King of the Mississippi by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Artensania Latina

[Jparsley]

Don she is looking great Glad to see the first level complete and the red wheel looks great she's looking like a steam boat unlike mine that still looks like a barge

[rcmdrvr]

Next step in the process was the planking of the third deck and mounting it in place.

[rcmdrvr]

On to the construction of the Deck 3 structures.  I made a mistake and grabbed the wrong stain for the doors (dark oak instead of red oak).  Decided to live with that mistake.  The structure is raised above the decking by a structure that was made to allow ventilation of the 2nd deck structures.

[rcmdrvr]

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted to this build log.  I have now added the wheel house to the model.  The wheel house itself was quite straight-forward.  Build a box, plank and stain.  The windows and doors took a little effort; but turned out alright.

 

The ramps leading out of the wheel house to the 3rd deck were a bit of a challenge but I think they turned out OK.  The kit supplied 3 scalloped brass strips to form a border around the 3rd deck.  For some reason, mine did not reach fully around and left a 3 inch gap which I could not figure out how to hide with the ramps.  In frustration I tossed the brass strips and built a wooden railing around the 3rd deck.  Not "scale" but I think still adds to the model.

[rcmdrvr]

Next came the smoke stacks.  These were tougher to build than I though.  First the painting.  I sanded, prime and sanded again.  Then the coat of black paint.  Looked pretty good until I went to install the brass rings.  The radius of the smoke stack dowel exceed the radius of the brass rings.  I had to cut the rings and "slip" them down the dowel.  They scratched the black paint.  I glued them in position and then repainted.  The bracing between the smokestacks and the tops took a little filing and priming before painting.  All-in-all, I think this model is beginning to shape up.  Now it is on the railing.

[Jeff-E]

Hi Don,

 

Looking really good, I especially like how the paddle wheel and smoke stacks turned out. Great work

[Jparsley]

She's looking great

[rcmdrvr]

Moved on to building ladders (3) and rails (a bunch).   This is a job consisting of cutting lots of little pieces and using sand paper to sand each wooden part to the proper length.  There is also a little brass wire bending.

[rcmdrvr]

Completed.  After three month of work I declared the project completed.  I know that this has not been a detailed log of construction steps but I am pround that I brought this log to its completion.  If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me email.

 

To any one thinking of building this kit.  The die cut parts fit.  The wood is in good shape (but they have it measured down to the last inch so be careful with your cuts).  When done it makes a really neat conversation piece.

[Mike Dowling]

Absolutely lovely, a tribute to your building skills. I might buy this beasty and have a go after all.

[John Allen]

Beautiful build the white in the railings and red in the stacks and paddle wheels really make it pop. I think the Occre and AL are the same both are nice kits the Occre has the furniture wall papers removable walls etc. 

 

It is a matter of personal choice the Occre kit logs are great but your AL is cherry it is smooth and has a clean uninterrupted flow to it. 

 

Great job

[rcmdrvr]

Thank you for your complements

[donrobinson]

A real sweet model you have there. Fantastic workmanship, congratulations. What's going to happen on the bench next?

[Mike Dowling]

I notice that although the OcCre and AL kits are similar they vary quite a bit. I have built the OcCre version and really like the removable walls and interior detail but I think there are enough differences to make the AL kit worth a go.

[rcmdrvr]

Just purchased the AL Cutty Sark kit.  Hope to start a build log soon.  Hope I didn't get in over my head on this one.