Henry Scheafer presented this model as the Margot, a 1955 tanker.  The vessel she represents is actually the Brannaren, a 1935 built coastal tanker built for the Swedish Navy at Malmo.  While only a small vessel, she was quite modern with a two stroke diesel engine and an icebreaking bow.  As a Navy tanker she also had a small cargo hold to supply Navy ships with food, ammo and other supplies.  She was eventually sold to private owners and most probably continued to operate in the Baltic, supplying various small Baltic coastal towns.  However, a vessel like this can easily be sold to foreign owners and there would be nothing unusual about seeing her operate somewhere in the East Indies or along the coast of Chile.  Smaller vessels, especially ice strengthened diesel powered vessels tended to survive longer than large ocean-going cargo vessels or tankers which normally did not last much past 25 years.  It would not be unusual to see a vessel of this type operate for 50 years, in later years often in trades where vessel condition was not a first concern.

The model

This model was constructed from a kit produced by Calder Craft.  The kit was designed as a radio-controlled model.  It was completed in 1992 and built to a scale of ¼ inch to the foot.  Henry Scheafer stated it was named after his second wife, although her name was spelled Margit.

Photo Cache