The lazy way

[loserboy]

Well I know this is the lazy way, but This is my first papplewheeler project.
I bought this static solid wood model on ebay for 99 dollars, 22 dollars shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7349243963&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
  I figure I will carve out the hull to make a boiler room and RC eqipment area.
And maybe increase the detail of the model while I am at it.

[PJ]

That might not be quite so easy as "Mt. Washington" models are known for being rather top heavy.  A hollowed out solid wooden hull would end up too heavy and with batteries, RC equipment and the superstructure built the way it is, you might well sink the boat below the sponson decks and she would very likely capsize in the turns.  Model paddlers (and even real ones) can be very finnicky creatures!

You might consider leaving the model as it is and make a scratch built hull from its dimensions.  If you REALLY want to do it properly, then there are plans available on Ebay for Mt. Washington, but I wouldn't recommend her as a first project.  Hate to throw a damper on things, but try making a model with a low superstructure (i.e. low COG- Centre of gravity) first. Hulls are not difficult to make, so why not keep that nice model you purchased on Ebay as it was intended...as a pleasing display.

PJ
Victoria, BC Canada

[thewharfonline]

it's  a very nice model...I would ahte to see it at a bottom of a pond/lake/bath tub!

Is the hull just carved out of wood then? Not built up on a frame or anything....thats kind of cheating, took me ages to make my hull right! however my first paddler model PS bark has a solid wood hull, it's a piece of tree trunk chainsawed into a hull shape...ah that was a good school project!

[loserboy]

Sound points all.

maybe I will start with something that has a nice wide hull and low profile
 :wink:

[loserboy]

Found an intersting site that sales large low detal models. i guess for scale paintball battles. (some paddlewheelers threre)
http://www.combatships.com