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SS CRISTOFORO COLOMBO
ocean liner
model ship
The origins of the Cristoforo
Colombo lie in the situation of the Italian Line at the
end of World War II. The war had been devastating
to them, as two of their newest and largest ships -
the SS Rex and SS Conte di Savoia - had been destroyed.
The Italian Line at this point decided to build
moderately-sized ships that were very luxurious,
comfortable, and stylish.
The Cristoforo Colombo was built in Genoa at the Ansaldo
Shipyards. The Andrea Doria was already built by the
time Cristoforo Colombo was completed. She was
launched in 1953 and was ready for a 1954 maiden voyage.
When launched, the Cristoforo Colombo was larger than
the Andrea Doria. Hence, the ship was the largest
merchant ship in Italian service.
In the
spring of 1964, the Cristoforo Colombo carried the
Pietà
from the Vatican to the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Pietà was put in a crate that was filled with plastic
foam, which was lowered onto a rubber base in the first
class pool where the least damage was likely to happen
to it. During the actual loading, the Cristoforo
Colombo had been put in dry dock so that she would not
move and jeopardize the crate and its content.
Only easily removable snap hooks secured the crate so
that it could be released easily in case of accident.
In case the Cristoforo Colombo sank during the voyage,
the crate had the ability to float. In New York,
the crate was lifted by a heavy-lift floating crane onto
a barge that was put alongside the ship.
The
Cristoforo Colombo and the Leonardo da Vinci were kept
as the flagships and the prime Italian ships on the
North Atlantic until 1965, when the new SS Michelangelo
and SS Raffaello were placed into service.
This primarily wood SS Cristoforo Colombo
model features:
-
Hollow hull
construction. This construction method gives
accurate hulls, as artisans create the frame of the hull
exactly like in drawings. The solid hull method, on the
other hand, employs most guesswork on the degree of
curvature.
- Hollow superstructure is comprised of many
individual thin pieces of wood glued together, not
several solid pieces of wood stacking on top one
another.
- Windows are cutouts (not black decals), thanks to
the hollow structures.
36" long x 13.5" long x 7"
wide $3,525 Shipping and insurance in
the contiguous USA included.
Other places: $400 flat rate.
24" long
$2,990
Shipping and insurance in
the contiguous USA included.
Other places: $300 flat rate.
Lighting feature is included.
A ship is
not a cruise ship without beautiful lighting.
LED
light powered by standard 9v battery
for your convenience. Our model has realistic and
beautiful lighting, including navigation light.
Cheap model makers neither care nor able to keep
up with our artistry and and engineering
ability.
Model is built per commission only. We require only a
small deposit (not full amount, not even half) to start
the process $500  The
remaining balance won't be due until the boat is
completed,
in several months.
"I just
wanted you to know that both ships arrived in perfect
condition along with the cases. They are magnificent! I
cannot believe the detail and workmanship. You and your
staff are to be commended! Thank you again and
again! Eric"
Be sure to check out our
beautiful, authentic
SS Rex
model and
TS
Michelangelo
model
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