The Gambier Bay, the nineteenth Casablanca-class to be built, was launched in November, 1943 and first saw action at Saipan and tinian in June, 1944. After a short but active career, she was sunk on October 25, 1944 by overwhelming gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers during a vicious sea battle near Leyte in the Philippines. Approximately 700 survivors from her crew were rescued after spending two days in the water.

With pre-carved basswood hull, nearly 1000 photoetched brass and cast Britannia fittings, and a comprehensive step-by-step instruction book, the Gambier Bay is an absorbing project for the intermediate or experienced modeler.