M 752 - Commando Ship

The Tri-ang Minic Ships model known as either the "HMS Albion Commando Carrier" model or as the "Commando Carrier" model is the subject of some questions and conjecture particularly -

• What was the model number and name marked on the underside?
• Was it the same casting as the original carrier models?
• How many were produced?
• Was it available for retail sale?

What was the model number and name marked on the underside?

All the Catalogues and Price Lists, before the final 1965 Price List, list the carrier models as follows -

• M 751 - HMS Bulwark
• M 752 - HMS Centaur
• M 753 - HMS Albion

While the final 1965 Price List listed the carrier models as follows -

• M 751 - Aircraft Carrier
• M 752 - Commando Ship

Based on this the "Commando Carrier" should be marked as model number M 752 "Commando Ship" however information and photographs from the author and fellow collectors show that the "Commando Carrier" models were marked in a variety of different ways.

1. Nick Beischer's model is marked HMS Albion with no model number although the original box is marked M 752 Commando Ship
2. Chris Cawte's model is marked HMS Bulwark model number M 751
3. Ian Banks advises that both his models are marked HMS Albion with no model number
4. The author's model is marked HMS Albion with no model number

As the "Commando Carrier" model appears to only have been available during the last months before production ceased it is possible that the M 752 "Commando Ship" models, and indeed the M 751 "Aircraft Carrier" models, simply used up the remaining castings and that this explains the different model number and name markings.

Was it the same casting as the original carrier models?

The answer to this question seems to be a resounding NO.

The "Commando Carrier" model casting differed from the original carrier models in that

1. it did not have the raised lines on the deck marking the landing path; and
2. it did not have the circular indents at the bow and stern for the deck code

however, it did retain the indented markings for the aircraft lifts.

This is confirmed by all the collectors who have kindly provided information about their "Command Carrier" models and is clearly shown in the photographs of Nick Beischer's M 752 "Commando Ship" model below.

How many were produced?

It is believed that only 1000 pieces of the model were produced specially for presentation to the Captain and crew of HMS Albion at the time the ship was converted from an Aircraft Carrier to a "Commando" Carrier, however, as the model appears to have been available for retail sale it is likely that far more than 1000 pieces were produced.

Was it available for retail sale?

The 1963 Price List listed a total of 37 navy ship models but by the final 1965 Price List this had been reduced dramatically to a total of 12 navy ship models which were listed generically as "Cruisers", "Daring Class Destroyers", "Battle Class Destroyers", "Frigates" and "Ton Class Minesweepers".

All the Catalogues and Price Lists, before the final 1965 Price List, list the carrier models as follows -

• M 751 - HMS Bulwark
• M 752 - HMS Centaur
• M 753 - HMS Albion

The final 1965 Price List listed the carrier models as follows -

• M 751 - Aircraft Carrier
• M 752 - Commando Ship

Based on the Price Lists it would appear that the "Commando Carrier" model was indeed available for retail sale and this seems to be borne out by information from Nick Beischer, who owns a "Commando Carrier" complete with the original box marked M 752 Commando Ship, as well as an anecdote from Mr Tom Muir on Lawrence Carr's Minic Ships Website  who asserts that he purchased his "Commando Carrier", complete with helicopters, from a toy shop on Elvet Bridge in Durham with his own pocket money.

As an aside Nick Beischer also owns an "Aircraft Carrier" complete with the original box marked M 751 Aircraft Carrier. This model is marked HMS Centaur on the underside with no model number and has a paper deck which does not have the aircraft lift markings.

As an aside Nick Beischer also owns an "Aircraft Carrier" complete with the original box marked M 751 Aircraft Carrier. This model is marked HMS Centaur on the underside with no model number and has a paper deck which does not have the aircraft lift markings.

The other "Aircraft Carrier" owned by Nick Beischer is marked HMS Albion M 753 on the underside but has a paper deck which is marked with the "C" deck code for HMS Centaur and again does not have the aircraft lift markings. Unfortunately Nick does not have the original box for this model.

If anyone has further information or photographs of the "Commando Carrier" model particularly any models that have different model number and name markings on the underside please send me an email at webmaster@triangminicships.com. I would be delighted to hear from you and will gladly include the information on the website.

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