Those Great Lakes minis are good models and I have built a few but they are more generalized models rather than true scale models I prefer to build. I will probably scratch build a Fitzgerald using a combination of wood and plastic. I will also purchase a JSC card model to get a general idea of what it would take to scratch build my own card version as well. The Covid situation has pushed my workshop renovations back into next year due so I probably won't get to these projects until next summer. These will be my first attempts using Great Lakes subjects but I have built several models over the years. I will begin unpacking my collection in the next month to start putting them into their new display cases following our move. They are mostly aircraft and ships with a few armor subjects and I can post pictures here if anyone in interested seeing them. Having moved from an apartment to house will increase the options I have in my modeling hobby so hopefully I can improve my skills! (At least that is the plan!)

[quote="Mich Bob"]lakefreighterminis.com[/quote]


Those are pretty nice models but are made more for the casual modeler and general public. I have built some of these and they are very nice for quick and simple builds. However, I'm looking at building a scale model as accurate as possible given the cardstock building materials. In the end, I will probably make a scratch building attempt at a Fitzgerald model first using a combination of plastic and wood followed by a card model version. Unfortunately, my home renovations have been prolonged due to the Covid situation and my new workshop will probably not be fully ready until the summer of 2021. Therefore, I won't be starting any major builds until at least that time. In the meantime, I will probably build the JSC model to get a general idea of what it will take to scratch build a card model of my own. I have built several models over the years but this will be my first attempt at constructing a Great Lakes freighter. In the next month or so I will begin unpacking my collection of my models to be put into their new display cases and can post some pictures if anyone would be interested in seeing them as they are mostly planes and ships but not Great Lakes related.

lakefreighterminis.com

[quote="sparky00"]I would avoid ebay - lots of fakes.

JSC has a 1/400 model of the Fitzgerald, as well a a laser-cut detail set to go with it.

I also recommend their 1/400 scale laser-cut handrail sets. Look great & easy to work with.

Best to order from JSC directly. They ship quickly, and their products are good quality.[/quote]


I will look into JSC! I had a feeling that those on ebay may have been fakes as that is a common problem with card models. It is easy for scammers to scan and duplicate the patterns! Thanks for the info.

I would avoid ebay - lots of fakes.

JSC has a 1/400 model of the Fitzgerald, as well a a laser-cut detail set to go with it.

I also recommend their 1/400 scale laser-cut handrail sets. Look great & easy to work with.

Best to order from JSC directly. They ship quickly, and their products are good quality.

Has anyone had any experience building the 1:400 scale Edmund Fitzgerald card model? I don't know who the manufacturer of if its but there are multiple listing of the model on ebay. I have built a few of the Great Lakes Minis and would like to attempt this one but was wondering if anyone has any experience with building it. I will probably just order one as the price is very low but it would be nice to know what I can expect.