The Ship Model Forum

I'm starting on a diorama of Sweet Pea and her long voyage following the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Nov 13, 1942. After taking a long lance to her stbd stern, which sheared the stbd shafts and jammed her rudder she spent a very long day heading to Tulagi. Portland was assisted by Higgins boats and YP-239 first, then ended up with the tug Bobolink and YP-239 for the trip to Tulagi.
So I'm building Portland with her damaged tail, Bobolink, and YP-239 all in 1/700.
For Portland I've got a Tamiya Indianapolis and Model Monkey conversion pieces.
Bobolink will be made from one of my CAP Vireo kits.
That leaves YP-239 which was the San Diego tuna clipper Challenger before the war. Most photos I've found for her are either real poor (small) or don't show more than an image from forward. She is one of 3 tuna clippers to receive battle stars from the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 25 October 1942. She was severely damaged during typhoon Louise in 1945 and scrapped in 1946 so there aren't a lot of images available


This is YP-239 in her one year of civilian service.



This is YP-239 following typhoon Louise



This is YP-346 being sunk. She looks very similar to YP-239.
YP-239, YP-284, and YP-346 all received battle stars for the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 25 October 1942. YP-284 and YP-346 were sunk there.

I plan to have a little bit of fun building this little known warrior whose crew served with distinction.

_________________
Our CO prior to flying to the boomer: “Our goals on this patrol is to shoot missiles and torpedoes.”
Junior Nuke Officer (me) : “Captain, don’t we really want to be like Monty Python and ‘Not be seen’?”
CO “You seem to be missing the big picture”
“Oh”

Could Harry Koehler have been transferred/loaned to another ship i.e. YP-284 or YP-346 before the battle "Night Action off Tulagi", . The whole story of Harry’s ship being destroyed and his being stranded on a Japanese held island, may be what did happen after this battle. Were the YP-284 and YP-346 also stationed at ROSE base? Were all survivors transferred to the YP-239 after the battle? Telegram listing Harry as MIA- date? Harry received commendations from YP-239 service. most service records were lost.