Scale: 1:96. In the spartan times immediately following the Second World War, shipbuilders continued to commission and produce models for their clients, but to a more modest degree and budget. The model of the collier ‘Effra’ (1946) is a good example. Gone are the gold- and silver-plated fittings seen on pre-war examples and, by making the model at a small scale, of what is essentially a small vessel, it is diminutive compared with some comparable examples made in the 1930s.

Fittings are painted rather than plated and fine detail has been omitted so that the overall effect is one of simple austerity. However, one can still see immediately what the actual vessel looked like and how she operated. Two derricks each served two large, ventilated, fore and aft hatches, with the ship’s central superstructure between them. Placed well to the stern, and out of harm’s way since coal gas is combustible, was the ship’s single funnel.

‘Effra’ was built by S. P. Austin & Son, Sunderland, for South Eastern Gas Board and she became a familiar sight on the River Thames. In March 1967 she was sold and renamed ‘Harpounds’.