by Bob Nandell
1/471 USS Hope AH-17 (Revell Germany)
This is a model of the USS Sanctuary AH-17 built from the re-released Revell "Picture Fleet" kit of the Hospital Ship S.S. Hope.
The USS Sanctuary was finished too late to see much World War II activity except for bringing POW's and war-wounded troops back home. She was re-activated for Viet Nam duty and saw more than 5,300 patients admitted, often operating off the coast for 50 days at a time. After acquiring this kit I realized that my first Revell hospital ship model, which I still have, and which I built in my teen years, is now more than 50 years old!
