Models like these were made for US Navy sailors to identify other vessels at sea when the ability to differentiate between ally and enemy ships at a glance was vital. Each model is attached to a piece of wood that slips into slots in the case so they can be transported.
Each ship's name is stamped on the bottom and most have the name of the vessel and class on the hull as well. Ships in this set include: KATORI, #13, HOSYO, TENRYU, IZUMO, KUMA, MIZUHO and JINGEI.
