USS Pensacola (CL/CA-24) was a 9,100-ton light cruiser of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class. She was laid down by the New York Navy Yard on October 27, 1926; launched on April 25, 1929; and commissioned on February 6, 1930. In July 1931, her classification was changed to heavy cruiser and her hull number became CA-24.

Pensacola departed New York on March 24, 1930, transited the Panama Canal to Callao, Peru, and Valparaiso, Chile, before returning to New York on June 5. For the next four years she operated along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean Sea, several times transiting the Panama Canal for combined Fleet battle practice ranging from California to Hawaii. In June 1942 during the Battle of Midway she escorted both USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown. From August to December 1942, she operated in support of the Guadalcanal campaign, mainly serving with aircraft carriers.

After repairs due to torpedo damage in the Battle of Tassafaronga, Pensacola returned to service in time to participate in the Tarawa invasion in November 1943. On January 29, 1944 she began strikes and bombardments to destroy Japanese air power and shipping in the Marshall Islands. From May to August, she patrolled in the north Pacific and bombarded Japanese positions in the Kurile Islands. She shelled Wake Island in September and Marcus in early October, then joined the Third Fleet's carrier forces to participate in attacks on Formosa and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

During the rest of the year and into 1945, Pensacola regularly conducted bombardments in the Bonin and Volcano Islands. She provided more gunfire support during the campaign to seize Okinawa in March and April. The cruiser's final months of active service were spent supporting the occupation of northern Japan and transporting Pacific War veterans home as part of Operation Magic Carpet. On May 29, 1946, she arrived at Bikini Atoll to serve as a target ship. She survived the tests of July 1 and July 25 but was badly damaged. On August 24 she was taken in tow for Kwajalein where she decommissioned on August 26. She was sunk as a target in fleet exercises off the coast of Washington State on November 10, 1948. Pensacola received thirteen battle stars for World War II service.

At Maritime Modelworks, we bring ordinary wood models to life. Each museum quality USS Pensacola 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 sturdy wood crates via FedEx Next Day Air.