Wirral 1/1250 HM283 Strathaird, P&O passenger liner, 1932-39
Strathaird is a second-hand, 1/1250 scale, waterline resin model in excellent condition, see photograph. This model has been made from a casting made in Germany by Degen from his Hein Mueck range, HM283.
Strathaird was the newer of two, 3-funnel liners built for P&O in the early 1930s. They were designed as passenger ships and the holds were used mainly for passenger luggage and mail and they ran a service to India and Australia along with Viceroy of India. These ships were turbo-electric drive and were able to achieve a two knot speed advantage over the earier steam turbine P&O ships. Strathaird and Strathnaver were the first P&O liners to be given white hulls and superstructure, a livery usually reserved for cruise ships and both ships did run cruises from Australia following their maiden voyages.
The first and third funnels were dummies and subsequen "Strath's" only ever had one funnel but they were slightly smaller and had geared steam turbines.
All the Strath's were requisitioned during WW2 but Strathaid and Strathnaver kept their three funnels until after the war.