Paddleducks
Old Yahoo Group => Yahoo Messages => Topic started by: decofelix on June 19, 2005, 05:01:13 AM
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Hello,
New subscriber writing. Interested in obtaining and building a kit of
the Robt. E. Lee. I like Amati's 1/150 wood kit but plastic is within
my budget. Revell's kit is too small. Interested in
Ideal/Pyro/Lindberg's kits. Are these all the same kit packaged by
different manufacturers? I find some of the older kits are motorized.
I presume that means functional paddle wheels? Am I correct? Advise
requested.
Regards,
Felix C.
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Yup..the ol' "Robt E. Lee", probably the most popular paddle wheeler
kits ever produced. Many modelers get confused over the number of
kits available, so here is some information to help you unravel the
puzzle.
The first thing we should know is if you require a model for static
display or Radio Control. All the WOODEN Robert E. Lee kits that I
know of are for static display only and feature carved wood solid
hulls. If you want an R/C model, you'd have to custom build her from
plans which are available. However, she's a complex ship to build as
an operating model and the physics of building a successful R/C
example are quite challenging...definitely not recommended as a first
R/C paddler project. However, from the kits you mention, it sounds
like you want a model for static display anyway.
> Revell's kit is too small. Interested in Ideal/Pyro/Lindberg's
> kits. Are these all the same kit packaged by different
> manufacturers?
You're right, Revell's kit at 15" is small, but quite compact. It
actually makes quite a nice model and certainly, if super-detailed
and well finished, can look very good in a display case. However, the
hull is wrong and looks far better (and accurate) as a waterline
display model. Setting waterline models in realistic water is a whole
other subject! Ringo Toys also produced a version but it was only 11"
long and moulded in rather alarming blue and yellow plastic! Not what
I'd consider desirable!
Here's a synopsis of plastic "Robert E. Lee" kits which have been
produced since the 1960's.
Ideal - 11" Model - Ave: US$18 high as US$34.00
Ringo Toys - 11" Model - Ave: US$15 high as US$28.00
Revell - 15"
Life-like - 22" Model - Ave: US$23 high as US$27 *BEST BUY*
Lindberg - 22" Model - Ave: US$26 high as US$38
Pyro - 22" Model - Ave: US$25 high as US$40
It's suggested the same moulds passed through Pyro, Lindberg and
finally Life-Like. All these kits can be purchased used from time to
time through EBAY in the "Toys & Hobbies > Models > Boats, Ships"
category (Category #4248). In the search box type in "Lee". There
is currently quite a "slew" of them.
> I find some of the older kits are motorized.
> I presume that means functional paddle wheels? Am I correct? Advise
> requested.
Yes, A number of the plastic kits have been offered as "motorized"
versions, meaning their wheels do turn. I have always thought it
possible to build one of the larger 22" plastic kits into a fully
operating R/C pool model.
Partially or fully assembled models:
These are usually less expensive than unassembled boxed kits but
often have broken/missing parts and have been poorly assembled and
finished. Nevertheless, they can often be carefully dismantled, the
old paint stripped off with either oven cleaner or a good
quality "plastic only" paint stripper (Chameleon), and the model
rebuilt and superdetailed successfully. The only problem with an
assembled and painted "Robt. E. Lee" plastic kit is, if the decals
have been put over an inferior paint job, it's almost imposssible to
find a decal and flag set by itself. It's also useful to have a set
of instructions for the kit and they're are not hard to obtain if
you're willing to pay some nominal photocopying and postage fees.
In the long run, it's best to buy an unassembled kit in it's original
box which the seller guarantees as being complete and to include
instructions. Kit collectors pay high prices for kits with unopened
and unblemished boxes still in their original shrink wrap. You
don't need to necessarily buy these to find a complete buildable
model.
Value: Even an inexpensive plastic kit which has been "customized" to
a high level of finish and authenticity can be worth money. I
recently saw an Airfix 1/144 "Great Western" finished to "Museum
quality and accuracy" sell on Ebay for just under US$500.
Finally, if you wish to build a static display model...build a
display case FIRST. Plastic kits deteriorate quickly and get broken
when they're not protected. It's not hard to build a display case out
of either 1/8" glass or acrylic and well worth the effort involved.
I hope this helps you on your way to building a lovely display model
paddler which will grace any room or office. Holler if you want to
know about the wooden kit versions available. Meanwhile, please keep
us informed of your progress.
All the best
PJ
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Hello Paul.
Thanks for the response. I intend only to display the finished model.
Although, I do live by/on a lake and so could put the paddles to
work. I like the larger 1/163 or so scale of the plastic kits. The
Amati is ideal, but I am on a budget-both time and money. Lindberg
normally does not have a positive reputation among plastic ship
modelers. I did not know if all three 22" kits were from the same
molds. If the older Ideal or Pyro kits have more detail than
Lindberg, I would opt for any of the first two manufacturers.
I am taking a break from a current long-term wood ship kit and have
rediscovered an interest in steamboats. (BTW, I did ask here early
last year regarding AL's revised King of the Mississippi kit and
never received a response.-I selected and built another kit. Another
reason I appreciate your post)
I am interested if anyone has seen these kits assembled and if they
pass muster. I have seen and am impressed by a built Amati Robert E.
Lee at ModelExpo and so wonder how the Lindberg kit and its
derivatives fare. I realize the builder is key to the question but I
am interested in a relatively quick, say three week build, not a long
scratch building slogging match.
Thanks,
Felix