Paddler kits and hulls

[DennyDog]

Am interested in hearing comments from anyone who has built or is familiar with Saito's Delta Queen kit.

I'm building the Delta Queen right now. Bought it in Australia in 2000 and am still working on it. Work full time in the summer so only spend winter months on it. Very good kit. I've built a tug boat, The Hercules, from the same company, Saito, and am very pleased with it. Both are or will be steam powered. Saito engines and boilers. Please send back any info you can give me. Thanks!

[herrmill]

Thanks for your reply.  

Would like to see any photos you have of the kit as well as your build. Also any scans of the kit instructions would be of interest so I can ascertain how complicated this project will be for me before I invest $$$ in Saito's kit.  I've not worked much with wood & am considering this for next year.  

I grew up on the Ohio River & am familar with the DQ when she was owned by the Green Line.  As a boy you used to be able to take day trips on her when she used to call at the smaller towns along the upper reaches of the Ohio.  

Let me know if you should you have any questions.   Thanks.

Chuck

[herrmill]

BINGO!!!!!

Just won a bid on eBay for a Saito Delta Queen kit, B-2F boiler & Y-2 DR horizontal engine!  

Does anyone know of a source that makes a 1/73 scale caliopie for this baby?    :lol:

Chuck

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & welcome herrmill Chuck...

That Saito Y-2 DR horizontal ... is a beautiful engine.....I have ZERO knowledge on the Saito Delta Queen kit, but it may be time well spent in reading up in our Construction Folder on the Item 'Mississipp 1870 Build'

One of our OZ members buit a great  :respect2 model example with many CNC produced components but only to find  :ohno huge stability issues with top heavy construction.... again welcome & keep us posted on your progress - Derek

[Eddy Matthews]

I hope you'll take some detailed photos of the build and post them on Paddleducks Chuck?

The Delta Queen is a model I've always loved - I just never liked the prices they go for!!

[herrmill]

Eddy,

I certainly will be posting a build once I get possesion of the kit & start on her, but that won't happen for a while since I am in Shanghai & will be bringing back the kit late next month after a trip back to the States.  Regading the cost, yes I can agree with you on the stickershock :shock:  but I got it for about 40% of what I've seen it advertised for at Loyalhanna & others who carry the kit!   It helps to wait, be patient & get those bids in at the very last moment...  

Having grown up on the Ohio River & walked the decks of her many a time as a young boy, I've always wanted to model the DQ & now I'll have my chance.  Just have to wrap up a few warship projects before my wife sees me cutting wood for another model!  

Derek,

Many thanks for the hearty welcome & tip on the Mississippi 1870 build.  

Am certain that I have a lot of learning to catch up on since this will be my first steam project.  

Chuck

[herrmill]

Hi PD's & welcome herrmill Chuck...

That Saito Y-2 DR horizontal ... is a beautiful engine.....I have ZERO knowledge on the Saito Delta Queen kit, but it may be time well spent in reading up in our Construction Folder on the Item 'Mississipp 1870 Build'

One of our OZ members buit a great  :respect2 model example with many CNC produced components but only to find  :ohno huge stability issues with top heavy construction.... again welcome & keep us posted on your progress - Derek

Derek,

Sorry, but noticed just now that you live down south of me.  I happen to belong to Task Force 72, that great Australian-based 1/72 scale warship club & am planning to make it down this coming November for their annual regatta.  

Although I have no plans to depict the DQ in naval gray when she served wartime duty in San Francisco Bay as a troop ferry, she will look rather spiffy paddling around the Gato I am currently building.      

Can you do me a favor & get me in touch with the gentleman you mentioned who has built.  Dennis here has already been kind enough to send me a number of his build photos along with plans, but I know I'll need as much information as I can to study before I begin this kit.  

Thanks & regards,

Chuck

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's - Chuck... sorry for the misunderstanding....our OZ paddle member built a model of Paddle Wheeler Mississippi [1870 rendition]  & this is the subject matter the folder Construction....subfolder Mississippi 1870 build

I understand that the DQ & Missippppp are totally different vessels but are both shallow draft... both from kits... so the issues relating to floation/windage/stability may well be similar

There are may photographs of Missippppp during construction in the subfolder and some scary .jpgs of the effect of wind - Derek

[herrmill]

Derek,

Thanks for straightening that out.  I was thinking that after reviewing the pages of his build with my mouth wide open at the work I saw - simply amazing!!!

Yes, I'll be certain to keep the weight down on this model since I don't think it will heel as well as my model sloop does with a 20kt wind!  

Chuck

[herby]

BlueJacket ship crafters has this new sidewheeler kit PORTLAND.  
 
Based upon numerous calls and letters, BlueJacket is very proud to reintroduce our new, improved kit of the PORTLAND. Always popular, we withdrew her from the market because of the difficulty modelers had in cutting her 5 decks, not to mention her doors, windows, etc. Now, with the marvel of lasers, many of the parts will be supplied pre-cut, for a much improved kit, looking exactly the same as before! She is spectacular, with her fullsized brass radials and above-deck walking-beam machinery. This 36" sidewheeler is absolutely unparalled! There is no other kit as impressive as the PORTLAND.
 
 
http://www.bluejacketinc.com/kits/portland.htm