This is for the Civilian ship Lover;
Why is it when we get a ship model, like the Titanic, they produce the daylights out of it ? BUT, do they give us the lesser known sisters or compatriots in the field Nope!
I missed out on the Lusitania model put out some years back, I think By Airfix. Now that said. There's others that have evaded the radar or were put out in scales that don't interest me. Liners in 1/1200? That's okay for room to put them. But how much building and detail is involved? No fun here!
There have been so many fascinating ships. The Civilian world is full of them .SHU ( Ship Handling Units, Modern Tugs( Voighth-Schneider drives and Azipod equipped types.) LNG tankers, Inland transport ships. Coastal freighters and Passenger vessels. Now I know, everyone is going to hop on here and say there's no interest! Why? Because to make it brutal they don't give us much to choose from!
Now then too, there's Civilian Pleasure craft. Sure REVELL tried with that modern "POD' ( That's what I call Fibreglas Super yachts, Because to me that's what they look like!) I am talking about yachts like the Wheeler Cruiser45" ,The Chris Craft Connie and Roamers.The Huckins and Burger mega yachts of the forties and fifties. The Seqoiua( The presidents yacht?) Even Queen Elizabeth's Yacht- Britannia! Lindberg did a nice Charter type Fishing Boat.That was an odball though.
When they came out with it it was rare anyway. But there was a quirk. If any of you have been lucky to acquire this model or even look at it. Look carefully. there is Killer detail on the inside of the hull! Details that should be sharp on the outside only! OOPS! I think it was possibly Blow Molded and they got the molds backwards. Leastwise that's what a friend who ran a plastic company told me!
YES, It's a limited market, I know that. BUT not everyone can afford say a 1/350 Normandie. The Vessels are to numerous to mention. Yes, Lindberg put out some outboard day boats. Lousy molding and parts fit would've killed most I am sure. Even Airfix's multi-piece hulls fit better, even after twenty years in someone's hot attic.
So now you know why the old Tanker-Builder builds different types of tankers. One, I spent bridge time on three different types and the fact that no one can question their accuracy like they do Warship models of any type! I just feel that the Ship Modeler has been shortchanged by the world of Hobby Manufacturers. Sure, to end this thay have a Half- #%%$@ model of the American President liner-Seems to be two sizes? And a few others not worthy of mention. Most modern Cruise ships don't get included. Why? Well They are Floating Hotels on powered Barges in my opinion. In my engineering Opinion they don't qualify as Ships!
Okay, I have finished the rant: Tis a shame there isn't much of the above subjects though. Not everyone wants to build sailing ships or civilian ( what there is) of wood that costs and arm and a leg and are not for the neophyte modeler anyway! Just a parting note. How of you in my age bracket remember the miracle of New York. The beautiful Andrea Doria gets Run into by the Cargo/Liner Stockholm. Maritime history right close to home. A little girl was found alive in the wreckage from the Doria on the Stockholm's foredeck. No Models of this historic pair? They have come out in Paper Many, Many years later in 1/200 scale with detail up sets too. Hmmm Lest we Forget, Is Civilian Maritime history a footnote in many countries history ????-Too Bad!
I am sorry, I just thought of something. There were a series of people ferries operating on the Black Sea. No, very few folks here have ever seen them. Hydro-Foil craft that would, Looks wise, knock your socks off! Modern Glass cabins full of aerodynamic curves and lots of glass. Modern looking? You Bet!! I found them on Pinterest. Sadly the fleet is now defunct! Interestingly beautiful for their time period though. Could've been a neat model too!