Electric rc side wheel scratch build

Hi to all

I'm looking for hints tips and inspiration on building (as cheaply as possible) a 1:72 rc model of the USS Lafayette (the civil war steamer NOT the sub!). I have access to AutoCAD Mechanical and have drawn up my plans from the few photos and paintings that remain. I have all the RC equipment pilfered from a hovercraft model with twin fans, so I'm set in that area. Any pics of other's side wheel builds or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I have chosen the Lafayette as the few photos that are available of it captured my imagination. As there is little available on the the ship it leaves a fair amount of room for artistic license which I feel is a good thing as long as any 'license' used doesn't detract from the realistic nature or scale detail of the final model. I was originally intending to build this model in a much smaller scale but decided on 1:72 due to the availability of figures and accesories from the civil war period and the increased itneroir room within the ship this would give. Although the ship had a low draft, being a river going steamer, an iron casemate stretches most of the ships length and surrounds her paddles which will provide me with lots of room to spare once the electronics and batteries for the paddles are in. At some point in the dim and distant future this space may be used for a smoke unit or mechanics for firing cannons (no projectiles, I don't think the local rc club will be to impressed if I declare war with them on the local pond!). But for the time being I'm going to be content to built the ship just to sail all the extras will come later as time permits (I have a six month old daughter so permitted time is fairly scarce!)

Just a little back ground on me-

I have been building plastic kits and scratch building dioramas for many years but am fairly new to rc ship building. I'm currently working on a scratch build rc 1:72 scale USS Monitor (first scratch build ever, am learning a lot as I go along). It may sound to some of you that I am biting of more than I can chew with these two projects, but I chose the Monitor for it's simple hull lines and basic deck adornments.

And as to biting of more than I can chew, I have always been fairly lucky in that respect as I often seem to be able to jump in the deep end of a craft project and come out with a good (in my eyes!) result. It's something that always astounds my friends and family and aggrevates my wife as she thinks I have to many hobbies already! :lol:

Looking forward to any help and thanks in advance!

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:34 pm • Post subject:

Welcome aboard.

There are a number of modellers with paddlewheeler building experience amongst the crew. It may also pay dividiends to visit the RC forums on this site to ensure that the people with the "know" see your posting as not all members visit all forums.

I hope you enjoy the dip in the deep end Smile

cheers

Pat