leclaire

Eric,

I always try to go with the solution that is supported by logic when all else fails. Of course, logic (as well as common sense) seems to be in very short supply in the world we live in today. I can see no reason for wide paddleboxes other than to maybe give more room for on the river repairs, maintenance, etc. to the paddles. But given these boats were built to provide their owners with a profit, they would not go the extra expense if they didn't have to.

Bob

Straight, strong and FREE. Doesn't get much better than that. Nice job, Eric.

Bob

That's a great idea Eric. I would get behind that venue 100%

Bob

Hey Eric, you better hurry up and finish your Arabia. Looks like you might just have a new boat to model. I wonder if the Malta was a stern or side wheeler.

Bob

Looking good Eric. Glad to see you back at the build.

FYI - I got my copy of the Chaperon CD from Kurt the other day and it is great. Really wish I had it from the beginning of my build. I agree, it would be a terrific resource for anyone building not only the Chaperon kit but any other river boat where a bit of authenticity is desired. Some of the other kits out there are pretty far off when it comes to accuracy.

Bob

Bruce,

Very nicely done, indeed. It has been a pleasure following along on your build. Hope to see your next project soon no matter what you decide on building.

Bob

Eric,

It is times like these that everything I try to say comes out sounding rather like a worn out cliche of some kind. My best to you and your family. As Canute noted earlier, this is a great support group so don't feel like you were dumping on us at all.  

Bob

Kurt - good news indeed about your Chaperon CD. I could sure use it in my build. Now I have a good excuse to set this build aside and try to finish up another that has been gathering a little dust. Please make sure to let us know when it is available.

Bruce - very nice work on your Chaperon. Like Kurt, I particularly like the extra details you have included.

Bob

Eric,

Without evidence that is specific to the Arabia, go with what you think is most pleasing to the eye. My vote is for plan "B". I never have like the straight back design anyway.

Bob

Kurt - thank you very much. I will call next week and take advantage of your offer.

Roger - you are probably right but I had already ordered the Model Shipways plan set before seeing your suggestion. Those plus the NRG plans should give me plenty to work with. Thanks.

Bob

I would love to have the Smithsonian plans but considering the boss put her foot down on the price of a new kit I doubt the $170 for their plans would fly. I am going to purchase the Philadelphia kit plans from Model Expo for $29.95. I think I can defend myself on that one. Certainly not the same but fine for my first attempt. Thanks for the input.

Bob

OK, everyone, thanks to your encouragement I will retract my earlier statement about not attempting a scratch build. I have been eyeing the gunboat Philadelphia by MSW and thought it would be interesting to purchase just the plans and go from there. It does not seem like an overly complicated project and might be suitable for a first scratch build. There is only one major obstacle in my way - - the boss says that before I can start any new build I have to finish the three sitting on my workbench in various stages of completion (Black Prince, Niagara, and Chaperon). At my current rate of progress, I'm not sure I have enough years left to even get started on something new. Oh well, I think I will buy the plans anyway (there was no discussion about not doing that as far as I can remember) and maybe it will provide the incentive needed to get the others done.

Thanks again for everyone's input. For those of you in the US Midwest areas, stay warm. We had a low last night of 33 F below zero for actual temp and a nice toasty 52 below wind chill. The Mississippi River is good and frozen. Now it is starting to warm back up to zero 😎but it started snowing again.

Bob

One thing I have learned from following this rather technical but extremely interesting discussion is that any notion of trying my hand at a scratch build in the future has been completely blown out the window.

Bob

Bruce, you are not the only one that put those supports on upside down. I did the same thing but fortunately noticed in time to pull them off, clean them off and redo. Lucky I was using wood glue and not CA.

I wouldn't worry about it. As Eric said, only a river boat expert would notice the issue and if they were smart they would be admiring your clever work around instead of being critical. Very nicely done indeed.

Bob 

Hi Eric,

Wow, you really got socked. Us folks on the east side of Iowa only got about 6" but having grown up on the west shore of Lake Michigan, I do know what you are talking about. Not fun, particularly when you have some land to take care of. As usual, very nice work on the Arabia.

Bob

Hey, that is great! Thanks Kurt, very much appreciated.

This is exactly why this is such a terrific site, all the support everyone gives each other.

Bob

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the response to my question. I am concerned as well that emery paper might be too thick and look out of place but had not come up with a better solution on my own. I will have to do a bit of experimenting with silk span to see if I can get the desired effect. Your directions will be most helpful. I may be back for further assistance.

I have seen others mention Kurt's SOS series and always wished I had a copy but a bit late for that. Anyway, thanks again.

Bob

Hi Bruce,

Not sure why I haven't run across your Chaperon build before, particularly since I am working on my own version of that kit. Very nice work indeed! I like your idea for the the windows to give a more muted and realistic look when the lights are turned on. I saw one version some time ago where the lights were the almost hospital white and it did not look good at all, at least in my opinion anyway.

I have kind of let my Chaperon slip of late and am only at the stage of installing the boiler deck. You mentioned using silkspan strips to simulate the decking. Did you ever consider black emery paper? That is what I have in mind and wondered if you encountered any problems with your solution. I have never used silkspan before but am always open to something new if it works for others.

Anyway, keep up the excellent work and I will surely be following along in the future.

Bob

Eric, sorry to hear about your injury. I am in complete agreement with you about the current state of our healthcare system and the clowns (i.e., statesmen) that we elect to fix such things.

If you need some expert and free medical advice, ask your wife. They know everything!!!

Bob

Hi Tim,

That wood glue dispenser looks like something I could really use. Where did you find it?

Bob

Eric,

Those photos of the dig also show how fast that river can silt in and cover up a wreck. I would never have thought that many feet of soil could build up in a relatively short period of time, particularly when you consider the river change often and sweep away what was deposited in the first place. 

Very nice job on the planking issue. I started to chime in several times but always realized I really had nothing to add but chatter.

Bob

Wow, Pete - you need to hurry up and make a mess of the place soon in order to be like the rest of us. Nice layout.

Bob

Hi Eric,

I'm glad to see you are still progressing on this build. For some reason I missed your last post prior to this one. In looking at the question you raised regarding the joinery on the "short piece", I think you are spot on. I would be willing to bet that the missing timber section in the photo of the real structure was due to a portion cracking off. Possibly during the sinking of the boat and all the stress in places never intended to handle them. Or just due to the length of time everything lay submerged in the mud.

What makes me think that is the 6" or so of the bolt extruding out the top. Something was there for sure. In any event, what you have done makes the most sense to me.

I hope you finally decide to leave some of the detail of your fine work open for viewing. It would be a shame to cover it up but as we all say "it's your build".

Regarding your last comment about "hoping the build continues to be more interesting....", from my perspective you don't have to worry about that. I am a big fan of your work and continue to learn more and more about these fascinating river craft as you progress.

Bob

Looking good Eric. I think you are right about the proportion issue - a little bit of sanding around the perimeter edges should clean that up nicely. It is very interesting to be able to compare a photo of the real thing to what you are creating. On the one hand it gives a better perspective on accuracy but it sure would drive me nuts trying to live up to the original. Sometimes ignorance is not necessarily a bad thing.

Your patience in making all of those deck supports is commendable as well. Keep up the good work.

Bob

Thanks Eric, your explanation is very clear and makes a lot of sense. I had a hunch it had something to do with the shape of the stern and the subsequent flow of water around the hull but figured you were the guy to ask. I am surprised to see that some boats had up to four rudders but again your explanation makes it clear as to the reason.

Bob