Lindberg's Contributions
The first kits we'll discuss are those of the American Lindberg company. These started appearing in the late 1950's, and as initially sold, were intended to be motorized. All are almost exactly 12" (30.5 cm) in length.
This list is approximately the order in which they were released. All have been in production up until recently, and the company that currently holds the dies, Round2, re-issues them from time to time. The recent production runs are no longer motorized, but the kit components to make them thus are still included. They are notable by their not being mentioned in the instructions. Like many Lindberg kits from this era, the details are sometimes a little lacking or sometimes spurious, such as the oversized and somewhat inaccurate panel lines.
A note about the motors that were sold with the kits. These were in kit form, with an off axis bar magnet and an armature that you had to wind (Speaking from experience, I was never able to get one to work. However, I was also fairly young).
All models are from my personal collection, some with older style boxes. Stated scale will be included, along with corrected scale in parentheses.
Q-Ship 1/390 (?)
The first kits we'll discuss are those of the American Lindberg company. These started appearing in the late 1950's, and as initially sold, were intended to be motorized. All are almost exactly 12" (30.5 cm) in length.
This list is approximately the order in which they were released. All have been in production up until recently, and the company that currently holds the dies, Round2, re-issues them from time to time. The recent production runs are no longer motorized, but the kit components to make them thus are still included. They are notable by their not being mentioned in the instructions. Like many Lindberg kits from this era, the details are sometimes a little lacking or sometimes spurious, such as the oversized and somewhat inaccurate panel lines.
A note about the motors that were sold with the kits. These were in kit form, with an off axis bar magnet and an armature that you had to wind (Speaking from experience, I was never able to get one to work. However, I was also fairly young).
All models are from my personal collection, some with older style boxes. Stated scale will be included, along with corrected scale in parentheses.
Q-Ship 1/390 (?)
Possibly the oldest of the group. When this kit was reintroduced by Round2 it had been out of production for over four decades. It represents a World War II era decoy (Q) ship, possibly the USS Atik. However, it is very similar to any small steamer built from 1910 on to about 1941, and in fact with some modifications can represent smaller or larger ships. However, the deep hull really works better for its stated scale or smaller vessels.
US Navy Fleet Tanker 1/525 (actually 1/501)
Another old Lindberg kit that hadn't seen the light of day in decades. This one has a slightly easier to work with one piece hull, and looks the part well enough. However, it is either a Kennebec class (at the model's stated 1/525) or a Cimarron class (at 1/501). As the kit was originally offered as the USS Neches, a Cimarron, it's hard to tell, but I am certain that measuring the beam could determine which is right.
Incidentally, might also make a good basis for some escort carrier conversions.
Incidentally, might also make a good basis for some escort carrier conversions.
( UPDATE - 6 Sept 2020
It has been brought to my attention that the values I presented here are in error. First, the kit most likely represents a Kennebec derived design, making the kit closer to 1/501. The Cimarron's were longer vessels, if outwardly similar. Second, the USS Neches was a Mattaponi class, a sub-group of the Kennebec class. I apologize for the sloppy research where this was concerned. I'd like to thank Davidp (via eBay) for informing me of the mistakes. RL)
It has been brought to my attention that the values I presented here are in error. First, the kit most likely represents a Kennebec derived design, making the kit closer to 1/501. The Cimarron's were longer vessels, if outwardly similar. Second, the USS Neches was a Mattaponi class, a sub-group of the Kennebec class. I apologize for the sloppy research where this was concerned. I'd like to thank Davidp (via eBay) for informing me of the mistakes. RL)
USS Shangri-La 1/900 (1/888)
This model represents a post SCB-125 modernized Essex class carrier and has been sold as various ships, whether accurate or not. On this kit, we see the introduction of a detachable centerboard or false keel designed to keep the ship upright and afloat. The air wing is truly 1950's aircraft, including the hard to miss F7U Cutlass and F4D Skyray. Later incarnations of this kit included the same air wing, plus a Mercury capsule (really out of scale for the model). Also, the model was sold as the Antietam, which never received the full modernizations.
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| (Note - tiny Mercury capsule just above center) |
USS Missouri 1/900 (1/887)
Back to a one piece hull. Not a bad interpretation of a World War II era Iowa (though each ship had differences). However, I've always thought that the turrets were a little undersized, while the tower and second smokestack were a little short. When built, however, these are not too much a detraction. Rather nice looking hull.
USS DeLong 1/300 (1/306)
One of only two Rudderow class destroyer escorts made as an injection molded kit (the other one was a smaller kit, also from Lindberg). Like most of Lindberg's kits, the panel lines are wrong, and the hull looks rather boxy (a concession to its being a running model), bur from the deck up is actually a notch above many of their other kits. It has been sold under several different names. Also, the false keel makes a return, albeit deeper.
USS Manchester 1/600 (1/608)
A Cleveland class light cruiser. One piece hull, also requiring the false keel/centerboard. Like the Lindberg Rudderow DE's, also a fairly boxy hull. This model has never really looked right to me, though I haven't taken the time to properly compare it to accurate drawings. It includes a short false keel. Also, makes a good starting point for an Independence class light aircraft carrier.
The Also-Rans
The two following kits came a few years after the previous kits, around 1967, and while still not the best (the panel lines, for instance) were fairly decent looking models.
However, they were never sold as motorized.
A look at both kits seems to indicate that Lindberg may have actually been planning to sell them that way, as both models come with one oversized screw and hints of shaft openings. Around the same time that these models were released, Lindberg released a series of smaller model warships that were much simpler and bordering on crude (a subject for later). The two larger models were really a leap beyond them.
DKM Scharnhorst 1/762 (1/771)
This kit captures the lines of the Scharnhorst rather well. Some details are a little rough, as typical, but overall, it really builds up nicely. With some work, could be converted into the Gneisenau. Main turrets appear a little off.
HMS King George V 1/750 (1/743)
To my knowledge, this kit was always sold as the KGV, whilst its smaller stable mate, released at the same time, was sold variously as the "Prince of Wales" and the "Duke of York". This kit represents the KGV after the aircraft were removed. This model might have been a better candidate for motorizing than the Scharnhorst, due to the hull being slightly deeper. However, the hull of Lindberg Iowa's were also fairly shallow, so like everything with regards to these two last kits, it is only speculation.
That covers the American manufactured kits for our small fleet. Next, we'll look at one company's amazing output and its models of similar size.
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