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Steam tug Waratah

Waratah is a lovable, small, and in a certain way also a cheerful model that is extremly enjoyable to build.

Scale: 1:250
Designer: Carsten Horn
Skill Level: difficult
Parts: 299 (including optional parts: 246)
Length: 133 mm (5.24 inch)
Width: 25 mm (0.98 inch)
Height: 51 mm (2.01 inch)
Instruction: German, English, French, Spanish, Illustrations
Format: DIN A4
Sheets: 2
Item no.: 3344
Edition: 1st Edition 2021
EAN: 4250478133441

The model highlights:

  • with bridge interior
  • detailed capstan
  • with towing attachment
  • filigree masts
  • Precise deck design
  • museum ship

The graphics attach particular importance to showing many small details of the original in its current state; sometimes you have the feeling that you are really on the actual Waratah.

For such a small model, the Waratah has an extraordinarily high number of details with very small components. But don't worry: many of the small components also have simpler variants in the arch. And for the very eager detail builders: yes, the Waratah also has a bridge equipment.

The color of the Waratah is particularly appealing - it seems as if the bright sun is shining on the model on a glorious sunny day in Sydney Harbor.

It is a special attraction when you can join the port tug fleet from our northern hemisphere with a pretty little steam tug from Down Under.

Technical data:

  • Launched: May 21, 1902
  • Shipyard: Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney under the name Burunda
  • Length: 33.10 m
  • Width: 6.68 m
  • Draft: 2.74 m
  • Displacement: 144.8 tons
  • Engine: two-cylinder multiple expansion machine
  • Power: 205 kw
  • Speed: 16 kn
  • Crew: 14 men

On May 22, 1902, Waratah, then still under the name Burunda, was launched at the Cockatoo Island Dockyards. The steam engine came from Glasgow in England. The elegant shape of Waratah is a classic example of British style of Edward VII's time. At 33 meters in length, her main task was to move dredgers, cranes and barges along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. In 1918 she was renamed Waratah after an Australian tree or shrub whose flowers represent the plant emblem of the state of New South Wales. Today, the coal-fired Waratah is the oldest tugboat in Australia and at the same time the oldest surviving ship in the Cockatoo Island Dockyards - for decades one of the largest shipyards in Australia.

Waratah has not been used on the high seas since 1948 and was instead used to maintain barrels and transport VIPs. In 1968 the owner, the Department of Public Works, decided to have the ship scrapped. The Sydney Heritage Fleet, which was only 3 years old at the time, or better its forerunner recognized the historical significance of the tug and bought Waratah for restoration. In the following five years the ship was completely refurbished and due to this rather unusual performance at the time, the Sydney Heritage Fleet received a lot of attention and recognition both nationally and internationally. Since then, Waratah has been sailing on Sydney Harbor as a charter and excursion ship.

Our idea to publish Waratah as an HMV model aroused great enthusiasm at the Sydney Heritage Fleet and we were provided with extensive plan material and of course we were on board for the photo tour. Carsten Horn has taken on this gem and Waratah will expand our range of museum ships appropriately. The little steamer promises a lot of entertainment during construction. And Carsten Horn implemented the project with his usual attention to detail and beautiful graphics.

HMV Lasercut Sets are especially designed for a particular HMV model as an additional but optional detail set. The laser cut parts replace parts of the original kit with more filigree and already cut out versions. Sometimes additional parts are included as well. Building your model with a Lasercut Set is easier and more detailed at the same time. But the Lasercut Set is not necessarily needed to build the model.

The material we use is high quality and already coloured paper. Thus it is not necessary to paint the laser cut parts. We recommend though to colour white parts before using them, as during the laser process burn marks might occur.

Lasercut Set
Item no.: 4344
Parts: 111

  • anchor winch
  • davits
  • complete railing set
  • grating
  • handrail
  • life belts
  • stairs
  • anchor
  • mounts for dinghies

Ask your local model retailer about HMV models! And of course you can always order all available HMV models at our own online shop fentens papermodels.

HMV models are available all over the world. The list below shows some of the most important sources.