The Hawaiian Pilot is an easy build. It's a Maritime Association C3 hull. Revell has sold it for a long time as the Hawaiian Pilot, the USS Burleigh, the Doctor Lykes, and again the Hawaiian Pilot. It's about as classic a freighter model as you'll find.

It is however one of the (in) famous Revell flat bottoms. They came with a hideous trestle like stand, and don't have a full hull, a full rudder or prop. Usually the best tactic is to model her waterline. As freighters have a lot of change in freeboard according to load on board, one can plausibly leave her alone and set her on a base with a lot of boot topping exposed. Or it's also easy to cut the hull down a little to make her look loaded up with pineapples.

Highly recommended.

Oops, I guess I should have cropped that pic .

Overall both the upper two kits look to be fairly easy builds.  Both were originally marketed with an electric motor so that you could sail them in a pool or pond (if I am understanding correctly).  As such the have one piece hulls that are fairly sturdy.  And eventhough some detail may be simplyfied a little they both can still be built up to be fairly good looking builds, from what I have seen on the internet.

The company that made them (IMEX and/or ARII) also made a Roll On/Roll Off Vessel model called the Nedlloyd Rouen and another general cargo ship called the Nedlloyd Bahrain that also look nice too.  I have a copy of the Rouen, but am still looking for the Bahrain.

One thing though, is that right now all these IMEX/ARII merchant ship models appear to be out of production, so that while you can find some examples at a fairly reasonable price ($25-30) you also find some people asking a kind of high price ($50-60) and other asking ridiculously high prices (over $100).  So I would suggest shopping around if you are interested in one 

Pat

PS.  I paid about $24 (including shipping) for the Tampa model and $34 (including shiiping) for the Trinidad model off eBay

They look correct when you click on them.  Freighters are cool.  Any one of those 3 a particularly 'easy' build?  Might want to try one.

BTW - nice socks

Hi,

Eventhough I kind of put a hold on actually working on models for few months now (because a couple other things have been consuming my time right now), I haven't actually been able to stop buying stuff though.

As such, I recently picked up these kits;

Oops, don't know why they came out sideways.

And the mailman brought more. 

Great deal! My hobby lobby doesn't have that stuff.

I handn't intended on buying anything when I went into Hobby Lobby yesterday but the deals were so good I couldn't pass them up.   got $112.00 worth of stuff for $30!  the 2 air brush nozzles alone were $13 each.

John

Nice haul GM.  I have a friend that flys sailplanes in real-life and scale models.  I fly helo's and fixed wing - moving away from gas towards electric.

If you need electronics look at all the spread spectrum gear.  No more crystal checking/changing.  Really fantastic.  I like Spektrum Gear - check out the DX6.  Probably don't need more than 3 channels, but its a great radio and can store a bunch of models.

Now - on to the addiction :)  Nice Tamiya kit with the upgrade parts.  Trying Gravity paints and masks and perhaps the Vallejo Metal colors a try (though I'm a big Alclad fan).  Also giving these carbon fiber decals a try.

EDIT:  I also got the TopStudio turned exhaust and O2 sensors :)

Rob Gronovius

 

 

modelcrazy

I've had my eye on these at Hobby Lobby for a while but I couldn't justify the cost even at 40% off.....but at 75% that's a diffrent story. 

 

 

 

My Hobby Lobby had the Tamiya Gama Goat, normally $49.99, marked at 75% off ($12.49). I grabbed two of them. It was a terrible vehicle, but an awesome kit.

 

I got the Revell 1/72 C-54 Skymaster from there a couple of months ago for $12.50. They have unbelievable deals if you catch them at the right time.

modelcrazy

I've had my eye on these at Hobby Lobby for a while but I couldn't justify the cost even at 40% off.....but at 75% that's a diffrent story. 

My Hobby Lobby had the Tamiya Gama Goat, normally $49.99, marked at 75% off ($12.49). I grabbed two of them. It was a terrible vehicle, but an awesome kit.

tempestjohnny

My father's day gifts are starting to come in

 

Twenty bucks total the pair at a garage sale. These came out of a flood damaged basement but look complete.

I know zippo about RC gliders, but there are a number of places here where they fly. Lot's of bluffs along the bay. I plan to meet some people and get a feel for it. I would need to purchase the electronics and build the models, but it could be a lot of fun.

The near one is a China Model productions Ventur 2hx, 2600 mm wingspan.

The far one is a Fly Models Salto. 2680 mm wingspan.

I picked these kits up (because my son saw them as soon as we got in.  LOL!) at the new show in Lakeland Florida.  It was a great show for their first one.  Very much look forward to next years!!

So I heard a rumor that Hobby Lobby had kit's on clearance. I went there yesterday, Nope ! No kit's on clearance..... but their scenic supply's were !!!

At incredibly "Stupid" price's.....

Their "retail" price would have been $68.99

I got it all for $16.33

My father's day gifts are starting to come in

Picked this up at my LHS for $5.  not sure why but it looked cool.  they have a whole bunch of different models that are made for gamers, there is a game card that comes with it for a game called "Art of Tactic" so at least the gamers learn some history.  the fuselage is solid so it'll take some doing to put a cockpit in it.  It has a clear canopy.

John

I've had my eye on these at Hobby Lobby for a while but I couldn't justify the cost even at 40% off.....but at 75% that's a diffrent story.

Bish

I find it hit and miss if i get import charges, this time i didn't. But ye, i can see why you do that.

It's the same here. I've had massive boxes just slip through customs unchecked and then had to pay import charges on a tiny envelope with just a couple of PE frets inside.

Either way, buying those Japanese made kits from HLJ is way cheaper then paying twice as much or even more in Europe.

All you need is a bit of patience 

SchattenSpartan

HLJ is a great source for models. I buy pretty much all my Tamiya and Hasegawa kits from them. Even with shipping and possible import taxes added, they still cost only half of what they do here in Europe.

 

I have bought from Hobby Plaza a few times. I find it hit and miss if i get import charges, this time i didn't. But ye, i can see why you do that.

HLJ is a great source for models. I buy pretty much all my Tamiya and Hasegawa kits from them. Even with shipping and possible import taxes added, they still cost only half of what they do here in Europe.

I have been thinking about getting the Airfix HMS Trafalgar submarine for a while and Steves British ships GB pushed me over the edge. It just arrived today from Hobby Link japan. First time i have bought from them and won't be the last. Tok just over a week to get here and even with postage it was about a fiver cheaper than any i could find on e-bay.

Oh wow DD, what a haul!!! Congrats!!!

Chad, nice pair there too! 

I can’t wait to see it!

Oh nice Chad! I love the Lanc.

BTW, I started on the Storch today. I want to show it at SuperCon.

Nice score, Mopar! I've been eyeing that Shackleton myself. Hope it builds up nice for you.

SchattenSpartan

Damn, DD, that's a lot of nice scores!

I just love those Hasegawa box arts. They look gorgeous. 

Thanks, Schatten! Yep, gotta agree with you - I think Hasegawa's box art is the best out there.

It’s interesting the variety of kits and accessories we buy!   I received two gift cards from the wife and kids for Father’s Day. So I made a couple purchases on Amazon. 

Damn, DD, that's a lot of nice scores!

I just love those Hasegawa box arts. They look gorgeous.

Thanks, modelcrazy!