Does the Heart of Darkness feature in your African Adventure games? If so, this is one time opportunity to go big, or go home!
This 25/28mm kit wound up in our hands some years ago, but only recently was finished for sale. From a manufacturer whose name is now lost, this is a "hard" resin cast model, now fully assembled, and tricked out far beyond its meager original form.
She measures 11.5" long, 4" on the beam, and 3.25" to the top of the wheelhouse (5.5" to the top of the funnel) with removable wheelhouse roof and second deck, but with precious little else in the way of features. Indeed, while just the ticket for war game and RPG use in any number of scenarios, the original designer gave little thought to some basic steamer realities. Most notably, the funnel and its 2nd deck base are actually directly above the only given entrance to the deck house. Any engine/boiler properly located beneath would have been directly against the interior side of the door!
But, recognizing the possibilities, a purpose built model boiler was mounted in the correct spot, the false after door removed, and two new doors mounted on the front of the deck house, with interior faces as well. The wheelhouse now has one for steering, and both sides of a new entry door. Plank textures were added to all decks, including the interiors of the wheelhouse and deck house, the vessel painted a worn white, with some half-hearted decoration. In short, she now fully looks the part of a steamer quite capable of hauling any cargoes or people for whatever purposes, fair or foul, your scenarios create.
To further her purpose, the crates and barrels shown come with the model, each with stenciled identification of contents (actual or not), and labels specifying to whom each is to be delivered.
And for more hazardous trips, she comes with a separate 37mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon, doing wonders against native canoes, and be a potent persuader to opponents on the banks as well.
A one of a kind model with nothing quite like it available elsewhere, the "Zambezi Betty" can be had for $125.00 USD, plus Priority Mail postage. As an added bonus, the model will come with the buyer's choice of national flag, if you want her to operate under one. (Personally, the less any government knows about her activities, the better.)
Most ship models sold by TVAG go within the first 24 hours, and often far less (30 minutes for the previous Tramp Steamer), so if this would be the crowning touch for your African Colonial and Adventure games, don't ponder too long! Interested parties please contact TVAG@att.net, or by PM. As ever, it's "first come, first served."
TVAG
