There have been many comments about large scale cargo vessels.When we say large scale,how large are we talking ? I often do (large scale) ships just on a whim.Large scale here being 1/87 and 1/160. Yes,I know that these are railroad scale sizes. what better size to get all the goodies needed for large scale vessels?
The real reason is you can detail the daylights out of them,weather them and just generally have a ball weathering and detailing them.Besides,there are in the WALTHERS catalogues, plenty of deck hardware and containers ,oilfield or refinery parts to use and plenty of ladders ,grates etc.Sure it means scratchbuilding,but when done that,s when the real satisfaction sinks in.
Besides in what scale ,save 1/96 or some of the odd ones, can you detail the daylights out of the wheelhouses?That, and plenty of EVERGREEN sheet and strip will give you the biggest reward.Select the era and type ,go for it and then you will see the miracle come to life.
I say miracle,because the finished product,the first time,will seem like a miracle to you.Now,if you are a scratchbuilder of some note,it won,t be any big deal.Those of you who don,t do it often and just want a larger scale ship model will amaze yourself.The other thing is this.You can get a paper ship model and enlarge it and build it from plastic as the most basic way of getting what you want.
I say give it a try and you,ll find that there is NO SHIP of ANY TYPE that you CANNOT build. TANKER-builder.