Hi Ya'll;
Listen, have you ever found yourself in that never ending Mobius Strip of searching out a model you really liked the looks of, had fun building and remember well! Well, I had, and have that going on for me. The model, The Aurora Wheeler Cruiser.! I have to say, from building BOTH of LINDBERG'S Large Chris Craft models(R.C.Suitable)(Weren't to bad, Flaws considering). Lived in Miami Beach at the time, so had plenty of actual boats for referrence!
Now the Wheeler was a different kettle of fish! I had been living in San Francisco at the time and was taking some time with the family. The kids gave me this kit for my Birthday(Special reason one.) It was the first time I had seen a Wheeler in ANY scale(Special reason two) It was also a rendition of the Wheeler Express 55' Motor Cruiser. Plentiful around Grand Banks and othr boats of that ilk. Mainly bought by semi, well off Boaters to live out their retirement on.
I have often wondered if Aurora even did the molds! Why! Well, the first Color molded White hull and waterline with White Boot stripe and Green bottom.( Special Reason three) I didn't see two color again or such, until my purchase of the Perkasa, MTB by Hasegawa? in the Eighties. It was molded in a strange almost Grey/Green with a Dark red bottom,(almost Maroon)!
Well, I was hooked by this model and had to leave the country on my job for a while. When I arrived home the Family had moved back home to Arkansas, Which I had expected. The Wheeler got lost in the move. Fast forward to ten years ago. I found one in the Want and For Sale ads in F.S.M., Why? A great many Hobby Shops I checked didn't recall the kit or if they had even seen one. Well, that was a fiasco because the lister wouldn't sell the kit to me because parts were missing. I told him of my history and he said let him think about it. The price was not a stumbling block! Called to speak about it only to be informed by an employee he had sold it the day after I had spoken to him.
Fast, fast Forward. Two years ago I Built my Wheeler! Because of one photo I had , I did her out out a solid block of Basswood. Her hull was very shapely and kind to the eye and hands. The Cabin sides were Real skived Mahogany and the roof, again Basswood. Mahogany Flybridge window Frames. And a Feature the Plastic one didn't have, A fully detailed cabin and paired engine room interior!
I still want that Plastic one though .When I can find it at a price I can afford, Damaged or Not, I want one!