Current project

[george britnell]

I just ran across Paddleducks so I thought I would see what it was
all about. I have been to every website related to paddlewheel
riverboats but kind of skipped over this one. My current project is a
1\50 scale model of the "Suter". It started with some photographs in
a fiction book called Towboat Pilot by Melton. The photos are of
Corps of Engineers boats that operated on the Missori River. I
contacted the University of Wisconsin and got only 2 additional
photos but no other information. On one of my trips to Marietta I got
a set of drawings for the Snyder and used these as information to get
started with my boat. I originally wanted to make it a working model
but realized that with the scale I would have to eliminate much of
the detail so I opted for a scale model. I got started October of
last year and am nearing completion. It's taking as much time to
finish up all of the small pieces as it did to build the boat. Being
as the scale is not standard everything has to be made by hand or on
my own machine tools. If anybody is interested in the details please
let me know.

[Dallinson]

Yes, Mr Britnell. I am sorry I don't know your first name.
I agree that we ought to talk about our pet projects etc. more. Some people
however lead very busy lives and don't have much time sit down and pick away
at the keyboard.
Maybe you could tell us a little more about your boat. Maybe post some
photos soon for us all to see and get inspiration from?? Like what length
and beam is it? I for one, have no idea what the original was like, so very
hard to visualize the model. Does it have a flat front like a pusher or is
it boat shaped for mainly for towing? As it is a non-floating model what did
you make the hull out of? Is the original hull of steel or wood? Is it water
line or the whole hull? What material did you use for the superstructure? A
scale of 1:50 is not so far from 1:48, for which there are many fittings etc
available. At least in the UK. Surely in the USA too?? I am assuming that
you are an American in America from your interest in American tugs? I am
English and I live in Spain. In England a Company called Sirmar do a big
range of fittings in 1:48. Does anyone have experience in building clinker
hulls, or can give me details of a book that would help me avoid the biggest
mistakes???
There is a reason for me asking all these questions. My next project is an
English steam paddle tug from around the 1850s. The original (The "Scotia")
had a wooden clinker built hull and was 130 feet long. To make a model about
36" long requires a scale of 43:1. I guess that I shall have to make it a
little smaller at 32.5" long to scale at 48:1 and so tap into the available
fittings market, as I don't have a machine shop, just the normal Dremel,
bench grinder, pillar drill and hand tools etc!! I intend to make it a fully
functioning radio controlled model. I am still turning over in my mind
whether to make a solid plug of the hull and make a fibre glass mould from
it and then lay-up a fibre glass hull from the mould, or to make the hull
from wood with ribs etc and leave it at that. I am in no rush. I am retired
and just want to make the best job of it that I can!!! Any suggestions or
advice on this one??

As a matter of interest, here in Spain is a Company that makes a very large
range of static model kits and does a very good one of a Mississippi river
boat. The Company is called Artesania Latina. If you put that name into any
search engine, it will come up with dozens of people who sell their goods,
in English.
I have seen one made by a local man, here in the village where I live, and
it is a very nice model indeed.
Enough from me, some one else's turn!! Don't be shy!!
Best regards from Spain.
David