Eastern Express 1:130 Shell Welder Oil Tanker

Does anyone know if this is a descent kit or a dog.
It was originally an old UPC kit, and then Frog and now Eastern Express.
It's an oldie but is it a goodie?

I don't know anything at all about the kit but why do they always seem to have to make such kits of off the wall items in off the wall scales? 1/130? They couldn't make it 1/144 or 1/350?

The kit was originally released in the 50's/60's when makers like Revell and Aurora did alot of "box scale" kits.

Would make a great target for the old Revell U-99 which is 1:125 scale in scale !


Cheers,
Joe

Don't sail that thing anywhere near Canada!

Joe's always looking for targets for his 1/125 flotilla.

OK I get the idea it's a dawg.
If you were thinking about converting it to a tramp steamer, would you consider it?
Is it that bad?

Ahoy, Gary!

Well mate, here's my two cents worth, the way I look at it, if it's something that you want to build, then dawg or not, jump in with both feet and get busy!

Honestly, that's why we call ourselves "modelers" now, isn't it?

I've gone head first into my share of nasty kits, only to end up with a great looking subject, and learning new techniques along the way to overcome different kit problems, know what I mean?

So IMHO, my friend, if you wanna build this kit, don't let anyone else talk ya out of it! And if you do, let us know how it goes!!
Cheers,
~Gunny

Ahoy Gary,

From the photos I have seen, the ship builds into a beautiful tanker
OOB.

I am considering getting one if it fits into the 1939-45 timeframe,
for a diorama involving a u-boat.

Cheers,
Joe

I haven't built the kit myself but have seen at least one very nice model built from it. My understanding is that the kit shows its age but with a little work can be very good. Shell Welder is a post war ship, a small coastal tanker built around the late 40's early 50's so I'm afraid your U boats will have to find another target.

Mike

MikeM.........Thanks for the info, looks like I will have to resort to a T2 tanker and
a u-boat in a smaller scale.


Gary.......here is some interesting pictures that may give you an idea of the
build,

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/service/ao/130-tm/shell-index.html

She looks very good and there is also a build from Jim Baumann at the same site.

Cheers,
Joe

Joe,
Thanks for the info. She does indeed look pretty good with some effort.

Gunny,
You're absolutely right...it's just that I don't want to reinvent the wheel if you know what I mean.
This looks like a pretty good kit for it's age.

Thanks guys,
Now the search is on,
Gary

Gary,
Go onto the Armorama page and click on the 'Poole Vikings Model Show' feature.
On the first page of thumbnail pics is a model of this kit alongside a (smaller scale) HMS Vanguard.
Just to show what can be done with a 'Dog' of a kit
Tom

Atlantic Models do a dedicated photoetch set, available exclusively from White Ensign Models.