Well the wait is over. Was anyone surprised (like me) with the new USCG Life Boat offered as the new Anchor Bay release? The way the rumors were flying, I think everyone felt the "Mackinaw" was going to be the new release.

Now the question is will the edition sell out quickly to current and former members of the USCG? Maybe Sean can share his opinion on that point. I know I would like to have that piece in my Anchor Bay collection. What do you folks have to say about this matter?

Bob

From what I hear from local retailers orders for the new AB are at an all time high, most being taken from non-members, i have already placed my name on the list but don't expect it for some time...

Bottomfeeder

FWIW, I have no Anchor Bay in my collection, but that will change when the 44 footer comes out.

I have always admired and respected the "Coasties" for what they do. My appreciation comes from working with the U.S.C.G. Saginaw River Station here in Bay City as a Bay City Fire Department Rescue Technician. We have worked on numerous water and ice rescues with them. My appreciation also comes from the stories about the conditions they operate and make rescues in, such as strong storms and heavy seas. My hat is off to the Men & Women of the U.S.C.G. This Anchor Bay is a good way of honoring them.

It is also my hope that Harbour Lights sculpts other Coast Guard vessels.

-Todd

Bob,

I don't get excited much, but having commanded CG Stations at Manasquan Inlet, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Humboldt Bay, Samoa, CA (Eureka), where I had the true pleasure of operating the 44's, I can't wait to get my hands on one.

Darned things are slow, they throw a wake when they drift, their diesel engines stink, they're uncomfortable to try and sleep in, and I love 'em.

Thank you HL.

Rich

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Nothing to add. Its obviously a hit. Coasties will get them when they can afford them.

Sean

Sean,

You and the other Coasties will need to battle us non-Coasties for the scant 4k of these! I don't own a single AB yet (although I am teetering on the verge of buying the lightships). This will certainly change with the advent of the ABUSCGLB.

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-Art

Just left Rosemont. The 44 foot Coast Guard life boat is a great addition to the Anchor Bay line. It's nice to see that Anchor Bay is branching out to include ships that will appeal to non lighthouse wackos. Of course, once they get hooked on the ships, they will need a lighthouse (or several) in the background of their display.

AB in Champaign-Urbana temporarily.

Just left Rosemont. The 44 foot Coast Guard life boat is a great addition to the Anchor Bay line. It's nice to see that Anchor Bay is branching out to include ships that will appeal to non lighthouse wackos. Of course, once they get hooked on the ships, they will need a lighthouse (or several) in the background of their display.

AB in Champaign-Urbana temporarily.

I still want the MACKINAW!!!!!!

I do too Digger!!

I do three Digger. But I'll still be happy to get a 44'.

Rich

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I also have resisted the Anchor Bay line so far. I was more than a little dissapointed in Columbia (being from Astoria Oregon) but am excited about the 44ft MLB.

As a 22 year member (so far) of the Coast Guard with 3 Life Boat Stations and lots of MLB/Surf time I'm not quite sure about the design. I don't ever remember seeing an MLB with the mast located off-center and attached to the turtleback. Even if it is an older design where is the DF loop forward? Granted I have only seen 1 picture, in a flyer from my local dealer, but it doesn't look right. I don't think that this will stop me from getting one and would like to see a whole USCG small boat line.

Any insight from others on this would be helpful or this another Coquille River thing?

BMC Bruce Bradley

Paul has some shots he'll share in a day or two. The AP at Rosemont had one of the two antennae broken off (Harry asked Paul to 'clone' another on the other side). In addition, there was another piece missing - that may have been the DF Loop you mentioned.

This is a specific boat modeled - the one in which three of four crew members were lost when the boat flipped end for end.

John

John thanks for the info, but it still doesn't seem right. sf the boat you are talking about is the MLB from Quillayutte River in La Push WA. That is the only one that I know of which suffered a knock down with loss of life and that was in 1997.

Again I have only seem one picture, but if this is a more recent era MLB then it is wrong. Our standardization program would not have allow that type of configuration. Again I'll have to wait until some pictures are posted on this site.

BMC Bruce Bradley

I can't seem to get the pictures of the new Anchor Bay 44ft MLB to load. All the other pictures on that page are fine, just the MLB is failing. Anyone else with these problems? or and insight?

Thanks

Hey Cutterman -- one of those little glitches. The images were in a folder "ab44" and the folder should have been named "ab_44".

Fixed now so you should see the Lifeboat images.

http://www.harbourlights.com/catalog/anchor_bay/ab_lifeboat.htm

John

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 07-24-99).]

John, thanks for fixing the folder, and yes it works now.

As I had stated before the mast is located in the wrong place. The AB version has the mast attached to the turtleback and offset to the starboard side. This could not be an older version since the hull markings are "U.S. Coast Guard", we added the "U.S." in the early 1990's. The mast should be centerline and just aft of the coxswain flat, it helps support the overhead of the flat and provide additional protection for the crew in the of a line parting.
Any insight into how this version/placement came about?

Thanks,
BMC Bruce Bradley

>>Any insight into how this version/placement came about?<<

I have no direct knowledge of how the piece was designed but HL/AB has never been reluctant to exercise (or not exercise) 'artistic license'. Several of the AB models are 'composites', representing no single actual vessel, but drawing realistic elements across history.

Its well known that several HL lighthouse models are not accurate. Coquille and Chatham are examples where HL actually cut short the shelflifespan due to inaccuracy. Others such as poor old North Head reached the fullness of their edition in all their inaccurate glory.

You might wish to proceed as did 'Roofline Rod' by documenting the differences between the model and the real cutter, then passing your info onto HL. Just remember they're probably working from photos while you've lived it.

Rgds,
__
/im

Thats to bad when theres 300 of us 30 minutes away. I will rely on John's opinion that the photos were taken of a broken piece. As long as the port running light is red and the starboard is green, I can live with a little artistic rendering.

Red Right Returning,

Sean,

I recall when Paul was photographing the piece, an antenna broke or fell out of the hole it was in. Harry Hine said it wasn't the first time and asked if Paul could 'clone' the antenna because the second from the other side was also missing.

Don't hold me to these observations because I can't recall the exact conversation -- but the gist is it has two antenna 'thingies' and one was missing.

John
RA16851022

As a ship model builder, I can attest firsthand that if you work from photos and not from drawings, you can come up with some "interesting" looking models.

I'm currently building a Canadian built flower class corvette that served in the CG during WWII. Even though I have plans for a prototype, the ship I'm trying to model differs from the plans. Soooo I attempted to work from photos and after running across some new research photos I realized all was not as it appeared in the photos. I've contacted the Canadian War Museum and hopefully I'll get the drawings I need.

I've built the 44 MLB in 3/4"=1' scale in a number of different configurations, British, Canadian, a 1961 CG version(as delivered) and a 1985 Cape D version. It's a remarkable boat, gonna miss them when they're gone...

I'll still buy an AB 44, a little "boat alt" and some glue should correct the mast problem...

How about a photo of your model building, Mike?

That sounds like a big scale - about 33" overall length. Do you build to sell, on commission or just for yourself?

John

You must have posted this while I was on a lighthousing trip, John. The antenna thingie was gone off of the life boat before rosemont, what fell off when I picked it up to shoot the pictures was the doooggie-me-whoppie.

I knew what the antenna thingie was, I still don't know what the doooggie-me-whoppie is for.

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

Not certain but I believe the doooggie-me-whoppie is for the ships radar.

That's a "Wacko Locator", Paul. Probably a Furuno or Raytheon. It enables the USCG to locate Wackos in the fog and under other adverse visibilty conditions.

Bob

That sounds like a Sinatra song title, which a different forum, Bob

Wackos in the fog..... exchanging glances...

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

dooogie dooogie doo

ROTFLMAO!

OK, How many of you had that one as "your" song at your wedding?





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-Art

One of the "stranger" songs, isn't it Art?

Is there a list of Anchor Bay dealers available on the HL web site? I'd like to see the new releases, but don't see AB at my regular HL stores. Or is the best idea to call the toll-free Younger & Assoc. number?

Kevin,

Use the search feature on the Harbour Lights-dot-com site. An "AB" in the "Products" column of your search results page means that the retailer carries the Anchor Bay line.

http://216.46.163.98/search/search.htm

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-Art

Thank you, Art. I hadn't noticed the product listing column for dealers.

So this is where that dooogie name came from, Paul!

Usually don't read this thread but after reviewing the Lighthouse Digest catalog thought I'd mention that according to their outdated descriptive paragraph of AB's, it would appear that the open editions of AB's are still being produced. (Page 37)

Mombo

I was at a "Bill" siging at the Wooden Horse in Narragansett, Rhode Island tonight. They had an artist proof of the new AB USCG 44. It really looks great. I would think this Anchor Bay offering will sell out within a year.

Bob

I just received my copy of Lighthouse Legacy (Vol 6, No 3) with its article on page 8 about the Memorial Lifeboat. As I have stated above and as a driver of these great vessels I am both moved and impressed with Harbour Lights' dedication to my chosen profession. Yes, the mast is located in the incorect position, but as noted it is a faithful replica. It will be my first AB, for alot of reasons.
The short article does contain a small geographic mistake. The crew of the 44363 who "crossed the bar" on that fateful night did so near La Push WA on the Quillayute River Bar, not the Columbia River Bar. It's up the coast about 100 or so miles. Unfortunately, there have been others who have made the supreme sacrifice at Cape D, and they should not be forgotten either. Having seen it first hand I know I never will.

I guess the bottom line is not about exact models or places on the map, but as others have already stated it's the intent of the Memorial Lifeboat. For all those that have gone before us and those of us still here, Thank You Harbour Lights.

BMC Bruce Bradley

Well said, Bruce!

Bob

I might have missed it between the doogie-doo and the wedding. But did any say when it would be available.

I believe the USCG 44 is allegedly being shipped a/o 10/1. There is a strong indication that many of these will be bought up by Coasties, current and retired. It may be wise to speak with a dealer and reserve one. Otherwise you might find yourself paying a premium price in the future.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks, I will put the word out.

It is spelled doooggie-me-whoppie and it is pronounced due-g-ma-whop-ee! You say it fast and run it all together.

SaintWackoPaul'
Keep the Flame

My Jacksonville, Florida Dealer called H.l. Head Quarters yesterday. The U.S.C.G. 44 has launched (shipped) and should be at my dealer early next week. Maybe as early as Monday(10/22/99). Letting everone know that it is on its way.
The only Anchor Bay I was ever going to buy was Light Ships. The U.S.C.G. 44 changed my mind.

Daniel


[This message has been edited by Daniel (edited 10-22-99).]

Hi Dan, ...I've seen the artist proof of the USCG 44' and it's a really beauty. I'm also looking forward to adding it to my collection in the very near future.

Bob

My local dealer advised me yesterday that USCG 44 is on the way ..... has shipped to DE. but not yet arrived .

Lonnie

Hi Lonnie,...that's good news. I can't wait till I get that USCG 44 to add to my Anchor Bay Collection. I just put in a rather large entertainment center that's about 10 feet wide. Plenty of room on each end to display HLs and ABs.

Bob

Having been a 44' boat driver in my previous CG life, I can't wait either Bob. I'm actually getting excited, ... and then there's the possibility of Fort Gratiot? Wow for me.

Rich

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The 44' Life Boats are sailing out to Anchor Bay dealers.

Left El Cajon on the 20th so they should be showing up soon. The Auto-ships go out first, more to fill orders later.

There may be a scarcity until the next shipment comes into San Diego. About 1,000 to distribute right now.

The U.S.C.G. 44 footer just sailed up the Missouri river and into St. Charles today and it's better than advertised. I'll bet this one also appeals to alot of non-HL/AB enthusiasts and wouldn't be surprised if its no longer available a year from now.

Gary

Hi Gary, ... I think you're right! I reserved mine at a dealer. This is the first AB that I will buy for the suggested retail price. This piece will definitely sell out in a short period of time.

Bob

Picked mine up today. What a steal at $125. Harbour Lights must be recooping their losses on this baby with SoL coming out at the same price.

imho,

Sean

The New Anchor Bay 44' Coast Guard Life Boat
looks interesting and detailed! It already has a place with my other (9) Anchor Bay's, as soon as, my Dealer ships it!
I saw the Lightship San Francisco and the Nantucket from the Cheryl Spencer Collins Collectibles; which turned my eye!
But, Harbour Lights Lighthouses and Anchor Bay's have been my choices and will continue to be! I formeraly lived, where the land shakes, rattles and rolls!
Karen

Wow!! Can you imagine a thread about Anchor Bay reaching 50 posts! The reason is this is a special AB boat. It's real and not fictional. It costs $125 and not $150 plus.

Maybe Harbour Lights will learn something from the USCG 44. Duplicate real boats and sell them just a bit less than the original ABs. If you build them...we will come!(With our wallets open and credit cards flashing!

Bob

To read the continuation of this thread ...
Part Two