CSS OWL Completed

[Al Blevins]

Gentlemen,

I have posted three photos of the completed CSS OWL in the Photo Section.
She is a 1/96 scale semi scratchbuilt (purchased some fittings) model of a Confederate Navy blackade runner of 1863.

Al Blevins

[Eddy Matthews]

She looks magnificent Al - The only shame is that it isn't a working model :-(

Is it just me, working slowly, or did you complete her in double quick time? It only seems like a few weeks ago that you started!

[PJ]

Al...once again congratulations on a truly superb piece of work.  I have always admired these sleek blockade runners with their raked funnels and turtledecks and your "grey ghost" is a pleasure to behold.  

Eddy and I have always regarded paddler models from slightly different perspectives.  He likes the operating ones and the mechanical and construction challenges that go along with them.  And so do I, but I do truly love display models which take up less space in the living room, to which a high level of detail can be applied and, as they repose elegantly in their display cases, are so often a topic of conversation from admiring guests.  I suppose also that's why I like spending so much time in Maritime Museums peering into the display cases admiring the amazing detail of static model ships rather than freezing my gazoomies off at the local pond!  ...and static models never break down nor leak and you don't have to worry one iota where their COG is!

So again, Al, I salute your skill and excellent work for immortalizing an often overlooked aspect of paddler history.  "Owl" will be a worthy companion to your steamboat "America".  If ever you run across plans for the blockade runner "Banshee" (very similar to your "Owl", please let me know as I've finally drawn a blank at the Liverpool Maritime Museum.  By the way (and I've forgotten if you answered this in a previous post) where did you get your plans for "Owl"?

Regards

PJ
Victoria, BC Canada

[Al Blevins]

Eddy and PJ,

Thank you gentlemen for your glowing reviews of OWL. I consider it high praise indeed. I did complete this in what seems like record time Eddy..I began drawing the plans on August 26th. I think the main reason for the swiftness of completion was that I really enjoyed building this model. It is going to be difficult delivering it to the client.

As for the plans PJ, I scaled up a profile drawing of OWL using a set of proportional dividers (one of my best investments in modeling tools) from a profile of OWL I found in "Confederate Blockade Runner" by Angus Konstam, illustrated by Tony Bryan. That book, and two others I purchased, gave me the dimensions of OWL and it was fairly straightforward from there to draft the plans. I had to use some photos and illustrations of other runners to determine various fittings and deck furniture but I believe that the model is an accurate representation of a typical CSN runner.

As for plans for Banshee PJ,  are you referring to BANSHEE I or II? There are profiles for both in the book cited above and I almost went with BANSHEE I myself. The rake of the masts and stacks were very appealing in addition to the long turtleback. With a set of proportional dividers it should be no problem for you to draft up a set of plans to whatever scale desired.

As for the completion of the model, I woke up this morning and realized that I had forgotten to install the running lights. As the ones I obtained from BlueJacket seemed out of scale I made my own and they are now in place.

Al

[Al Blevins]

Gentlemen....

It was a nice Thanksgiving, most of the family present and the food was great. And today, spraking of giving thanks, I put OWL in her case, ready to be dielivered to the client. It was a pleasure to work on, I enjoyed every minute of the time.

Al

[PJ]

Al:
 Â 
 You did such a fabulous job on her, I really think you  should build another blockade runner for yourself now.   "Banshee?"
 Â 
 PJ
 

  ----- Original Message -----
   From:    Al    Blevins (forum@paddleducks.co.uk)
   To: forum@paddleducks.co.uk (forum@paddleducks.co.uk)
   Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 1:54    PM
   Subject: RE: CSS OWL Completed
   

   
Gentlemen....

It was a nice Thanksgiving, most    of the family present and the food was great. And today, spraking of giving    thanks, I put OWL in her case, ready to be dielivered to the client. It was a    pleasure to work on, I enjoyed every minute of the  time.

Al

[Al Blevins]

Hello PJ,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Your suggestion is a very valid one. I am working on a pilot schooner right now, but I am definitely intrigued by the thought of BANSHEE. I'll keep you posted.

Merry Christmas,

Al Blevins