1/1200 scale boat models      Four ways to honor the legend.
 

As of November 14, all model sales are suspended indefinitely


Boats 1200 ship models by artist Cal Kothrade
Fine scale ship models at 1/1200 scale.  For every 100 feet of ship, there is one inch of model.  Eventually there will be many different ships to collect, all in the same scale so they can be displayed side by side accurately.   To start out with, my first offering and flagship of the line (pun intended) is the most famous ship in North America, the famed Great Lakes freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, aka the "Mighty Fitz".  The Mighty Fitz is available in four different versions, three waterline and one full hull.  Each has it's own unique characteristics.  I dare you to choose just one...


My models are the most detailed and accurate 1/1200 scale Edmund Fitzgerald models in the world.  Period.
There is none other that comes close.   Once I begin building your model,  I will be as expedient as possible, but I will not sacrifice quality.  It will take some time.   Perhaps weeks... Your patience is humbly asked for while I build the model from start to finish by myself, especially for you.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the quality of the model when it arrives.


Have it your way.
Not only are there four versions of the most famous freighter to ever sail the Great Lakes to choose from, but you can further customize your model by choosing whether to have it mounted on a stained wood base with simulated water, or get just the boat itself, either in full hull, or waterline style.  If you choose to get it on a base, there are four stain colors to choose from, to further personalize your model.  The two calm water versions are available with smoke coming out of the stack, or no smoke.  If you like to build models, you can purchase it as an un-built kit as well! 


Do you know the benefits of 1/1200 scale models?
Yes, they are small, but there are many benefits to this scale, like price for starters!  A typical 30" museum quality ship model can easily cost $2000 or more.  Secondly, do you have an entire room in your house to devote to displaying your boat models?  I don't, and I'm betting you don't either.  At this size, you can fit an entire fleet into a glass cabinet, curio, on a shelf, or even on your desktop.  Easy to move if you find yourself relocating too.  KEEP the box it came in!


How long will it take to get my model after I place my order?
I cannot give you an exact amount of time as the order load is constantly fluctuating.  It will more than likely be 2-6 weeks before it ships.  What I can tell you is that I DO NOT have a bunch of these models built and sitting on a shelf waiting to be shipped out.  Why not?   Your model will be built for you after you place your order, that is why you get to choose options on how it is built, such as color of the wood stain for the base, or if you want a base at all.  Which version you want, and so on.  Patience is a virtue Grasshoppers...


You have questions, check the FAQ page.  There is a wealth of information there.

Watch the un-boxing video here.





Rouse Simmons Platinum Package (limited quantities)

"The Christmas Tree Ship"  model and framed 5x7 photo.
Rouse Simmons Platinum Package

In 2013, Cal dove the shipwreck of the Rouse Simmons.  On that dive, he encountered the best visibility of any Great Lakes dive he ever had, before or since.  Thanks to 140' of visibility, he was able to capture this iconic photo of the wreck, stem to stern, in 165' of cold Lake Michigan water.   This Lustre coated 5x7 photo print comes matted, signed and titled, in a gorgeous desktop style frame.  The framed photo is ready to display along with your Boats 1200 model of the ship sailing toward Chicago with a load of fir trees to be sold dockside.

This offer is only available with the full sail, trees on the deck version of the model.  We have a limited quantity of frames, this package deal is only available while supplies last. Savings of $20 dollars off full retail of photo and model.  Model and framed photo will be shipped in separate boxes.  Items may arrive at different times.


Size:  Base measures 3.125 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 2 inches.

For more images and information on model, click here






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Two versions of this classic lake schooner.

"The Christmas Tree Ship"  AKA Rouse Simmons
Great Lakes schooner Rouse Simmons

Backstory: Perhaps the most famous shipwreck in Lake Michigan, the three masted, 124' lake schooner Rouse Simmons went to the bottom in a fierce blizzard on November 23, 1912.  All hands aboard the vessel perished (estimated 16).  The vessel has been celebrated in book, song, and theatrical play.  Her captain, Herman Schuenemann, was known as Captain Santa because on the last voyage of every season, the vessel would be stuffed to the limit with northern Michigan spruce trees, destined to be sold dockside in Chicago as Christmas trees.  Herman would sell the trees right from the deck of the ship, for a good price, seeing as there was no middle man to drive up prices.  What had become a Chicago tradition, became a tragedy when the ill fated ship never arrived from her final run of 1912.

There are two styles of this model to choose from. 
Version 1- At anchor in the harbor, with all sails stowed, and gaff sail booms lowered.
Version 2- Under sail in dark, open water, with Christmas trees stacked high on the deck. 

Both versions come with simulated water on a wood base, stained, poly coated, and signed on the bottom by the artist.  Also included is a metal nameplate. Model is not removable from base.   Model can be purchased as an unbuilt model kit as well.

Details to be discovered on this model include: port side anchor, cat heads, windlass, samson post, fore and aft bitts, hatch covers, wheel, steering gear box, cabin, cabin door with sliding hatch, roof skylight, stove pipe stack, davits, yawlboat with seats, rudder, chainplates, masts with booms and topmasts, pennant, bowsprit, jib boom, dolphin striker, chain bob stays.

Size:  Base measures 3.125 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 2 inches.


Click above picture to see more photos of this model version.

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Edmund Fitzgerald, choose the one that moves you the most...

Edmund Fitzgerald Fleet by Boats 1200             
The famed Lake Freighter was lost in a horrific storm in 1975, but she's never left our hearts.  One model simply would not do her justice, so I built four!  There are three waterline versions, and one full hull version.  You can choose to get just the model without the base unless you order the "Bone To Be Chewed" version, it comes on a base, no way around it.  In this version she is "holding her own" as captain McSorley put it in his final radio call, but not for long.  Within minutes she will be 530 feet below the storm, and sailing into Great Lakes lore.  The other two waterline versions depict calmer, better days.  On course to break another tonnage record, she makes headway, complete with bow wake, and prop wash.  "Downbound" shows her making way, all buttoned up, in the clear Caribbean like waters of Lake Michigan.  In the "Underway" version, she has just cleared port from picking up a load of taconite, and entered the open waters of deep, dark, blue Lake Superior.  It is a calm day and the crew has just one last hatch cover to put in place, which allows you to view her precious cargo inside.  The fourth version is the only one that shows the beautiful lines of her hull, complete with rudder, prop and bow thrusters.  The "Mighty Fitz" model sits atop two clear acrylic pedestals, ready for your inspection.


Click above pictures to see full size.

























Discover the only full hull version...to see the gallery, click the pic.

"The Mighty Fitz"  Full hull, museum style display.
Edmund Fitzgerald boat model
"Mighty Fitz"  Full hull museum style display

The only one of the four versions that shows the graceful lines of her entire hull, rudder, prop, bow thrusters and all.  The model is available on a real wood base, propped up by two 1/2" diameter clear acrylic dowels.   Mounted to the front of the base is a real metal plate, with the name on the front.  The base is stained in your choice of one of four colors, clear coated in tow coats of poly to protect it, and signed and dated on the underside by me, the artist.  The model is not removable from the base.

This version shows her with all 21 of her hatches buttoned up, and ready to sail with the hatch cover crane stowed near the aft of the vessel.

Size:  Base measures 8.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 2 inches at aft mast.


Click above picture to see more photos of this model version.

 

 

 


Learn about the only version with an open hatch...

"Underway"  Superior Sings.
1/1200 scale lake freighter waterline model
"Underway"  Superior Sings

The only one of the four versions that has an open cargo hatch allowing a glimpse of the 26,000 tons of taconite in her hold.  Having just loaded, she has now cleared the harbor into the dark blue open water of Lake Superior, and her crew is nearly done with putting all her hatch covers in place for the long voyage.  The above image shows a base stained with Topdeck Teak.   Mounted to the front of the base is a real metal plate, with the name on the front.  The base is stained in your choice of one of four colors, clear coated in two coats of poly to protect it, and signed and dated on the underside by me, the artist.  The model is not removable from the base.  You can opt to purchase the model without the base if you wish.  This version also offers the option of smoke coming out of the smoke stack, or none at all.

Size:  Base measures 8.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 1.625 inches at aft mast.


Click above picture to see more photos of this model version.


 

 

 


The only 'buttoned up' on calm water version.

"Downbound"  Michigan Steams
1/200 scale Edmund Fitzgerald
"Downbound"  Michigan Steams

The only one of the four versions that is buttoned up and underway, having cleared the locks at the Soo, and is traveling south in the Caribbean-like clear blue waters of Lake Michigan.  The above image shows a base stained with Schooner Oak.   Mounted to the front of the base is a real metal plate, with the name on the front.  The base is stained in your choice of one of four colors, clear coated in two coats of poly to protect it, and signed and dated on the underside by me, the artist.  The model is not removable from the base.  You can opt to purchase the model without the base if you wish.  This version also offers the option of smoke coming out of the smoke stack, or none at all.  The above image shows the model with the smoke option.

Size:  Base measures 8.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 1.625 inches at aft mast.


Click above picture to see more photos of this model version.


 

 

 


The one most likely to bring a tear to your eye...

"A Bone To Be Chewed"  The final minutes.
A bone to be chewed
"A Bone To Be Chewed"  The Final Minutes

Lets' face it it was a horrible tragedy, but we've all wondered what those final minutes looked like as Superior readied to swallow the enormous vessel and her crew.  This is how I Imagine it.  The above image shows a base stained with Stateroom Cabernet.   Mounted to the front of the base is a real metal plate, with the name on the front.  The base is stained in your choice of one of four colors, clear coated in two coats of poly to protect it, and signed and dated on the underside by me, the artist.  The model is not removable from the base.  Only available on a base.  No smoke option.

Size:  Base measures 8.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  Total height of model on base is 1.75 inches at aft mast.


Click above picture to see more photos of this model version.












 

 

 



Unfinished model kit

Unfinished model kit.
1/1200 scale model kit
Unfinished model kit

There are those who prefer to do things their own way, and I completely get it.  That's why I offer the 1/1200th scale Edmund Fitzgerald  as an un-built model kit, in the version of your choice.  You get all the necessary parts to build whichever version you choose when purchasing the kit.  Shown above are the parts for the full hull version.  Wood bases will be unstained, and may require some finish sanding.  A metal name plate is included.  Various resin parts will be checked for condition to be sure they are full casts and not broken at time of packaging.  Parts may vary in color.  Not shown above is an instruction manual, which you will receive...I just haven't drawn it at the time of this page creation!  Parts will need cleaning up of flashing, etc.  Also included is a full set of water slide decals, the very ones that I use for my models.  An option to buy the kit without a base is available for all versions but "A Bone To Be Chewed - The Final Minutes".

This model is not for beginners or children, and is of intermediate to advanced skill level.   Not supplied with kit is paint, glue, tools, etc.