Creole Queen by mtdoramike - FINISHED - Dumas - Paddle Wheeler - received partially built

[mtdoramike]

I can't really call this a build log because I didn't start the build, I received this partially built Creole Queen from a friend over on the east Coast of Florida. The original owner and builder had health issues and had to move away and could no longer finish the Creole Queen. I had not to long ago retired from ship and boat building, but being a sucker for a unfinished boat project, I just had to take on the project and due to the original builder being famed builder Tony Lombardo, that was like icing on the cake for me.

 

Here are a few pics of her as I received it. I started out by staining .5mmx8mm limewood strips with red mahogany stain and applying them to the decks. This was not allowed for on the kit, but I hate painted decks on boats, that to me is like a cop out. Next, I will look at drilling and installing the three rudders and rudder assist fin which goes up towards the middle of the hull, which assists in turning the boat. 

[ccoyle]

Very interesting, and I hope we will eventually get to see how she performs on the water.

 

Cheers!

[mtdoramike]

Yeah me too.

[mtdoramike]

I got the decking laid down, stained and seal with resin. I got a lighting kit in the mail I'm going to check out as well. I also have all the paddle wheel sprockets all sealed as well. 

[mtdoramike]

The drive system that Tony was working looked like a nightmare to continue with, so I decided to make it a little easier on myself and not try and re-invent the wheel here. So I ordered a 90 degree geared drive system from Cornwall. I will check it out and see how it works, if I don't like it, then I will go back to the rubber "O" ring and pulley system, which is what is recommended from Dumas.

[mtdoramike]

I have been getting a wee bit of work done on the Queen the last few days. Still waiting on  few parts such as single and double rudder arms 3/16" to control the rudders (3) of them with the rudder servo. I mounted the first deck on with some mounting blocks glued to the deck so that I could screw down the deck from the sides with three screws per side so that way the client will be able to remove the whole decking assembly to access the hull interior if need be.    

[mtdoramike]

I got a little more work done on the Queen, I have installed most of the lights, but I have a few left that I will try and install in the two upper cabins.

[mtdoramike]

I was able to get the railings fabricated and installed on the boiler deck as well as the second deck and promenade deck.

[mtdoramike]

[mtdoramike]

I have the Queen pretty much finished with just a few odds and ends to take care of, I had to modify and scratch some elements since the kit was quite incomplete when I received the half built kit. But I was able to take a pigs ear and make a nice purse out of it.

[John Allen]

Like your finished build real upgrade, also the display stand nautical, simple, perfectly understated and a true compliment to the build. Something a little different very nice KUDOS

[mtdoramike]

Thanks John, it was a pleasure and an honor to finish Tony's model. I just wish he were still around to see it. The display base was actually part of the building board. It was some what of a pain because there is an aluminum fin that is built into the center bottom of the hull that sticks down from the center of the hull a good two inches, so I had to cut out a slit in the center of the board to accommodate that fin. I believe the fin is supposed to give assistance in turning and makes the boat a bit more maneuverable with the paddle wheel and the three rear rudders.

 

The white pickets between the railings were supposed to be placed on thin plastic sheeting and just wrapped around each deck on the boat. I hated that idea, so I bought some heavier plastic, transposed the pickets onto the thicker plastic and then took my trusty Dremel tool and grooves into some thin wood stock, glued in the plastic between the two railings and then installed them onto the model. To me, this gives it a more finished look. This was just one of the modifications I made to the model. I also caulked all around the bottom or boiler deck just in case water splashed up over the deck, water wouldn't be able to make it down to the hull interior and the electronics.

 

Unlike the original model, I made each deck to be able with just a bit of effort to be removed separately with the removal of 4 small screws on each deck.    

mike   

Edited March 2, 2019 by mtdoramike

[mtdoramike]

Well the Queen embarked on her maiden voyage to her new port in a storm last night. The new owner was ecstatic over the results and wasted no time in picking her up. I hated to see the Queen leave, but a deal is a deal even with my wife who at times will let me fudge a little. But I promised I would let current and future models go once they are completed and not hoard them (once I had as many as 15 ship models, 12 of them in a eight foot by eight foot storage cabinet the length of a wall that I built to house a few model hahahaha).    

 

mike

[mtdoramike]

Here is some pictures of the Creole Queen that the new owner sent to me sitting in her new home

[mtdoramike]

The queen is putting on a light show for sure.

[Mirabell61]

Very nice river boat Mike,

 

Nils

[mtdoramike]

Thank you Nils, it was a total blast finishing her up. The Queen is a fun build and who knows I might do another one of these days.