Freshwater

[mjt60a]

Electrical test on the sponsons:

...this is actually the 3rd test! First time I tried with two dry batteries (3 volts) and after about 10 minutes the port light failed and was too hot to touch! - I forgot, white LEDs are 3.4 volt but red ones are only 2.5v  :x
Second time, tried with 12v lead-acid - and correct resistors in series with each LED, worked OK for half an hour but when I disassembled everything to install it (poke the wires through tiny holes into the hull, and solder them) I found the resistor for the red LED was unexpectedly warm (much more than the others). I didn't think it'd be a problem and installed everything anyway. After this last test all appears normal (probably got warm before because it wasn't soldered and had a 'bad connection' to the resistor (but good enough to still light the port light) Have now araldited the deck down (sealed forever!) and waiting for it to set before moving on (back again, I should say) to the interior  

[Eddy Matthews]

It's looking really good Mick - Nice to see lighting that looks realistic too, how many times have you seen a model that has illumination that looks like 30 million candle power!

I always remember one of towboat Joe's towboats that he sent me photos of - If he hadn't said it was a model you would have sworn that it was the real thing! Good lighting can really make or break an otherwise superb model.

[mjt60a]

I'm glad you like it  
In fact the navigation lights look superb in real life, they're probably a little on the bright side (on real ships they hardly seem to show up at all except at night) but in daylight, especially sunlight, look about right - and you can see they're working. The bulkhead light isn't really as bright as it looks there, the camera has over-compensated to get an 'overall' acceptable light level, in reality you can clearly see the guard wires and mounting plate. For the interior, I wanted it to look like the light was for the benefit of passengers and not aiming straight at the porthole! so the light source is out of sight in the front corner of the cabin. Close up, you can see the woodgrain door and green tiled/white painted wall (printed on my computer) through the portholes but in daylight you probably won't notice they're illuminated at all but that's preferable to it looking like it has floodlights along the sides...

[mjt60a]

Made the masts over the last couple of days...

the 'rear' one is not quite complete, I have a little work to do on the base and the 'bit sticking out backwards where the flags hang'. The headphone type jackplugs allow them to be removed/refitted without messing with the light connections.


....just couldn't resist      

[thewharfonline]

ooooo that looks really good! Love the lighting!

[mjt60a]

It's been a while since I had anything worth posting here, since getting a (probably only temporary) job at Toys-R-Us I just don't seem to have the time to work on the model that I had when in full unemployment!
However, I do try to make 'something' for the ship most evenings (if I'm not too tired from unloading trucks from 7am 'til 4pm - almost continuously at this time of year!)
Here's how the lifeboats are made;

they're basically carved from a balsa shape made by the 'bread and butter' method (but in two halves loosely tacked together) then split and a piece of suitably shaped 1.6mm ply stuck in the centre. As the interior detail doesn't exist, the canvas covers will be in place. Those are made from a piece of old tee shirt I've dyed green and secured using fabric glue - if that doesn't last I'll have to re-attach with something stronger!
I'll probably coat the fabric with dope or tent coating or something for waterproofing (after trying out on a scrap of fabric to see what happens!)
I'm also making the 'buoyant seats' for the deck.....

[mjt60a]

Not much in the way of progress (and nothing at all worth a photo) but I've now completed the masts (which were practically done anyway) and mostly finished the buoyant seats (need to buy some more varnish or other suitable waterproofing) just finished planking the small D-shaped piece of deck just above the rudder and am now constructing the lifeboat davits. I hadn't forseen what a tricky job this could be until I started on them  :x

[mjt60a]

I've now fitted the lifeboats and davits, just need to paint them then attach the 'ropes & pulley blocks'. I made the four landing platforms (at least that's what it looks like on the photos) on either side of the paddle drums, earlier this week and just need to weatherproof them.
I also fitted the motors this afternoon and I can't believe how noisy the gearboxes are! When I tried them held loosely in the hand they sounded almost silent but fixed firmly to the bottom of the hull they whine like some kind of turbine engine (increasing speed from dead slow to full sounds like a helicopter about to take off!) so some kind of insulation may be in order - I've read some suggestions on model boats forum about embedding the motors in a base of silicon sealant (put cling film around them so they don't stick - and don't block the holes in the motors) and strapping them down with thick rubber bands....
Or I could try using different motors and worm/gear, we'll see..... :roll:

[mjt60a]

Externally, here's what I have so far....

[Eddy Matthews]

It's looking great Mick - Keep up the good work!