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[boathound]

Victoria Steamship Company liberty ship Almavita. Modified Deans Marine City of Ely, brought as an unwanted kit on E-Bay for £100. Taken about 2 years to build on and off in the week day evenings after work. Yet to see how she floats...

[ballastanksian]

Wow, don't they look good in civvy colours. You have done a great job there.

[boathound]

Thanks! The military version is quite something but I did want something that would stand out in the lake.

[ballastanksian]

She certainly will. Now I knw they were buit to a minimum standard to produce them quickly, but they must have been pretty soild to then become civilian cargo vessesl. Was it a case that they sufficed until the econmomy of the country recovered enough to kickstart the ship building industry to get back to building standard cargo ships again?

[boathound]

They built 2710, one in just 11 days... supposed to last 5 years yet there were some owned by the Chinese and Russians that were still trading in the 70's. They kick started the careers of many Greek Shipping tycoons- Onassis started with Liberties and not even the most renowned companies turned their noses up at them (Blue Funnel, Ellerman Lines etc.) 2710 built, over 900 sold to commercial companies most of which sold them off by the early 60's as they became uneconomic to operate and replacements such as the SD14 were available. Far exceeded what was expected of them.

[ballastanksian]

Excellent information Mr Boathound, thanks.

[roycv]

That's a great model, the detail looks terrific.  Look forward to some photos on the water.
Well done, anything else in the pipeline?
regards Roy

[derekwarner]

Very tidy indeed boathound  ....& looking forward to seeing her on the water

How about a quiz?.....any takers?......what will she displace to take her down to her shown waterline?

My guestimate ~~15 kg 

Derek

[boathound]

Thanks guys, yeah the weight does worry me a bit as I will have to carry her to the lake side as the car park is about 2 mins' away. I know that does not sound like a lot but believe me with your arms full of heavy boat it is 

Hey Derek, guess I'll be going for the unladen look!

Is there any info anywhere about making an cheap boat trolley type thing?

[mark w]

Great looking model  . Much better in civilian colors.


Mark

[dave301bounty]

great looking model ,well done to you ,the one I sailed on was no were near as smart .

[carlmt]

Thanks! The military version is quite something but I did want something that would stand out in the lake.

That really is a cracking model    Well done - I do like to see some classic merchant ships modelled.  The Grey Funnel Line is fine and dandy, but my interests really do lie in the merchant marine.  Here is another Liberty for you.....
 

[Danny]

Is there any info anywhere about making an cheap boat trolley type thing?

A visit to your local charity or secondhand shop should get you a baby buggy for next to nothing.
Remove seating and fix two straps between two level suitable points across the frame (like making a sideways hammock).
I used mine to carry heavy offshore boats (two levels). The buggy will also fold up neatly to fit in the car.
Friends may jeer and roll about laughing, but you'll be the one without the bad back!!


Danny


 

[boathound]

Thanks for the nice feed back, hope to sail her for the first time at Black Park Lake over the weekend.


That's a beautiful City of Ely carlmt.
Like the baby buggy idea, will be hunting around my local charity shops. 


I'm a merchant ship fan, it's not so easy finding subjects I can build with my limited ability.

[jarvo]

Hi Boathound, i got mine of ebay, type in folding garden truck, all i had to do was add 2 pieces of 5mm plastic board for the base. £30, carries 2 models and radio, with spare batteries etc


Mark

[boathound]

Thanks Jarvo, will look on Ebay.


Well I had my maiden voyage on Black Park Lake this morning, just me an a couple of kids with a "Smasher Destroyer" (very nippy with a good run time!) As it's heavy it was hardly bothered by any of the waves the wind was blowing up and I got tired before the battery did. Quite pleased, very sea worthy and I don't have to worry about water warping any crappy deck veneer deck like on my Graupner Sharnhorst (despite layers of Ronseal-grr). So strange seeing something you have built for ages moving away from you in the water. Its good to admire a model on a shelf but such a different thing to see it actually doing what it was built for on the water! Doesn't steer straight, tends to wander off to starboard a bit. Takes ages to stop forward momentum, just like the real thing I suppose.
The first thing I heard from people passing by "Wow look at that Titanic!" Sigh....

[jarvo]

Hi Mate, at least you didn't get the " look at that man playing with his toy boat"

[mark w]

Congrats on your maiden voyage.

Mark

[Phil Ciborowski]

  That is beautiful! I love the looks of those and the old T2 tankers... at some point in my life I would love to build both! (hopefully they come out a fraction as nice as this did!)