Great Eastern was the greatest paddler ever built, - so news of the model's success totally warms the heart. After all, anything with 56' paddles isn't taken lightly! Atlantic paddling - imagine negotiating the Great Western, Britannia or Pacific through pack ice. Now bear in mind the correct use of sail for trim, plus accounting for time lost during days when the boilers were shut down for cleaning.
Personally my own favorites are the far western steamers - the Hudson River style ships on the Sacramento, Chrysoplis and Antelope, plus a few walking beam coasters. Add the mountain boats Nellie Peck and Far West for skill, put in the Ohio and Mississippi vessels like the J.W.White for glory and the Hudson River's Daniel Drew for audacity and its a great thing. But the Atlantic paddlers get top honor for bravery and danger; no mere boiler failures but the Winter North Atlantic in all its finest. Put this in a 680' package, season with Isambard Brunel's genius and set to work keeping the glory of the empire in trim - at least if Great Eastern was run to India as God and Disrailei intended.
I've long wanted to build the model of her but have constantly been outclassed by the astronomic prices the old kits get these days. Perhaps someday after I finish the little kit of Great Western.
Good luck and God bless Great Eastern.
Jim
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