USS Arizona BB-39 Battleship: Our USS Arizona BB-39 model ship is made of the finest grade materials which underwent stages of meticulous and careful sanding, carving and modeling to its original form. Our craftsmen and artisans ensure finely handcrafted USS Arizona BB-39 model ship with precise blueprint details of the original ship. The USS Arizona BB-39 model ship’s paint scheme, markings and parts are extremely accurate and complete with weaponries and armament, reflecting the true original USS Arizona BB-39 model ship. It also comes with a sturdy, durable base marked with its official insignia. This authentic USS Arizona BB-39 model ship will surely mesmerize anyone who receives this elegant desktop display as a gift. USS Arizona BB-39 History: USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania class battleship of the United States Navy, the third vessel to be named in honor of the 48th state. After shakedown off the east coast and in the Caribbean, she operated out of Norfolk, Virginia until November 1918, when she made a brief cruise to France. Arizona made a second cruise to European waters from April to June 1919, proceeding as far east as Turkey. For much of 1920 to 1921, she was in the western Atlantic and Caribbean areas, but paid two visits to Peru in 1921 in her first excursions into the Pacific. Between August 1921 and 1929, she was based in Southern California, making occasional cruises to the Caribbean or Hawaii during major US Fleet exercises. Placed in reduced commission on July 15, 1929, Arizona remained in yard hands for the next 20 months. Upgrades included new tripod masts, new anti-aircraft guns, and additional armor to protect her vitals from the fall of shot and blisters to protect her from torpedo or near-miss damage from bombs. She also received new boilers and new main and cruising steam turbines. She was placed back in full commission on March 1, 1931. Arizona was moored in Pearl Harbor's “Battleship Row” on the morning of December 7, 1941, when Japanese carrier aircraft attacked. She was hit by several bombs, and the resulting explosion totally wrecked the forward hull, collapsing her forward superstructure and causing her to sink, with the loss of over 1100 of her crewmen. The wreck of the battleship still remains at Pearl Harbor. In 1950, Arizona began to be used as a site for memorial ceremonies, and in the early 1960s a memorial structure was constructed across the ship's sunken remains. She was awarded one battle star for service in World War II.