rcmdrvr

Completed the main house and now attaching to the hull.

I have been away for a while.  Had to have a bit of surgery and that threw me behind at work.  I was able to continue working on the Willie, but did not take as many pictures of the progress as I should have.  I am enclosing a few pictures of the model which I have moved out of the workshop and into the house.
 
This was one of the most difficult modeling projects I have done.  The basic building of the hull, masts, etc. was not too difficult but working with the brass parts and the rigging, etc. I found to be very difficult.  While you get a lot of help by looking at the other builder's; you can also find the quality of their work somewhat intimidating.  Some of the other builders of the Willie are awesome.
 
Well I hope you find my build adequate.  I really enjoyed the Willie and recommend it as a first build......it has a bit of everything.  I will be starting a new build soon.....just purchased the Sanson.

I decided to "fill-in" some of the bow and stern frames forming a semi-sold hull.  I looked at the shape of the bow and stern and decided I would have a tough time achieving the shapes by planking alone (as this is my first planking attempt).  I am hoping that by forming a solid hull in some areas; I will have more success.
 
I did notice there was a thread about this issue last week.  Reading the replies to the question about filling in the frames I guess most of the builders don't believe it to be a great idea.  Well........time will tell.
 
I did not use solid blocks.  Instead I used 3/8" sheets of soft balsa wood and built up the space between the bulkheads.  Took alot of shaping and sanding but I think I was successful.  Looking at the build....it is surely in the "ugly" stage.

I have always had a fascination with tugs.  When I saw this kit at a local hobbyshop I grabbed it off the shelf.  This will be my second build.  This will be my first attempt at planking a hull so I am a bit apprehensive about that part of the build.  This looks to be another learning experience.
 
On first perusal it appears to be pretty complete.  The wood looks good and the laser cut parts looks well done.  Nothing appears to be warped beyond use.  The hardware also looks pretty good. 

Thanks for the likes everyone, and yes I hope I can keep you interested Don.
This far it only looks like I have butchered a good static model.
 
Next I had to start working out the available room on offer through the deck into cabins etc. This is to start planning the layout of the steam plant. I want to retain all the kits features and detail, including using the boats stack for the exhaust.
The plant will have an engine, boiler, condenser, butane tank and burner. I decided against finding room for a water tank and pump as I will refill by manual hand pump. I can't see myself running the thing for extended periods so it probably wont matter. The steam engine will consist of a twin cylinder, dual action, oscillating type, with the cylinders running back to back vertically. The boiler will be a horizontal job, using 68mm OD copper tube. I will decide if I go center flue or not later.
 
So first I dry fitted the skeleton and placed the sub deck onto it. I then built the base of the cabin assembly. This was only done with a light amount of white glue so I can disassemble and tweak later. I then planked the top with Myrtle. This was out of my hand-me-down stuff and stripped on a benchtop bandsaw. I simulated the chalking using linen paper glued to one edge. This was the result after a quick sand.

I also shaped a brace to go inside where the curve starts and this really helped keep the thing in shape nicely.

Then the unit was placed on the deck and the precut parts running back from this were slipped in place. When this assembly was done I could start to pencil some reference marks ready for cutting holes in the deck. The cutting was then done leaving plenty of meat around the edges for further removal later. I also opened out the rear of the cabin assembly into the area covered.


This gave me a nice indication of what I have to play with once the hull gets planked.
Now to searching for materials for building the steam plant and sourcing radio gear and servos.
Unfortunately, I see the biggest thing slowing this build is getting everything needed so I can fit things whilst it's easy. I know where two of the servos are getting mounted, and it will be simple to fit them now rather than later. The Admiral has put her foot down tho and limited how big and quick I can spend on this project (& any wise Man knows, you don't argue with the "Minister for war and finances"). 

The stern portion of the decking consists of a waffle pattern of wood.  The kit provided notched strips of wood that assembled into the waffle structure.  Delicate but not too difficult to work with.  I airbrushed the assemble structures with brown acrylic paint.

I have continued working on the deck planking.  It took about a week to lay down the wood strips and another couple of night to stain and seal the wood.  I tried several stains (and even looked at no stain) and decided to go with golden oak.  I think it gives the grain a richer pattern.
 
My jig for cutting the planking to the proper length worked very well.  The jig that was used to position the pin holesto simulate the deck nailing.....not so much.  After using it for a few hundred holes the positioning holes in the jig widen and accuracy was somewhat diminished.  Overall, however, I think the deck looks OK.

I decided to "fill-in" some of the bow and stern frames forming a semi-sold hull.  I looked at the shape of the bow and stern and decided I would have a tough time achieving the shapes by planking alone (as this is my first planking attempt).  I am hoping that by forming a solid hull in some areas; I will have more success.
 
I did notice there was a thread about this issue last week.  Reading the replies to the question about filling in the frames I guess most of the builders don't believe it to be a great idea.  Well........time will tell.
 
I did not use solid blocks.  Instead I used 3/8" sheets of soft balsa wood and built up the space between the bulkheads.  Took alot of shaping and sanding but I think I was successful.  Looking at the build....it is surely in the "ugly" stage.

I have always had a fascination with tugs.  When I saw this kit at a local hobbyshop I grabbed it off the shelf.  This will be my second build.  This will be my first attempt at planking a hull so I am a bit apprehensive about that part of the build.  This looks to be another learning experience.
 
On first perusal it appears to be pretty complete.  The wood looks good and the laser cut parts looks well done.  Nothing appears to be warped beyond use.  The hardware also looks pretty good. 

Well, the decking is not complete.  This photo gives you some idea of the model's status.  You can see the waffle structures at the stern.
 
The next steps will involve assembly of some of the deck housing structures.

The stern portion of the decking consists of a waffle pattern of wood.  The kit provided notched strips of wood that assembled into the waffle structure.  Delicate but not too difficult to work with.  I airbrushed the assemble structures with brown acrylic paint.

I have continued working on the deck planking.  It took about a week to lay down the wood strips and another couple of night to stain and seal the wood.  I tried several stains (and even looked at no stain) and decided to go with golden oak.  I think it gives the grain a richer pattern.
 
My jig for cutting the planking to the proper length worked very well.  The jig that was used to position the pin holesto simulate the deck nailing.....not so much.  After using it for a few hundred holes the positioning holes in the jig widen and accuracy was somewhat diminished.  Overall, however, I think the deck looks OK.

Well time to being laying the deck.  I cut a bunch of deck planks and darkened the edges with a black permanent marker.  Also used by jig to position the "nail" holes.  I then marked the center line of the deck and clamped a metal ruler along the line.  I then glued in the first line of planks and I am going to let these dry completely before continuing.

I decided to "fill-in" some of the bow and stern frames forming a semi-sold hull.  I looked at the shape of the bow and stern and decided I would have a tough time achieving the shapes by planking alone (as this is my first planking attempt).  I am hoping that by forming a solid hull in some areas; I will have more success.
 
I did notice there was a thread about this issue last week.  Reading the replies to the question about filling in the frames I guess most of the builders don't believe it to be a great idea.  Well........time will tell.
 
I did not use solid blocks.  Instead I used 3/8" sheets of soft balsa wood and built up the space between the bulkheads.  Took alot of shaping and sanding but I think I was successful.  Looking at the build....it is surely in the "ugly" stage.

Well, last night I was able to glue the sub-deck into place.  I used this piece to straighten out the few warps in the keel.  The limited instructions indicate the next step is to begin deck planking.  However, I am thinking I will fill in between the bulkheads in the bow and the stern to make a "semi-solid" hull.  I think this will be easier for a first timer to plank (as this kit calls for single planking).  I would rather complete this task before I begin installing a deck.
 
How does everyone feel about making a semi-solid hull.

Last night I assembled the basic skelton of the model.  A bit of light sanding was necessary to get the bulkheads to fit over the keel.  Everything was generally straight; no significant warps.  I cut a dozen or so small "right triangles" from 1/4 inch balsa and used these to hold the bulkheads square until the skelton was fully assembled.  When I was sure everything was straight, I used tite-bond to glue the assembly together.

I have always had a fascination with tugs.  When I saw this kit at a local hobbyshop I grabbed it off the shelf.  This will be my second build.  This will be my first attempt at planking a hull so I am a bit apprehensive about that part of the build.  This looks to be another learning experience.
 
On first perusal it appears to be pretty complete.  The wood looks good and the laser cut parts looks well done.  Nothing appears to be warped beyond use.  The hardware also looks pretty good. 

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will play around with some veneers.

I decided to "fill-in" some of the bow and stern frames forming a semi-sold hull.  I looked at the shape of the bow and stern and decided I would have a tough time achieving the shapes by planking alone (as this is my first planking attempt).  I am hoping that by forming a solid hull in some areas; I will have more success.
 
I did notice there was a thread about this issue last week.  Reading the replies to the question about filling in the frames I guess most of the builders don't believe it to be a great idea.  Well........time will tell.
 
I did not use solid blocks.  Instead I used 3/8" sheets of soft balsa wood and built up the space between the bulkheads.  Took alot of shaping and sanding but I think I was successful.  Looking at the build....it is surely in the "ugly" stage.

I have been away for a while.  Had to have a bit of surgery and that threw me behind at work.  I was able to continue working on the Willie, but did not take as many pictures of the progress as I should have.  I am enclosing a few pictures of the model which I have moved out of the workshop and into the house.
 
This was one of the most difficult modeling projects I have done.  The basic building of the hull, masts, etc. was not too difficult but working with the brass parts and the rigging, etc. I found to be very difficult.  While you get a lot of help by looking at the other builder's; you can also find the quality of their work somewhat intimidating.  Some of the other builders of the Willie are awesome.
 
Well I hope you find my build adequate.  I really enjoyed the Willie and recommend it as a first build......it has a bit of everything.  I will be starting a new build soon.....just purchased the Sanson.

Well time to being laying the deck.  I cut a bunch of deck planks and darkened the edges with a black permanent marker.  Also used by jig to position the "nail" holes.  I then marked the center line of the deck and clamped a metal ruler along the line.  I then glued in the first line of planks and I am going to let these dry completely before continuing.

Well, last night I was able to glue the sub-deck into place.  I used this piece to straighten out the few warps in the keel.  The limited instructions indicate the next step is to begin deck planking.  However, I am thinking I will fill in between the bulkheads in the bow and the stern to make a "semi-solid" hull.  I think this will be easier for a first timer to plank (as this kit calls for single planking).  I would rather complete this task before I begin installing a deck.
 
How does everyone feel about making a semi-solid hull.

Well, last night I was able to glue the sub-deck into place.  I used this piece to straighten out the few warps in the keel.  The limited instructions indicate the next step is to begin deck planking.  However, I am thinking I will fill in between the bulkheads in the bow and the stern to make a "semi-solid" hull.  I think this will be easier for a first timer to plank (as this kit calls for single planking).  I would rather complete this task before I begin installing a deck.
 
How does everyone feel about making a semi-solid hull.

Last night I assembled the basic skelton of the model.  A bit of light sanding was necessary to get the bulkheads to fit over the keel.  Everything was generally straight; no significant warps.  I cut a dozen or so small "right triangles" from 1/4 inch balsa and used these to hold the bulkheads square until the skelton was fully assembled.  When I was sure everything was straight, I used tite-bond to glue the assembly together.

I have always had a fascination with tugs.  When I saw this kit at a local hobbyshop I grabbed it off the shelf.  This will be my second build.  This will be my first attempt at planking a hull so I am a bit apprehensive about that part of the build.  This looks to be another learning experience.
 
On first perusal it appears to be pretty complete.  The wood looks good and the laser cut parts looks well done.  Nothing appears to be warped beyond use.  The hardware also looks pretty good.