by Bob Nandell
1/500 USCG Mendota (Scratchbuild)
The 256-foot Owasco Class Coast Guard Cutters, of which WPG 69 Mendota was one, were almost as powerful as many destroyers when completed in 1945. They carried a twin 5-inch mount fore and aft and a quad 40mm (later a twin 3") forward of the bridge. Post-war, armament was reduced and additional deck-houses added in aft superstructure. My scratchbuild (balsa, paper, plastic sprue) of the Mendota depicts the ship as she appeared in photographs circa 1949. She underwent a FRAM upgrade in the 1960's, and in 1968 actually spent some time in company of the mighty U.S.S. New Jersey, popping away as a close-support vessel with her remaining forward 5-incher off the coast of Viet Nam. Some of the 12 sturdy Owasco class cutters served into the mid-1970's before meeting the scrappers. Although most of my ship models are water-line, this stubby little vessel simply looks better to me in full-hull.
