USS PYRO AE-24

[codythecatt]

While up at the American Legion in Concrete tonight I saw this model I thought you all might be interested in. What fascinated me was that it was made out of milk cartons by members of the crew. Actual paint for the vessel was used for the model!

She has a decade or so of dust, cobwebs, and a bent piece here and there ... maybe I will clean and re-rig it for them.

The cardboard description is also inaccurate.


http://www.usspyro.com/
http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/05/0524.htm

[Cliffy B]

Talk about cool! The forward guns are a tad innaccurate but who cares, they're close enough. Its definetly in need of some TLC though so if they let PLEASE clean her up and see if you can get a case for her. How big is she, scale?

[codythecatt]

It is about 30-36" long. Scale: who knows? I will measure it next time I go in.

Maybe they will trade me a drink tab for cleaning it up?

The USS Pyro reunion is going to be in Seattle in May ... I could drag it down there just for giggles.

[Timmy C]

If you have the model's length, then you can figure out the scale.

At the upper range estimate of 36", that makes her 1/171 scale. The lower range estimate of 30" would make her 1/205 scale.

[codythecatt]

I talked with the Pyro's Historian. He thinks it would be a "wonderful" idea to have it at the reunion!

we are working out the details. This restoration will make a great project and I'm sure the members of the Concrete American Legion and the past crew members of the Pyro would love to see it happen. (she got scrapped just this year!)

Of course I will do a 'restoration log' here if, most likely, I get the chance to peel decades of grung, flotsom, and jetsom off this wonderful Lady from the Vietnam "conflict". Not to forget a broken mast and boom!

(I better stock up on Q-tips, Dawn dish detergent, and milk cartons!!!!)

[Russ2146]

Watch what you wash with. Milk cartons were, and may still, be made of waxed paperboard. Best that you use something that does not remove wax. It eally does need some sort of case.

[Bigdaddy Mark]

I'd recommend cleaning it before running up that bar tab
How cool would it be to get it to the reunion.

[codythecatt]

Wandered through the snowstorm and the dark of night with my trusty tape measure ... it is 38" in length.

The Legion post officers will discuss it at the next meeting and will let me know.

[Timmy C]

So 1/161 scale then, or close enough to 1/160, N-scale for the train guys.

[KMarieBox]

Hey all, I am a chair member on the Pyro Association. I was at the reunion in Seattle last year (2013) and this model never made it there. I talked with Jared and we would really like to get this to the Pyro Association's historian. I am willing to pay whatever it takes to get it shipped to us. Please contact me and I can make payment arrangements with you for shipping and give you the shipping address.

Thanks so much,
MM3 Kimberly Box
USS Pyro AE-24
1989-1991

[kmariebox]

Okay, that above post was by me, but I hadn't registered yet. Now, I am registered, so you can message me about getting the model to me if possible and if it has been released by the Legion. Thanks!

[Timmy C]

Since it's been two years since Cody last posted in this thread, it might be an idea to hit the "Email" button under his post and contact him that way.

[kmariebox]

Since it's been two years since Cody last posted in this thread, it might be an idea to hit the "Email" button under his post and contact him that way.

Thanks Timmy- I'm actually making some headway finally with a few contacts/members of the Legion!

[kmariebox]

With thanks to this website, the admins/moderators and all of your posts, not only did I find this post about this Pyro model, but I was able to locate the appropriate people who generously let me take ownership of it. It was shipped to me last month and I'm now working on getting it cleaned/touched up. It's new home is in an acrylic display case and will travel to all of our annual Pyro reunions inside of a hard-covered travel case. All my shipmates are very excited to see this on display, beginning with next year's reunion!