Midwest " The Trawler" is the latest orphan that I have adopted.

[mtdoramike]

Unfortunately for the Trawler, the builder lost interest in her once the hull was built. So I adopted her to maqke her all that she can be. I really hate to see a model half finished due to lack of interest when with just a little bit of iniative on the builders part the model could be finished.

[Keith Black]

 It looks like they did a nice job on the hull. 

[mtdoramike]

Yes they did, that is why it's so perplexing why they didn't go the extra effort and finish it.

[Keith Black]

Mike, it could have been illness or failed eyesight/loss of dexterity due to old age or the unthinkable. Glad to see you're taking the opportunity to finish the model and make whoever for whatever reason proud. 

[mtdoramike]

In some cases of orphaned kits that I have adopted that would be the case, but not all of them. I'm always honored to finish models for those who couldn't physically finish them for health reasons or the previous builder was deceased and strive to see that the model is finished with the highest quality that I can provide. You would be surprised at how many opportunities that I'm offered to complete models for folks who for what ever reason decided they no longer had an interest in completing them. My brother was one of them. Unfortunately I have to turn down most of them due to time constraints and it not being a subject I'm particularly interested in. I'm trying to slow down, but some project will tickle my fancy.   

[BobG]

Mike, I think you have established yourself as the CEO of The Wooden Ship Model Rescue Organization! It's always fun to see what models you have given new life to...

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Bob, I wear that title proudly hahahaha.

[popeye the sailor]

looks really good.......yep,  too good to lay waste    I've never seen that kit......what is the production year?

 

have you got a log on her yet?

Edited April 22, 2021 by popeye the sailor
extra text

[mtdoramike]

The plans say 1984, which is probably about right.

[mtdoramike]

OK, I finished up on my last build, which was the Yoda's Ark. Now it is time to give the next orphan a little attention nand a lot of love and see if I can bring out her special personality and let her shine. So it's the Midwest Tugs turn to get beautified.   

[mtdoramike]

I think my first step is going to be performing a bit of surgery to remove the deck, which was skillfully applied and would have been acceptable if it were going to be a static display piece. But if it's going to be R/C, the interior of the hull has to be sealed with resin.  

[mtdoramike]

I was able to remove the false deck to gain access to the interior of the hull and sealed it. I also glassed the hull and installed the drive shaft tube or stuffing box.

[mtdoramike]

I was able to get a little work done on the trawler.

[mtdoramike]

I just received the graphics this afternoon. I al;so installed a 380 brushed motor it.

[mtdoramike]

I up scaled the lettering a bit to make it a little more cartoonish.

[BobG]

Great name, Mike!

[mtdoramike]

I thought it would be hilarious referring to a fish on the line hahahahaha.

[popeye the sailor]

the Br549 part is a comical jab at the old TV show "Hee Haw"    the 'empty arms hotel'   look'in very nice.......shaping up to be a very nice rescue  

[mtdoramike]

6 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

the Br549 part is a comical jab at the old TV show "Hee Haw"    the 'empty arms hotel'   look'in very nice.......shaping up to be a very nice rescue  

hahahahaha, popeye, now your telling your age, I think it was from Junior Samples monolog. Your the first to pick up on it.

[mtdoramike]

I thought the saying was appropriate for a fishing vessel. I can picture one fish hanging from a hook, saying to the other fish, "How's it hangin brother?". A friend quickly pointed out to me that this is a trawler, which uses nets rather than line and hook. But I'm quick to point out anyting goes in cartoons.   

[mtdoramike]

I laid the decking, installed the 380 motor, white washed the decking, installed the rudder, servo and linkage. She be looking like a boat now. 

[mtdoramike]

Here is an updated picture on my progress.

[mtdoramike]

Well she is pretty much finished for the most part.

[Keith Black]

She turned out a beauty, no longer the pitiful orphaned child she once was. 

[mtdoramike]

Thanks keith, a bit of spit and polish and you would never know she was unwanted and unloved hahaha

[BobG]

She's a beauty, Mike. Time for you to find another orphan to adopt!

[mtdoramike]

I actually have two other orphaned projects waiting in the wings for their opportunity to shine Bob, one is a Dumas Mahogany run about Cobra, which is normally 27" in length, but I intend to stretch it out to about 30" by adding another frame. The other is the Billings Calypso. I'm currently working on a bigger version of the Yoda's Ark, which is being scratch built using a 33" fiberglass hull that I adopted a short time ago. 

[Red Rhino]

Hi Mike, a wonderful job on your found orphan ship model! My wife would certainly agree that I have never found a model I don’t like, and I firmly believe every one should be built. So thanks for saving her from the dumpster!

Dave

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Dave for the kind words. Like you, I wish I had time to build them all. This particular one, I felt sorry for because it had been kicked around from pillar to post without anyone taking the time to finish what one of the previous owners had started. The plans or what was left of them were torn, faded and pretty ratty, most of the parts were missing, so I had to scratch build some, use some old parts that I had laying around and purchased others. 

 

I have to turn down two-three offers a moth to finish models for would be builders who for what ever reason lost interest or life gets in the way of finishing their projects. But, I only have some much time so it has to be a special project or circumstance for me to adopt a wayward orphan. My wife keeps me grounded in the aspect.  

[BobG]

2 hours ago, mtdoramike said:

I wish I had time to build them all.

I'm amazed at how many orphans you actually are able to finish in such a short amount of time. I'm sure there will be plenty more given the speed at which you are able to build them.