Hello all,
At the moment I am working on the Great Eastern hull. I work with materials
I took from a recent vecation in Germany. Not exactly the "master modeler's
choice" but: 1) I am far from a master modeler and 2)it works fine so far.
I use a 3mm plywood keel flanked with balsa wood cut to water lines and
checked with frame templates. It will be filled and hardened with Clou G1- a
German made clear filler/primer. That material is relatively inexpensive,
readily available and I can start over if the hull gets ruined. If I'm happy
with the (plain) hull, I will proceed with styrene strips to simulate the
outer strakes of iron planking, portholes, hawser holes etc.
The two problem zones are the bow which is extremely thin and sharp angled
and the stern with it's narrow inward curves. I work in 1/350 scale which is
still rather small. In any case it looks fine so far. Nothing ruined yet
LOL.
I have a request to my fellow paddle wheeler addicts:
I would like to use a cast copy of my hull to make sure I have a very
durable model in the end (resin? fiberglass?) It can be solid since I am
doing a static model. The spar deck (upper deck) is totally level, no sheer,
so I could leave off the (on the original wooden-) bulwarks above spar level
and have one totally plain and level surface. I guess that helps the casting
process.
I highly appreciate any help regarding casting of a hull. I don't know
anything. Do I need to make wooden boxes to pour the rubber mold in? What is
the recommended process? Are there decent books?
Since this is not my own computer and I don't want to experiment too much
with it, I will have to stay out of the paddle ducks files. i never managed
to gain access. :-(
Any kind of help will be highly appreciated.
Full info about the Great Eastern, available kits and ongoing accurate
scratch built models in an upcoming web page. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks and happy modeling
Christian
Main Menu
UserBox
Search
