King of the Mississippi by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Artensania Latina

[rcmdrvr]

I have been away from the build logs for a while.  Had to have some work done to the old ticker but I am back to the workshop. Decided to try a model of a ship that lacks sails.  Spent a little time looking at kits and build logs on this site and decided that King of the Mississippi looked interesting and a fun build.  So I invested a few bucks and purchased the kit.

 

The first step, of course, is the hull.  I was impressed with the fit of the die-cut pieces.  This was one of the easiest hulls to build.  First step was gluing the keel and formers to a flat bottom.  Next came some thin plywood sides (which took a little care in bending) followed by planking with thin walnut strips.

[donrobinson]

Looks like she'll be a great build. Have fun I'll be following

[Jparsley]

I'm currently building this girl as a side project The hull is easily built but beware the first level buildings do not fit in the pre cut slots Before you plank the deck build the structures for the first level and make corrections in the slots Other than that she is fun Good luck

[rcmdrvr]

This model is not painted.  When complete, most of the model will be natural wood.  When I completed planking the hull with the thin walnut strips; I felt that the look of the unfinished planks was dull and not visually exciting.  I decided to stain the planks darker and apply a glossy polyurethane finish.  I used a dark walnut stain and it did come out a little darker than I anticipated but I still think it is better than the unfinished look.  What do you think?

 

I added the nails and deemed the hull  complete enough to move onto the main deck.

[Jparsley]

I think she looks great so far

[maturin52]

I did this same model last year, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I had no problems with the upper pieces fitting in their slots... what I dd discover, however, that it is incredibly east to turn the middle and upper decks around, causing no end of fun and confusion. 'nuff said!

[rcmdrvr]

With the hull complete (for now) I started on planking the main deck.  I use permanent marker down one edge of the plank to simulate caulking.  When the deck is fully planked I used a #2 wooden pencil (well sharpened) to simulate the nails.  Last step was to seal with polyurathane (in a matt finish).

[rcmdrvr]

Next step was to epoxy the main deck to the hull.

[cobra1951]

Nice and neat  

I hate it when you get some epoxy squeezing out when you apply the clamps, the cleanup is so sticky

[Jparsley]

She's a cute build

[rcmdrvr]

With the deck epoxied to the hull, the next step is construction of some of the main deck structures.  These are essentially plywood boxes which are "planked" in the same basswood as is the deck.

[cobra1951]

Very neatly done

[rcmdrvr]

Still working on the main deck structures.

[rcmdrvr]

I finally have glued all the deck structures to the deck.  I painted all the structures in a matt polyeurathane.  Here is a picture.  I am now starting on the 2nd deck.

[WackoWolf]

Looking beautiful. will be waiting for more pictures.

[Jeff-E]

Hi Don,

 

Very nice work so far, looks like it will turn into a beautiful model

[cobra1951]

Nice planking on the deck and the structures, also love those little doors

[S.Coleman]

Good work on the doors. The windows look great. I now wish I had darkened the lines in my planks. It looks much better.good work.

[rcmdrvr]

Realized that I have not updated this log in awhile.  After completing the structures on the main deck I began planking the second deck in a herring-bone pattern.  This turned out to be quite a project.  I learned that you should not run the planning in rows the length of the deck.  You lay the planning in rows of four planks and slowly work down the deck.  I do believe that it turned out OK.

[rcmdrvr]

After planking, I attached the second deck to the main deck structures using epoxy and clamping.  Clamping is necessary because the deck builds flat but must attached to curved structures.

[Cathead]

Crisp work on the planking.

[rcmdrvr]

Beginning work on the structures for the second deck.  The kit provides metal inserts for the windows and doors that you paint white to simulate glass and some other color for the frame.  I did not like the look so I decided to put in my own windows and doors.  A deviation from the kit that I think I like.

[rcmdrvr]

Next step was to epoxy the second deck structure into place.  Took some heavy duty clamping to get the structure to conform to the decking.

[WackoWolf]

What Paul said.

[Jeff-E]

Hi Don,

 

Very nice work, I am impressed with how the upper deck turned out looks great.

[rcmdrvr]

Started work on the paddlewheel.  I airbrushed the red and hand brushed the dark grey.  Next step will be to install the wooden paddles.

[rcmdrvr]

Went to work on the stair cases.  Not too happy with the results.  The steps were easy to put around the post but the stair railings twisted.  If I had to do it again, I think I would have fashioned my own railings.  I would have used better would that could have been stained rather than painted.

[rcmdrvr]

Next I went to work the posts and rails.  Each post had to be individually cut and then carefully sanded to achieve a tight fit.  Overall I was pleased with the posts and railings.

[rcmdrvr]

Installed the paddlewheel and the drive arms.

[rcmdrvr]

This is how she stands now.  Next steps will be the second deck.