Dragon 7079 USS Princeton CVS-37

USS Princeton (CVL-23) was an American light aircraft carrier laid down in June 1941, launched in October 1942, and commissioned with the US Navy in February 1943. The length of the ship - at the time of launching - was 190 m, the width of the flight deck 33 m, and the full displacement - 14,600 tons. The maximum speed of the USS Princeton aircraft carrier was 31-32 knots, and its main armament was from 34 to 45 on-board planes.

USS Princeton was the second of nine aircraft carriers of the same-name type. Originally, these types of units were intended to enter service as Cleveland-class light cruisers, but were eventually redesigned and converted into airships. Such a decision was dictated by the need to introduce aircraft carriers to the line in the US Navy, before the Essex-class ships would enter the line on a larger scale. The USS Princeton underwent its baptism of fire in limited operations in the Baker Island area in August 1943. Already in October and November this year, it operated in the South-East Pacific as part of Task Force 38, attacking, inter alia, Rabaul. In January 1944 - as part of Task Force 58 - he supported American operations in the Kwajalein area. In mid-1944, the USS Princeton operated in the Marianas area, and in June of that year took an active part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The ship was sunk as a result of Japanese air attacks during the Battle of Leyte Bay on October 24, 1944.