A styrene Australian paddler

[chipmonk]

Hi there pd's. Just a few photo's of the latest project that may be of interest. She is a Murry river paddler "Vic Vietri". Named after my wifes uncle from Ocean Grove in Victoria.
It has taken me nearly a year(and three other models) to get her to the condition as shown. Nine months of that was doing the CAD design work. She is loosely based on the Adelaide. But only very loosely.
Built to a scale of 1:35 and made entirely from 1mm and 1.5mm styrene sheet. Power is from an 12v geared industrial motor chain driven to the shaft. At the moment the only metal on her is the drive shaft, Motor and rudder mounts! I intend to plank the deck with stained strip veneer.
Well thats it for now.

[Eddy Matthews]

Looks like a very nice job so far Chris.... How big is the model?

Please keep us posted on your progress - No matter how slow!

[Red_Hamish]

That is sweet Chris,  lovely sharp lines and clean assembly. I take my hat off to you sir. More so when I think back on my attempts at using styrene to build with.

regards

Jim

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Chris, nice looking job!. More details please. Styrene is a much neglected materiel for hulls. Is it vacformed?. The bilges have a nice round to them and the compound curve in the lower bow certainly has the look of vacforming. Lots of information required and how about posting the plan on paddleducks- especialy for our Oz members. All the best, walter.

[chipmonk]

Hi There. Thanks for the encouraging words about my Murry project. Now if i have got this attachment right there should be a CAD drawing below :? . This is how I get round bilges with flat sheet construction.
1# build up the hull as if it had no round bilges (a glorified box pointed at both ends). allow 24 hours to fully dry.
2# Cut some strips about 12mm wide and glue them around the inside of the hull (obviously cutting them between the bulkheads. the fewer the bulkheads you put in the better). Allow another 24 hours.
3# Now for the fun bit! Taking a sharp knife (I use a large swan Morton scalpel). Scrape away at the corner as shown. It is wise to have a vacume cleaner handy as you will look like "Eskimo Nell" after a few minutes. Do not try to carve the plastic away it makes a right mess (I found out the hard way).
4# Now start to round the bilges. It takes time but it is amazingly effective.
Any slight marks or small holes that open up can be best filled with one of the solvent based fillers, sold for filling plastic models. Revell's "plasto or"squadron green putty. are a couple of good ones.
I can't take the credit for devising the technique, it comes from Richard Webb's book on Styrene modeling. From Traplet publications.
Still I hope this helps.
Must dash, the glue should be dry on the boat and I must get on with the next stage
Watch this space as they say.

[chipmonk]

Well time has gone by and I have progressed with the job. As you can see I have made the fake steam engine and boiler. Apologies to anyone who knows how they are really built. I have had to use an awful lot of "artistic license"  :wink: With this part I hope you will all forgive it. The support for the upper deck houses gave me a few headaches but its resolved now. In order to get at the main battery and speed controller (under the steam plant) the upper deck is removable in one piece and sits upon the support frame work. this is made from 6mm acrylic square rod and is jointed with milled half lap joints. This was done to stop me from breaking the supports when sorting out the battery at the pool side.  : The next job will be the deck houses and then its off for her maiden voyage  :luck I will let you know how she gets on. Mind you we will need a change in the weather :bow
Cheers Chipmonk

[Eddy Matthews]

It's really starting to come together now Chris - Looking very neat!

That first test is always a worrying time, especially for a paddler, but it looks like it should perform well.

[jock]

Hi CHris
Its going great.
I like the dummy boiler and engine, I'll look at my photos of Adelaide and add them to my model.
My cabins will be styrene and I am comptemplating it for the paddles.

[chipmonk]

Hi Jock. Thanks for the encouragement. As to styrene paddles. They are a vast improvement on wood or metal ones. You get the best of both types. Light weight (like timber) strong and totally water proof (like metal) plus they don't corrode. What more could you ask for. There are a few good posts on styrene construction in this section check them out. If you need assistance  just drop me a line  
Cheers chipmonk.

[jock]

Hi Chris
Do you have any photos of the paddle wheels under construction, I'm just about to start mine

[chipmonk]

Hi pd's.
Just thought I will let you all know how the Vic is progressing. Well with the warmer weather (just) it was time to get the spraying gear out and start annoying the neighbors. As you can see most of the basic build is complete and she is almost fully painted. I am in the process of planking the deck  :? (yawn). Still it will be worth it in the end. Still have not fully tested her in the water. When I have a free Sunday afternoon and the rain is not
chucking it down It has been too windy   . Our club lake is rather exposed for river boats (200mm high waves are not funny for a paddler) .Still we have a couple of shows coming up with nice small pools so she might get tested properly at last.
If I remember my camera I will try to get some action shots for you.

[mjt60a]

It's looking superb!

[chipmonk]

I finally got the Vic into the water for her test run. She performed reasonably well (she didn't sink) and she was controllable forwards and astern. But (theres always a but) she is hopelessly underpowered  : I suspected that this would be  the case so I have an upgraded motor and gearbox to go in her. I also need to adjust her trim (a little heavy in the bow). Other than that she was fine.
I now have a week to alter her before her maiden public appearance at the Southern Model Air Show over in Kent  .
Does anyone know where I can obtain a good 50mm ships wheel? all the ones I have seen are too heavy looking.
Still must crack on, apart from the motor change etc I want to build the steps and start thinking about safety railings (lots and lots of them). Also I have to start painting Vic Vietri himself (he will be at the wheel).
Bye for now.

[chipmonk]

So she's finally completed ( I said I was a slow builder) had her first proper run on Saturday at the Spring festival at "Beal Park".
She performs a lot better with the up rated motor. But she will never be quick. Also she needs fairly settled weather conditions, but what river boat doesn't! I have included a few photo's but they were taken with my mobile, so the quality isn't wonderful.
Now to get on with my next project a stealth trimaran. All hi tech  and angles. Still its a challenge.
Bye for now.
Chris Monk.

[Tug--Kenny]

Great looking ship, Chipmonk.  Well done. I like your attention to detail. Are you bringing her to Wicksted Park on the 24th ?

ken