SS Tamahine by Richard Dunn - 1:48 - Commission

[Richard Dunn]

I was reluctant to put up a build of this model for two reasons, first I hate having more than 2 models on the go and secondly I was pretty sure the client would not like it.
The Client in this case has agreed, provided I do not disclose anything about the cost, time and where it's going to be displayed.
As for more than 2 models we don't turn down paid work if we are lucky enough to get it so there we go.
I will post images soon but structurally this is almost built, with hull planking approaching the end.

This has been 3d modelled from actual builders plans and cut on the CNC from 4mm, 2mm and 1mm ply. Superstructure parts

And some later shots of lower superstructure assembled and planking well underway, almost ready for glassing

 

 

[Richard Dunn]

Planks being levelled with cabinet scrapers now ready for sanding.

Edited March 27, 2023 by Richard Dunn

[Brett Slater]

Very interesting subject beautifully executed. Could i ask where you obtained the plans from ?

[yvesvidal]

Another impressive project. 

 

Yves

[Jim Lad]

'Tamahine' was a very nice looking ferry, Richard. I'm sure you'll do her justice.

 

John

[LEGION 12]

11 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

Planks being levelled with cabinet scrapers now ready for sanding.

I really like how you planked the bow , I might have to try that having a hard time with mine . 

[Richard Dunn]

Hi Legion12 The bow and stern are just bread and butter laminations of balsa, not planked as such.

[Richard Dunn]

9 hours ago, Brett Slater said:

Very interesting subject beautifully executed. Could i ask where you obtained the plans from ?

Hi Brett
I do the cataloguing and sorting for the WCC archive in Wellington NZ and they hold all the plans.
Not complete but certainly everything you need including the Shell Expansion.

[LEGION 12]

32 minutes ago, Richard Dunn said:

Hi Legion12 The bow and stern are just bread and butter laminations of balsa, not planked as such.

I have some basswood sheets might laminate them and give them a try , very nice work by the way .

[Richard Dunn]

All that lovely teak decking to lay and caulk with black paper.
Six clinker boats to build to.....yay.....

[Valeriy V]

Hi, Richard!
Congratulations on starting a new project! This is a beautiful steamer and a wonderful scale for a model.

 

 

19 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

I do the cataloguing and sorting for the WCC archive in Wellington NZ and they hold all the plans.
Not complete but certainly everything you need including the Shell Expansion.

Is this catalog publicly available?
I want to find drawing information for ss ARAWA (1884) type steamers.

 

 

[Richard Dunn]

3 hours ago, Valeriy V said:

Is this catalog publicly available?
I want to find drawing information for ss ARAWA (1884) type steamers.

The archive is mainly for Union Steamship Company ships as the company was based in that city.
I can ask though and find out for you.
Some of the plan sets have been uploaded now though as we are finishing them off.
Here is a  link to one of them as an example.

 

https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/787341?keywords=marama&type=all&highlights=eyIwIjoiXCJtYXJhbW4iLCIxIjoibWFwXC9hbWEiLCIyIjoiXHUyMDFjbWFyYW1hXHUyMDFkIiwiMyI6Im1hcmFtYS4iLCI0IjoiXHUyMDFjbWFyYW1heiIsIjYiOiJtYXJhbWEifQ==&lsk=41d072a6db0af6c0f8dcfe3df303f3ce#idx618712

The closest ship to SS Arawa  that I know we have is SS Rotomahana which is coming.

[Valeriy V]

9 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

I can ask though and find out for you.

 

SS ARAWA  and his sistership SS TAINUI .

I will be very grateful to you if you learn about the drawings of these ships.   

[Valeriy V]

9 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

The closest ship to SS Arawa  that I know we have is SS Rotomahana which is coming.

Yes, all Union Company steamers from SS Aorangi (1883) to TSS Maunganui (1911) are of interest to me. 

This is exactly the period of shipbuilding that I am interested in.

[Richard Dunn]

https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/120383?keywords=ss arawa&highlights=WyJzLnMiLCJhcmF3YSJd

https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/120277?keywords=ss arawa&highlights=WyJhcmF3YSIsInNzIl0=

Often if there are photos there are plans but the age does concern me, I found Te Anau and Rotomahana in there but also found some of them at the Greenwich museum, sadly these are exorbitant prices, I think i pad $300AU for 4 plans.

I have sent an email to my colleague and should hear tomorrow.

[Richard Dunn]

Hull closed in on one side, I have blown out all the dust to show the fit of the planking, no bevelling was done, just nice thin 2 x 8mm strips.

The following shows how the 1mm Bulwark is fitted into the gunwale rebate which itself was formed by laminating 2 layers of 1mm ply to form the shelf.
the frame extensions act as good firm formers for the bulwark so it stays at the correct flare as the hull is worked on and until its glassed.
In the forward most frame there is even some concavity to the form of the Bulwark and it forms to it with some steam.

A .5 mm slot was milled into the stem before the keel was assembled to take the stem bar later, it can be seen at forefoot, it looks wider/darker at top of stem due to the bow not being fully shaped there as the feather edge will get damaged if I do it too soon.

 

[Richard Dunn]

Thought I would share this image as its one of those amazing detail shots we model makers love, this is not full res but the Bulwark in the above shot can be clearly seen.

 

[Valeriy V]

Thanks a lot Richard for the tip!

On this site, I found drawings of SS MAHENO I. I have long wanted to see them after viewing the magnificent model.

 

https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/787332?keywords=&type=all&lsk=68acb84e9681c8447b6d26479eb1fe4d

[Richard Dunn]

Yeah I expect at some point the lines plan  will turn up, but a lot of this is still being sorted, I recently went in to help with some sorting a few weeks ago.

[Valeriy V]

21 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

....... but a lot of this is still being sorted.....

Perhaps this is known, but the section TSS   WAHINE (1913) erroneously contains 9 drawings of WAHINE (1966).

[Richard Dunn]

No luck with Arawa or Tainui

[Tony Hunt]

On 3/29/2023 at 5:18 PM, Valeriy V said:

 

SS ARAWA  and his sistership SS TAINUI .

I will be very grateful to you if you learn about the drawings of these ships.   

Hello Valeriy

 

SS ARAWA and TAINUI really were magnificent steamers, claimed to be the most beautiful ships in the world at the time.

 

 

 

The plans for these ships are held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. They also have the builders half-model (in a mirrored case) although unfortunately it has suffered some damage, possibly during WW2. It's in storage, not on display. The plans (at 1:48 scale) are quite complete. I obtained copies of them (at considerable cost) for my father, who wanted to build a model of ARAWA. He started but didn't get far before he passed away, aged 90. The only problem with the plans are that the lines plan sheet is badly deteriorated and can't be copied. I got some photos taken and have redrawn them to correct for all the distortions caused by curling paper and parallax error from the photography.   Please feel free to PM me if you're interested.

 

 

 

Regards

 

Tony

[Valeriy V]

8 hours ago, Richard Dunn said:

No luck with Arawa or Tainui

In any case, thanks for your efforts at my request!  

[Valeriy V]

7 hours ago, Tony Hunt said:

Hello Valeriy

SS ARAWA and TAINUI really were magnificent steamers, claimed to be the most beautiful ships in the world at the time.

.........  Please feel free to PM me if you're interested.

Regards

Tony

 

 

Hello Tony!
Yes, this is the photo that fascinates me!

All problems with the lines plan are easily solved with the help of a graphic program. You did the right thing by photographing this drawing!  

 

I am already sending you a private message....

[Tony Hunt]

Apologies for the thread drift Richard!  Valeriy and I have taken this off-line, so we can now return to the scheduled program - your fine model of the SS Tamahine.  It's looking really impressive.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Tony Hunt

[Richard Dunn]

The hull is now closed in and sanded ready for glassing, that might be an Easter project I think.
I thought I would put up some images of the Superstructure in its simplicity, yes this all there is to it minus skylights and hatches etc, but a far as structure goes its sooooo simple.

The below shoes the deck after forming the promenade but its not fitted forwa4rd as currently the wheelhouse unit is temporarily screwed down to keep the camber.
The forward section is in the foreground.

Edited April 1, 2023 by Richard Dunn

[Jim Lad]

A really good start on the superstructure, Richard.

 

John

[Richard Dunn]

Bulwarks glued into hull and frame extensions starting to be cut away.

Now the horrid job of cleaning up the glue from inside before glassing. which is being done to both sides of hull, hull will be plated with cooper shim

 

Edited April 3, 2023 by Richard Dunn

[Valeriy V]

Fast and neat work!

[Richard Dunn]

Ready to wet out in the morning.

What are peoples thoughts on plating materials?
On one hand copper  or the other Styrene sheet, I am thinking styrene glued onto the hull with Cyano since its lapped buts on both inner and outer strakes.

Much like the plating in RMS Titanic: A ModelMaker's Manual by Peter Davies-Garner