USS Forrestal (CV-59) was a supercarrier named after former Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. She was the largest aircraft carrier since Shinano and the first to specifically support jet aircraft. She was affectionately called “The FID”, as James Forrestal was the first ever Secretary of Defense, with FID standing for “First In Defense”. This is also the slogan of the ship's insignia and patch. She was informally known in the fleet as the “Zippo” and “Forest Fire” because of a number of highly publicized fires onboard.

Scale 1/800
Length 15.6"
Width 5"
Height 3.8"

In July 1951, the US Navy announced plans to build a 60,000 ton, 1,039 foot carrier. The keel was laid in July 1952 and less than thirty months later, the ship was christened by Josephine Forrestal, widow of Secretary Forrestal. The supercarrier was commissioned on October 1, 1955. She was the first American aircraft carrier to be constructed with an angled flight deck, steam catapult and landing signal lights, as opposed to having them installed after launching.

Forrestal deployed to the Mediterranean twelve times between 1968 and 1986. In March 1973, she conducted rescue operations in the flooded Medjerda River Valley near Tunis. On July 4, 1976, she was host ship for the International Naval Review in New York City. Forrestal celebrated her silver Anniversary in October 1980. On September 12, 1982, she transited the Suez Canal for the first time in her 28 year history. From January 1983 to May 20, 1985, she underwent a $550 million Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) which was designed to extend her useful life another 15-20 years.

Forrestal completed her 19th major deployment on October 7, 1988, after operating 108 consecutive days underway. For her superior operational performance during the deployment she received the Meritorious Unit Citation. During her 20th major deployment, she was visited by President George H. W. Bush during his historic Malta Summit with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev.

Forrestal was decomissioned in Philadelphia on September 11, 1993 and removed from the navy register. On December 5, 1996, a memorial service was held aboard the ship to remember those who perished at Pearl Harbor. On July 29, 1997, a memorial service was held on the flight deck to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the fire in the Gulf of Tonkin that claimed 134 crewmembers. On December 6, 1997, a second ceremony was held on Forrestal's flight deck to remember Pearl Harbor. In September 1998 the ship was painted from the waterline up and moved to Rhode Island for storage.

At Maritime Modelworks, we bring ordinary wood models to life. Each museum quality USS Forrestal ship model is created step-by-step meticulously. No machines are involved in the process; everything is made by hand. Skilled craftsmen chip away at a piece of mahogany until a ship appears, which is then sanded and puttied. Hand-casted resin and handmade metal parts are also added. Gifted artists paint on the colors and all details, no matter how big or small. Afterwards, clear lacquer is applied for protection. Each model ship is complemented with a handsome display base with brass pedestals and a brass name plate. Products are always double-checked before being delivered to customers in professionally-packaged double-lined boxes with high density foam.