there are a couple of these models circulating on the web at the moment. Is this an accurate portrayal of the Nantucket lightvessel or is it a kiddie type kit? How is the model itself: worth going for the buy or should it be avoided? I would like to add a model light vessel to my collection and this appears to be the only one out there (the goodwin sands would be more to my preferance but seems to have disappeared completely). Advice, reviews and photo’s of builds would be very much appreciated.
The Lindberg model of the lightship is the old Pyro/Lifelike Co. model. First released in the mid 1950’s it’s a pretty accurate model of the American light ship circa 1956. The amount of detail is good and the moldings are very good also. Just keep in mind the age of the model, no PE. I’ve seen a number of these built up, even radio controlled, it makes up a nice kit. The South Goodwin light ship is British, a 1960’s era mold and detail. It makes up a nice looking model also. Google up “lightship modeler”, there are a number of good pics of the two models built up. I’ve built the Nantucket about 5 times over the years, with a little work they will be a nice(and unusual) addition to your collection.
This thread brought back some memories. I built Lindberg/Pyro Nantucket about 50 years ago. It was a center piece on my display table (a large trunk). I probably did not use any paint back then; just built it out of the box. I have seen some really good builds of it since and would recommend it. I yearn to build it again, but my stash of unbuilt kits probably extends my life expectancy!
In My collection, I have a kit (#1015) form Bluejacket Ship Crafters. It is a scale of 3/8" = 1’.
The finished model measures 18 & 3/4" with a height of 13". It is depicted as launched in 1936 but includes some info in order to up-date the model. It features a pre carved hull, full size plans, cast Britannia fittings, and PE.
This is the Lightship I will build for a couple of reasons, neither having to do with modeling. 1) I lived on Nantucket as a CG brat when I was but a small child and 2) my mother was born in 1936.
It is a beautiful kit and would make a nice addition to any collection.
Are you going to offer that 133’ buoy tender as a kit, haven’t heard any more from you on this. It was looking real good last photo I saw…
The US Coast Guard Historian’s office has some good photos of CG lightships…many of them were painted gray in WWII and were fitted with deck guns. They were utilized as examination vessels at US ports…
Regards,
Mike M. Nantucket Lightship sailor
The only difference between the NANTUCKET light vessel and the county jail is that the jail can’t sink![oX)]
The master got trashed when I tried to pour a mold at a Smooth-On seminar. I used the wrong/too stiff of an RTV, and when I pulled it out of the hardened rubber some of the master stayed in the mold. I tried to pour a hull from the salvaged mold, but the detail was too soft. The master has been mostly repaired. I still need to buy some more porthole rings from Tom’s to apply before trying it again.
