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Robert E Lee by John Ruy - FINISHED - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 3/32” to 1’ scale or 1:128 - Steamboat


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Nice work. You're going to need that mug of beer before you're through! Are there curved sections of railings, too?

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1 hour ago, Cathead said:

Nice work. You're going to need that mug of beer before you're through! Are there curved sections of railings, too?

Oh yes! There are curved sections. I will have to soak some of the frame sections, before adding the stanchions and cap rail. And yes on the beer 🍺 LOL 😆 But only after the work is completed, I don’t what to think about the rework the next morning. It’s hard enough to keep the sheer correct sober. 🤪

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  • 3 weeks later...

Crew Quarters and Texas Deck…

FF2897B9-857F-4C59-BD99-B02DABE904B3.thumb.jpeg.04ab5c988935babed4fdbaf831ad3854.jpeg
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The Texas Deck mounted on the skylight roofing. 

D1E1A433-9833-4E68-95D2-E8EC45C466A1.thumb.jpeg.54e8db4c1a5e4b134b87aedff6a4d213.jpeg

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Added the roofing edge detail. Glued down the Texas roof. 
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Planking another roof on the Texas. 
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Continuing to build railings. 

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Lots of detail work in these railings, windows and transoms. 
 

She is coming along…

Later 😎

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Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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1 hour ago, John Ruy said:

Crew Quarters and Texas Deck…

I had not heard the term "Texas deck" before perusing your build log.  Had to look that one up.  Very interesting!  

 

And oh by the way, the detail and precision of your work on this project is incredible.    

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53 minutes ago, Glen McGuire said:

I had not heard the term "Texas deck" before perusing your build log.  Had to look that one up.  Very interesting!  

 

And oh by the way, the detail and precision of your work on this project is incredible.    

Thanks Glen,

 

The Texas Deck was new to me. Pursuing this build has led me to a lot of historical research as well. Yes very interesting indeed. 🤔

 

The Industrial Age is definitely as fascinating as the Age of Sail. The eras do overlap several decades. 
 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_(steamboat)

 

Here is a link for others, Texas was a word synonymous with Grand or Large. These steamboats were certainly a Grand site to see on the river. 
 

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Thanks again for your comment and welcome aboard. Lots more detail coming up. 
 

Cheers 🍻 

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Detailed Fire Systems…

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Water barrels and buckets supplied in the kit. Britanian Metal….

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Painted white per instructions. 

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Texas roofing painted gray…

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Trim Detail for the Texas Roof…

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Placement of Fire barrels and buckets…

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Onwards with roof trim and railings.  
 

Cheers 🍻 

 

 

Edited by John Ruy

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Finishing up the Texas Porch…

 

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Top rails added…

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Upper trim work filled and painted. 

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Railings are getting easier, but very time consuming. 🤪

 

Cheers 🍻

 

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Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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Keep the faith! The marathon does end someday.

 

Quick note, as those meant to be fire barrels and buckets in white? If so, to the best of my knowledge these were always painted red.

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43 minutes ago, Cathead said:

Keep the faith! The marathon does end someday.

 

Quick note, as those meant to be fire barrels and buckets in white? If so, to the best of my knowledge these were always painted red.

Yes… the drawings indicate they are to be painted White. I would have thought red, but white seems to be the color for everything. 

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Ok… I need some respite from railings 😆 I will continue steady progress on this build and have started a new day job The Bluenose, here is a link to my other build log if you would like to check it out. 
 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/32549-bluenose-canadian-fishing-schooner-by-john-ruy-164-scale-model-shipways-kit-no-ms2130/

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Front Porch Railing 2.0…

 

I’m not happy with the Texas Porch. 

image.jpeg.de9718af1aa4df04dab82f9fe34e9c52.jpeg
Railings on the left are collapsing. It needs heavier posts. 
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DEMO Time… Save the railings. 🤪
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Added posts…
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Much better… Yeah! 
 

OCD makes for perfection. 😆

 

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Railing progress…

 

Someone asked earlier about curved railing sections?

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Progress! 

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First section of curved railing installed. 
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First Stair Guards on the Hurricane Deck. 😎

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A good day aboard the Robert E Lee. 
 

Cheers 🍻 

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Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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Hello John,

 

I really like your work and all the effort you are putting into your model.  I started a build log for a Pyro plastic 1/163 Robert E Lee.

 

The plastic model does not have quite the detail you are adding to your model and of course it is plastic not wood.  I could never see myself building a wood model of the Lee.

 

But I am sure I can learn a thing or two about modeling the boat from your log.

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Edited by bcochran
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1 hour ago, bcochran said:

I could never see myself building a wood model of the Lee.

 

But I am sure I can learn a thing or two about modeling the boat from your log.

thanks… I started with a Plastic model of the Cutty Sark. The first time I opened a wood model, it scared the heck out of me. I resold it on eBay. 😂

 

Start with a small schooner, you might like it. Warning ️ Wood Ship Modeling is addictive. LOL 😆 

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5 hours ago, bcochran said:

Hi John,

 

Is there anyway you could share the plans that came with your kit?  They look to have a bit more information that I have with mine. 

 

It's OK if you don't.

If you take a look at my first page of this build log, you will find photos of the two drawings that came with the one page of instructions. The kit is estimated to be from 1972. Vintage kits like these never have much in the way of instruction beyond the blueprints. As for the blueprints, I like to keep them for display. Paying for copies of the blueprints and shipping to you may be an option, but I wouldn’t guarantee to quality due to the age of these prints. You might just copy the photos from my build, for your purposes. Unless you are planning to scratch build, I wouldn’t suggest buying the plans. 

 

Most of my additional detail, particularly the engine room, came from researching the Robert E Lee. As was suggested to me by @Cathead, I would suggest getting a copy of The Western Rivers Engineroom Cyclopœdium by Alan Bates. It's rare but you can find it used in places, or you could always put in an interlibrary loan request. Its out of print but I found it being copied at the Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville, IN. His companion volume The Western Rivers Steamboat Cyclopoedium would also be an excellent resource, and has some basic information on engine design and layout. 
 

Take care

John
 

 

Edited by John Ruy

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Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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On 7/27/2022 at 3:50 PM, John Ruy said:

Wood Ship Modeling is addictive.

Truer words have never been spoken. I bought my first wooden ship kit ten years ago and have not built a plastic one since. 
 

-Brian

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                                                                               

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

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Hurricane Deck edging…

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As I progress with the railings, I am starting to get a better picture of the material needs. Mid west Products is out of stock on these items. 🤨

 

I have been able source some from University Bookstores. I need more packets of the .0208 x .0312. My order for these is back ordered until September. I am hoping Midwest can step up production. 

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A 100 mm length of railing is now taking me about 4 hours to complete construction. That’s an improvement over when I started. 🤪

 

Progress, albeit minimal…

 

Cheers 🍻

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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Looking good John. Have you tried Northeastern Scale lumber? I use them all the time and they have a great selection of wood strips.

 

https://www.northeasternscalelumber.com/

 

-Brian

Edited by mbp521

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                                                                               

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

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3 hours ago, mbp521 said:

Looking good John. Have you tried Northeastern Scale lumber? I use them all the time and they have a great selection of wood strips.

 

https://www.northeasternscalelumber.com/

 

-Brian

Brian, Thanks for the lumber source. They have what I needed and more. Great resource. 👍

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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Glad to help out.

 

-Brian

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                                                                               

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

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On 8/5/2022 at 8:32 AM, John Ruy said:

A 100 mm length of railing is now taking me about 4 hours to complete construction. That’s an improvement over when I started

More progress… Railing construction now taking just 2 hours per 100 mm of railing. 👍

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  • 3 weeks later...

Chimney and Escape pipes…

 

A much needed diversion from Railings, resulted in progress on details of Smoke and Steam Stacks. 
 

B6275452-234E-4517-B9DA-CB6B34E3B520.thumb.jpeg.ad092e680dc374eb2b616dad40e421f0.jpeg

63FC602C-2373-466E-9583-030B44EC35F2.thumb.jpeg.0250b02878d17f5c27516bb1ead4f40b.jpeg

Steam Escape pipes built using kit supplied flanges and split rings from my supply drawer. 
 

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Metal flanges supplied in the kit…
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Rings fashioned from copper wire…

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Painted Flat Black…

A4809B2F-DC75-4D84-B7F9-C95589687300.thumb.jpeg.0db6b9485135d3329879f892beae1ad0.jpegD5314B74-7A25-41DB-81FB-CF6FAE4FFAD7.thumb.jpeg.9e5e0fc2c0a67c09861528d4bbd900f8.jpeg

Set eyelets for guy wires…

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Fashioned Navigational Lanterns…

EDFAF381-C042-4824-8898-35B05E897089.thumb.jpeg.bad900cac2189aaa70fcdcb427217367.jpeg57224BA5-A4D9-4DCD-B182-9E32FE566ECC.thumb.jpeg.9b54fe2098c4b632daaca80a6bc807ee.jpeg3EB11899-A70C-4BEB-A8B7-6477800D9CA7.thumb.jpeg.caec4c1b64c84e7c2355582a1b448aea.jpegD0038594-E041-4638-ACBD-3D08FDC50B2F.thumb.jpeg.bda60663e70347480af645fd27867fe1.jpeg

Fashioned decorative elements from card stock… Not sure what to call these, but a pain in the … 🤪

 

Then came the hardest item to scratch build with no instruction, only the drawing and photos for guidance. 
 

B227343D-1DB3-4AFA-9944-D48A8AA32950.thumb.jpeg.242a8b0667d64d7e601451c3cb4af3ad.jpeg8C6627A5-52F1-4954-97A4-EA0837482695.thumb.jpeg.6d086ca69cb148898a55a33ebb33c0bb.jpeg7DEDCD07-7F7F-4D58-838B-D86BC2072FE4.thumb.jpeg.735319612d0ab111f07e72ab443efa2b.jpeg

3 step process x 3… I’m not even going to share the number of failed attempts before getting these right. Sometimes I wonder why do I do this to myself, then it all comes together. 😎

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Stacks and Steam Pipes completed…

 

Stacking those railings up on the Main Deck. Cheers 🍻 

 

 

Edited by John Ruy

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Back from a stretch with the Bluenose. 
 

Still building out those “finicky” railings, when I noticed I would need to anchor the Chimney Guys to the Hurricane Deck before I could install the railing. 
 

I needed to study the drawings carefully to fully understand the guy cables. Bluejacket has supplied stranded wire for this purpose. 

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Given the following instructions, this rigging is no simple task. 🤪
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So here I begin on yet another tedious task. So far it’s going well. 

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This endeavor has now moved me to build the Derrick Masts, tapering 1/8” dowel and painting them white. They are also part of the guying system. 

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You will notice in the above photo those “finicky” railings needing to be painted. 

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1 of 3 forward cable guy systems installed. Another three sets will need to go aft of the chimneys to keep everything taught. As you can see in the drawing provide above. 
 

I originally thought I might be a year to finish. It may just be a bit longer. 😆

 

But then this is what we live for right? 
 

Cheers 🍻 

Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan 

Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat

 

 

 

 

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