The USS SAN DIEGO Project began in January 2007 with Member Bob Crawford's desire to build a complete set of US Navy ships bearing the name USS SAN DIEGO in 1:350 scale (four models in total.) The latest of these, LPD-22, was at that time only on the US Navy's drawing board but grew in interest and focus eventually shifted solely in that direction.
After raising the subject at several Guild Meetings, Bob proceeded to refine his idea and posited building a 1:96 (1/8") scale LPD-22 as a Guild project.
With several Members having Navy connections and a $2000 grant from Raytheon it was decided by the Guild to build what eventually would be a 7' long x 18" wide model.
The Project's initial start was very slow going as getting plans of the new ship were difficult to obtain. After much back and forth with both the US Navy and NASSCO plans were finally obtained and the hull was sent to the The Scale Shipyard for fiberglass fabrication.
Once the hull and decking were completed under the leadership of Dave Manley and Tony Bunch at their home workshops, the Guild searched for a suitable workspace for Members to complete the model's details: it was finally agreed to fit out the hull onboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego's BERKELEY. In May 2010 the model was moved to Howard Griffus' workshop for the remaining work.
In July 2011 six Members of the Project team toured the USS SAN DIEGO upon its arrival in San Diego, a year after she had been launched and undergone sea-trials.
Five years after the inception of the idea, the build of USS SAN DIEGO was completed, some three months before the commissioning of her namesake in May 2012.
The USS SAN DIEGO Project is on display on the main deck of the Maritime Museum of San Diego's BERKELEY.
Read more about the USS SAN DIEGO Project in the Guild's January 2007, May 2007, October 2009, June 2011, July 2011 and February 2012 Newsletters.
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USS SAN DIEGO (LPD-22) build completed — February 2012
USS SAN DIEGO (LPD-22) commissioned — May 2012
USS SAN DIEGO emblem
featuring SAN SALVADOR
flying the city of San Diego flag
USS SAN DIEGO (LPD-22) in the Red Sea — October 2014
Project Team |
Bob Crawford (team leader)
Tony Bunch
Howard Griffus
Robert Hewitt
Bill Luther
Dave Manley
Rob Riddoch
Jon Sanford
Chuck Seiler
Steve Vick
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