First released in 1966. Molded in black plastic and came with pre molded ratlines. Nice that Airfix provide a jig to make your own ratlines. I look forward to building this kit again. HiSModel have miniature walnut blocks for rigging that I'll invest in. I may make a wooden deck using Evergreen sheet. Brass wire should make nice stauncheons.with some mahogany for the top rail.

1958 vintage moulds, I believe. And about to be reissued once again in autumn 2023!

Hi Jason, great review 😊😊😊 I follow Harry Houdini, Aussie guy , he resently showed a new product, wood veneer planking , comes in sheets of different size planks , he did a tutorial on the subject not long ago , looks great to ! I built this ship back in the 80s, , don't know what happened to her , but for some reason I still have paddle wheel houseing 🤔🤔🤔🤔 , sink holes, flashing ,call me crazy but I love fixing that stuff , You'll like building this great ship , cheers

Hoy, I'm building the earlier version of this model. I think it's a 144th scale. It looks good, I put real copper plates below her waterline. I'm hand tying the rigging now. This is going to be a wonderful addition to our Ocean Liner collection. The, 'Oriental Star' is next.

Jason, it looks like an interesting kit. Great review. Don't know if you intend to post videos of the build but, I think it would be interesting, especially when you get to assembling the rat lines and detailing and mounting the sails.

I'm knocking on a bit 59 and this kit was around in the 60's when I was a kid. They do look good when completed and not at all toy like as you suggested. Like everyone else, you write the paints off before giving them a chance. All they need need is thinners or water and they are perfectly good. If used mine through my airbrush no problem at all.

Just been released again , at £36, pity no one does etched rails for her or a wooden deck

Hi Jason, MOS6510 Models does reviews of old catalogues. He has the Airfix Catalogue 5th Edition (1968) and this kit is shown there. It could be older. I remember that it was originally moulded in black plastic with a lack of hull detail when compared to the Cutty Sark and HMS Victory. Also back then the ratlines were already made up of plastic coated twine and each ratline had to be cut out from a sort of matting.

Hi.. I am making this ship at the moment, got to add a lot of missed detail

Definitely pre 1980 I remember it in catalogues in the mid 70s.

Hi Jason, great review. This could build up into a really nice model. Injection molding sure has changed since this was produced. Thanks for sharing. See you next time.

Thanks for reviewing, was interesting to see this !

Great review and unboxing Jason!