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Hong Kong Star Ferry

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  • Member since
    December 2007
Hong Kong Star Ferry
Posted by hk1997 on Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:53 AM

If you've ever set foot in Hong Kong, you've probably taken your fair share of rides across the harbor aboard one of the green and white Star Ferries.  I've seen models of these at the piers but I think they were scratchbuilt.  Are there kits available on the market of the Star Ferry? 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Sunday, June 15, 2008 6:29 AM
I have taken to Star Ferry many times during my numerous trip to Hong Kong. It would be and interesting build probably on a diorama in berth with people figures rushing in.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Sunday, June 15, 2008 10:06 AM

Unfortunately the number of modern (i.e., post-1900) civilian ships available in kit form from the styrene kit manufacturers can just about be counted on your fingers and toes.  This is arguably the biggest gap in the whole genre of plastic ship modeling.  The resin companies offer a few more, but not many.

My guess is that your only real hope of finding a ferry kit of any sort is in the realm of the paper, or card, models.  We had a rather interesting discussion of those kits just a couple of days ago here in the Forum.  If you aren't familiar with them - don't dismiss the idea before you see what potential it has.  Some of those kits are incredibly sophisticated and detailed, and they cover the civilian ship world much more thoroughly than anybody else does.  I personally don't know enough about them to offer any practical suggestions for finding a particular subject, but a web search on "Card Models" or "Paper Models" would be a good way to start.

If you're interested in small-scale, pre-built models, there's a reasonable chance of finding one that would fit the bill among the vast 1/1200 and 1/1250 ranges produced in Europe.  I don't know much about them either, but here's a link that should at least point you in the right direction:  http://www.steelnavy.com/1250home.htm .

Maybe some other Forum member who's more familiar than I am with these segments of the hobby can offer more help.  Good luck.

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: PDX, OR
Posted by Umi_Ryuzuki on Sunday, June 15, 2008 11:55 AM

Ark models was producing an RC version of one of the newer ferries.

http://www.mbsa.net.au/ARK%20models.htm

 http://www.arkmodel.com/b7556_e.htm

However they are pretty spendy, and the quality and availability are unkown.

Ashamed [*^_^*]

Nyow / =^o^= Other Models and Miniatures http://mysite.verizon.net/res1tf1s/
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Monday, June 16, 2008 5:22 AM
Boy, do I ever remember riding the Star Ferries! They crossed from Kowloon to Hong Kong, right? I remember the "Do Not Spit" signs on the bulkheads. I also remember seeing the capsized Queen Elizabeth from one of their decks back in 1973 or 1974. WestPac.....

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hk1997 on Monday, June 16, 2008 10:37 PM

 subfixer wrote:
Boy, do I ever remember riding the Star Ferries! They crossed from Kowloon to Hong Kong, right? I remember the "Do Not Spit" signs on the bulkheads. I also remember seeing the capsized Queen Elizabeth from one of their decks back in 1973 or 1974. WestPac.....

 

HA! The capsized QE1 was in that scene in The Man With The Golden Gun.  One of my favorite Bond movies as the actual Bottoms Up Club - still around - is only two blocks away from our home in HK.  My dad told me stories about passing by the wreckage on the way to work every day.  

The great thing about the Star Ferry is the same boats that you rode in the seventies are probably still running today.  They've been running those boats since the fifities.  Except they have air conditioning in fore and aft sections of the top deck.  And it's probably still less than a dollar to ride.  But I heard they closed down one of the old piers recently.  

Still no luck in a model search.  I heard they have manufactured resin models, but as I recall, they were pretty ugly looking.    

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hk1997 on Monday, June 16, 2008 11:53 PM
 Umi_Ryuzuki wrote:

Ark models was producing an RC version of one of the newer ferries.

http://www.mbsa.net.au/ARK%20models.htm

 http://www.arkmodel.com/b7556_e.htm

However they are pretty spendy, and the quality and availability are unkown.

Ashamed [*^_^*]

 

Nice! I have fond memories of that ferry too.  Extremely pricey.  I already have trouble building static models.  Wouldn't know where to begin for an RC model.   

  • Member since
    March 2010
Posted by hkferryfans on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:25 AM

Agree, Hong Kong Star Ferry is very different with all the other because there are one propeller on each end of the boat thus the ferry no need to turn its head when crossing the harbour.

I work on the Exquisitely Handcrafted Models for your Boat & Ship, the cost for the first boat will cost much time and money to start with. If any boss want me to do that please contact me directly.

However, there is a die cast version of 15cm available in HK. I got one and it is absolutely details for such a small one. See the pictures I took: http://picasaweb.google.com.hk/hkferryfans/15CmTwinklingStar#

I still consider the best one will be made in wood.

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 4:15 AM

Loose Cannon makes a set of three Hong Kong ferries in 1:700 scale, resin & brass

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~loosecannonproductions/

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