SS Edmund Fitzgerald, Lake Freighter Minis

**VinceM** · #1 10-10-2017, 07:58 AM

I received this model as a Christmas gift last year, and just now getting to it. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a Great Lakes freighter which sank in a storm in 1975, with loss of all 29 crew. Details here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald

The model is by Lake Freighter Minis, they are usually sold at museum gift shops but also available online:
https://www.lakefreighterminis.com/

Here's the start of my build. Model arrived in a paper envelope, with the cover picture glued on it. Model is 7 pages of instructions, and 4 pages of parts on cardstock, plus a small piece of copy paper with the smokestack on it. 60 parts, plus a few "spares for practice", and two height spacers. The instructions say the spares are for beginners to practice cutting.

**VinceM** · #2 10-10-2017, 08:07 AM

So here's the start of the build. The hull is two boxes that interlock with bulk head stiffeners in between. A height gauge is included so that the bulk heads are glued at the same height. The model doesn't list a scale. The real ship was 729 feet long, and the model is 16 1/4" long, which I calculate as a somewhat unusual 1/538 scale.
When the two boxes are interlocked, they fit together well and the deck seems level.

**Uyraell** · #3 10-10-2017, 09:16 AM

Coincidence or no, just a few hours ago I was playing the Gordon Lightfoot you-tube video of the song.
Among the comments was a note from a para-rescueman who had been on duty that night, and part of the search thereafter.

I wish you every success with what looks to be an interesting model.

Kind and Respectful Regards Vince, Uyraell.

**VinceM** · #4 10-10-2017, 10:10 AM

A couple of years ago my wife and I went to the Great Lakes Museum at Whitefish Point, Michigan where the Fitz's bell is on display. We have also been to the Valley Camp Museum in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where one of the Fitz's battered lifeboats is on display. I used to live near Superior, Wisconsin. The taconite (iron ore) dock that was the Fitz's last stop before she was lost still stands, although it is no longer in use.

**herky** · #5 10-10-2017, 03:22 PM

for anyone who cant get hold of these can i suggest jsc have a nice waterline model of her at 1;400

**Miles Linnabery** · #6 10-10-2017, 06:32 PM

Also RocketManTan has a Fitz also on Devent art site
Miles

**VinceM** · #7 10-10-2017, 08:06 PM

I've got Bryan (Rocketman) Tan's Fitz also. I was going to build his until my sister gave me this one. I might build it after this one just to compare the builds. Bryan's has the iron ore dock diorama, which is pretty cool. And Bryan's is a free download!

Here's the hull with the bow and stern plates attached, the bow pilothouse and the stern structure ready to attach.