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RELIANCE CLASS COAST GUARD
An accurate model of the USCG
medium endurance cutter
Entered
service between 1964 and 1969, the Reliance-class
cutters were designed specifically to meet the needs of
open ocean search and rescue work. The 210' cutters
feature a high degree of crew habitability (all spaces
with the exception of the engine room are
air-conditioned), excellent visibility (the ship offers
an unrestricted 360 degree view from the pilothouse), and
exhaust gasses were routed out the stern to reduce smoke
obscuration of the flight deck during flight operations.
The USCGC Reliance (WMEC-615), the first of the Reliance
class, was laid down at the Todd Shipyards, Seattle
Washinton, and entered commissioned service in June of
1964,
beginning a new era for the Coast Guard cutter fleet.
At the time, the Reliance-class’s construction materials
and processes were state-of-the-art and included
advanced epoxy protective coatings and noise reducing
materials. The cutters equipment and general
arrangements were designed to reduce personnel and
maintenance requirements and best utilize available
space. The cutters were not intended for wartime use but
were equipped with a 3-inch, 50-caliber gun and space
allocation was made for anti-submarine warfare equipment
should the need arise.
Reliance
proved her value to the fleet early on by providing a
proof of concept for cutter helicopter operations. Up to
this time, landing helicopters on cutters had been
experimental and not part of standard operations. The
Reliance-class cutters, along with their forthcoming
bigger siblings, the Hamilton-class cutters, were
designed with a helicopter landing pad. Because this
capability was unproven, the future of cutter-based
aviation hinged on the successful operational testing on
the Reliance. In preparation for the operational tests,
a wooden grid was added on Reliance’s flight deck to
stabilize the helicopter during landings by capturing
the landing gear. Initial cutter helicopter operations
took place during Reliance’s sea trials, from July 7 to
10, 1964, off the coast of Galveston. During this
three-day period, a HH-52 helicopter completed 170
landings, including 20 nighttime landings. A second set
of flight-deck landings was scheduled in November of
that year, this time in more challenging environmental
conditions. At the conclusion of these evolutions,
Reliance had proven that the Coast Guard was ready to
advance shipboard helicopter operations.
The
210-foot cutters received upgrades during the 1986
through 1990 period which resulted in a standardization
of the propulsion system. The cutters had their gas
turbines removed, and all 210s had their stern transom
exhaust systems replaced with a traditional stack. Other
modifications included enlarging the superstructure
area, replacing the original 3-inch Mk 75 cannon with a
25mm Mk 38 Bushmaster cannon,
upgrades and modifications to the ship's electronics.
The modifications cost approximately $20 million per
cutter (the original construction cost of each ship was
$3.5 million.)
There are
16 Reliance-class cutter vessels and we can make any of
them.
If you are a sailor or an ex-sailor on
a ship and you'd like to change/add/subtract some
features on the model to reflect the ship at the
time of your service, just let us know.
USCGC
Reliance (WMEC-615)
USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616)
USCGC Vigilant (WMEC-617)
USCGC Active (WMEC-618)
USCGC Confidence (WMEC-619)
USCGC Resolute (WMEC-620)
USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621)
USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622)
USCGC Steadfast (WMEC-623)
USCGC Dauntless (WMEC-624)
USCGC Venturous (WMEC-625)
USCGC Dependable (WMEC-626)
USCGC Vigorous (WMEC-627)
USCGC Durable (WMEC-628)
USCGC Decisive (WMEC-629)
USCGC Alert (WMEC-630)
This primarily wood model
of the
Reliance class coast guard ship
is 22.5" long x 12.5"
tall x 4" wide (1/144 scale). Tell us your favorite
ship (the list is above) and we'll place the name
and number on the model for you $2,490
Shipping
and insurance in the contiguous US included. Other countries: $250
flat rate.
This model is built per commission only. We require only
a small deposit to start the process $500  The
remaining balance won't be due until the boat is
completed,
in several months.
If you want a larger model, please email us for a
quote.
More
accurate Coast Guard models can be found here:
https://www.modelshipmaster.com/products/Coastguard/index.htm
Learn more about the USCG
Reliance-class cutter here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_endurance_cutter#Reliance-class_cutter
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