Coincidentally I recently had an email from Derek Clark about some model ships he had bought to modify and use with my GRIDDED NAVAL WARGAME rules. Amongst the models he bought was one for a small stern wheel paddle steamer ...
... and during my visit to 'The Works' I found a very similar (if not exactly the same!) model on sale for £1.50 ... and bought two.
The front and back of the box look like this ...
... and the instructions and components look like this:
I probably won't build the models straight from the box but will use the components to build vessels of my own design.
Thanks for the heads up, were there other kinds of ships?
ReplyDeleteAlan
Tradgardmastare (Alan),
DeleteIt was the only ship model that I saw, the others being an aircraft, a car, and a steam loco.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThat looks really useful indeed! How long is the hull? I can see all manner of gunboats emerging from this and so I will look to grab a few myself!
All the best,
DC
David Crook,
DeleteI already have a few ideas about what to build with the parts I already have ... but more of that later.
The hull from the kit is 13.9cm/5.5-inches long by 5.2cm/2.1-inches wide ... so its slightly too long to fit into a Hexon II hex BUT as it has a cutout at the stern for the paddle wheel, that can be removed. The hull with the cutout removed is 10.4cm/4.2-inches long.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteOne Pound fifty? A real bargain - here a Coffee is $4.80...I know what I'd rather like. Even if you use the wood parts for your own ship designs -your way ahead. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson,
Delete£1.50 is cheap, and the model is worth buying just for the parts.
I'm not sure what the current exchange rate is, but a cafe latte in our local coffee shop is £3.25 ... or two and a bit model boats!
I hope to buy some more of these kits as soon as a I can to have them available 'just in case'.
All the best,
Bob
When I saw the first picture it reminded me of those Jules Verne aero efforts. Good find.
ReplyDeleteStephen Briddon,
DeleteNow you have mentioned it, I can see what you mean. It could form the basis of an interesting Sci-Fi/Space 1889 ariel vehicle.
All the best,
Bob
Interesting set of bits - If I pressed you very hard Bob - very hard indeed - would you contemplate determining the best scale these might fit into? Large boat for 15mm, smallish for 20mm, or what? I know it's a back of a fag packet calc, and of course determined by what sort of size of boat you use the Hull for - but interesting nonetheless. Either way, I'm diving into the next "works" I spot o my travels!
ReplyDeleteKen H,
DeleteI think that the parts could be used to make an excellent small river gunboat/steamer for 15mm and - at a push - a smaller one in 20mm. In the latter case, it would be closer in size to the AFRICAN QUEEN or the steam launch in SHOUT AT THE DEVIL. It depends upon whether or not you are too concerned about scale accuracy.
All the best,
Bob
I will have to look out for this one!
ReplyDeleteGeordie an Exiles FoG,
DeleteI think that it is one of their stock wooden toy items, so it should not be too difficult to find.
All the best,
Bob
I have one .. but it was the "last one in the shop" .. you may have started a 'wargaming rush' on the paddle boats!
DeleteGeordie an Exile FoG,
DeleteYou may well be right! I visited the Maidstone branch today, and they had none!
All the best,
Bob