In a follow up NEWS story, John McNenney of Military Miniatures Warehouse has news of a new item available from Cottage Industry Models, producers of fine Civil War era naval vessels and ship guns. The release is a "mother of all Civil War model kits", a rendition of the Union ironclad "USS Monadnock" and will be available in October.

Model kit description:

This 1/96th scale model kit of the USS Monadnock is a twin turreted Union ironclad. Model measures 32 1/2" long X 6 1/'2" wide. 2 Piece resin hull (upper and lower), uses alignment pins so there are no issues with joining the hull parts, completely equipped ship's boats, fully detailed gun turrets suitable for cutaway, complete instructions with many detailed illustrations. Includes resin, cast metal, and custom photo-etched detail parts.

The kit is probably the largest Civil War ironclad model available in our hobby, as well as the most detailed Civil War model kit ever produced!


Brief Civil War history of this vessel:

The first USS Monadnock, a twin‑screw, wooden‑hull, double-turreted, ironclad monitor was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA, in 1862; launched March 1863; and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard October 4th, 1864.

On December 13th, 1864 Monadnock departed for the assault against Fort Fisher, SC. She joined Rear Admiral David D. Porter’s North Atlantic Blockading Squadron on the 15th, and 4 days later departed Beaufort, NC, to join the Union fleet massed to attack Confederate defenses on the Cape Fear River. On the morning of Christmas Eve, she closed the entrance of the river, guarded by Fort Fisher . At less than 1,200 yards from shore she began bombarding the fortification and continued throughout the day. The following morning she resumed shelling as 2,000 Army troops under the command of General Benjamin F. Butler landed north of the fort. However, after coming close to the fort, the troops were pulled back and reembarked in the landing boats. The attack was renewed 13 January 1865. Through the 15th, Monadnock again shelled the fort’s defenses, disabling many of the guns. Firing continued until the last gun on the sea face was silenced, well after the troops, under Major General Alfred Terry, and sailors and Marines had launched their final and successful assault. During the action, perhaps the largest amphibious operation in American history, prior to World War II, Monadnock was struck five times.

She saw more action, then on April 2, 1865, she steamed up the James River to support the final assault on Richmond, VA and then assisted in clearing the river of torpedoes to allow safe passage to the fallen Confederate capitol.

Modeling experience is HIGHLY recommended!

Take a look at this wonderful kit and many others at the official company website, and remember,
When contacting vendors, tell 'em you saw it on the pages of Model Shipwrights!