Having been raised on the upper Ohio River, I've had a lifetime interest in the sternwheeler towboats that plied the rivers of my home state of West Virginia and always wanted to build a model of the last of these workboats that are still around after a century, now mostly as pleasure boats.

Juanita in 1/24 scale will be the second kit I've got developed through a friend who has a small boat model business in China. As I had done earlier with Major, I commit to an initial run of 10 kits to get a kit produced that I offer as a group buy on a one time purchase. I have no interest in selling kits but only enjoy building hence the unorthodox means to get these eccentric subjects made. One the initial run is made, my friend who produces the kits will open it up to eBay & Aliexpress agents who'll offer for 2-3X over the initial price.

As with Major, this is a complete kit with laser cut birch ply/ABS/PC parts, walnut paddles, brass photo etch & tubing plus 3DP resin detail parts, KV1000 motor with 1:17.5 belt drive reduction, 4 working rudders & linkage, LED lighting & decal set for both early working & late versions of Juanita. Electronics & servos are not included. Assembled brass rudder upgrade is available for an additional charge.

Kit dimensions measure 850x230x100mm & will weigh 3kg & will be packed in a double carton for added protection.

Model finished dims will be 41? x 8.25? with a ballasted weight between 12.5-14.5lb.

Photos of today's prototype build are attached for reference & I'll post final photos once all detailing is complete this week. Model runs great in testing earlier last week without any water ingress over the wheel.

If anyone would have interest in joining, please send me a PM for more details. Thanks!

Chuck

Lot of missing posts showing the stages of restoration.  I'll have to backtrack to fill the gaps.

Roderick Smith, using my second account.

Murray River paddlesteamer PS Canally makes first voyage in 81 years.  Sophie Landau ABC Riverland Tuesday 28 June 2022
Video PS Canally travelling full steam ahead after 81 years
Eighty-one years after its last voyage, the historic paddle steamer PS Canally has made a trip down the Murray River.
Key points:
Volunteers in Morgan spent 12 years restoring the vessel to her former glory
The Canally sunk in Victoria after being left to rot following years of important service
More work needs to be done, but passengers may soon be able to ride the historic steamer
Steamers played a huge role in the development and function of river towns, but the Canally could have been lost in the history books if it was not for a group of hardworking volunteers.
Today the vessel headed from Morgan to Mannum before getting some more important works completed, including having its hull recaulked its interior timber framework replaced.
The trip down the Murray was a perfect opportunity to show off the restoration to eager spectators.
Skipper Jim Maywald was at the wheel as the vessel steamed down the river.
"It's a pretty historic day," he said.
"The volunteers have done an amazing job over the last 12 years in Morgan."
A steamboat sits on a river bank, with a rainbow in the background.
The PS Canally set sail after 12 years of volunteer restoration works. (Supplied: PS Canally Port of Morgan)
Saved from the depths
Mid Murray councillor Kevin Myers has been heavily involved in the restoration.
He said when the Canally first arrived in Morgan she was in a "sad" condition.
"In 1941 her engines and other operating gear was taken out," Mr Myers said.
"Then it became a barge again and then it became derelict."
A black and white photo of a steamboat.
Launched in 1907 in Echuca, Victoria, the Canally was used to trade wool on the Murrumbidgee River. (Supplied)
The vessel was used to trade dried fruits between Berri and Morgan before being put to work on the construction of the lock and weir system on the Murray in the early 1920s.
After changing hands and locations in the following years, the once-crucial vessel was left at a mooring at Boundary Bend in Victoria and eventually sank.
Rivers and Riverboat Historical and Preservation Society raised the Canally from the deep water in 1998 and swiftly began restoration of the hull.
A steamboat on a river's edge.
The PS Canally has transformed since 2013. (ABC: Ian Mannix)
In 2010 the Mid Murray Council took ownership of the boat and in 2011 she settled in her new home at the Port of Morgan.
The volunteers worked tirelessly over the past 12 years restoring the steamer to her former glory.
"We're actually over the moon with her performance," Mr Myers said after a test run last week.
"It was like having a new heartbeat with the engine ticking over."
Men at the helm of a historic boat.
Riverland locals watched on as the PS Canally made her way down the Murray. (Supplied: PS Canally Port of Morgan)
All aboard
Mr Myers said it was important to save the Canally in order to honour its importance in the '20s and '30s.
While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, community members and tourists may soon get the chance to experience the restored PS Canally up close.
"Hopefully within the next six to 12 months we'll get it totally surveyed to carry passengers," Mr Meyers said.
"All the people that have been waiting ? then they can all have a ride."
www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-28/murray-river-paddle-steamer-ps-canally-back-on-the-water/101190714

Can I join Eddy and John and wish everyone a peaceful and happy yuletide. I went to Norton  mens shed this morning, full of good intentions and got my model out. Then the tea and coffee and banter started flowing along with home made scones, sausage rolls,cake etc.  three hours later I put my model away without doing a thing to it!. all the best, Walter

It's getting close now, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.... All the best to everyone!

Regards
Eddy

I have password trouble with my old account, and have started a new one temporarily until admin can fix the password.
There may be another thread with on the the replica PS William IV, but I'm not finding it.
IIRC, it was build as a bicentenary project.
After some years, it lost its survey, and languished on the hard.
A new group revived it to service.

https://williamthefourth.org/history/

180116-NSWPortAuthority-Newcastle-WilliamTheFourth, two photos

Roderick Smith