interested in the glencoe ss United States.Has anyone built or seen this kit first hand? Is it a good replica of the real ship? thanks for any information
regards
It’s a bath tub toy. Well almost. It’s a product of the 1950’s, manufactured under the ITC (Ideal Toy Company) label re-issued by Glencoe in the 1990’s. The details are kind of thick and the hull below the waterline is in-accurate. The reason for this simply was that the ship’s design was “Top Secret” until the 1980’s (as well as the top speed). Keep in mind it had US Government support as the ship was to be a high speed troop transport in time of war.
If my memory serves me well, the UNITED STATES was originally offered as a lighted model and I think it was pre painted(or molded in black and white) just glue it together and you have a neat night light!
Most of the kits from Glencoe are re-issued products of the “Golden Age” of plastic model manufacturing. They offer a glimpse of the technology of the day not only in molding practices but also model themes (space ships of the future is a good example). I have a number of Glencoe kits and for me, a kid that grew up on this stuff, I really recommend this line of kits, just for the nostalgia alone. Glencoe’s battleship OREGON is a 1950’s era product but with a little work (and some Gold Medal photo etch), it can be fashioned into a nice model. But if you want an accurate model kit of the UNITED STATES I’m afraid you won’t find one and that includes Revell’s version of the ship.
I have to go along with what you,ve already been told . The S.S. UNITED STATES even in the wood ones I,ve found from time to time are not accurate either .The thing is , I took parts and pieces from the aircraft carriers in or near that scale to try and correct the deficiencies and according to some I was very close to being dead on and of course others said I had a long way to go . I just finished it to where it looked good in a case and left it alone. tankerbuilder
I have this kit and posted a review you can find in the forum search.
Its a really really bad kit. The hull had severe vertical ruts from bad molds. I had to cut off all the thick plastic rails then I was so frustrated that I shelved it. It is like a toy. The scaling is questionable at best.
The SS US is a great ship, and if one must have a model of it you have only this choice.
Whatever you do buy it online if you must…don’t pay $65 plus tax at the hobby shop. I think you can get it for $49 online.
I’m currently finishing the Revell 1/400 QM2 and that is one of the best models I have ever worked on.
Wouldn’t it be great if Revell Germany tackled this ship in 1/400th???
Thanks for all the info, Guys. I’ll think I’ll pass on this one. O how I wish some reputable manufacture would offer accurate classic liners in 1/350- 1/400. I feel they would be great sellers.
CAPDAG- I feel for you. To solve that problem for myself I ventured into papermodels. YEP ! papermodels. I have NOT been dissappointed in anything but scale . they are all over the place with the smallest at 1/250 and the largest at 1/100 scale. There are over a good fifty liners from the old WILHELM de GROSSEall the way to a cruise liner and everything in between . Check them out . If you don,t want to build in paper you can use them as patterns or as woodcarvers say a “GO-BY” I have NORTH SEA passenger ferries and RHINE river tour boats etc. The funny thing is on the north sea ferry “STELLA MARIS” i started the paper model and found a 1/87 scale R.C. model in an antique store(they were selling off an estate on consignment.) It was loaded with KIBRI electronics which have no counterpart here in the states .I rebuilt her using “FUTABA” gear . Turns out , the original builder worked in the yard where she was built ! There you have it . Try paper as a source , you won,t be dissappointed . tankerbuilder