DNADave Posted May 14, 2015 Share #1 Posted May 14, 2015 Hi All This is my first post here, but I think I'll stick around given the number of military items I find at estate sales. What I found this week looked like a regular plastic model, but when I picked it up to move it, it was HEAVY! The stamp on the bottom was too blury to really make out, but for $30 I took a chance. What I first thought was "COAST" Metal, really says "COMET" Metal Products. I could make out USS Forrestal, and "Unclassified" but a lot of it is blurry. What I learned was interesting, regarding the fires on board the "FID" or the "Fire Stall" as it was called. But now I'm looking for info on what this item is. I doubt is was a toy, but I don't know. I'm not sure of the rarity, other than I can't find much on the interweb. I'll try a few pics and see what the crowd thinks. It looks like I can't use photobucket here? so the thread may be useless w/out pictures. i'll keep trying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNADave Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted May 14, 2015 I think I got it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 15, 2015 Share #3 Posted May 15, 2015 It was used for training.They had ships and planes from Allied and Axies countries.Very cool and some are very collectible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmdo Posted May 15, 2015 Share #4 Posted May 15, 2015 These came in recognition kits for the various Navies and were usually in wooden cases. The heaviness is due to it being made with lead. Store in a cool spot as the lead will bend easily in heat. Used to train pilots and aircrew recognition of vessels for both friend and foe or allies and axis. Comet is one of many manufacturers who made recognition models during WWII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turmanator Posted May 15, 2015 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2015 That's a nice one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted May 15, 2015 Share #6 Posted May 15, 2015 This is one of the only post-WW2 ID models I've ever seen, but I have to agree that it does appear to be one. Quite interesting! As a random historical note, we used to also call her the "Forrest-fire"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron3-6 Posted May 15, 2015 Share #7 Posted May 15, 2015 There is a really good Discovery documentary, I think it was called "USS Forrestal: Situation Critical" out there somewhere. There was a lot of heroism in fighting the fire that broke out on the flight deck. Very cool model and nice find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 15, 2015 Share #8 Posted May 15, 2015 Almost post war.Date looks July '45.Probably the last ones made though.I have the cruise book from the Forrestal Vietnam cruise.I can't imagine the chaos that was going on.John McCain was on that cruise.He could have went home but volunteered for another ship and was shot down.I have a friend that was on the Oriskany.He said they were 12-15 miles out and could see the fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted May 15, 2015 Share #9 Posted May 15, 2015 Not a chance it's a 1945 date. Ship didn't reach the fleet until 55. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 15, 2015 Share #10 Posted May 15, 2015 Correct Construction was began in July of 1952 and she was launched in 1954. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 15, 2015 Share #11 Posted May 15, 2015 http://www.steelnavy.com/1250MilitaryDorris.htm Interesting page on the ship models.It states that Comet continued to make these well after the War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted May 15, 2015 Share #12 Posted May 15, 2015 Very nice model! Great price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted May 15, 2015 Not a chance it's a 1945 date. Ship didn't reach the fleet until 55. What does the date look like to you? Doesn't look '55' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 15, 2015 Share #14 Posted May 15, 2015 What does the date look like to you? Doesn't look '55' Kinda looks like 65 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datil_Mountain_Muse Posted October 7, 2015 Share #15 Posted October 7, 2015 And the Forrestal was still going strong in 1988 w/ CVW-6. I KNOW. And it had really high 'knee-knockers' in the passageways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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