AMT Lindberg 1:87 Scale Diesel Tug Boat Model Kit

Someone says he has had one 60 years ago. Lindberg does a great job by keep making this model. I have converted it into RC, actually not easy for novices, especially joint shaft to the rudder, very limited space to the deck. It will also need around 300g lead to put it into water.

Great size, easy to put together as there's not many parts. With great paint job will look fantastic.

The model is designed very well. Base of hull, deck, gunwale fit on one another perfectly. Large windows on pilot house make for great interior detailing. The model was originally designed for a motor, which is no longer provided.The pilot house sets a little too far forward on the cabin roof, but can be easily moved back until the front of each are in line, Details such as tank vents and winch controls can be added. The anchor, however is superfluous since no capstan or anchor davit is provided. The box art for the anchor is incorrect. The mast should have five lamps facing forward, and the after mast should have two facing aft. Photos of this specific vessel are available online and can be used as a guide.

Lots of parts for the person that likes to build and have a few challenges. I can't wait to build the boat as it looks like it will turn out very well since the parts are very detailed. The only thing I didn't like was that the instructions are really pretty poor and lacking more detailed pictures of the build. Charge a bit more and make better directions and you'll have a winning for sure. All in all, I'm a seasoned builder and will have little trouble with this kit.

The best thing about the Lindberg kit is the one-piece hull. I initially intended to rig it up for RC, but although the rudderpost parts were available to control it, and adding a watertight propshaft and additional compartments were easy to cement in, I decided not to finish it that way. It did become a nice, worn-out old hulk, by the time I was finished with the paint and found a supplier of old HO scale truck tires for fenders (see the image I added to listing).The castings were pretty clean and required modest clean-up and de-flashing, but the one issue I had was with the use of white styrene for all the parts. It would have been better if the hull and deckhouses, rudder, stack, etc. were cast in black or dark grey and the roof, masts, etc. in white, but I made do as necessary. I also probably could have easily set this boat up for lighting, which I may still do, as I left the deckhouse unglued to the deck.Recommended for modelers with some skill and experience.