Scale: 1:32. An unusual model of an unusual looking ship. The enclosed bridge, looking more like an oversized deckhouse, is directly fore of the disproportionately short funnel. The white line banding the hull that separates the red below-water part and black upper-part undulates slightly, wave-like, and so would not be parallel with the waterline on the actual ship. The model is unrefined in many respects, for instance the window glass to the bridge and portholes has been painted to simulate reflections, but has been poorly executed, and the effect is unconvincing. Railings have been painted white which, though accurate, look too bright for the scale of the model.

The coastal tanker ‘Aptity’ was built by George Brown and Co, of Greenock, Scotland, for the London-based company F T Everard & Sons Ltd. At just over 166 feet in length and 434 gross registered tons, she was small by any standards, and had a service speed of just nine knots. Perhaps the model was made to a slightly larger-than-normal scale to make the ship appear bigger than she really was. In the event ‘Aptity’ survived the Second World War, and went on to enjoy a long career. In 1969 she was converted for use as a steaming barge at Greenhithe. After a service lasting forty-eight years she was sold for scrap to R. G. Fry of Greenhithe, in 1987.