by Patrick Camilleri
1/600 SS Ohio (Scratchbuilt)
This is a scratchbuilt model of the ship "that saved Malta". In August 1942 Malta was on the verge of surrender. Without further supplies of food, ammunition and fuel the defence of the island would have ground to a halt giving the Axis full control of the central Mediterranean. This would have enabled them to ship supplies to their armies in North Africa without interference. This would in turn have affected the whole outcome of the war. The story of how this ship fought its way through to the island is one that defies belief. It was torpedoed and two enemy aircraft crashed into it and yet, with a destroyer strapped to either side it made it to the island to settle to the bottom of the harbour as the last few gallons of fuel were being pumped out of it. The story of this convoy ..... Operation Pedestal ........ is well worth the read. The importance given to this convoy is clear when one considers that 14 merchantmen were escorted by no fewer than 41 warships including 4 carriers 2 battleships.
I must thank Mr. Edward Wyatt who kindly provided me with plans of the ship and whose large scale model in the War Museum in Malta provided the inspiration for this build.
My model was built using plasticard, plastic rod and Gold Medals Photoetch.
