WIKING MODELS

This chapter was triggered after being shown a Wiking model of the pocket Battleship Deutschland and of the cruiser Nuremberg. The Deutschland had her name written on the side and embossed on the underside thus making her produced just after her launch and prior to her being renamed Lutzow. These models were, I was assured, removed from a German submarine prior to their scrapping at the end of World War II. The models, along with others, were found in an illuminated metal cabinet with glass front situated close to the periscope and were presumably placed there as Recognition models. I do not know whether this was a one-off or a common feature in all submarines. The model however was too expensive for my taste or indeed pocket, so I show a selection of models which I do have!

Wiking has already been mentioned in relation to PILOT models and to Treforest Mouldings (Tremo). Wiking was founded in 1932 by Peltzer and by 1939 had a substantial list of both German and other vessels, both naval and merchant in 1/1250 scale. These models were metal, well cast with excellent detail for the time and neatly painted. The war saw a cessation of production in 1942, but this was resumed again six years later, in 1948 until stopping again in 1954. There was a second revival in 1962 but this too was relatively short lived ceasing in 1973. The post war period saw the addition of plastic as a medium as well as the continuation of metal models. The range incorporated many new vessels and harbour accessories ranging in size from liners to trawlers and small boats and included many not produced by other manufacturers. Indeed copies were made either from the moulds or from models by a number of manufacturers, who used them to produce models in the sixties and seventies. Many models were produced by Grope who bought out part of the Wiking asset.