Scale: 1:200. The ‘SD14’ was a standard design cargo ship, built in large numbers, to replace some of the hundreds of wartime general cargo carriers that were still trading in the mid-1960s. Around thirty proposals by shipbuilders were put forward in 1966 and Austin & Pickerskill’s straightforward design was selected. License agreements were successfully negotiated with Hellenic Shipyards, Skaramanga, in 1967; Compania Comercio E Navagacao, Rio de Janeiro, in 1971; Robb Caledon, Dundee, in 1973; and Astilleros Fabricas Navales del Estado (Afne), Ensenada, in 1977. The first of these ‘liberty-replacement’ ships was delivered in 1967.

Nick-named ‘Plain Janes’, ‘SD14s’ quickly established themselves as workhorses of the oceans, as they plied between the ports of the world, and have become much-admired by shipowners and held in great affection by many ship enthusiasts. Changes in trading patterns and the relentless progress towards containerization meant that the ‘SD14’ has become a relative rarity in Northern Europe. South America, Africa and Asia are now the most likely places to see these ships. Less than 70 of the 228 vessels constructed (211 ‘SD14s’ and 17 derivatives) remain in service. This model shows a fourth series design in Austin & Pickersgill’s colours.