The Indianapolis was a Portland-class cruiser of the United States Navy. Having first served in 1942 in the South Pacific, she saw major action in many Japanese strongholds, becoming a critical part of many US Naval battles in WWII. After having been overhauled twice during the war, her final mission was on July 30, 1945 delivering critical parts for the first atomic bomb to be used in combat to the U.S. air base at Tinian. Shortly after the delivery, the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese I-58 submarine and sank in 12 minutes. Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship and nearly 600 additional perished in the water awaiting rescue. Kit consists of over 630 parts on 14 spruces, including photo-etched parts. Two SOC aircraft are included. Completed kit measures nearly 21 long! This is the first plastic kit of this subject in this scale!