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Posted by Reigels on August 3, 2026, 14:27:49, in reply to "Re: Plans would be nice. Have the book "The Big Ship" by P. Beaver that has some.... "
I found the reference in my notes around the stern windows:
New York Times, June 29, 1860.
"The appearance of the ship has been somewhat improved since I last saw her. A white ribband, 27 inches wide, has been painted entirely around her, some ten feet below the top of the bulwarks. The paddle boxes above the bulwarks, the five chimneys and the six masts are changed to cream color. All this lightens the vessel, but she needs no illusions to heighten the beauty of her lines. The stern, round, and so far American, but not hemispherical, and so far not American, is the only feature of the general outline not entirely graceful. But the roughly-painted imitation of an old-fashioned gallery around it, is decidedly suggestive of deformity, and is quite as appropriate on a modern ship as would be the square bow of Anno Domini 1660."
Great reference- Worth reading in its entirety.
--Scott
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I spent quite a while researching her a number of years ago, and came to the conclusion that the "windows" around her stern in the NYC photos were just painted on, the same as the scrollwork close by.
A couple of more images here which may be of interest:
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helpful period drawings and pictures. The paddle wheels of the model are rather poor. I was planning on making them from brass. The stern of the ship MAY have had "windows". (See pg 85 of the book) These are absent on the model kit as well as the "trim". So...lots of scratch work for a "before becoming a cable layer". A remarkable vessel for the time that should have had a better career. Poor Brunel...the project kiled him..along with all the cigars he supposedly smoked all day. Previous Message
According to Revell's website, it's made from the original 1963 tooling so, it's unlikely any corrections will be made. We can but hope...
I have one in the stash but will definitely consider getting another. Would also love to get my hands on a decent set of as-built plans for her to make conversion easier. Previous Message
my copy has "weak" deck features like planking. Maybe the reissue will correct some issues. Previous Message
Revell plans to re-release their classic 1/388 Great Eastern sometime in September this year according to various online sources.
-John Emery
Cedar Hill, Texas
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