PS Presto Build - American Civil War Blockade Runner

[Don]

I appreciate all the nice comments from PD members. 

It is pretty much down to the small details now.  Mostly the rigging, railing etc...

You can see in the second attachment a good picture of Presto at speed with some more details added, namely the railings along the paddleboxes and hurricane deck, and the stanchions on the turtleback.  I also made the crows nest on the foremast.  You'll also notice portholes in the forecastle and in the cabins and head forward of the paddleboxes.  The third picture shows the detail of the foremast and some of the rigging.  This is the first time I've ever made spars.  I found it to be very rewarding and not too difficult.  Rigging the deadeyes and then the shrouds was a bit of a challenge but not too bad after I learned a trick or two.  The first picture is a close up of the bridge area.  I replaced the 8 spoke wheel that I first put on with a 12 spoke wheel.  I think this one looks more scale.  Further aft you'll note the davits for the boats.  I think I'm going to have to build the boats because I can't find the right scale and size to fit my model.  That will probably be the last thing I do.

Don       

[Eddy Matthews]

Have you checked the Quaycraft range of ships boats Don? They really are super quality!

They are stocked By Model Dockyard here in the UK - http://www.model-dockyard.com/acatalog/Quaycraft.html

Regards
Eddy

[Don]

Have you checked the Quaycraft range of ships boats Don? They really are super quality!

They are stocked By Model Dockyard here in the UK - http://www.model-dockyard.com/acatalog/Quaycraft.html

Regards
Eddy

Thanks Eddy.  Found one that looks like it will work well.  That will save me some time!

Don
 

 

[Don]

Fellow Paddlers,
I'm somewhat sad to announce that I'm finished with my build of the PS Presto.  I'm happy with the way she came out.  I ended up building the lifeboats myself and I enjoyed doing it.  They were like little models in themselves.  The model looks superb on the water and makes a nice wake.  On the downside, she takes up a lot of room in the house because of her large size.  I had a case made specially to protect her and bought a large piece of furniture to rest her on.   

I'm glad to see Bernie is building a smaller, more manageable version.  I can't wait to see how she comes out.  She was a beautiful steamer. 

I attached some pictures of the completed model in her case and on my local pond. 

Paddleducks rule!!

Don

[Spankbucket]

Hi Don

Your superb model looks absolutely splendid in all locations!

As I have said somewhere else, she has been an inspiration to me in the last year and I doubt if my smaller version will come out anywhere near the quality of your lovely model.

When I started out on my model I, like you, would have found the size at normal model boat scales would have produced a result too big for my already boat-infested home! However there are some real challenges at the size I have selected and I have had to work hard to fit everything in...not a problem you might have had!!

Anyway, I am sure you will soon be inspired to begin your next project. There is plenty of potential in the history of where you live...how about a 'Hunley' or a 'Chicora/Palmetto State'?

Cheers.......Bernie

[Don]

Bernie,

Please keep us up to date on your project. 

I am going to take a break from ship building for a while now and concentrate on other pursuits.  My next model will be another paddler.  There was also a side wheel steamer  named "Chicora" during the American Civil War.  She was built of steel in 1864 in Liverpool.  Unlike Presto she survived the war and became an excursion boat on the Great Lakes.  I attached a picture of her in post-war superstructure.

Don   

[Spankbucket]

OK Don

I wasn't aware of the paddler 'Chicora'. If she was a blockade runner she must have been very lucky to survive given the high freeboard and superstructure...she would have been easy for the Feds to spot and hit?!

I'll be posting further progress on here soon but I've been a bit slowed up due to my wife's hospitalisation and recent home return....I had to get out my nurse's uniform!

Best Regards...Bernie

[Don]

Bernie,

The picture I posted is of the Chicora after the war when she served as an excursion boat on the Great Lakes. 

During the war the ship had very little structure above the weather deck and she looked a lot like our Presto.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Don 

[Spankbucket]

Hi Don

Thanks for that which explains everything!

No progress to report over Xmas as I have been de-focussed by the presence of my grandchildren for the Holiday period!

Likewise a Happy New Year to you and your family.

Cheers....Bernie