Now here’s a question for all you modelers of plastic Ocean Liners . Has anyone out there ever tried to do a kit bash that would result in a nice model of the Normandy ? I have come to realize what it would take .
First ,and most importantly it would have to be in REVELL’S ubiquitis, " Box Scale that the Savannah and Brasil/Brazil was molded in . Yes , the Brazil was spelled both ways in and on the kit !
First and foremost, Which hull would you base it on ? I tried it with the S.S.United States and she was definitely to narrow .The actual Normandy was really wider than the United States . I could be wrong ( Tracy , correct me here ) I believe she was a full 12-15 foot wider in her maximum beam !
The few photos ,if you look carefully , show a stern more rounded at the absolute rear of the deck without the tuck in, that the Canberra/Oriana type had Later , diesel powered cruise ships For P. And O. Lines ) , A tuck in that was prominent on older ships I am familiar with, like the Lurline/Monterey/Mariposa and the U.S.S. Dixie and U.S.S. Piedmont ( both service ships in the U.S.N.) Is anyone out there in possession of a Normandy model? Let’s hear from you if you have one . T.B.
There are times when this is Not possible. Budget is to tight to pay for plans and reduction there-of and don’t forget the materials .When I tried it I was just out of Boot Camp .You know back when you got about 96.00 to 104.00 bucks a month
Don’t laugh, please. The best I can come up with is a heavy duty mauling of Bismark.
So if you scale the usual suspect in 1/350 down to 1/400, which is a good froggie scale, The various numbers aint so bad, and she has a pretty clean hull without a lot of sponsons etc.
Admiralty Modelworks is about to release a 1/700 resin Normandie. The price is steep, but you can choose between waterline and full-hull versions. The same company also offers a set of photo-etched deck chairs. You can see all three at www.hobbypreorders.com.
The merchant ship world has been badly served by the plastic kit manufacturers. The liners in plastic kit form can just about be counted on both hands. I can think of at least a dozen more that would make beautiful models.
I question whether bashing any kit hull into a Normandie would be much easier than making a hull from scratch. Lots of modelers seem to recoil instinctively from such a thought, but it’s not as hard as you think. You could scrounge lots of detail parts from plastic kits and the aftermarket. And there are several good sources for decking material.
Remember I told you that I did a disasterous try years ago .I was just wondering if anyone had tried it successfully . 1/700 might work , but the way my eyes are I don’t think I could do it justice. There are modelers out there that I am sure would shock you , I and everyone else. Right ? T.B.
Jtilley, I just found this thread. so I’m a few months behind. You’re right about lack of interest by kit manufactures in merchant, and passenger ships as well. I am currently scratch building a Danish immigrant ship model for my wife. No plans, a few old tintype photos from the late 1800’s, and a few images of museum models in Norway, that’s it. I don’t expect models of obscure ships and the only people who seem to be interested in these old passenger ships are people doing genealogy research.