USS Havre PCE-877
by Steve Kohls

1/96 USS Havre PCE-877 (Scratchbuilt)

The model of the PCE-877 is scratch-built in 1/96 scale and represents her configuration during th Okinawa Campaign. She displays MS22 camouflage. White Ensign Model paints were used; Navy Blue 5-N (decks), Sea Blue 5-S (lower hull), Haze Gray 5-H (vertical surfaces), Norfolk Anti-Fouling Red 65A (hull bottom).

Purchased parts are as follows;

• Propellers (Raboesch)
• 40mm barrels (B&D Barrels)
• 40mm gun sights (Masterpieces In Miniature)
• Stokes litter (Masterpieces In Miniature)
• Blocks (Blue Jacket Shipcrafters).

Extensive use of photoetch was used in construction. Artwork was drawn by myself and sent to Foto-cut for etching. Etched items include 40mm ammo rings, door and hatch handles, radar, eye bolts, round grating for open bridge, inclined ladders, window bracing for open bridge, guide brace for 20mm gun, 3”/50 gun floor detail, floor for life rafts, bracing for 3” gun tub.

Micro Mark casting resin was also used. This included masters and molds for the following; hull, superstructure, 40mm guns, anchors, bitts, chocks, deck hatches, depth charges, k-guns, life rings, life jackets, searchlights, storage boxes, stack and stack house, fire hoses, MK 51 gun director, 3” gun, pelorus, compass, doors, hedgehog bombs, lifeboat, life raft, 40mm ammo, 20mm ammo cans, rudders, 3” ammo storage boxes.

Construction time was some 2000 hours over 30 months.

BUILT : Albina Engine and Machine Works Portland, Oregon.
LAUNCHED: 11 August, 1943
COMMISSIONED: 14 February, 1944
DISPLACEMENT: 903 Tons
LENGTH: 184’6”
WIDTH: 33’ 1”
DRAFT: 9’ 5”
COMPLIMENT: 99
USS PCE-877 saw considerable action after commissioning ,in the Pacific Theater of operations. The 877 Earned 2 Battle Stars for operations at IWO JIMA and OKINAWA. The 877 was used for close in communications and fire support missions. The 877 was present at the surrender ceremonies in TOKYO BAY.
Post war the 877 was attached to Amphibious Control Squadron 2 engaged in exercises in the North Atlantic, Chesapeake Bay, and Caribbean. In 1954 the 877 was assigned to the 9th Naval District (Great Lakes Area) stationed at Chicago and the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. The 877 was named the USS HARVE PCE-877 in 1956.The ship trained reservists until May 1970 when she left the Great Lakes with the other ships of the “CORN BELT FLEET”.

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