RFP

30 minutes ago, jbelwood said:

Just thought I'd throw this photo in for something different. Perhaps the most

photographed scene on my layout. 

 

John Elwood

John, you're awesome!

4 hours ago, norm1116 said:

Hello!

 

Due to the holidays, we will need the dining room table back to normal, so my Portland is going into dry dock until January.  Wishing everyone a great holiday season!

 

 

Truly looking forward to your next post!

Happy, happy holidays to you... stay healthy and happy.

Rob 

On 7/19/2019 at 11:29 AM, dan evans said:

As far as the ht of wheel boxes I would nt get to concerned.  the bluejacket model is not that accurate . to reality.  If you folks are realy into accuracy i suggest you buy the book titled Paddle Wheel Steamers and their Giant Engines by Bob Whittier.  This book is available on Amazon and gave me great insight into the things that are seen on this model.  For instance no one will see the space  above the paddle wheels because it is covered by the brass decorative piece.  However they will see the engine.  If you want to get crazy focus on that area It is beautiful.

I am really grateful, Dan, for the book suggestion.  I found an excellent copy at Abe's Books and have finished it... fascinating!  These huge old engines were, well, huge!  And, considering the technology and manufacturing capabilities of the time, were an amazing accomplishment.  I also found a couple of interesting YouTube videos of walking beam engines. lots of hardware, there.

Thanks again, Dan

15 hours ago, jbelwood said:

Have been away from my computer for the past week. Spent the week visiting my daughter and SIL

in their summer cottage in Digby, Nova Scotia. Photo was taken in November last year. All last week

the Bay of Fundy was extremely calm. Digby is advertised as the World's Scallop Capitol. Bought them

fresh off the boat.

 

John,  What a spectacularly beautiful place; it looks to me like a perfect movie set!  I have never been to Nova Scotia, and scenes such as this make me realize what I've missed; and makes me want to go.  A week there must have been wonderful.  Thanks for posting.

Rob

5 hours ago, dan evans said:

As far as the ht of wheel boxes I would nt get to concerned.  the bluejacket model is not that accurate . to reality.  If you folks are realy into accuracy i suggest you buy the book titled Paddle Wheel Steamers and their Giant Engines by Bob Whittier.  This book is available on Amazon and gave me great insight into the things that are seen on this model.  For instance no one will see the space  above the paddle wheels because it is covered by the brass decorative piece.  However they will see the engine.  If you want to get crazy focus on that area It is beautiful.

Thanks, Dan, for the book suggestion.  I just ordered a copy from AbesBooks; about fifteen bucks... can't wait to get it!

Rob

Nic,  thanks for your thoughtful response... makes perfect sense to me!

I've got a question about the paddle wheel and it's 'box.'  There is a lot of 'headroom' at the top of the wheel... what is all this space for?  In the real world, does the wheel move up and down (like the wheels/tires of a car) and the space is needed for that travel.  I know my question has nothing whatsoever to do with the build log, but I'm wondering...

Rob

9 hours ago, dan evans said:

< snip > Again i wish I had this many people on the build when I started.  Great conversation.

I agree, Dan, this is a great build log.  I am so glad that real craftsmen are working on the Portland now... I'm ordering mine in September, and the work chronicled here will be massively helpful.  ;-) 

13 minutes ago, jbelwood said:

< snip >   Here's an example

of my work in keeping with the maritime theme. I have many more photos but don't want to interrupt this

thread with silly model railroad stuff.

John Elwood

 

 

Wow, John, you're awesome!

So glad you are feeling better, John... I've been missing your posts.  Here's wishing a quick trip to a complete recovery!

Rob

This is a GREAT build log!  Thanks, guys, for posting!

Rob

This is going to be a great build log... I'm going to be following right along, watching and learning.

Robert

1 hour ago, norm1116 said:

Hi,

 

This is what was concerning me about the Portland plans.  The 3 sheets seemed to be short 1/2 to 1 inch.  The photo shows the main deck set on the plans with the bow and stern ends in their correct location.  You can see an overlap in the 1/2" range.  This happens on the lines sheet and the one showing the main deck.

 

The 2 pieces that make up the main deck is a combined 36.5" long.  I was told that the master mylars measure the deck at 36" plus or minus a 16th. 

 

So I'm thinking "What do I do with that extra half inch?

 

In an email, It was recommended that I "Believe the laser cut parts, and use the plans for general reference".  I may have mis-perceived what I heard, but I got the impression that the plans were considered "close enough".

 

The issue is there is no way to say which measurement is correct.  Is the deck supposed to be 36" per the mylars they use to print plans?  Or is it 36.5" per the laser cut parts.

 

I may be over analyzing this, and welcome any and all opinion of the subject, but if the 2019 kit was all I had right now, I would have returned this kit even with the 20% restocking fee.

 

 

I contacted their pro, Charlie Cook, and his enthusiasm about the Portland made me change my mind.  I'm going to build this model. 

 

So, I pulled out the plans that came with the kit I purchased in 1996.  I laid the 2019 main deck on the plans, and guess what.  Exactly 36.5". 

There are big differences between the 2 kits, but I can use the lines from the older kit to work the hull, then I should be in good shape to continue on.

 

I'd be interested to hear from other Portland builders if they had issues with the plans, or if I'm just blowing this out of proportion. 

 

Either way, I'm going to start this soon.

 

 

 

Good morning, Norm...

I am so glad that you are building this gorgeous model!  Are you going to start a 'build log,' or are you just going to keep it all in this thread?

I've been a [mostly-lurking] member of this fine group for some time now, but have yet to actually start any constructive work.  I spend a lot of time trying to decide what ship I wanted to tackle as my re-entry into the hobby; way too much time.  I knew I didn't want another warship, and was kind of hot/cold toward whaling ships.  Then I 'found' the Portland and it really appeals to me, so evocative of that era.  After I had decided that the Portland would be 'it,' I promptly had some health issues the first five months of this year (all's well now!!), so I'm really wanting to get started soon.  So, after all that, I am so looking forward to watching you progress... I wish you the very, very best, have fun with it!

Rob

On 5/26/2019 at 5:12 PM, norm1116 said:

My kit is arriving on the 28th.  I'm looking forward to this build.  Looking at the photo jbelwood provided, I'm amazed at how crisp (is that the correct description?) that model looks.  I can only hope that mine comes out somewhere near that nice.

 

My stepson started this model around 20 years ago, and did not get far.  I still have that kit, but purchased the new one because of the laser cut parts. 

 

I tried to view the facebook page that was linked above, but get the "Sorry, this content isn't available right now" page. 

 

Wish me luck!

Any update, Norm?  Really looking forward to your build!

I can't get it either... this message instead:

The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.

4 hours ago, norm1116 said:

My kit is arriving on the 28th.  I'm looking forward to this build.  Looking at the photo jbelwood provided, I'm amazed at how crisp (is that the correct description?) that model looks.  I can only hope that mine comes out somewhere near that nice.

 

My stepson started this model around 20 years ago, and did not get far.  I still have that kit, but purchased the new one because of the laser cut parts. 

 

I tried to view the facebook page that was linked above, but get the "Sorry, this content isn't available right now" page. 

 

Wish me luck!

Norm,

Yes, indeed... good luck with your build!

Are you going to post a build log?  Please do... with lots of photos, too.  Thanks,

Robert

7 minutes ago, jbelwood said:

Here is Jim Finans build on the PORTLAND. I've referred to it many times. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152720184325928.1073741831.593315927&type=1&l=8d5b89f0c5

Thanks, John, this should be very helpful.  I'm delighted to find that I can view (even download) the photos while not being a Facebook user.  By the way, I'm guessing that Jim's build is from the earlier Bluejacket kit.

1 hour ago, jbelwood said:

Hi Rob,

 

I started working on the PORTLAND (updated version) back on April 1, 2016. Two years later, when I got to the

officers quarters and walking beam assemblies, I ran into a roadblock. Couldn't quite figure out how to approach

building either one. She has been sitting since then as pictured below. I did build two other boat models from 

other manufacturers in the past 12 months. Had to keep my mind afloat. I did take several photos during the build

process so if you have any questions I'd be glad to help.

 

John

 

Good morning, John

Thank you for your reply and your generous offer of 'help' ... what a great resource!   I am so impressed with your work on your Portland, your talent and attention to detail is much in evidence.   While I really have no idea what lies ahead in the construction of the walking beam and officers' quarters, lust looking at all the photo-etched railings is enough to strike terror in my little heart.  But, as they say, "fools rush in....."

Thanks again, your photo in inspiring.

Rob

32 minutes ago, MrBlueJacket said:

There is a Facebook posting of the building of the Portland from Jim Finan. It's about 2 years old, but a good sequence for you.

 

Nic

Thanks, Nic, for the kind suggestion... unfortunately (!) we are among the few cranky folks still alive that don't use Facebook.  

Since joining this fine group, I've done little except ask questions (such as this one)... I haven't started a thing!  Just as I was getting excited about resuming model-building, my wife (of fifty eight years) began having debilitating back problems.  After months of ineffectual treatment, we finally wised up and sought out a very fine neurosurgeon, who successfully operated on her back.  While the surgery was specific and 'fixed' a specific problem (pain), she still has a seventy-eight year old spine.  Regaining stamina and balance has been an uphill fight for her, and me, too, as I care for her.

Sorry for the boring story... Linda has progressed to the point where I can once again start agonizing over which model to tackle... I have been reading about the Portland for a couple of months now, and have pretty much decided it will be the one.

Again, thank you for your kind reply... I hope to be in the boat-building-business soon!

Rob

As the title says, I'm wondering if anyone is working on Bluejacket's side wheeler 'Portland.'  Looks to be a gorgeous model from an interesting period.  Thanks,

Rob

Well, I too think you are a genius!  Very nice... The Portland is a "class act," and so are you for resurrecting an ancient,  moribund kit, and bringing it to life.  Thanks for posting.

Rob

I am so impressed with this build log, but I can't begin to tell you how all the charts have completely intimidated me.  I love the Glad Tidings, and was strongly considering it if I EVER get around to getting [re]started in this glorious hobby... now, I'm not so sure. 

Dee Dee, 

I am so happy to see your update and get to see your planking progress... it certainly looks great to me!  I am interested in your comment (back in February), "I found out that CA glue doesn't like the ink in Sharpie markers."  So, did you use PVA glue instead?  What glue are you using on the planks, both on the plank-to-bulkhead and the plank edge-to-plank edge?  See what a total newbie I am?  

Rob

Thanks for the update.  I've been really looking forward to this build.  I am fascinated with these little 'working boats' and know that your build will be very instructive to a newbie like me.  As soon as i tidy up about a g'zillion other (non-model) projects, I am going to build this beauty.  Again, thanks for such thorough posts.

Rob 

Before the change, I could click on Unread Content and see all posts that had been made since my last visit.  Now, I can't find how to do that anymore.  Dang... as a newbie, that was a great way to see what's going on with everybody.

Thanks,

Rob