This is a very attractive scale model of the USS Triton (SS-201), a Tambor-class submarine which fought the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II. The keel of the Triton was laid in 1939 and it was launched in 1940, joining the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in July of 1941. The Triton was out on its first patrol when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, received news of the attack on the night of 8 December while surfaced to charge batteries. The Triton would go on to complete four more combat patrols before being lost with all hands on its sixth combat patrol. The Triton is credited with sinking 20,000 tons of Japanese shipping and warships. On 15 March 1943 on its sixth combat patrol, Triton surfaced to charge batteries and gave the report that they had attacked an enemy convoy and had been depth charged, and that attacks on her had ceased but they could still hear distant depth charging. This was the final radio transmission from Triton and a post-war analysis of Japanese records indicate that on 15 March 1943, three Japanese destroyers attacked a submarine near Triton's area of operation and an oil slick, debris, and items with American markings were found. The model itself appears to be primarily of painted wood construction and shows a high level of detail including deck railings and armaments. It is contained within a hardwood and glass display case which measures approximately 39 1/2 x 10 x 12 1/2 inches.

Exceptionally fine, retaining a high level of detail and most of the original paint finish with some scattered crazing and cracking of the enamel giving an attractively aged look. The case is very fine with some scattered minor handling/storage evidence. An attractive piece to enhance the display of a U.S. navy or military collection!