Don’t know about anyone else but I’m amazed no model manufacturer has done some Supertankers. We’ve had a few large cargo ships lilke the Colombo Express from Revell which is similar and a few small tankers from the 60s but all we seem to get is the same old stuff over and over WW2 and modern frigates/destroyers/carriers etc.
These must be popular as they keep churning them out by the bucketload but they all look so similar to each other. If there’s any manufacturers reading this how about trying something a bit different for a change?
Many civilian ships are just as interesting as military ones and perhaps even more so in some cases. Especially those giant Supertankers which are some of the biggest ships afloat and offer great potential for weathering.
In my favorite scale (1/350) for big ships something like the Seawise Giant would be prohibitively large - 51.57". At 1/700 scale she would measure a more reasonable 25.78" in length. I am sticking to 1/350 for filling up the space in front of books in my built-in bookcase in my small condo so supertankers are out of the question for me as are aircraft carriers and large battleships but I’m sure some modelers have the room and supertankers would make an interesting addition to many displays.
I would agree with you, but I think we are voices crying in the wilderness. Most modelers I know (except car modelers) want to build military stuff. If it doesn’t shoot and bomb, to them it isn’t interesting. Personally, I love civil ships. It is what I see in waterways in my area. I am far from any naval installation. Maybe a destroyer will occasionally visit an area around here for a patriotic holiday, but haven’t seen one in a long time. The brig Niagara visits during tall ship events, but that is about it. Love the lakers- these things are the size of a modern carrier. Huge coming into the Duluth ship canal!
I for one would love to see either a good supertanker or a detailed and accurate ww2 vintage tanker. I visit the Meteor every so often in Superior, WI and have considered doing a scratch build of that. I have scratched a whaleback many years ago, and still have the drawings. The hull lines seem to be pretty much the same from ship to ship, when adjusted to same size, so hull would be no problem- just have to work up drawings (from photos, maybe) of deck hardware and superstructure.
To have a model of a modern super tanker almost seems absurd, as these vessels are huge. To be within scale the model would be about 25 feet long. To be smaller, the details of the model would be tiny. Instead, a model would be interest for a model of the worlds first offical tanker that was built for that purpose with seperate containers for bulk liquids. The model would be the SS GLUCKAUF, built by the Amstrong-Michell Yard in England for a German company in 1886. The GLUCKAUF came to grief when she ran aground in foggy weather at Fire Island, New York on March 23, 1893. All aboard were saved. The ship was successfully towed out to sea, but the tow line broke. The ship grounded again, but became permanently stuck.
There is a perfect example of a dual rigged ship , DON . Besides it’s a Tanker . My favorite old tanker is a Guiness Spirits tanker from 1919.
Most of mine are 1:87 or 1:48 . So they are versions of smaller ones . Like transfer ships small enough to work in the Stockton and Sacramento ship channels .
I did do one in 1:87 in a special batch for a Client .The ship ? The Shell Orion . Size when finished .16 inches wide and 8.8 feet long and she was just a V.L.C.C. !!
Now I would shudder to think what a U.L.C.C. would be size wise . I don’t think anyone has a mantel that size ! Or BookCase either ! T.B.
With many of the better mfgs going to new molding technology, they can put good detail on small scale. If you haven’t tried Revell (g)'s Colombo Express, give it a try. Big but detailed model in 1:700 scale. A supertanker in that scale from them would be something I sure would buy.
Revell Germany’s version of the container ship COLUMBO EXPRESS, at 1/700 scale, has many rave reviews for this kit. However, there is a down side for those who do not like sticker shock. Amazon.com has this kit for $149.99 plus shipping at $29.99 for a total of $178.98. For those who have deep pockets, this is no problem. For those like me living on a limited income, essential spending comes first. Modeling kits come last.
That’s probably because the people selling it think it’s a rare kit but it’s only a matter of time before it’s reissued again. It wasn’t that expensive when it first came out.
U.L.C.C. stands for Ultra Large Crude Carrier .Meaning the Panama canal wasn’t big enough at one time for them .That’s why the new canal was dug . I saw many new skippers , even after the simulator training ,change a waterfront with one of these monstrous ships . Tugs work them , But Think of this , 8 Million barrels ( 42 gal. per Barrel ).
All in one spot and no disc brakes or power steering They have have bow thrusters and azipods , but it’s like laying the Empire State Building on it’s side and driving it in the Monte Carlo rallye . It ain’t gonna happen . Most loading and unloading facilities are some miles offshore . If the crew gets a break they have to ride a chartered Crew boat back and forth .
I always liked the smaller ships . They didn’t seem to bulky and believe me Standing on the bridge seven stories up ( decks , Sorry ! ) is only indicative of what is there .We used Golf Carts to go from the Bow to the Deckhouse and back . Total Length 1,434 ft overall , 242 feet wide and drew ( depth in water when loaded ) .67 feet . T.B. My figures are probably off , but it’s been awhile .
Holy cow! I paid about thirty bucks for the kit- forget who I got it from, and another thirty for the photo etch sheet. Talk about inflation! Is this just Amazon, or are other vendors asking similar prices!
Don, you want to have a laundry problem from sticker shock ? E-bay offers a 1/350 wooden kit of the COLUMBO EXPRESS for $499.00 ! To soften the shock, shipping is free.
I have to say this . That’s why my ship budget is in a tizzy . All that I want has gotten too expensive . Paper now , is affordable . But there is one ( it’s called the S.D.14 ) that is about Three Hundred Pounds Sterling ! It has to come from England and it is BIG . Can you say over five foot long . In file card stock !
Based on the information in following the PMI website it was intended as a training tool . You build it just as you would the real ship .Yup , The voids , double bottoms and everything ! It resembles a late War type , Not a Liberty , But not a Victory either .
I recently found out that Fascinations Inc ( the parent behind Metal Earth ) Has an aircraft carrier out that costs about a Hundred and Fifty bucks . I have to wonder what scale it is . Can you imagine a P.E. Project that large ? I can’t . T.B.
Now I have figured out what to do with a " Glue Bomb " of the Titanic ! She has the right parts and the right bow and stern . I believe I will try to build the one pictured . T.B.
Go for it Tanker-builder ! I like to see creative and innovative ideas. In the meantime, E-bay has a Lindberg Line WWII Kennebec class navy tanker at 1/520 scale for $15.25. How could one go wrong for a price like that ? Even tight wads like me can appreciate a cheap value.
To have a model of a modern super tanker almost seems absurd, as these vessels are huge. To be within scale the model would be about 25 feet long. To be smaller, the details of the model would be tiny. Instead, a model would be interest for a model of the worlds first offical tanker that was built for that purpose with seperate containers for bulk liquids. The model would be the SS GLUCKAUF, built by the Amstrong-Michell Yard in England for a German company in 1886. The GLUCKAUF came to grief when she ran aground in foggy weather at Fire Island, New York on March 23, 1893. All aboard were saved. The ship was successfully towed out to sea, but the tow line broke. The ship grounded again, but became permanently stuck.
