Merchant Marines Best Friend U.S. Navy Blimp SP-12 Lighter Than Air U-Boat Killer German U-Boats terrorized U.S. merchant ships at the beginning of WWII. In the Atlantic alone, 454 ships were destroyed in 1942. But the Navy soon discovered the capabilities and effectiveness of the blimp. These lighter-than-air vessels were able to do round-the-clock escort duty for merchant fleets. Armed with depth charges, they often could destroy U-Boats themselves. Other times they called in Navy Catalinas or other aircraft to help. The SP-12 participated in the last U-Boat sinking of WWII. By 1944 only 8 ships were sunk in the Atlantic and none that were escorted by a blimp. Features • Display Stand Included • Precision Die-Cast Replica • 1:350 Scale Model • 5.50 Inches Long