John Ruy Posted January 26, 2022 Author #61 Posted January 26, 2022 Paddle Wheels continued… Cutting 3 mm blocks… Sanding after CA glue has set… Sanding excess glue… Ready for paint… Onwards… 🍻 GrandpaPhil, Cathead, KurtH and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
toms10 Posted January 27, 2022 #62 Posted January 27, 2022 John absolutely fantastic job on the wheels. I would someday like to build a paddle wheel boat but the wheels are a bit scary. You seemed to have tamed the beast! Great step by step explanation. That will hopefully come in handy for me someday. 😁 Tom Rik Thistle and John Ruy 2 Quote Attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure. Finished: Charles W. Morgan, scratch 1:96 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/30666-charles-w-morgan-1841-scratch-196-pob-by-toms10 Finished: HMS Leopard, scratch 1:85 https://modelshipworld.com/gallery/album/2403-hms-leopard-scale-185 Finished: Constellation AL Kit, scale - 1:85 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/gallery/album/1383-constellation-al-185-by-tom-szabo/
John Ruy Posted January 28, 2022 Author #63 Posted January 28, 2022 6 hours ago, toms10 said: You seemed to have tamed the beast! Tom, Not sure how tame my process was, very intense. 😬 All I can say is take your time and be very accurate. 👍 Cathead, toms10 and yvesvidal 3 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted January 29, 2022 Author #64 Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) Paddle Wheels… Ready for assembly… Posts are lining up pretty good. Some filing to get paddles a bit better aligned. Painting… The Robert E Lee had two paddle wheels, each 38 feet in diameter and 17 feet wide. The second one was definitely built a bit straighter than the first one. Paddle Wheel 2.0 will be the one left viewable, the other will get a full Wheel Housing built over it. 😆… Paddle Wheels completed. 👍 Cheers 🍻 Edited January 29, 2022 by John Ruy oneslim, pjofc4, yvesvidal and 5 others 8 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
ccoyle Posted January 29, 2022 #65 Posted January 29, 2022 On 1/23/2022 at 10:59 PM, John Ruy said: just repeat until you go insane. Pretty much my exact thought as I read through your description of the process. Congratulations on surviving this task! Cathead and John Ruy 2 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, DS Børøysund
John Ruy Posted January 29, 2022 Author #66 Posted January 29, 2022 9 hours ago, ccoyle said: Congratulations on surviving this task! Ho Ho He He Ha Ha,.. I am not sure weather I survived without becoming a bit Obsessive. I have now taken up Cutting Twigs into 3/8” pieces and splitting them into firewood. 🤪 They call this “Wooding Up” on the Mississippi. 😆 Those Steam Boilers consumed a forest to transport goods and passengers. Several stops to “Wood Up” were made between New Orleans and St. Louis. Onwards… 👍 yvesvidal, GrandpaPhil, Ras Ambrioso and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Cathead Posted January 29, 2022 #67 Posted January 29, 2022 Steamboats wooded up multiple times daily. They were pretty clearly an agent of regional deforestation. I discussed this ecological context a bit in a video talk I gave on Missouri River steamboat history last year. Fantastic job on the wheels! Rik Thistle and John Ruy 2 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
bobandlucy Posted January 29, 2022 #68 Posted January 29, 2022 The wheels are awesome. . . John Ruy 1 Quote
John Ruy Posted January 29, 2022 Author #69 Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) Hanger Rods and Turn Buckles… These rods were used to support the Main Deck as it was cantilevered beyond the hull. Turn Buckles we’re supplied in the kit by Bluejacket. Good quality brass castings. I decided to use fine brass wire vs. the stranded wire I had used on the first two earlier in the build. The stranded wire will be more more appropriately used as the Hogging Chain and Stack guy wires later. Attaching the hanger rods… Setting the rods with CA glue… Painting the rods flat black… Starboard side Completed. Cheers 🍻 Edited January 30, 2022 by John Ruy GrandpaPhil, yvesvidal, Cathead and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
gsdpic Posted January 31, 2022 #70 Posted January 31, 2022 Well done with the paddle wheels, and with everything else. From your description, those wheels must have been massive in real life. John Ruy 1 Quote - Gary Current Build: Artesania Latina Sopwith Camel Completed Builds: Blue Jacket America 1/48th Annapolis Wherry
John Ruy Posted February 12, 2022 Author #71 Posted February 12, 2022 Grand Stairway… Used 1/16” Cherry to cut the staircase. Ordered some 1/32” Cherry to use for the curved railings. 😎 Cheers 🍻 yvesvidal, bobandlucy, Ras Ambrioso and 7 others 10 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
bobandlucy Posted February 12, 2022 #72 Posted February 12, 2022 The Grand Stairway is Grand indeed. I love it! John Ruy and yvesvidal 2 Quote
John Ruy Posted February 13, 2022 Author #73 Posted February 13, 2022 (edited) Engine Room and Superstructure… Paddel Wheel shaft journals… Paddle Wheel shaft connection completed… Boiler Feed Pump… Steam Driven pump to feed river water up into the massive boilers. N - Scale windows and doors. Board and batten siding. Superstructure walls… Because I will be viewing the engine room, I had to create the interior walls. I could not find anything regarding the interior structure, so I assumed it would be “Barn” like. Given that this is the foundation for four story hotel structure it needs to be stout. 😎 Engine Room is coming together. Note: Not going for accuracy here, very little info is available specific to Robt E Lee. I’m only trying to create the illusion when looking in under the boiler deck from the port side where I will leave the engine room wall open. The above photo taken from Alan Bates’ Engine Room Cyclopedium will be my inspiration as I attempt to add to the illusion of an Engine Room. 😎 A lot of windows to install… Engine Room wall for the starboard side. I will leave this wall open on the Port Side. On to building the Wheel Housing. Keeping everything plumb on a curved deck. 😆 This will be the view into the engine room from the port side. There will be framing only no walls. Curved walls on a curved deck… Added windows. More latter… Cheers 🍻 Edited February 14, 2022 by John Ruy Cathead, mbp521, KurtH and 6 others 9 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Cathead Posted February 13, 2022 #74 Posted February 13, 2022 Seeing those beautiful paddles and engine room come together make me want to tackle another one! John Ruy, mbp521 and yvesvidal 3 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
John Ruy Posted February 18, 2022 Author #75 Posted February 18, 2022 Grand Stairway continued… Preparing the staircase for railings. Used 1/32” sheet cherry wood to cut and build railings. 1/8” Mahogany posts and basswood strips as rail caps. Fine sanding prep before staining and poly. Grand Stairway in place… Cheers! 🍻 gsdpic, mbp521, Cathead and 7 others 10 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
gsdpic Posted February 19, 2022 #76 Posted February 19, 2022 That stairway looks like a lot of work but the end result was worth it....very nice! mbp521 and John Ruy 2 Quote - Gary Current Build: Artesania Latina Sopwith Camel Completed Builds: Blue Jacket America 1/48th Annapolis Wherry
John Ruy Posted February 20, 2022 Author #77 Posted February 20, 2022 5 hours ago, gsdpic said: That stairway looks like a lot of work but the end result was worth it....very nice! Yes… Lots of fun to be had for sure. A million opportunities to increase my scratch building skills. 😆 This kit essentially consists of the drawings and a giant wood package. Thanks for the comments. 👍 gsdpic, mbp521, Cathead and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted February 20, 2022 Author #78 Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) Progress on the superstructure… Cutting out Boiler deck for staircase. Boiler sub deck cut… Cutting out kitchen deck. Remaining decks cut out. Massive four story structure. It feels like I am in architecture class. 😆 Board and Batten is going to drive me batty. 😆 That and windows, four more floors to go. 🍻 Framing on the port side will be left open for the sneak peak at the engine room and paddle wheel. 😎 Bubble Bubbles it’s all got to be plumb. Looking forward to more opportunities to improve my craft. 😆 Superstructure to be continued. 🍻 Edited February 20, 2022 by John Ruy Cathead, mbp521, GrandpaPhil and 6 others 9 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted February 21, 2022 Author #79 Posted February 21, 2022 Superstructure continued… More windows and more battens… Once I have this lower structure assembled, I will be disassembling it for painting. Airbrush will give it the best look. 😎 Onwards… 🍻 yvesvidal, KurtH, DanB and 2 others 5 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Ras Ambrioso Posted February 21, 2022 #80 Posted February 21, 2022 Amazing piece of work. Those paddle wheels are incredible and your tutorial is very clear. Cathead, John Ruy and mbp521 3 Quote Ras Current builds: Stern Paddle Wheeler ZULU-1916-1/48 scale Previous builds: Freccia Celeste-1927 350cc racing motorcycle-1:9 scale-Protar kit Boeing B17F- 1/72 scale- Hasegawa kit HMS Mimi-scale 1/24-Fast Motor Launch Amapá 1907-1/64 scale-Brazilian Customs Cruiser Scottish Motor Fifie. 1/32 scale. Amati kit Patricia. Steam powered R/C launch. 1/12 scale. Krick Kit African Queen. Steam powered R/C launch. 1/24 scale. Billings ki Emma C. Berry. Sailing fishing smack. 1/32 scale. Model Shipways kit.
John Ruy Posted February 25, 2022 Author #81 Posted February 25, 2022 Main Deck Superstructure… Ready for the paint booth. Basswood has a tendency to curl when painted with Acrylics. Painted and ready to be reassembled. Started framing up the engine room. more later… 🍻 mbp521, Cathead, GrandpaPhil and 4 others 7 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
gsdpic Posted February 25, 2022 #82 Posted February 25, 2022 Nicely done. This looks like a fun build...like you said, almost like an architectural model. I always wanted to pretend I was an architect. John Ruy and mbp521 2 Quote - Gary Current Build: Artesania Latina Sopwith Camel Completed Builds: Blue Jacket America 1/48th Annapolis Wherry
John Ruy Posted February 25, 2022 Author #83 Posted February 25, 2022 2 hours ago, gsdpic said: Nicely done. This looks like a fun build...like you said, almost like an architectural model. I always wanted to pretend I was an architect. Actually, I feel more like a builder trying to understand the architect. Like you said, “pretending to be an architect.” 😆 mbp521 and gsdpic 2 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted February 27, 2022 Author #84 Posted February 27, 2022 Main Deck Superstructure construction continues… Tiller rigging blocks are being installed prior to the kitchen deck placement. Stopping the blocks with black thread. Tiller rigged… Placement of wheel housings. Kitchen deck placed… Creative clamping to pull things together. 😆 Planking the kitchen deck. Note the wheel housing in the background. A bit of a lean on. 🤨 Removed the wheel housing side cover to affect repairs. Had a warped beam under the paddle wheel framing. soaked the exposed beam with ammonia and water. More creative clamping. 😬 Paddle Wheel now appears to be upright. We will let that dry overnight and see how it recovers. 🤪 More tomorrow… 🍻 GrandpaPhil, Snug Harbor Johnny, Nunnehi (Don) and 5 others 8 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
John Ruy Posted February 28, 2022 Author #85 Posted February 28, 2022 Wheel Housings… Framing up the Wheel Housing. I finally get it all straightened up and it’s time to cover it up. 🤨 That was quite the challenge! 😆 I will be doing a cutaway view of the Paddle Wheel. Can’t let that stand hidden away. 😎 Onwards… 🍻 yvesvidal, Altduck, mbp521 and 3 others 6 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Altduck Posted March 1, 2022 #86 Posted March 1, 2022 9 hours ago, John Ruy said: I will be doing a cutaway view of the Paddle Wheel. Can’t let that stand hidden away. 😎 i had the same reaction several posts back when the housings first appeared - it'd be a shame to hide those wheels. John Ruy 1 Quote Richard
mbp521 Posted March 1, 2022 #87 Posted March 1, 2022 Just discovered your build. Beautiful work so far. It’s great that you are breathing new life into these older kits. The Robert E. Lee is on my to build list some day. I’m definitely going to follow along intently. -Brian Cathead and John Ruy 2 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
John Ruy Posted March 1, 2022 Author #88 Posted March 1, 2022 Finishing up Wheel Housings… Forming 1/32 x 1/32” basswood by soaking it in Ammonia/water and strapping it to the housings to dry. CA gluing the molding into place. Now to finish out that Engine Room. Cutting steam pipes out of dowel rods. Engine Room completed. Starting to install lighting. View into the cut away. One last look before the Boiler De k goes on. I didn’t forget the Paddle Wheel cut away. Thanks to all for your 👍 and comments, they keep me going. Cheers 🍻 Altduck, yvesvidal, Glen McGuire and 6 others 9 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
Glen McGuire Posted March 1, 2022 #89 Posted March 1, 2022 Superb work and amazing perseverance - especially on the paddle wheels. Wow. But I gotta ask, who is this little dude that keeps photo-bombing your pics? mbp521, GrandpaPhil and John Ruy 1 2 Quote Current builds: BlueJacket Constitution Repair & Build Flying Dutchman/Black Pearl Pirates of the Caribbean SIB Gallery: Mamoli CSS Alabama; Amati Hannah-SIB; Charles W Morgan-SIB; Aurora-SIB; Independence-SIB; Zheng He Treasure Fleet-SIB; Adventure Galley-SIB; Oseberg/Kraken-SIB; Roman Quinquereme/Archimedes' Claw-SIB; Wa'a Kualua-SIB; Ghost Ship Jenny-SIB; Banshee II-SIB, Completed build logs: Alabama; Hannah; Morgan; Aurora; Independence; Zheng He Treasure Fleet; Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley; Oseberg/Kraken; Roman Quinquereme/Archimedes' Claw, Wa'a Kualua, Ghost Ship Jenny; Banshee II
John Ruy Posted March 1, 2022 Author #90 Posted March 1, 2022 7 hours ago, Glen McGuire said: Superb work and amazing perseverance - especially on the paddle wheels. Wow. But I gotta ask, who is this little dude that keeps photo-bombing your pics? Thank you for your comments. This little guy came from my search for a crew of scale. I have decided against figures on board, but this guy won’t go away. 😆 I think I need to put a broom in his hands, so he can help clean up around here. I think the build is going well, although it can be a struggle at times. More of a scratch build than a kit, but then that’s what you get with vintage model kits. Thanks again for your encouragement. Cheers 🍻 GrandpaPhil, Glen McGuire, Cathead and 1 other 4 Quote Gallery Photos of My Charles W Morgan Currently working on New Bedford Whale Boat
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