USCG Harriet Lane - 1:96 1/8" = 1' Model Shipways

[kurtvd19]

KIT REVIEW – USCG HARRIET LANE

MODEL SHIPWAYS KIT #MS2270

Scale 1:96 (1/8' = 1'0")

Length (overall) 28", Width 8", height (on base) 16"

Plank on Bulkhead construction

This kit is the fourth in a series of progressive model tutorials by David Antscherl for Model Shipways (Division of Model Expo) with the Lowell Grand Banks Dory, the Norwegian Sailing Pram and the Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack being the three previous models.  All have been reviewed here.

The kit comes in the usual sturdy blue box with a large color label showing a completed model.  The box weighs just ounces less than 5 pounds.

Upon opening the box, the plans are the first thing seen.  There are five sheets of 18" x 36" plans labeled as Deck, Rigging, Sail and two sheets labeled as Rigging and Laser Cut Board Parts Identifier sheet (A-L) and (M-Y).

The box also contains the following:

Sixty-six page full-color instruction manual

Twenty-two sheets of laser cut Basswood

Three sheets of laser cut paper card

Seven pieces - strip Basswood

Three wood dowels

Six rigging line spools

Five packs of blocks

Eighteen different Britannia castings – multiple pieces of several parts

One sheet of Photo Etch Brass

Misc. Brass and other parts

Parts list – 3 pages

 

The sixty-six-page full color instruction manual is well done.  Before any assembly is started it is my recommendation that the modeler should read every word of the instructions before doing any assembly.  The first page of the instructions cautions the reader in red print to read the instructions.  There are numerous tips for the modeler designed to guide to building this or any other models.  Tips are printed in red to help the modeler.  There are also "Super Detail" tips throughout that provide ways to improve the accuracy of the model.  The most important tip is "Take your time".  There are hints throughout the instructions printed in red to catch the attention of the builder.  Read them.  Most tips will help with this kit and some of them will help in the future with any kit.

Planking Sheets

Planking is supplied slightly oversized but to the correct shape for the location intended.  Adequate extra material is provided on the width of the parts to sand to fit.

The other 18 sheets of laser cut wood

Three Laser Cut Paper Sheets

5 1/2" x 8" x 0.0095 Photo Etch Brass

 

 

Box of Cast Metal Pieces, Rigging Material, Flags & Wire

 

Ladders, Anchors, Canons, Davits, Ventilators

Belaying Pins, Eyebolts, Wire & Brass Rod

 

Windlass, Cleats, Eyebolts, Chain

Flag and Rings

 

Blocks

 

Rigging Line

Rigging – in progress photo – Courtesy of David Antscherl

 

Parts List – 3 pages and US to Metric Conversion sheet

Overall, I think this is a great kit with good cast parts and laser cutting of the wood is very well done.  The  laser cut pre-spiled planking is a nice feature and will help most modelers produce a good planking job.  The good instructions and plan sheets should leave nothing to be guessed at.  The rigging line is very good quality.  The blocks are decent quality for the size, but they are the typical kit supplied blocks with square edges so finicky modelers may look for replacement blocks. 

 

Thanks to David Antscherl for providing photographs of the finished model.  Thanks to Model Shipways (division of Model Expo) for supplying the review kit.

 

 

 

 

[musky]

I would like to make this model but in the UK it costs £240 and looking at the contents in the box,  I wondered if it was rather overpriced?

What do you think?

Thank you

Donald

[kurtvd19]

Donald:

For what the kit provides it isn't overpriced.  However if it appeals to you and you are not rushed keep looking at it as the models from Model Expo are often on sale at good prices...  The list price is irrelevant as they are never sold for list price.  Being new it might be a bit before it goes on sale but it will go on sale.  When you see a sale of this kit grab it then.

Kurt

 

[Roger Pellett]

Whether it’s worth £240 is up to you but I would like to comment.

 

I received a smaller scale version (1:144) version of this kit in the mid 1960’s as a Christmas gift.  It resulted in a handsome model.  Many years later I still thought enough of it to replace the shabby plexiglass case that it resided in with a new glass case.  It still sits atop my bookcase.

 

Prior to the arrival of European POB kits imported into the US in the1970’s there were three main American producers of ship model kits; A.J. Fisher, Model Shipways, and Bluejacket.  These models were based on solid research, much from the Historic American Merchant Marine Survey of the 1930’s.  These kits build into models of real ships not fantasy “pirate ships,” or river boats like “King of the Mississippi.”  Even the few kits like the imaginary Baltimore Clipper Dapper Dan are based on solid period documentation of similar vessels.  After spending 100’s of your time working on a model it should be worth something to know that it accurately represents a real ship.

 

The present Harriett Lane Kit is a redo of my 1960’s kit and includes some notable improvements.  The larger scale allows finer detail.  The photoetch paddle box sides are a major improvement over the decals provided with my model.  The laser cut paper is a nice way to simulate paneling on deck structures.  My 1960’s model features cast metal half paddle wheels glued to the underside of solid wood paddle boxes.  The treatment of the paddle wheels and boxes for the present model is much more realistic.

 

With the switch to POB construction, all model kits today are basically collections of wood “sticks and sheets. “  With some effort you could find plans of a similar vessel (Hint: William H. Webb’s Portfolio of Wooden Ship Drawings) and build the model from scratch. With the kit, a skilled model maker has translated drawings into parts and detailed instructions for assembling them.  This is really what you are paying for. The question to be answered is whether the finished ship model is worth the time spent building it.  I believe that in this case it is.

 

Note:  I better finish this before I sell the kit to myself! 😆

 

Roger 

[musky]

Many thanks for your information and assistance. One question I would like to ask and hope you can advise me.

I see that the planking for this model is laser cut pieces from a wooden sheet. I would rather plank this model with lime and mahogany strips. 

What would you advise. Is it possible with this model?

Thank you

Donald

[kurtvd19]

Absolutely can be planked with any material you want.  The laser cut planks can serve as templates for cutting you own planks.  Note the shape of the planks in the kit - you will be best able to replicate them using sheet wood rather than strips - but if using strips they will need to be much wider to accommodate the bends.  Easy to check the widths needed once you have the kit in hand with the planking pieces shown in full size.

Noting that you are in the UK, I believe that the Basswood in the kit might be the same wood you refer to as Lime.

[musky]

Hello Kurt and thanks for taking the time to advise me. I have built the ROYAL YACHT CAROLINE, SANTA MARIA, FIFIE and TROTAMARES so I think I could tackle this complex lovely ship.

 Will make a decision soon !

Regards

Donald

[kurtvd19]

Donald:

I am sure you are up to the challenge.

Kurt

 

[Azzoun]

Is it me, or do the upper shroud deadeyes on this look overscale?.   Thoughts?

 

I've eyed the previous version of this kit before but was turned off by the smaller scale.  This kit is appealing to me,  when steam met sail is a really interesting time for maritime architecture.  

 

Joshua

[druxey]

As in any kit, there are some compromises. The builder can kit-bash to his or her heart's content!

[allanyed]

Congrats on the new kit David!! 

 

From the photos she looks like a beauty.   When I see belaying pins that are at scale instead of the bowling pins found in so many other brands'  kits it  brings a smile to my face.

 

Allan