Launched in 1928, the USS
Panay was one of five shallow draft river gunboats built to protect
American interests along the Yangtze River during the Chinese civil war. Her distinctive
appearance owed as much to creating impressions as it did to naval architecture.
According to the Design History "It is important as a factor in American
influence in China that these vessels outclass in smartness of finish and appearance the
gunboats of all other nationalities".

1/48th(?) scale model of USS Panay
Washington D.C. Navy Yard Museum
(Courtesy Mike Leonard)
Displacing 450 tons and 180' in length, the Panay
was armed with two 3"/50 caliber guns and an assortment of .30 caliber weapons. On 12
December 1937 Panay was in the process of evacuating American nationals from
Nanking prior to the the Japanese occupying the city. She was unexpectedly attacked by
Japanese dive bombers and fighters. Severely damaged, her decks awash and sinking fast,
she was ordered abandoned.
The Japanese government's immediate apology and willingness to make
reparations kept the Panay's sinking from leading to more serious hostilities.

Click this image for a really big Panay
photo
The Iron Shipwright USS Panay
is a 1:192 scale one-piece full hull model. Priced at $165, it will be available March
1999. I will add the other resin parts (32 in all) and the extensive etched brass fret to
this preview in early February.
For further information contact Iron Shipwright.
Commanders Models, Inc.
Iron Shipwright Series
551 Wegman Road
Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: 1-888-IRONSHIP (1-888-476-6744)
Email: dparis@eznet.net |