by Maarten Schönfeld
1/350 S.S. Alblasserdyk, C-3 freighter of the Holland America Line, ca. 1955 (Revell Germany)
This model started out as the well known Revell model of the Hawaiian Pilot, scale being 1:380. As it was clear that about all parts except the hull needed rework to get a decent model, I decided to take it a step further: using yard plans of the C3-S-A1 type I chose to strectch it, both length and width to the correct values for 1:350. Then I added a new deck, new foc'sle deck, and the missing part from the bottom in balsa wood, and covered it with Evergreen strips.
Then the superstructure was built up using Evergreen sheet and strips, all the masts and ventilators were scratch-built. The resin winches were provided by Jacques Druel from l'Arsenal (thanks, Jacques!) as these were the same as in their Liberty improvement set. The railings and stairs were from stock GMM sets. The propeller and rudder I scratch-built too. Anchors and boats (with suitable lengthening) could be used from the original kit.
This was a fun project to build, and I already have a Victory (Revell USS Montrose), a T-2 tanker (Revell Esso Glasgow) and even NS Savannah (also Revell) on the stocks for rework into 1:350 scale. Wait and see!
