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T2 TANKER
MODEL
The T2 tanker was a
class of oil tanker constructed and produced in the
United States during World War II. Some 533 T-2
tankers were built between 1940 and the end of 1945.
They were used to transport diesel, gasoline and
sometimes black crude oil.
The T2 tanker design
was first adapted from SS Mobilfuel and SS Mobilube,
built for the Socony-Vacuum Company (later to become
Mobile Oil). Steam turbines driving a single
propeller at 12,000 horsepower delivered a top speed
of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph). The ships were 501
feet six inches long overall, with a beam of 68
feet. T2 tankers displaced about 21,100 tons and
have a
deadweight tonnage of 15,850 tons.
Although dry cargo freighters like the
Liberty and Victory ships are probably the
best-known emergency vessels of World War II, oil
tankers played an important role in the Allied
victory. But unlike the Victory or Liberty ships, no
T2 tankers have survived to become museum ships,
and only one remains afloat in the National Defense
Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas.
We offer this
primarily wood model of the T2 tanker SS Bunker Hill
in three sizes below.
31"long
(1/200 scale) $2,990
Shipping and insurance in
the
contiguous USA included. Other
countries $250 flat rate. This model will be completed
in April 2023. The photos above show 80% complete.
36"long
(1/165 scale)
$3,750
Shipping and insurance in
the
contiguous USA included. Other
countries $350 flat rate.
42" long (1/144 scale) $4,900 Shipping and insurance in
the
contiguous USA included. Other
countries $400 flat rate.
Different size,
different name?
Let us know and you'll have it, in 3-5 months.
This model depict the
SS Bunker Hill as it was the most famous T2 tanker.
On May 6, 1943 Igor Sikorsky’s (the man who designed
the first workable helicopter) XR4 helicopter,
piloted by Frank Gregory, landed onto the deck of
the Bunker Hill. Sikorsky’s XR4 was the first
helicopter in history to land on a moving ship,
performing a number of rescues and emergency
deliveries under field conditions in the last year
of WWII. The Vought-Sikorsky VS-316A (which was
designated XR-4 by the U.S. Army Air Corps and
assigned serial number 41-18874), established the
single main rotor/anti-torque tail rotor
configuration. It was a two-place helicopter with
side-by-side seating and dual flight controls. The
XR-4 was 33 feet, 11.5 inches long and 12 feet, 5
inches high.
The tanker
BUNKER HILL was made available for the tests and a deck
78 feet long, with obstructions at both ends, was put in
place. An eight foot bullseye in the center of a square
was painted in the middle of the platform. Colonel Frank
Gregory arrived on 6 May to fly the Army XR-4 provided
for the tests. The space on the deck looked even
smaller—it didn’t look like the helicopter would fit.
The cabin superstructure towered up like a two story
building, and the people on it had that “it can’t be
done” look on their faces—yet the big white bullseye
stuck out like a target—the XR-4 came true to the white
marker as though being pulled by a powerful magnet, and
a minute later the floats touched the deck. He continued
to practice landings and takeoffs that afternoon with
the ship at anchor, then underway at five, seven and
one-half, ten and fifteen knots. As the speed increased
the landings became more difficult because of increased
turbulence over the superstructure but the helicopter
proved to be completely controllable. The next morning
guests were ferried out to the BUNKER HILL . . . A total
of 97 names were on the guest list. Gregory put on an
impressive and flawless performance as the ship cruised
at various speeds up to 15 knots and on various headings
with relation to the wind which was blowing at 12 knots.
Our T2 tanker model is
much more accurate than those of other makers.
Compare side by side and you will see a vast
difference. Not only accuracy, craftsmanship is a
level higher. Easiest things to notice is the
railings and the boats. That's why we show large
photos while the others are reluctant.
Learn more about the
T2 tanker here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T2_tanker
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