Now , here's one for you .
Can you say two models, one company ? The " Natchez" done in Green and Tan Plastic with a little red thrown in and black too! was a dead ringer for the Robt. E. Lee. steamer from the same company . I guess the only thing they changed was the decals and wheel boxes to then mold in all white, the " Lee" .
Talk about doubling your profit on one mold and some shiftable parts . I have built many iterations of the great craft of the " Mississippi " river over the years . I know for fac,t I liked the bigger model, way better than REVELL'S smaller more difficult to get right " LEE ".
Now for the reason for this post . In ship and boat bashing we sometimes have to get creative . Some years ago I found an old Natchez Hull in storage . I brought it to the shop and I just happened to be reading a book about the before the Langley carriers, - Namely the " Wolverine " On the Great Lakes Station .
Here was the perfect hull to convert to a paddle-wheel - carrier . I may not have gotten her accurate but that was a lot of fun . This hull with added side height, became a Ferry from Seattle , one from N.Y. and one from San Francisco as well . Oh, and a Rail Road ferry too .
So in closing , never give up on a model .The seeds of something else may be in there ! T.B. P.S. You should see how many vessels can be made from LINDBERG'S Mine Sweeper kit !