N Scale Ships has announced a 180' long coastal freighter, the first of three ships on the same basic hull. The other two ships, available in December 2014, will be a tanker with the appropriate piping and catwalks and a container ship. These small ships serve thousands of small harbors all around the world. This model is based on the dimensions of a small freighter based in Juneau, Alaska. It is 180 scale feet (54 m) long, with a beam of 28 feet (8.5 m). The model is thus 13.5 inches (343 mm) long and 2.2 inches (54 mm) wide. Height to the top of the navigation bridge, minus antennae, is 2.8 inches (72 mm). The three hatches can be modeled open and stacked, or closed. There are two main hydraulic cargo cranes, plus a forward long-reach post and boom. Custom photo-etched brass railings and stairways, custom-made windlass and rear winch, lifeboat, davits, anchors, bitts and other small parts fill out the kit. The gunwhales are raised just as on the prototype. This is an easy kit to build. Kit prices are US $99.00 plus shipping. A basic built-up model is $450 plus shipping; a superdetailed built-up model is $650. See www.nscaleships.com for more details
