United States Coast Guard

USS Tenacity (PG 71) June '42

Flower Class Corvettes

These excellent US National Archives photos are among the most interesting I've had the pleasure of publishing in Warship. They are noteworthy in several respects. Large, clear and full of interesting detail, Corvette modelers will think they've died and gone to heaven after viewing these pictures. More importantly, they document Flower Class Corvettes in the service of the US Coast Guard. Generally associated with the Royal and Canadian Navies, Flowers also saw service with the US Navy and Coast Guard, as well as the Free French and Norwegian navies.

Note the variety of main weapons on these US corvettes, and the port and starboard midship gun tubs. There are many other detail differences that set these vessels apart from their better known Canadian and Royal Navy sister ships. And the Measure 12 modified paint scheme carried by Tenacity in the title photo is most striking. If ever a picture screamed "build me", this one does.

I want to thank Sven Dorsey for making these National Archives photos available to Warship. Ship modelers in general and Corvette modelers in particular appreciate your efforts, Sven.

Click thumbnail image to view full size picture