Okay,here's one for you;
How many models of tug-Boats can you think of? There's a few out there, you know.They are an interesting vessel too. There's the modern ones for ocean service, like the Smit-Rotterdam and her bigger and smaller sisters.
Now let's go back many years back. Two names come to mind. Lindberg and Revell. Revell was actually first with a jewel of a harbor tug, Full hull called the " Long Beach ".For Revell at the time this little boat was a great little model.
On the other side of the coin was Lindberg's offering which was quite different and full of raised plank lines, See where this goes ( their ubiquitus plate lines on ships of all sizes).
The Revell offering had a very nice window arrangement. The Lindberg tug-Not so much. Then Life-Like (or Pyro) comes along with the Despatch #9. Another tug, Much larger, but, again with the limited window arrangement in the wheelhouse.
I never saw a tug that had so few windows in the wheelhouse, as the Lindberg and Life-Like offerings had !
All the tugs around my Grandmas back yard ( we could see the port in Buffalo,N.Y.) had at least the amount of windows that allowed good vision around the tug and her sides.
Now back to Revell and Revell Gmbh ( Germany). I don't remember the name, But Revell, both sides of the Atlantic had either one at times. Which one ? The sister to the Smit larger tugs.
Here's a surprise for you. Cornerstone ( Walthers Rail Road stuff ) Brought out, Not only a Landing Ramp but two different Rail Barges and a beautiful little waterline Tug.
The Tug was an incredible model in that you could detail out the wheelhouse and cabins ( Lift-Off viewing) But you could also do the tall or short Wheelhouse version! They are not as common as they used to be though. You'll still find them at Train-Shows and venues like that!
Now here's the real surprise. The last Tug in the article. She's called ( The Filibustering Tug) or actually the " Two Friends" She's a Card model ( Paper) You can build her as a waterline tug or use the supplied parts and build the bottom so you can display a full hull vessel. She's as detailed as any you can find.
Now, she was unique( the real tug) Why? She burned the " Hard" clean burning coal, had Two stacks and was painted all White to prove the cleanliness of burning " Hard " coal! Where did she operate? Well,this is how she got her nickname. You see, Henry Flagler in Florida, and his business partner back then, hoped that the U.S.and Cuba would normalize relations ( Yeah, They had problems back then too.) While the Florida Politicos filibustered in Washington.
The Two friends made round trips bringing Cuban Cigars and Rum to the States from Havana! Well, of course this didn't last. But as a model all in white with faint plank lines, the card model makes a Gorgeous little model in her own right!
Even to the delicate parts like stairs and rails! So those of you who like these little workhorses, and even the bigger ones ( the Smit types) go get them . Much fun and pleasure awaits. Catchya Later T.B. The tugs of today ( many called Tractor tugs) run around, and except card models I've seen no other models of them. They are also called S.H.U.s ( Ship Handling Units)