This is a large 1/500 Scale ID model of the German World War II Destroyer Leberecht Maasz (Z-1, 1934 Class). Leberecht Maasz was one of four in its class, all launched in 1935. Maasz and two of her sister ships, Georg Thiele (Z-2) and Max Shultz (Z-3) were both sunk during the war. The fourth ship in the class, Richard Beitzen (Z-4), survived to be turned over to Great Britain as a war prize. This model was manufactured for the US Navy by Comet Metal Products Inc. of Richmond Hill, New York. It was manufactured early in WW2 to train pilots and submarine and navy personnel for identification and recognition of axis and allied ships. These "teacher scale" waterline models are also called spotter's models. Other ships of this type were manufactured by Framburg and South Salem. It is close in scale to the large Van Ryper models. Comet, Framburg and South Salem made ID ships for the US Navy representing most major ships in the US, British, German, French and Japanese navies. Ships manufactured for identification and recognition training included Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates and Submarines. This model is 9 inches long and has a wood hull with a lead superstructure and fittings. It is missing its main wire mast. Otherwise, it is in excellent shape. These ships are becoming quite rare. This is part of a large collection--many of which are now, or soon will be up for sale. If you have a small collection and want to expand it, this is a great opportunity. Other 1/500 scale ID models ships which are now, or soon will be for sale are: COMET WWII Models: UNITED STATES: BB-55 North Carolina; BB-61 Iowa; CL-40 Brooklyn; CL-51 Atlanta; DD-409 Sims -- GERMANY: BB Tirpitz; BB Admiral Scheer; CL Köln; CL Nürnberg -- JAPAN: CA Atago -- COMET POST-WAR MODELS CVA-38 Shangri-La; CVA-34 Oriskany; CL-83 Manchester -- CRUVER (Resin): Passenger-Coastal; Passenger-New 1 Stack; Combination Passenger Cargo-Old; Standard Freighter-Old; Whaler; Engines Aft Cargo; Liberty Ship; Tanker-Old; Tanker-Modern; Old Three-Island Freighter (Split Superstructure) -- FRAMBURG: GREAT BRITAIN: BB Queen Elizabeth; BB Nelson; BB Malaya; BB King George V; CV Illustrious; CA Devonshire; CL Arethusa; CL Leander; CL Dido; DD Tribal Class; F River Class -- FRANCE: DD Le Fantasque -- UNITED STATES: BB-61 Iowa; CV-9 Essex; CVE-55 Casablanca; DD-692 Sumner; DE-224 Rudderow; SOUTH SALEM: UNITED STATES: BB-43 Tennessee -- Richard Wagner (RIWAG) Athelone Castle; Santa Lucia; Matchless; General William O'Darby; America **Many are in excellent shape, some are fixer uppers.