not but it will be displayed in a place of honor.

The prints are available as Edition 300 S/N Size 16.5" x 22" for $125 or Edition 200 S/N Size 22" x 29.25" for $165. They are shipped in a sturdy heavy cardboard tube with the prints wrapped in a protective plastic wrap. Shipping on all orders is $8. You can purchase this and other prints online at Paul's new website along with many of his other original artworks. The website itself is like an online art gallery, and allows you to get a good look at the prints you may wish to purchase.