Anchor Bay guessing game.

It has been very lonely here at the shipyard and it's time we got some interest in the new upcoming Anchor Bay release going. Lightship, Coast Guard Ship, Coast Guard Small Boat, Navy Ship, Ocean Liner or Light Service Tender! What is it going to be and when will it come out? Will it be a single issue or a double issue like the Mackinaw? Or could it be a series of issues like the next 3 years of Christmas Pieces. I'm getting excited because even though I love lighthouses, I love ships even more. Let's hear your thoughts on the next Anchor Bay release.

Tony told the folks at the regional that the piece would be announced Labor Day weekend. He is excited, especially after seeing the piece.

Well, I guess that takes the guess work out of when it will be announced. We still have the when it will be available and what it is. Did he give out any clues on that at the regional?

Any clues to help us with guessing?

Like is it a Lightship, or USCG vessel, or neither?

it is a ship. . . . . I made Tony clarify that for everyone. He didn't say any more than that.

I think Harbour Lights is making an AB collector out of me again.
The two models of the Mac was what got me back to collecting them. Split the production between two variations and this still allows plenty of the AB for all collectors but the two types create a lower production variation.

I have already looked into getting my AB for this year. I feel that with the new owner of HL letting Harry Run with the creativity we are going to see AB become a front-runner of the HL collectables. And remember HL collectors, the AB are now Harbour lights, so if you collect all Harbour Lights you will need the new AB ship to complete your Harbour Light collection. As I have said in the past, I expect AB to become well sought after. In the near future I expect the AB to be as popular as the Fresnel Lenses.

I'm confused, Daniel. When was Anchor Bay not part of the Harbour Lights line?

Judy

I don't see it that way. Harbour Lights are Lighthouses. Anchor Bay are ships. Dont get neurotic about it.

imho

Anchor Bay was made exclusively for Younger and Associates until HL was sold.
Skybound balloons was made for Harbour lights until HL was sold and now are made exclusively for Younger and Associates.
J.P. Brown is made exclusively for Younger and Associates.
Knights of the not so round table was made exclusively for Younger and Associates.
Guardian of the night was made by Harbour Lights.
LLOM was made by Harbour Lights.
The by gone days figurines was listed as Younger and associated in their brochure but has by Harbour Lights on the figurines.
Harbour lights was made exclusively for Younger and Associates until HL was sold.

Harbour lights is the trade name of the collectable that we all know.
Anchor Bay was not under the Harbour light trade name until the new owner took over Harbour lights.

Too late.

I'm hoping its a lightship ( the Barnegat, maybe the Liberty, ) but a real old time USCG ship might be cool.

The one thing we know is it is a "ship". So is that a lightship, a USCG larger vessel, or would they do something Navy???

Loon - Your supposed to guess, not ask more questions. I've already asked those questions so what do you think. Go on record and give us your best guess. I'll give you one hint and that is any vessel that the Coast Guard has that is over 65' in length is considered a ship so that would include everything from a River Buoy Tender up to and including a Polar Class Icebreaker. I believe that any "named" vessel that the Navy has is classified as a ship and any "unnamed" vessel is a boat. Lightships is lightships and were named for the area they were serving. So now, that gives you a wide range to choose from.

Rich, Didn't mean to ask more questions, but I was curious if Tony gave Dave a clue when he referred to the AB as a "ship". From you explaination of USCG vessels, that could be anything.

I also wonder if Dave already knows and is playing with us. He's a Navy guy, right.

I also wondering if you already know. You've been on record wanting more Coast Guard ships. If you were disapointed would you start this tread? I know I'm asking more questions.

But there is still a chance that it's a lightship.

So for the record, I think it's the Liberty Lightship. (But why do I also feel it's a USCG ship).

I am hoping for a "Secretary Class" cutter.

But expecting a lightship.

Dan

Loon - Asking questions is what this is all about so I was having a little fun with you. The reason I started this thread is because I'm the moderator and we have had nothing to look forward to since last year with the Mackinaws. I'm excited that an Anchor Bay is being made.

My personal preference, as I stated about 6-8 months ago is an older high endurance cutter such as the Androscoggin(255') or Ingham(327'). A lightship would also make me happy. Just PLEASE no more Coast Guard rubber life rafts.

I'm with you on that.


Rich, I like your AB wishlists picks. If not this year maybe next year. I've got a good feeling about it being a lightship, but trying not to get my hopes too high. I had a good feeling about winning the car raffle yesterday at the Shelter Cove Beach Party. Didn't happen.

My guess is that it will the Ambrose Lightship

I'll go on record that is will be a "lightship" but the real answer is which one??? I'll go on record for the Barnegat!

Hey...so if we guess it correct, do we win one?

uh, no, but thanks for asking. You would have to be satisfied with bragging rights...

I would still like it to be the Duane or the Midgett. But I would be happy if it is the Androscoggin or the Ingham.

The time has come for another Lightship. They have been popular in the past and should be in the future.

Bob

Anymore guesses at what the next AB is going to be.

I'm sticking with my original guess: The Liberty lightship.

Well it looks like Rich was playing with us... and my gut feeling was correct about it being a USCG ship even though I wanted the Liberty.

Loon - I was sworn to secrecy from the beginning.

That's Ok Rich, I understand.

They look nice. Can't wait to see them up close.

I had a strong feeling that it was going to be a USCG ship, but my heart wanted a lightship.

I feel lightships are closer to lighthouses then USCG ships. But I understand the link between many coasties and lighthouses.

I'm very happy with this new Anchor Bay and really can't wait to see them first hand. The USCGC Tandy is a wonderful choice.

Sorry Loon, I know you wanted a lightship, but I don't know that I can agree with you about the closer connection to lighthouses. You know, it's the crew of USCG ships and boats that still keep the lights burning in many a lighthouse, and have for years. Until recent years, it was the USCG that took care of the maintenance of those lighthouses, especially the ones at sea. So they were the keepers.

Rich, thanks for your work and contributions to aid Harry. That must have been exciting.

If you are curious and haven't called a dealer as yet, I checked the Cape Annies site today to see the cost which is right in line with what I expected to find.
USCGC Taney at Cape Annie\'s

Judy

Judy, I know there is a close relationship between lighthouses and the Coast Guard, but a lightship is a floating lighthouse. How can you get any closer ???

Judy - Thanks for your kind words about the Coast Guard. This ship is long overdue. It's a real tribute to those men that fought at Pearl Harbor and little is known about how the Taney, after fighting the Japanese, got underway and patroled the harbor at Pearl for the next several week to make sure submarines did not enter.

The Taney was one of many CG High Endurance Cutters that pulled Ocean Station Patrols and weather patrols to make sure that Ocean liners were safe from icebergs and civilain airplanes knew their positions on transatlantic flights. While these ships might not be lighthouses(in Loon's words) they were more like a lighthouse then the lightships were. They were the guiding light, so to speak, for many aircraft and ocean liners during their days. They also fought in Viet Nam, ran down drug smugglers, save many Cuban and Haitian refugees, boarded many vessels to check for contraban, and in their spare time, saved countless lives of pleasure boat operators.

I sure would like to hear what everyone's thoughts are on these 2 Anchor Bay models and whether or not you plan to buy the pair, or buy them separately. Harry put a lot of time into this pair of Anchor Bays and I know that without Don, Tony and Harry's perserverance this tribute to the "wooden Deck Coasties" would not have happened. Let me hear from you all on this subject and let it be known that HL will listen to you if you care enough to put together a good reason for them to build a replica.

Rich, I always have kind words and praise for the Coast Guard, possibly evidenced by my numerous posts within the The United States Coast Guard forum here.

The Taney was a perfect choice for an Anchor Bay piece. There is so much history and honor surrounding this particular ship, and it is a great representative of other USCG Cutters that have performed outstanding service with little glory.

I'm anxious to see the detailed photos and view Harry's handiwork.

Do you know if the platform is attached or a separate piece? The initial photos make the base appear to be attached. I'm just being curious.

Judy

I agree the Taney is a great choice if it's going to be a USCG ship. I'm a big history nut, so a WWII ship is great. I think if it's going to be a USCG ship, it's got to be the older ones.

If you need a good reason for HL to make a lightship replica, how about another one is long overdue. Oh, and of course they are floating lighthouses with over a hundred years of history.

Judy - I'm not really sure if the base is attached or not. I saw the pictures of the Artist Proofs and don't really remember seeing a base, but, I was so excited to finally see them done that I may have looked at the base and not even seen it. Maybe Tony can answer that question or someone more in the know then me.

Thanks Rich. And I can understand your excitement seeing the Artist Proof photos for the first time.

Judy

Got the word from Tony that the Taney model is about 11" long x 4" wide x 5" high. Nice size.

To all our Coasties: Is this going to be of interest on any and every Coast Guard veteran? Or just to a limited number?

Judy, the base is attached to the ship.

John, I would think this would be of interest to some active Coasties as well as veterans. I personally know several who are Harbour Lights collectors, so there must be more.

Judy

I have placed my order for the pair. My husband told me to order them (I would have anyway).

He says the Taney is a sister ship to the Duane and the Spencer. He did his schooling on the Spencer and served on the Duane. He knew what they were as soon as I showed him a copy of the Musings. He had to explain to me and Justin the differance between the grey and the white.

I am undecided about ordering these now that Dave has informed us that they are attached to the base. They do look like they are very nicely done though. Decisions, decisions!

Tom

While I would have preferred the wooden base not be attached, I think the reasoning behind this is because the AB product line is not coming with cases anymore, the base sort of dresses up the model. I will buy cases for them from the manufacturer that I bought the Mackinaws cases from. They were very reasonable( approx.$35) and look almost the same as the original AB cases. This will be my favorite AB and not for the reason that I helped research the pictures. Being a veteran of Viet Nam, Ocean and Weather Station patrols, boarding ships and finally Search and Rescue from the High Endurance Cutters, I have a deep feeling for the old 255', 311', and 327' WHECs. They were the backbone of the modern day Coast Guard and to this day, the 327' Secretary Class Cutter was, and still is, the smoothest riding and best looking of all decommisioned and present day cutters. The Secretary Class Cutter, slicing through either calm or rough seas, made you think that you were on a pleasure craft. The twin screws enabled the Cutter to turn or stop on a dime and this was what saved the 327's from being destroyed by the German Subs during WWII. As you can tell, I have fond memories from my 5 years at sea, and in Viet Nam, on these ships. There is no doubt in my military mind that I will have a pair, and maybe 2, of these models.

The base is not wooden but made of resin much like the Cape Neddick HL329 lighthouse's base... It is then painted to look like wood. The Fresnel len\'s have bases like this, made of resin painted to look like wood.

I would have rather it had more water/waves around it then a wooden looking platform. I'll still buy it, but I wonder if the platform could be painted.

I have officially ordered a matching set of the Taney's. Looking forward to their arrival.

I know there's been a lot of us who don't like the faux wood base, but it's probably too late to change it even if HL wanted to.

I'm just hoping this is the last one with a wood look base. IMO, more water/waves instead.