My readers will not believe that their June issue is late because I was building a model paddlesteamer.
I posted before that, years ago, I built an Airfix plastic model of Brunel's PS Great Western. That was in the days of polystyrene glue.
Having found an easy-to-construct plan, using skills developed when I was 8 (Ned F gave me courage), I set to work with the aim of completing the model in the time that my microwave took to heat my dinner.
I didn't succeed: dinner is cold, and will have to be reheated.
Yes, Jock (of Bendigo) posted something too tempting to ignore. I printed a small version, and downloaded a larger one. I have only a greyscale printer, so this is a greyscale model.
I have built many models using cardboard and tabs (stuff from cereal packets in my youth, and HO-scale buildings for model railways from commercial kits in later years).
I made a few mistakes: tabs too slim to fold neatly; one tab cut off altogether.
Surprisingly, the wheelhouse was the tricky part. I was too lazy to cut a hole in the deck: major mistake; the box doesn't sit neatly. I should have cut the hole, and mounted the wheelhouse with the flaps folded outwards, not inwards.
Early in the construction, I realised that it won't float (no hull); I can't take it to a western-suburbs lake to float with Peter's bigger models.
I stole the name from Henley on Todd (Alice Springs), a classic event of Australian humour. The boats have no bases, and are run up the dry river bed by teams holding the hulls up like a life ring for six. Alas, one year there was rain, the river was flowing, and Henley on Todd had to be cancelled.
So, my photos (in 3 mm of water): PS Wautilus.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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