Cruise Talk: ss FRANCE - Travel Agency model plus other ships

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » ss FRANCE - Travel Agency model plus other ships

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Topic: ss FRANCE - Travel Agency model plus other ships

Sky Room
First Class Passenger
Member # 1976

posted 12-06-2006 01:27 AM

This weekend I was moving my ss FRANCE agency model. I set it on my dining room table. Later in the day when I was to move it I was taken how the low afternoon sun light gave the model a whole new look. Thought I'd take some photos and post for all to see. I've posted 12 photos in my online album.

Click here to see the model

PS Everything on this model is as it was when it was in the French Line agency office. The only exception are the orange stickers on to lifeboats. After purchasing the model I was going to remove them but changed my mind as I thought they were kind of nice. They don't harm the model and are quite easy to peal off w/o damaging the lifeboats.

[ 12-08-2006: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

[ 12-10-2006: Message edited by: Sky Room ]

Posts: 62 | From: Boston | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 12-07-2006 03:58 PM

Wow! That is a terrific model. It looks heavy. Is that a glass case or some sort of plastic?

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Sky Room
First Class Passenger
Member # 1976

posted 12-07-2006 04:30 PM

QUOTE]Originally posted by Patsy:
Wow! That is a terrific model. It looks heavy. Is that a glass case or some sort of plastic?[/QUOTE]

Thanks Patsy! I too love this model and it's my favorite. Sometimes I just like to sit in front of it and look at it. My friends think i'm crazy but I find it therapeutic. I think the FRANCE had some of the nicest and most gracious lines. It's a shame that the economics could not work out to save her for future generations to see.

Some of my other large size models are the ss Rotterdam, ss Oceanic, Niew Amsterdam and the Homeric. I was able to get the Homeric on eBay at a good price. It was the only model I purchased on eBay and was nervous it would arrive damaged. Remarkably enough it arrived fine in a large wooden crate.

Concerning the FRANCE model, the cover is made of hard plastic and the actual model is made out of wood and yes it is very heavy.

Does anyone on the board know anything about this model? I understand that there were many produced in the early 1960s but today they are kind of hard to find.

Thanks

[ 12-07-2006: Message edited by: Sky Room ]

Posts: 62 | From: Boston | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 12-07-2006 11:14 PM

Hey cool model. Feel free to give them to me when ever you get tireed of them.

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 12-08-2006 12:36 AM

There use to be one in Beverly Hills in the French Line office on Wilshire Blvd.. The model was still there 10-15 years ago as I caught a glimpse of it while driving by. It is no longer there (the French Line office closed in 1974 and a travel agency replaced it I believe) and I have no idea what became of it after the travel agency closed.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 12-08-2006 08:43 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Sky Room:

...Some of my other large size models are the ss Rotterdam, ss Oceanic, Niew Amsterdam and the Homeric. I was able to get the Homeric on eBay at a good price. It was the only model I purchased on eBay and was nervous it would arrive damaged. Remarkably enough it arrived fine in a large wooden crate.

Any chance of you posting pictures of the other. I would really like to see the Rotterdam.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Patsy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5611

posted 12-08-2006 04:01 PM

I agree there, Sky Room. I've often said on here it was my dad dragging me down to see France depart Southampton for the last time in 1974 which sparked my interest in ships. I was only 4 but totally captivated by her. She'll always hold a special place in my heart and wish I'd taken more photos of her as Norway when she was here. You're so lucky to have that model and never mind what your friends think. You just carry on enjoying looking at it.

It's certainly one of the best models I've ever seen of anything and must have taken a lot of hard work to get it so accurate.

I'm with Joe. I too would love to see the Rotterdam one.

Posts: 2023 | From: Hythe, Hants | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Sky Room
First Class Passenger
Member # 1976

posted 12-08-2006 04:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Patsy:

I'm with Joe. I too would love to see the Rotterdam one.

Thanks Patsy I'll try to get the Rotterdam and the others uploaded soon. Hey that may be a good idea for a this thread. We all could discuss and post photos of travel agency models.........

Posts: 62 | From: Boston | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Sky Room
First Class Passenger
Member # 1976

posted 12-10-2006 09:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Any chance of you posting pictures of the other. I would really like to see the Rotterdam.
Joe at TravelPage.com

Hi Joe I posted several photos of the Metal Dubbelman model of the Rotterdam in my photo Album. I'll try to post some of the other ships soon.

Link to album is Click Here

[ 12-10-2006: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Posts: 62 | From: Boston | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 12-11-2006 08:25 AM

That ROTTERDAM V model is indeed very special. The photos beautifully illustrate that gorgeous hull and very special superstructure. I could look at it for hours. Oddly, the funnels are gray rather than white, but this kind of thing often shows up on models. They may have been gray at the very first, but I don't remember them as such. Enjoy!
And thanks for sharing.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 12-11-2006 11:44 AM

Wow, that is a quite a collection. How long is the Rotterdam model? Also, I am curious how you were able to put together such a collection. Where did you find these?

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 12-11-2006 02:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by NAL:
Oddly, the funnels are gray rather than white, but this kind of thing often shows up on models. They may have been gray at the very first, but I don't remember them as such.

They were grey when the ship 1st entered service and are grey again today. I am not sure if they are the correct shade of grey as her hull today is a much lighter shade than her 1959 color.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

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