Revell "Great Eastern"

Last time this was re released must have been about 12 years ago. Maybe it will be re re re released again by Revell soon.   Great Eastern was used also as a troop carrier during the Crimean Campaign during its lifetime. It ended up as a fairground attraction before being broken up. It was this ship that bankrupted Isambard Kingdom Brunel, perhaps the most famous Victorian Engineer. His other main achievements were a number of bridges and tunnels in England and the building of the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol. His first Steamship the Paddle Steamer Great Western was his intended way of extending his railway to carry people to New York!. One of his ships, the Great Britain still exists restored and in its original dry dock in Bristol. Ironically this is the only one not kitted in plastic to date. Maybe Revell will have a look at this ship and/or HMS Warrior to kit another example of a Victorian vessel. How many uf us thought  that Henry Ford introduced the production line? Well actually, no. It was Marc Brunel, Isambard's father that set up a factory with a production line in Portsmouth here in the UK to produce rigging blocks for the Royal Navy.

Oceanlord:

The Revell kit depicts the Great Eastern fitted as a cable-layer (one of the funnels removed and a trough for the cable running to the stern plus cable reels over the bow and stern, so the kit will need some work if you want to model her as she appeared in her days a passenger vessel.  There are a couple of completed versions on display at http://www.modelshipgallery.com.

James Dugan's "The Great Iron Ship," published in 1953 is still considered a pretty good reference source and is usally available from used book sellers for less than $15.

I do believe it was the Great Eastern that had at least one yard worker ceiled inside her double hull.

Revell of Germany did, not too long ago. There's one on eBay right now.

Another interesting piece of trivia:  The Great Eastern broke the record for the world's longest ship.  The ship that previously held the record?  Wait for it... Noah's Ark.