Looking at getting the Heller 1/200 Smit Rotterdam and Smit Houston. Are these the same mold or different kits? I do know the Smit Frankjirk is a smaller, different harbor tug and the Rotterdam/Houston are seagoing tugs.
I’m willing to guess that they are the same. on the real ships these share the same general build shape and size with a very similar equipment specification - the one exception is the all important engine rating of 16.000 ihp. there are also 2 other ships that will look the same, the Smit London and Smit New york.
If I remember correctly the London and Rotterdam were 22000 hp and the Houston and New York were 16000 hp. I’ll check it out and update this mail later.
Cheers,
Julian
Update: London and Rotterdam 22000HP, Bollard pull 180 tons, L = 74.8m B = 15.7m D = 7.6m
New York and Houston 16000HP, Bollard pull 125 tons, L = 67.5m B = 14.5m D = 6.8m
From a distance exactly the same vessels but in reality not possible with the same mold due to difference in dimensions.
Beautiful ships btw, have been on board the “Waker” (ex Houston) several times. Of course not as beautiful as the Typhoon (sailed on her as second mate).
I recently built the Revell Smit Houston and can highly recommend it. Lots of reference photos of the real thing available online.
Okay, I’ve been able to score a copy of the Rotterdam (Heller), Houston (Revell), and Franjirk (Revell) and they are all different kits/molds, all three in 1/200 scale.
As stated the above, the Rotterdam is the largest, then the Houston, then the Franjirk (I know I’m not spelling it right but I’m too lazy to go look.) Anyway, the Houston kit appears to be close in size beam wise, but is about an 1 - 1 1/2 inches shorter in overall hull length. Also, the Houston is a one piece hull compared to the Rotterdam which is two pieces, and while both have similiar designs, the hulls are shaped differently. I haven’t looked too hard at the superstructures yet.
The Franjirk is about 1/4 the size of the other two, however it is a habor tug and not a seagoing “wessel,” as Ensign Chekov would say. It also has a one piece hull.
Wilbur: Be interesting to see pics of your build should you get a chance.
Rocky…how about some comparison sprue shots?
Thanks
One small thing: it’s Frankrijk, not Frankjirk
Frankrijk means France in Dutch.
i thought that you were asking about 2 heller kits not one heller and one revell. your OP only mentions Heller.
you are most certainly correct. i thought the heller rotterdam and revell houston were both heller in OP.
Thanks for the assist. I was in a nice comfortable chair and was too lazy to get up to get the boxes for the correct spelling.
Neat info on the translation.
Your wish is my command.
Here is a side compare. The tape is there to hold the two piece hull together. The other two hulls are one piece.
Length compare
Overall shot, with the boxes. The item in front is an HO scale caboose for comparison.
I am Dutch so I immediately saw the spelling mistake. (I should know, I make a lot of those typing english)[:D]