Loose Cannon Models
1/700 USS Cimarron (AO-22)


 
 
Reviewed October 2023
by Martin J Quinn
HISTORY
USS Cimarron (AO-22) was a Cimarron-class oiler serving with the United States Navy and the second ship to be named for the Cimarron River in the Southwestern United States. She was launched 7 January 1939 by Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Chester, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Mrs. William D. Leahy; and commissioned 20 March 1939.

The Cimarron-class oilers were an underway replenishment class of oil tankers which were first built in 1939 as "National Defense Tankers," United States Maritime Commission Type T3-S2-A1, designed "to conform to the approved characteristics for naval auxiliaries in speed, radius and structural strength", anticipating their militarization in the event of war. "Tentative plans had been reached with the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey to build ten high-speed tankers with the government paying the cost of the larger engines needed for increased speed. By the first week in December [1937], Standard Oil had solicited and received bids from a number of yards providing for the construction of a number of 16,300-ton (deadweight) capacity tankers. Bids were requested for two versions: a single-screw design of 13 knots and a twin-screw design of 18 knots. The price difference between the two would be used to establish the government's cost subsidy for greater speed. Plans and specifications for both designs were prepared for Standard Oil by naval architect E. L. Stewart. It seems certain that the design for the 18-knot tanker (Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey Design No. 652 NDF) evolved out of the bureau's (C&R) design for a fleet oiler."

Three of the original twelve ships were commissioned directly into the Navy at launch in 1939; the remainder entered merchant service with Standard Oil of New Jersey and Keystone Tankships before being acquired under the Two-Ocean Navy Act of July 1940. A further eighteen were built for the Navy between 1943 and 1946, with five additional units, sometimes called the Mispillion class, built to the slightly larger Type T3-S2-A3 design.

Cimarron had an active career.  She entered service in 1939 and serviced until 1968, seeing service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  Highlights of her World War II service included participation in the Doolittle Raid in April, 1942.  She supported the US fleet in the aftermath of both the Coral Sea and Midway engagements.  She also participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign and in the liberation of the Philippines.  She was decommissioned in 1968, following a collision with the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) during an underway refueling.

Four of the Cimarrons were converted to escort carriers in 1942; two others were sunk by enemy action. 

For more on the Cimarron, see her Wikipedia page here, from which the history was taken from.  There is also a page dedicated to her on the USDOT's Maritime Administration webpage, here.

The Loose Cannon Cimarron

Cimarron is packaged in a heavy, flip top, white cardboard box, with a drawing of the ship on the box top.  Inside the box is the hull, in one bag, five additional bags and one clamshell container with the 3D printed parts, along with photo-etch, plastic strip, brass rod and the instructions.  These are all secured with packaging peanuts. 

THE HULL 
The hull is waterline, and scales out pretty much perfectly in both beam and length.   The hull has a lot of detail cast right onto it, including hull plating, bollards, vents, winches, and a lot of piping in the very busy well decks.  There is a slight over pour on the bottom of the hull, and some of the port holes will need a twist of an appropriately sized drill bit to open them up more.  I did notice a bit of resin flash on the hull plating, and in a few spots around the deck, most of which should be easy to remedy with some sandpaper.  I would have preferred to have seen the winches left off as separate 3D printed parts. 

3D PRINTED PARTS
The rest of the kit, outside of the photo-etch, is exclusively 3D printed. Overall, these parts are cleanly printed. 

 
SUPERSTRUCTURE PARTS
Among the 3D printed parts are the various superstructure pieces, which include:

DD - Rear Deckhouse.  This is the largest piece, outside of the hull, in the kit.  It features vents, W/T doors and portholes
HH - Center Island Deckhouse. 
II - Center Island 03/04 Bridge Levels.  The splinter shields and Mk37 director are printed integral to this piece.
JJ - Funnel
WW - Rear pump house
KK - Forecastle deckhouse

MASTS/KINGPOSTS
The masts and kingposts are on three print rafts.  The kingposts being together on one raft, and the masts each on their own. 

EE - Forward kingposts
FF - Rear kingposts
ZZ - Foremast
ZA - Mainmast

There is some slight warpage on the kingposts, which is not uncommon with 3D printed parts.  Not sure if a gentle application of heat will get them back into position.   The masts are pretty complex and have some nice details.  These look really good, though there is some slight warping evident here too. 

BOATS & RAFTS
Four boats - in two sizes - and two sizes of rafts come with the kit.  The boats look good, with some internal ribbing, while the rafts are nicely done, especially the webbing.  Paint carefully, as not to clog the webbing. 

GUN & DIRECTOR TUBS
There is an assortment of tubs included, for the 5inch and .50 caliber guns as well as the searchlights.

WEAPONS
Included at two 5in/38cal gun turrets, and two 5in open mounts.  These are my least favorite part of the kit, especially the turrets. 

   
SMALL PARTS
The rest of the 3D printed parts consist of paravanes, anchors, capstans, cable reels, vents, searchlights, spare propellers, flag bags, some additional winches and davits. 

PHOTOETCH
There is one photo-etch fret included with the kit. It has lots of railings, supports for the walkways, towers, inclined ladders, .50 caliber MGs, 20mm guns, pulleys and rigging for the kingposts and parts for the radar atop the Mk37 director. 

   
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are well done, with exploded diagram drawings that should be self explanatory - there are even rigging diagrams included.  Also included is a history of the Cimarron, a parts manifest and a nice color painting guide that can double as a template for the camouflage pattern.  Loose Cannon thoughtfully includes two copies of this page.  Bravo to Loose Cannon for providing such detailed instructions.  Other manufacturers should take note, and follow their lead. 

CONCLUSIONS  
Prior to the release of Cimarron, the only Loose Cannon I had the opportunity to review was their USS Albemarle (AV-5), back in 2018.  The release of Cimarron shows what a difference technology, especially 3D printing, has made to our hobby.  The incorporation of 3D printed parts into their kits really raises the bar for Loose Cannon, and brings their kits (IMO) to another level.  There is a lot to like about this release, and overall, I think this is very solid kit of historically significant ship. 

I think fans of auxiliaries and of the war in the Pacific will like this kit. I expect it will be incorporated into more than one Doolittle Raid diorama. Recommended.

This is Loose Cannon’s 1/700 USS Cimarron, kit number 204.  The model goes for $110.00 USD, and is available directly from Jerry Beasley at Loose Cannon.  You can contact Jerry at jgbeas <at> gmail-dot-com. 

This is an in-box review.  Your mileage may vary once you commence construction.  Thanks to Jerry Beasley at Loose Cannon Models for the review sample.