About the Reviresco "Minos" Tramp Freighter?

[Verderer]

I am tempted to get this kit, or building a 28mm ship very much like that. So I was wondering how much it would cost to ship it to Europe? The Reviresco pages don't seem to work on my browser - when I click to add the ship to cart, I get "referring page did not meet security requirements"?

Anyways, in addition to potential shipping issues, I would like to ask is it actually worth buying in your opinion? It's mostly card material, and therefore not very durable in game use, so it might require some additional work. But are the metal gubbins worth the price alone?

I could get similar ship fittings a bit closer from model shops in the Europe, has anyone done comparisons about prices etc? And does anyone have an itemized list of what actually comes with the Reviresco ship? That would help me to figure out whetjer I should just get the bits and do my own ship, or use the kit as a base?

[War In 15MM]

I built mine from a Playmobil.  I used Evergreen plastic for the deck, cabins and bridge and Reviresco fittings.  You can see it at leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=31547.0

[Verderer]

Ok, I was in contact with John from Reviresco, and shipping (hem, hem) the kit to Finland would cost about 16 dollars, so not too bad actually. and buying just the metal bits separately would be 'well over 100 dollars', apparently. So there's that too.

[richarDISNEY]

It is a really nice kit.  But please remember that this is a paper model and there are some 'fiddly' bits...
*beer*

[warrenpeace]

I agree with richarDMB that it is a nice kit. Although I haven't glued my copy together, I've seen the glued together version at the Reviresco table at a regional convention. As richarDMB pointed out, it is paper, and a lot of modellers would prefer a more substantial material. The kit can be reinforced in various ways. The kit comes with a lot of little metal bits in the box. But these bits can be purchased separately in small packets. You can see most of these packets of pieces elsewhere on the Reviresco products list. So, if you would prefer to build your own out of wood or plastic, you can still use a some of those Reviresco packets for the added details.

[Verderer]

Yes, I would most likely build the ship of styrene etc. and use the paper parts as templates. The thing about the metal bits seems to be that they will be cheaper to buy with this kit, compared against buying them separately? That's what John from Reviresco told me. Can't verify this myself, as I don't have an itemised parts lists, but I will take John's word for it.

The other thing is, that if I am going to build the ship from stryne & wood myself anyways, would I be better off ordering similar fittings from an European model shop? From what I have seen browsing these shops specializing in model ships, it seems I might get similar bits for about the same price, or even a bit cheaper? I need to do some more research on this. Then again, Reviresco also sells some suitable ship guns, but you can get from others too. Sigh, decisions, decisions...

[warrenpeace]

Photos of the ship fittings packs are on the Reviresco web store under the category: "ship fittings and naval guns"

http://www.tin-soldier.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl

Most of the packs are listed for $6.00 US, with a few bits in each one. Of course, you probably want somebody to comment on how much of this stuff is actually in the box with the Minos steamer. Sorry I haven't found the time to find and open my box and describe what is in there. From memory, I know there are some doors, some portholes, an anchor or two, the bridge equipment pack, perhaps a couple of ventilators, and maybe some rigging pieces. Not sure if there is a deck wench in there or not, as I can't remember that. Pretty much anything that you see on the paper model in the photo on the Reviresco website is what is there, plus some internal bridge equipment. The little steam boiler and engine pack is not in there, because the model doesn't have an open engine room. Of course, you could build an open engine room into your own creation, in which case the Reviresco boiler, engine, and steam pipes might come in handy.

http://www.tin-soldier.com/freighter.htm

I'd suggest you get some bits from Reviresco and some bits from local makers in Europe, since you are going to build your own hull and superstructure anyway.