USS Takelma (ATF 113) by steamschooner - 1/96 scale - fiberglass and styrene

[steamschooner]

Coming soon to a build log near you. 

USS Takelma ATF 113 was constructed by United Engineering and Drydock Co. LTD at Alameda, CA. Her keel was laid on 18 sept 1943 and was commissioned on 3 aug 1944. She was a Abnaki class fleet ocean tug. Specs; Length 205' Beam 36'.6" Draft 17' Displacement 1640 tons, complement, 6 officers & 70+ enlisted.

During my time onboard we had a 3inch 50 open mount gun. propulsion after yard overhaul was 4 V-16 caterpillar diesel electric motors turning a electric motor on the propeller shaft.

I spent 3+ years onboard and was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Made one westpac trip, Pretty good duty for a 18 year old fresh out of school. I keep in contact with some of my ship mates to this day. I was an engineman rating but took care of our boiler and evaps.

My model is based on a fiberglass hull from Scale Shipyard of a ATF and is 1/96 scale. I am using styrene, some P.E. some 3d printed parts. This is the first project that I have used styrene I might have the hang of it by time I am done, More to follow as I have been working on her for some time.

[Jim Lad]

Always nice to be building one of your old ships. She looks a good workmanlike vessel.

 

John

[Roger Pellett]

Looking forward to following this!

[steamschooner]

John, yes she was a work horse we did many different tasks. Had a few boo boo's as well. this post I will show some early pictures of the build. 

The hull is a fiberglass ATF hull from scale shipyards, they do a lot of RC stuff.  I bought the main deck house as well but would not do that again.

It would be fine for RC but I am building a static model. The bulwarks on the hull were way to thick and needed to be cut off flush with main deck. That and some details were just in the wrong place. I also had to add bilge keels.

Added deck supports and mount hull for working on it. Then came the main deck which I used .060 styrene sheet stock.

 Next came the bulwarks and all the braces and cap rail, scuppers cut out, Side bollards were added at this time. Last we have the primed hull and you can see the rudder support that I had to add to the hull.

[steamschooner]

These are a few of the deck fittings. The Ellis anchors were difficult as I did not have a drawing of them. Then I found a drawing of them which I used to make version 5. These anchors were known as beach gear, used in pulling ships off a beach. I had some good photos of the H bitt and anchor winch so they came out first time around. The towing winch was a whole lot tougher to build as I did not have much info. I think my version 3 came out ok. The derrick winch pictured was version 1 it has gone back to the shipyard for some changes. And than there was the capstan which came out the first try.

[KeithAug]

lovey work on the winch and other fittings.

[steamschooner]

Thanks Keith, The winches were a fun challenge as was the other fittings, Most were made using pictures, very little drawings were available.

Steve

[Ras Ambrioso]

Steve, you deck details are amazing at that scale in styrene. Will follow your progress.

[steamschooner]

This weeks pictures contain more fittings. So I will start with one of the boo boos I mentioned earlier. It shows the picture of the propeller with a chunk of wire wrapped around one blade of propeller. Black arrow points to one of several holes in bottom. I used this photo to model my models propeller.

Bill boards for the beach gear storage were hard to get correct I think this was version 6.

The boat davits was another of the hard ones to get right, needs a little more added but needs to have the whale boat mounted first.

On the deck house I used some P.E. doors but added the quick acting door levers. installed vent pipes and other bitts. 

This is the fire monitor platform minus the railings. Life rafts are 3d printed from shapeways.

Last is more of the fittings, ammo lockers, engine room vents, boiler stack, and more. 

[Roger Pellett]

Very nice work!  I particularly like the motor whaleboat.  You rarely see this version, the fiberglass one that succeeded the WWII one modeled.  I have fond memories of riding in one  around Omantu Bay in Northern Japan during a 1964 summer Midshipman Cruise.

 

Roger

[KeithAug]

On 9/8/2022 at 4:56 PM, Roger Pellett said:

I have fond memories of riding in one  around Omantu Bay in Northern Japan during a 1964 summer Midshipman Cruise.

Showing your age Roger!

[steamschooner]

This weeks pictures, I used some 1500 grit paper for the main deck nonskid. Seems it wants to collect every bit of dust.

The decals for the hull numbers were made using white backed decal sheets, Each number and letter had to be cut out individually

I allways liked the wood rail at the bow, do not know why it was installed maybe a chafing piece for lines or just a fashion piece.

Draft markings are dry transfer numbers, oh my looks like I need to clean edge of boot topping.

Last we have a mockup of a overview, most pieces are not yet glued down.

[KeithAug]

Some very crisp paintwork. All looking very nice.

[steamschooner]

For the port holes I took some flattened copper wire and formed rings of two sizes. I made a couple of mandrels for shaping and soldering the rings. When installed in the holes they were left a little proud of the deck house. I also have been making shackles as there are a good number of them on this model.

[KeithAug]

On 10/10/2022 at 4:17 AM, steamschooner said:

I also have been making shackles as there are a good number of them on this model.

You have my sympathy - always a time consuming and somewhat repetitive exercise. How small are they and what diameter wire did you use?

I always think the key requirement is a pair of very fine round nosed pliers with beautifully aligned jaws which do not flex under pressure. I just find it is impossible to find any.

[steamschooner]

Keith, I am using 28 ga brass wire wrapped around drill bit the desired size. The ends of wire is than pinched forming the two on the right. The ends are than cut back. ( trial & error ) as to how long they need to be. I than fold the ends over on to itself and with the help of a jig I solder the eyes closed. The next step is to drill out the eyes for shackle bolts.

[KeithAug]

18 hours ago, steamschooner said:

The ends of wire is than pinched forming the two on the right. The ends are than cut back. ( trial & error ) as to how long they need to be. I than fold the ends over on to itself and with the help of a jig I solder the eyes closed. The next step is to drill out the eyes for shackle bolts.

That sounds like a lot of work. Have you worked out how many hours it is going to take to make the lot? They are remarkably consistent for such small shackles.

[steamschooner]

Keith, You are right they are time comsuming. Things like shackles I will often make them in batches and do not know how long each one takes.  I might not want to know, just another step in building my model. making extra's is also good practice.  Keeping the shackles the same size is a matter of keeping the eyes the same size and keeping the tails the same length on all of them. 

Thanks to all that has hit the like button.

Steve

[steamschooner]

Ok, a little update on my project. I am getting closer to being able to fasten cabin to the deck. A few hoses to drape, couple of fittings to add. 

Tring to get as much done on cabin while not on model.

[FriedClams]

This is a great looking model Steve with wonderful work all around.  I especially like the tow winch.

 

Gary

[FlyingFish]

Very nice work Steve, enjoyed getting caught up with it.

Edited November 24, 2022 by FlyingFish

[steamschooner]

Thanks everyone for the likes and comments.

Motor whale boat started out as a shapeways printed boat but was a early version. It had a hinged rudder on the stern. The whale boat I needed was a later version where the stern has been filled out to a more rounded shape and had a canopy. 

I built the canopy with glue soaked paper on a canopy shaped plug

[steamschooner]

Not alot to show for the last month. I have done some work on the flying bridge. Most of my shipyard time has been spent working on the derrick winch and boom. They are still in many small parts so no pictures yet.

Hope everyone had a great Holiday.

[steamschooner]

Well it's about time I posted something to show the shipyard is still open. I have not had alot of time to spend working on my project. The following pictures are of the derrick winch that I have been working on. It is not finished yet as you can see in the second picture. All I have for a design is two very poor line drawings and three photos that only show some of the winch. still have much to do

[FriedClams]

Excellent work Steve!  What is the width of the winch - around an inch or so?  Terrific details especially in 1:96 and I particularly like the banks of levers.  Is this lost wax work?  Wonderful stuff.

 

Gary

[steamschooner]

Gary, The derrick winch is 1 inch wide and 1&5/8's from gypsie drum to gypsie drum. It's a little over 1 inch tall. Levers, drums, gears are turned ( several times on some items). Styrene, brass, copper and aluminum are being used to make parts. Considering I did not have a lines drawing and I had a couple of limited photos. It has been a real bugger but I think I have the rest figured out.

I did not realize you had posted a reply so I am catching up.

Thanks everyone for stopping by to take a look.

[FriedClams]

On 4/6/2023 at 9:04 PM, steamschooner said:

I did not have a lines drawing and I had a couple of limited photos

It can be very frustrating when you have to scrounge around for information and be forced into making educated choices.  I think what you have accomplished so far is very authentic indeed.

 

Gary

[schooner]

I just found this. Very nice build. When I was stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek VA 1988-90 the Navy brought 2 ATFs out of mothballs and recommissioned them into our salvage squadron - I always like the look of them.

[MAGIC's Craig]

I also have just found your excellent work. Lots of memories coming back as a result.

I served aboard USS Hitchiti (ATF-103) from 1972 into 1975, at that time, homeported out of San Diego. I was a JO aboard. She was a good ship and we were fortunate to have a mustang LT as a skipper for the latter portion of that time frame. Deployed to Westpac and had a variety of entertaining duties.

As it happened, when she was decommisioned, she was sold to Mexico. One year in the '90's, my wife were cruising aboard our schooner bound into La Paz, BCS and came across her (carrying the numerals, "IX" painted over the welded on "103" on her bow).  We subsequently had the opportunity to see her at the wharf in La Paz in pretty decent condition, given her age.

 

I look forward to following your build thread, Steve 

[steamschooner]

Wow, It's been a few months since I have posted anything. Well now that winter is here I can spend some time in the shipyard. Have spent some time making rigging for the boom.  With no measurement drawings it is difficult to determine sizes. Using a number of photos isn't as helpful as one might think.  But that is the nature of scatch building. So here are a few photos of what I have been doing. I like to leave pivot pins long so I have a way of removing them until final assembly.