Ebton3 Posted September 23, 2021 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2021 Hello everyone. My name is Blair Drazic from Grand Junction, CO.I’m a trial lawyer with 3 grown boys and 2 grown stepchildren. I have been a serious fine scale railroad modeler for 45 years. I am interested in building a riverboat or river boats for my layout. I ordered the Model Shipways Chaperone kit. I stumbled on this site and realized I may need help. I built a Scientific Bounty in college over 45 years ago but nothing since. Who knows, I may build more. I also have some tips from model railroading I can contribute. Do you all weather models? Blair Rik Thistle, mtaylor, thibaultron and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathead Posted September 23, 2021 Share #2 Posted September 23, 2021 Welcome! I'm also a model railroader who diverted into shipbuilding. You might enjoy this photo of my steamboat Bertrand at a mid-1800s railhead of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, on the Missouri River in northwest Missouri. If you're going to built Chaperon, I strongly recommend this additional guide written by Kurt Van Dahm, a director of the Nautical Research Guild and resident steamboat expert. It's got a ton of good details and suggestions that complement the kit instructions. The price is well worth it compared to the cost of the kit and the time you'll spend on it (especially the time you'll save avoiding mistakes!). There are also some very good build logs for the kit here on MSW that would be well worth reading through for insights and inspiration. I weather my steamboat models to the same extent I do railroad models: to look reasonably well-used but not decrepit. Many ship modelers don't weather because there's something particularly attractive about a pristine stand-alone model, but I think riverboats just don't look right if too crisp. Certainly if it's going on a model railroad layout, weathering makes sense. I primarily use pastels for light shadings of dirt, grime, rust, and so on. For example, here's my lightly weathered Arabia (another Missouri River steamer); not grimy, but not shiny either: I'd certainly encourage you to start a build log for your Chaperon here, as it'll be the best way to get advice and support as you dive in. It's a great choice of kit, really the only accurate riverboat kit available, and turns into a beautiful model. Good luck and I'll be there in your build log if you start it. Rik Thistle, tarbrush, Ryland Craze and 7 others 10 Quote Eric Current builds: scratchbuilt Missouri River steamboat Peerless (1893); 1:1 scale timber-framed outdoor kitchen Nautical builds (kits): USS Cairo; NRG capstan project; NRG half-hull; Viking longship; US revenue cutter; 18th century longboat; Bounty launch Missouri River craft (scratchbuilt): 1853 Missouri River steamboat Arabia; 1865 steamboat Bertrand; Lewis & Clark barge; keelboat; 1876 steamboat Far West Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted September 23, 2021 Share #3 Posted September 23, 2021 Blair, welcome to MSW. One of our gifted members, Gary (FriedClams), does a wonderful job of weathering. See the below link. thibaultron, Jack12477, Ryland Craze and 3 others 6 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted September 23, 2021 Share #4 Posted September 23, 2021 Ryland Craze, Keith Black and thibaultron 3 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Seiler Posted September 23, 2021 Share #5 Posted September 23, 2021 Hello Blair. Welcome to Model Ship World. I think you will find the CHAPERONE to be an interesting and challenging build, but not overwhelming. I built the Missouri River steamboat FAR WEST as my first scratch build many years ago. All the joys of model ship building without the pesky rigging. Looking forward to your build log. Cathead, mtaylor, thibaultron and 4 others 7 Quote Chuck Seiler San Diego Ship Modelers Guild Nautical Research Guild Current Build:: Colonial Schooner SULTANA (scratch from Model Expo Plans), Hanseatic Cog Wutender Hund, John Smith Shallop Completed: Missouri Riverboat FAR WEST (1876) Scratch, 1776 Gunboat PHILADELPHIA (Scratch 1/4 scale-Model Shipways plans) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebton3 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted September 23, 2021 Thank you everyone. I knew this would be a good website. I downloaded everyone’s pics. Cathead, I lived in MO for 30 years (STL) and still work there some times. Here is a shot of one of my model scenes. I’m hot to get going but it will take a while to get the kit. Rik Thistle, Chuck Seiler, mtaylor and 8 others 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thibaultron Posted September 24, 2021 Share #7 Posted September 24, 2021 Welcome! Ryland Craze, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Ron Thibault Shipjack Carrie Price from Pyro kit, with upgraded detailing and history. Going From A 2D Drawing To A 3D Printed Part Tutorial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted September 24, 2021 Share #8 Posted September 24, 2021 Hello Blair, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John Ryland Craze, thibaultron, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted September 24, 2021 Share #9 Posted September 24, 2021 (edited) Hi Blair, and welcome to MSW. Judging by the jalopy it looks like your layout is just the right time for the Chaperone - she was in use until she was burnt in 1922, so she sounds like just the vessel for your railroad. A river steamer is on my own wish-list, but as an Aussie I'd be doing an Australian one (they're quite different from the American ones). But it's very much on the back burner - I've got so many models I want to make, I doubt I'll get all of them done this lifetime. Yes, start a build log. You'll find it very worthwhile - the members here are very friendly and helpful. Good to have you aboard. Steven Edited September 24, 2021 by Louie da fly Ryland Craze, Chuck Seiler, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted September 24, 2021 Share #10 Posted September 24, 2021 Welcome to Model Ship World Blair. You will do just fine on your Chaperone build judging by the excellent work on your model railroad. I love the era that you are modeling for your model railroad. Keith Black, thibaultron, Jack12477 and 1 other 4 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baker Posted September 24, 2021 Share #11 Posted September 24, 2021 mtaylor, thibaultron and Keith Black 3 Quote Regards, Patrick Finished : Soleil Royal Heller 1/100 Wasa Billing Boats Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch) Pelican / Golden Hind 1/45 scratch Current build : Mary Rose 1/50 scratch Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch To do : Prins Willem Corel, Le Tonnant Corel, Yacht d'Oro Corel, Thermopylae Sergal Shore leave, non ship models build logs : ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72 Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72 Autoblinda AB40 1/72 122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72 10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e) Centurion Mk.1 conversion M29 Weasel 1/72 SAM6 1/72 T26 Finland T26 TN 1/72 Autoprotetto S37 1/72 Opel Blitz buses 1/72 Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72 Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72 Si vis pacem, para bellum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Pellett Posted September 24, 2021 Share #12 Posted September 24, 2021 Blair, Welcome to the forum. I’m not a model railroader but sometimes wish that I were. I love those Shay locomotives! Many years ago my wife and I rode up the mountain on West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad. They operate Shays. Shays were also used in the open pit iron ore mines here in Northern Minnesota. I wouldn’t overdo the weathering. Chaperone hauled both passengers and freight in the Evansville, Indiana and NW Kentucky areas. To attract passengers she had to be well maintained. As a coal burner areas exposed to coal dust or smoke would be grimy. Otherwise fresh paint inspires confidence with the traveling public. Roger thibaultron, Cathead, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebton3 Posted September 24, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted September 24, 2021 Thanks everyone. I think I will do a build log. I have an unusual layout made up of unrelated scenes I call the Rail Gallery. I model several eras between 1920 and the 60s. Here is another pic and my method of jumping between eras in a prototypical manner😎. If the Chaperon is a success, I’m looking at a sailing ship harbor scene possibly. mtaylor, Keith Black, thibaultron and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebton3 Posted September 24, 2021 Author Share #14 Posted September 24, 2021 I just remembered this book I bought many years ago. I think the latent interest is coming out! Rik Thistle, thibaultron, Keith Black and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted September 28, 2021 Share #15 Posted September 28, 2021 Nice to see the de Lorean - must have attained 88 m.p.h. to have got there. Sailing ships were still in fairly common use before (and even during) the second world war, so it should all work nicely. Steven CDR_Ret, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR_Ret Posted September 28, 2021 Share #16 Posted September 28, 2021 Welcome to MSW, Blair, from a fellow Coloradoan (Colorado Springs). I think I found the perfect intersection of model railroading and shipbuilding! Back in 2016, my thread on the brigantine Galilee attracted a comment from Thomas Rubarth, who resides in Omaha, Nebraska—also a model railroading fan. In collaboration with a ship modeler friend of his, Jim Turner, they built a huge model of the train ferry Solano, which operated between Benicia and Port Costa in California from 1879 to 1930. The model was built to HO scale and included HO rolling stock. Here are several photos Thomas shared with me during our correspondence: This is the model builder, Jim Turner holding the hull. Note the asymmetrical positioning of the paddle wheels. MSW is a wonderful organization of knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful individuals. I am sure you will find success in your endeavors here. Enjoy! Terry Ryland Craze, Cathead, Rik Thistle and 7 others 5 5 Quote Current project: Reconstructing plans for Matthew Turner's brigantine Galilee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbp521 Posted September 30, 2021 Share #17 Posted September 30, 2021 Welcome to Model Ship World Blair. Glad to have you aboard. I completed the Model Shipways Chaperon about a year and a half ago and I must say that it is a fantastic model. There are several build logs on MSW of this model you can use as a reference as well as a wealth of knowledgeable folks here that are always willing to lend a hand and guide you in the right direction. Looking forward to following your build log. -Brian mtaylor, thibaultron, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Current Builds: Completed Builds: Mississippi River Towboat Caroline N. HMB Endeavor: Artesania Latina USS Constitution - Cross Section: Mamoli Non-Ship Builds: HMS Victory - Cross Section: Corel New Shipyard King of the Mississippi - Steamboat: Artesania Latina Battle Station Section: Panart (Gallery) In Dry-dock Chaperon - 1884 Steamer: Model Shipways USS Constellation: Aretesania Latina USS Cairo - 1862 Ironclad: Scratch Build Flying Fish: Model Shipways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffb Posted September 30, 2021 Share #18 Posted September 30, 2021 Welcome Blair! I too have a foot in both camps. A few years ago I scratchbuilt a sternwheeler for our club layout which, unfortunately, had to be disassembled as I was completing it. I would like to incorporate it in a module or my home layout in the future. Jeff mbp521, CDR_Ret, thibaultron and 2 others 5 Quote Jeff Betcher Current Builds: Completed Builds: Lively of Baltimore 1813 - The Lumberyard; 1/72 Canadair CL-215 water bomber Ontario markings, 1/72 Canadair CL-215 water bomber Newfoundland markings; 1/72 Canadair CL-415 water bomber Ontario markings Future Builds: Future Builds: HMS Bounty - Artesania Latina; Tender "Avos" Master Korabel; NRG Half Hull; HMS Speedy Vanguard Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebton3 Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share #19 Posted October 1, 2021 Thanks for all the help and pics. thibaultron, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebton3 Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share #20 Posted October 1, 2021 I downloaded all the pics! Keith Black, mtaylor and thibaultron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted October 1, 2021 Share #21 Posted October 1, 2021 Hello from Colorado, I live in Craig 👋 mtaylor and Ebton3 2 Quote John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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