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[U-33]

Chaps, some advice please, if you don't mind:


I am seriously contemplating buying the Graupner Premium Line HMS Belfast cruiser...I think I could safely manoeuvre it in and out of my home (in a carry box) and being ARTF, I could fit the radio gear and be on the water in a matter of days.

BUT...having bought (and rapidly returned) the Deans Waveney lifeboat, I don't want to end up disappointed again with poor quality boat. So...has anyone had any experience of buying/setting up/using these boats? Are they worth the financial outlay?


Your comments/criticisms/advice would be most gratefully appreciated.




http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/graupner-hms-belfast.html

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I would always advise seeing and feeling the product before you buy.

At 800+ Quid, that's an awful lot of money to watch going around a lake.

Just my view.

cheers

ken

[U-33]

Absolutely Ken, couldn't agree more. But, Cornwall Model Boats do allow customers to collect these...make a nice long weekend out of the journey.


And, the Akula stands me for over twice that amount of money.

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Sound good.   

ken

[furball]

There's one at the Dockyard Model Shop in Chatham. Looks nice, but a lot of money.


Lance

[U-33]

There's one at the Dockyard Model Shop in Chatham. Looks nice, but a lot of money.


Lance

Ooh, thanks for that Lance...bit nearer than Cornwall.

[Geoff]

Whilst I have not seen the Belfast i have seen both Scharnhorst and Missouri from this range and they are excellent models with very good detail.


As some observations the detail is a little fragile and I've heard some reports of the laminate deck warping but overall from the ones I've seen these really are museum quality models.


Hope this helps but as with the other comments best by far of you can view before buying.


Cheers


Geoff

[U-33]

Thanks for that Geoff...much appreciated. Being allowed to ''look before you buy'' is very useful, especially when parting with a month's worth of pension...plus.

I'll give whole thing a damn good inspection before parting with a penny...

[Shipmate60]

Rich,
They are pretty good models but not the museum quality some expect.
I had to matt varnish the decks of my Prinz Eugen to stop them lifting but do believe that the later models don't have this problem.
The props are very flimsy, but saying that didn't have a problem with them.
The shaft grease however is another story.
You will need to remove all the shafts, clean out and regrease with a lighter grease.
This should give you a model that will last for years or for you at least a month till you change your mind and sell it!!!


Bob

[IanPal]

Bob, I'll be waiting, in a month I'll give him a couple of hundred for it 

[U-33]

Shurrup, both of you...


Bob...thanks for the advice, young man.

And as for you, Mr Pal...huh!!


 

[unbuiltnautilus]

Like Bob says, if there are any wooden decks, a coat of matt varnish would be of benefit. Also removing the glue grease from the shafts may be required..


Can I be a fussy pants for a moment?? HMS Belfast had the lattice masts fitted during her 1950s refit, before that she had pole masts. The camouflage was a wartime feature BUT she also carries it now, following a fairly recent repaint....so, the Graupner model represents HMS Belfast as she is now, a static ship. If you buy this, should you just tie it up at the pond side and charge ants an admission fee to look around??? Or am I being too much of a fussy pants??


 

[Bob K]

These are really nice models.  Not museum quality, but well detailed and painted.  They are quite expensive but the point is they are very nearly ready to run.  This is a big factor as not all of have the skills to build one from the keel up, so a vital niche for those who want to sail something impressive and not have to go through many hours of building work.

Personally I get as much pleasure in building ships as sailing them.  In fact a large Pride factor when on the water as I know every bit that went into her.  Blood sweat & tears factor ?