Zetec Posted February 3, 2023 #1 Posted February 3, 2023 .Hi I live in England and a had an idea that I want to build an ironclad river gunboat so I started to find out some information and plans that was when I came across the build of USS Cairo 1862 by MPB521 I liked the look of this model so much that I thought I would have a go at building one. This is the first time I have tried to build a model with so much wood work it will be a steep learning curve so please be patience with me as I am not very good at writing up and posting pictures of what I am building. I have been modelling for about 15 years and have manly built British Lifeboats and there trailers. I intend to build the model at a scale of 1 to 50 and build the hull using 5mm plywood for the frames and then clad the bottom and sides in lime wood. And then build the frame of the casemate area and then the top deck and cabins again in lime wood. I want to build the outside of the model first and when this has been built I will go about building and fitting out the inside. I decided to do it this way as I am not getting any younger and with health problems so if I could not finish it I would at least have a model to look at and may be for someone else to finish off in the future. Canute, mtaylor, ccoyle and 4 others 7 Quote
Zetec Posted February 3, 2023 Author #2 Posted February 3, 2023 Plan drawn out and fixed to board. I have had problems in getting a plan printed because of the format it was in so I have drawn this one up Canute, Prowler901, davyboy and 10 others 13 Quote
mbp521 Posted February 3, 2023 #3 Posted February 3, 2023 Glad to see that I was able to spark an interest in this magnificent boat. I will be following along intently! Best of luck. -Brian Keith Black, Canute and mtaylor 3 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
Zetec Posted February 9, 2023 Author #4 Posted February 9, 2023 The 3 keels have been cut out the centre one from 10mm yellow pine wood and the 2 outer ones from 5mm plywood. They will be held temporary in place by some plastic blocks. mbp521, tarbrush, Keith Black and 3 others 6 Quote
Zetec Posted February 9, 2023 Author #5 Posted February 9, 2023 Cathead, Canute, Keith Black and 5 others 8 Quote
Zetec Posted February 9, 2023 Author #6 Posted February 9, 2023 All the frames cut out of 5mm plywood and fixed in place. I cut all of these out by hand as I do not have access to a saw bench tarbrush, Cathead, yvesvidal and 5 others 7 1 Quote
Zetec Posted February 9, 2023 Author #7 Posted February 9, 2023 All the frames fixed into place. Canute, tarbrush, wefalck and 12 others 14 1 Quote
mbp521 Posted February 9, 2023 #8 Posted February 9, 2023 Zetec, great start! Nice work on cutting all those bulkheads and keels by hand. -Brian Cathead, mtaylor, 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
yvesvidal Posted February 9, 2023 #9 Posted February 9, 2023 Great work, so far. Yves Keith Black, mtaylor, Cathead and 2 others 5 Quote
Cathead Posted February 11, 2023 #10 Posted February 11, 2023 Great choice for a unique and interesting model. Will be fun to see how you progress. Canute, mbp521, mtaylor and 1 other 4 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
KeithAug Posted February 23, 2023 #11 Posted February 23, 2023 On 2/9/2023 at 6:40 AM, Zetec said: I cut all of these out by hand as I do not have access to a saw bench Heroic task. Cathead, tarbrush, Keith Black and 3 others 6 Quote Keith Current Build:- Cangarda (Steam Yacht) - Scale 1:24 Previous Builds:- Schooner Germania (Nova) - Scale 1:36 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19848-schooner-germania-nova-by-keithaug-scale-136-1908-2011/ Schooner Altair by KeithAug - Scale 1:32 - 1931 http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/12515-schooner-altair-by-keithaug-scale-132-1931/?p=378702 J Class Endeavour by KeithAug - Amati - Scale 1:35 - 1989 after restoration. http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/10752-j-class-endeavour-by-keithaug-amati-scale-135-1989-after-restoration/?p=325029 Other Topics Nautical Adventures http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/13727-nautical-adventures/?p=422846
Zetec Posted March 28, 2023 Author #12 Posted March 28, 2023 A few pictures of the planking of the hull. I have not showed pictures of doing the planking it as its a standard process. I did steam the planks that go around the stern I bent them to shape pinned them in place untill dry before I glued them. I put 4 blocks on the inside so I could put threaded inserts in so I can hold the hull down. I can now put bolts throuhg my building board into the hull to stop it from moveing as I build it. The last picture showes the blocks inbetween the frames. Cathead, mtaylor, Harvey Golden and 8 others 11 Quote
mbp521 Posted March 28, 2023 #13 Posted March 28, 2023 Looking good Zetec, brings back fond memories. -Brian Keith Black, mtaylor, Cathead 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
Zetec Posted May 24, 2023 Author #14 Posted May 24, 2023 I made up the hatches that are on the deck and fitted them into place and then started to do the floor and the sides of the boiler pit. I cut out to openings to show were they got the coal for the boiler from. I now started to cover the deck in 2mm x 5mm lime wood planks. I then cut out the beams that went across the back put the planks in on the sides and then put in new crossmembers. All done with no problems. John Cathead, mtaylor, mbp521 and 8 others 10 1 Quote
Zetec Posted May 24, 2023 Author #15 Posted May 24, 2023 Forget to say I also put the wire in from the outside so that I can get the lights to work. John mtaylor, Canute, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote
mbp521 Posted May 24, 2023 #16 Posted May 24, 2023 Very nice work John! I wish that I had done my hatches this way instead of planking then cutting them out. I ran into several issues where there was no support under them when they were cut out and had to "beef up" the openings from underneath to get the hatches to sit right. -Brian Canute, Cathead, mtaylor 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
Zetec Posted July 16, 2023 Author #17 Posted July 16, 2023 Hi her are a few more pictures of my build. I am sorry to say they do not show a work in progress as some of the photos I took got delated by my wife in error so this is all I got of building the top. I used aluminium angle and cut and bolted them so that there were gaps in them so the bends of the wood could go through. I cut the ends of the top pieces of wood so I could bend them to the shape I wanted and then glued a thin piece of ply to hold them in the right bend. The pictures that are missing show how I made the sides. I then started to plank the inside and outside putting in the wires for the lights I am useing on the inside. Keith Black, berhard, mtaylor and 4 others 7 Quote
Zetec Posted July 16, 2023 Author #18 Posted July 16, 2023 This is the next lot of pictures which show the wires for the lights and the start of the planking. KeithAug, mbp521, tarbrush and 8 others 11 Quote
Zetec Posted July 16, 2023 Author #19 Posted July 16, 2023 This next lot of pictures show some of the planking finnished and the type of light I used on the inside were you cant see the type used which are LED with a plastic cover put on them. Roger Pellett, Stevinne, mbp521 and 11 others 14 Quote
mbp521 Posted July 17, 2023 #20 Posted July 17, 2023 Beautiful work John! Definitely a different approach to building the top, off the hull. Do you plan on making the top open to view the inside gun deck? -Brian Keith Black, mtaylor, Canute 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
Zetec Posted July 23, 2023 Author #21 Posted July 23, 2023 Hi Brain thanks foe the comenents yes I am hopeing to make the top deck so I can take it of to show the inside. John Canute, Keith Black, mbp521 and 1 other 4 Quote
Zetec Posted March 30 Author #22 Posted March 30 Some more photos ccoyle, Keith Black, Canute and 11 others 14 Quote
mbp521 Posted March 30 #23 Posted March 30 Beautiful work as always John! Glad to see more progress. I would have to say that the paddlewheel was one of the more complex parts of the build, but also one of the most enjoyable and satisfying parts. -Brian Keith Black, mtaylor and Canute 3 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
Cathead Posted March 30 #24 Posted March 30 Hey, great to see you're still working on this. Nice progress! mtaylor, Keith Black and Canute 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
Zetec Posted August 22 Author #25 Posted August 22 Hi all sorry its been so long had a few problems and lost a lot of the photos I took of the build. I still had a few on the camera so her they are. Nunnehi (Don), Keith Black, Canute and 10 others 9 4 Quote
Snug Harbor Johnny Posted August 22 #26 Posted August 22 A SUPER build ! The lighting is effective. I can picture this display in a museum ... Cathead, mtaylor and Canute 3 Quote Completed builds: Khufu Solar Barge - 1:72 Woody Joe Current project(s): Gorch Fock restoration 1:100, Billing Wasa (bust) - 1:100 Billings, Great Harry (bust) 1:88 ex. Sergal 1:65
mbp521 Posted August 22 #27 Posted August 22 John, what a beautiful build! Sorry to hear about the loss of all your pictures, but your final product is outstanding. Love the display case as well. Congratulations on getting her done. -Brian mtaylor, Canute, Cathead 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
Rick310 Posted August 22 #28 Posted August 22 WOW!! Great job!! Rick Canute, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote
Keith Black Posted August 22 #29 Posted August 22 Congratulations, great build. Canute and mtaylor 2 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration
Thukydides Posted August 22 #30 Posted August 22 Congrats, she looks fantastic. Keith Black and Canute 2 Quote Current Builds: HMS Perseus (Scratch) Completed Builds: Type VII C U Boat (HobbyBoss); HM Cutter Alert (Vanguard Models)
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