david_abramczyk Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 This is just a thought that hit me, while I was perusing the Airfix shop. Bare with me on this. They have a lot of nice stuff over there, but not a lot of it is from outside the military sphere, and what is of civilian make is quite limited in time scope. That's a bit of a pity to my eyes, because if you think about it, having inter-connection between the various lines might help with brand loyalty. For instance, suppose that someone wanted to make a layout set on a dockyard; at the moment there's nothing in any range for merchant shipping, so you have to go elsewhere, like 'certain American or European brands'. But just suppose there was something, even just like some barges and a few tugboats from various eras. Immediately there, you've added all new interest and appeal. And if you expand further, that adds even more choice for an interesting diorama. Just a thought I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I've often wondered why Airfix don't make civil vehicles in 1/76 or even 1/72. Then again the diecast vehicles that are available are good value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman Prat Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Hi The major problem with ships/boats is the sheer size of them - even a vessel 100ft long, which is small in ship terms, is getting on for the length of 2 Black 5s. How many people would have room for the ship, never mind the rest of the harbour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I harbour no desire to have ships on my layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 There is a rather good WW2 layout doing the rounds showing a harbour 'somewhere in England' preparing for 'D' Day. The front of the layout is the harbour itself, with LSTs and small Naval stores vessels loading up from trains which are shunted on to the tracks on the harbour side. The quayside is full of AFVs, troops and stores plus military vehicles, cranes and a host of detail. It is one of those layouts you can look at for ages and continue to find interest in the detail. The ships are indeed quite large, but in context they do not dominate the overall picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman Prat Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Hi LC&DR You bin away? I know the layout you mean, in fact I've seen it - somewhere. It certainly is very impressive and I had it in mind when I made my previous post. As you say, the ships, never mind the smaller craft, are quite large but, while taking up a lot of space, they do not overshadow everything else. However, this is a large exhibition layout and there is no way the ships could be fitted in on a normal home layout unless you had your own Nissen hut in the back garden !! OK, a slight exageration but you know what I mean. Also, unless you are really 'au fait' with docks, ships etc it's easy to get things wrong. For example the number of times I've seen a ship alongside a harbour wall with no ropes out!! Or the eye of the rope dropped over a bollard on the ship, taken to a bollard ashore and then coiled down on the quayside. The ship uses her ropes to tie up, except in exceptional circumstances. I'm only using these two examples as illustrations on 'how to get it wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony57 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 HiAirfix use to make a number of civilian themed kits like travelling dock side crane, girder bridge, and a number of buildings which are now produced by Dapol. I wish that Airfix would re-release the civilian set which covers the late 40's to early 60's but they do need to produce some new sets covering the 30's fashion late 60's to up to date fashions. They were the only small soilder producer to do so.In regards to harbour themed layouts the Hornby magazine has coverd at least 5 over the last couple of years including the D Day one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I am with you about Airfix producing some kits to complement Hornby Railways. Sets of Civilians in a range of fashions to match different periods (1930s, 1950s and 1960s for starters) . Unpainted figures make for a bit of creativity .Also some domestic buildings, such as a brick built terraced house, that can be used as a module for an entire street, a 1930s semi and detached bungalow (but a bit better than the old Airfix ones), a 'Wimpey house (the ones with the bedroom windows as dormers in the roof), and one of those concrete and sheet metal council houses so common in the 1950s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 There is a rather good WW2 layout doing the rounds showing a harbour 'somewhere in England' preparing for 'D' Day. The front of the layout is the harbour itself, with LSTs and small Naval stores vessels loading up from trains which are shunted on to the tracks on the harbour side. The quayside is full of AFVs, troops and stores plus military vehicles, cranes and a host of detail. It is one of those layouts you can look at for ages and continue to find interest in the detail. The ships are indeed quite large, but in context they do not dominate the overall picture.There is one with a Destroyer, submarine, LCT and an LCI (L) the same as the one my dad served on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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