The SS Talacre is a typical single hatch coaster used in the coal trade of a type that was found by the hundreds around the coast of the U.K. in the golden era of steam. Designed for Point of Ayr Collieries by Crichton, Thompson & Co Ltd., of London she was built by Crabtree &Co., of Great Yarmouth in 1917. Talacre was named after a small village near the colliery. Talacre was finally scraped in 1959 by the Hammond Lane Foundry in Dublin. Realism leaps out of the completed model, as if a turn of a valve will start the anchor windlass or the cargo winch clattering away and the lagged steam pipes to begin steaming and drying out.
The hull is of GRP fully detailed on the exterior with plating, double riveting and strakes. The whole package is complete with CNC cut plywood, printed overlays, funnel material, hatch cover, moulded ships boats, mast and boom material, cargo material, rigging cord, transfers, detailed drawings and instruction book, crew members and all cast white metal fittings to complete.

This Stern Trawler must be your choice if you lean to the modern small vessel. Based on a Freewood design of a standard hull, the vessels have been fitted out as trawlers, diving support vessels, passenger tenders and other successful work boats.
The hull is a one piece styrene moulding as is the lower wheelhouse. Decks, upper wheelhouse and hatches are die-cut styrene and moulded window glazing fits into the wheelhouse openings. Fittings are of white metal and are dominated by the large hydraulic trawl winch. This model is deceptive in size and when well ballasted gives a superb on the water performance. It gives an impression of size not borne out by the measurements.

This small harbour tug was owned by I.C.I. Ltd., based at Irvine on the west coast of Scotland until being taken out of service in 1984 due to the explosion of a towed raft. Although a small model it is very detailed and satisfies even the experienced modeller.
Hull is a two part styrene moulding joined with a central flange. Deck and superstructure are of die-cut styrene. Fittings are of cast white metal and the kit is complete with prop shaft, propeller, glazing material, moulded funnel, tube, dowel, chain and cordage along with instruction book and drawings. On the water performance is outstanding due of course to the large kort nozzle and combined rudder.

For those looking for something different that is easy to transport and a super performer on the water this could be your choice. To scale boat modellers who have not considered these vessels to be worthy of a place in their fleet it could provide a pleasant change and a challenge. These boats are to be found mainly on the river Thames towing strings of barges. Many had their wheelhouses built up in a permanent or semi-permanent fashion and would often have the crew bicycles, planks, oil drums, ladders, cordage etc., littering their decks.
The model has a two part moulded styrene hull with all round flange joint and a moulded stub funnel. All other parts are of die-cut ply complemented by a superb set of cast white metal fittings and the package is complete with drawings, instruction book, prop shaft and propeller, kort nozzle and all necessary wire, rod dowel, tube etc., to complete the model as illustrated. This model offers much scope to the builder who wishes to customise their model.