Minor mystery solved

[Mark F. Jenkins]

One of my birthday gifts this year was a plastic model kit, advertised as a blockade runner.

Expired Image Removed

This is the image off the box. Now, there are a couple of odd things about it... one of which is that it appears to be flying a Revolutionary War flag, and also that on the box it was labeled as both a "Confederate Blockade Runner" and a "Union Steam Frigate."

The mystery was resolved when I opened the box and discovered that there were three sets of decals, including a Coast Guard flag... it's actually the Harriet Lane! Which did function (relatively briefly) as a blockade runner after her capture at Galveston, and had been a Union navy gunboat (although "frigate" is still a stretch).

I had been a little concerned, because as a "steam frigate" or a "blockade runner," it didn't seem to look the part; but as the Harriet Lane, it looks reasonably accurate. I don't know if she was ever photographed, but the various illustrations I've seen of her seem to indicate that it's a decent model of her.

 

[W. Richardson]

I am no expert in Civil War ships, or for that matter, in anything.....lol, but from what I know of the HL it does seem, as you stated, reasonably accurate. Have you finished getting it together ? I bet she looks great or will when you finish if you have not already. A question, is the color of the HL on the box correct ? I have read anything as to how it was painted.

Respectfully,

William

 

[James N.]

Congratulations, Mark! I had that very model; it was a Lindberg, if I remember correctly. I never really quite finished it, I don't think, and now have no memory of exactly what happened to it, but I think mine ( in the 1960's ) was also called a "blockade runner."

Edit: the flag in mine was for a revenue cutter.

 

[kholland]

One of my birthday gifts this year was a plastic model kit, advertised as a blockade runner.

Expired Image Removed

This is the image off the box. Now, there are a couple of odd things about it... one of which is that it appears to be flying a Revolutionary War flag, and also that on the box it was labeled as both a "Confederate Blockade Runner" and a "Union Steam Frigate."

The mystery was resolved when I opened the box and discovered that there were three sets of decals, including a Coast Guard flag... it's actually the Harriet Lane! Which did function (relatively briefly) as a blockade runner after her capture at Galveston, and had been a Union navy gunboat (although "frigate" is still a stretch).

I had been a little concerned, because as a "steam frigate" or a "blockade runner," it didn't seem to look the part; but as the Harriet Lane, it looks reasonably accurate. I don't know if she was ever photographed, but the various illustrations I've seen of her seem to indicate that it's a decent model of her.

Well it is good to see that the marketing departments for toys (models) can be close to historically accurate.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Congratulations, Mark! I had that very model; it was a Lindberg, if I remember correctly.

Exactly, "Lindberg Line." My wife bought it on ebay; no idea how old the kit itself is.

 

[James N.]

Exactly, "Lindberg Line." My wife bought it on ebay; no idea how old the kit itself is.

I think I've seen them fairly recently in shops that still carry model kits, like Michael's and Hobby Lobby. ( Obviously recycling the same old molds. ) They cost a lot more now than they did back in the '60's though!

 

[rebelatsea]

Had a quick google for Lindberg kits ,can't find your Harriet lane, but i remember it on sale here when I was a kid !
I always wanted their Robert E Lee , but it was far to expensive here. Just found it again - and it's still far too expensive !

 

[Private Watkins]

Would love to see a pic of the finished product when you get there some day. I've built many a WW II aircraft model over the years, as well as some old antique cars, and can think of few better ways to lose oneself in enjoyment on a cold, bleak, dark winter day. I've never thought about building a Civil War related model, but this looks really neat...

 

[rebelatsea]

Lindberg's Virginia and Monitor kit is still available.

 

[OwenRichards]

I remember that. I remember seeing that and being amazed that I could get a model of one of these things.

 

[Private Watkins]

Lindberg's Virginia and Monitor kit is still available.

On ebay?

 

[AndyHall]

I made that model before. It's a nice little kit, considering the original molds are from the 1950s. The model is in her guise as a prewar Revenue Cutter; a fun project would be to adapt the model to her likely appearance as Lavinia when she ran the blockade in late April 1864.

 

[AndyHall]

A question, is the color of the HL on the box correct ? I have read anything as to how it was painted.

The Coast Guard has a profile showing her in green -- I don't know the source for that, but presumably there is one.

Expired Image Removed

 

[W. Richardson]

The Coast Guard has a profile showing her in green -- I don't know the source for that, but presumably there is one.

Expired Image Removed

Thanks, Andy............The first photo came through good but the second one I can't make it out.

Respectfully,

William

 

[AndyHall]

Here are two examples of the kit built:

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/ironclad/lane-144-ep/ep-index.html

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/service/other/HarrietLane-124-ma/

 

[AndyHall]

Thanks, Andy............The first photo came through good but the second one I can't make it out.

Try this:

http://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/plans/USRCHarrietLaneColor.jpg

 

[W. Richardson]

Try this:

http://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/plans/USRCHarrietLaneColor.jpg

Nope still messed up. I hope it isn't my computer....lol

Respectfully,

William

 

[AndyHall]

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Now I'm too intimidated to open the box again.

 

[E_just_E]

Am I the only one who shakes his head at the term "US revenue cutter"?