Santos Dumont No. 18 Hydroplane 1907 by Greg Davis - FINISHED - Scale 1:16

[Greg Davis]

I need to keep reminding myself that his contraptions were almost always in flux and that he seemed to like having pictures taken with his work no matter the stage of construction. Combine this with him taking parts from one project to put on another and then possibly modifing after in place makes using the photographic evidence so much fun!

[Greg Davis]

Getting some rigging in place now:

[Jim Lad]

Ahh!  That'll tighten the whole thing up.

 

John

[Greg Davis]

Even tighter now! 

 

Added the engine pylon bracing and backstays:

Two more lines to go; the one's that go from engine pylon to aft part of the nacelles. Then onto the ignition harness to finish what I plan to do on the engine.

[Jim Lad]

Looking great, Greg!

 

John

[Greg Davis]

Rigging is done (as far as it's going to be!). So on to the ignition harness. Trying to install resin spark plug boots; they're a bit of a challenge for me and I've lost two to my gray floor so far - lucky I ordered 20, 8 on -2 lost is a ratio that will work.

The boots are made by Pro Tech and are marketed for 1/25 scale model cars.

[Greg Davis]

As I went to the other side, more boots went missing so I ordered more as a safety measure - it must of worked because a got 16 in place and have one left over before receiving the extras!

 

I've wired one side based on the following picture:

Here's the result:

Time to turn the boat around and complete the wiring.

[Jim Lad]

That looks very realistic, Greg!

 

John

[Greg Davis]

All ignition wires are in place and I believe I have done what I can wrt the engine. 

All the woodwork for the case has been completed. Staining / finishing and then model installation followed by a couple of final details; however, for the most part I think I'm close to a finished (for now) situation.

 

[amateur]

With a bit of photoshopping of the background, this can be used as a ‘rare picture of the original’ Looking very convincing!

 

Jan

Edited Monday at 12:17 PM by amateur

[Greg Davis]

The model mounted on a display board now. I'm not sure I will add more to the model at this point; however, if 'new' information appears I am not opposed to modifying what has been done to this point.

 

Friday the Santos-Dumont No 18 hydroplane will get a ride to the 48th Annual Midwestern Model Ship and Boat Contest. Very interested in what kind of feedback I will receive - hope it is liked!

[Keith Black]

Greg, congratulations on completing a very unique and beautiful model.

[ccoyle]

An unusual and beautiful subject! Well done!

[druxey]

Ditto, ditto! Well done indeed!

[Jim Lad]

Liked? It's very much loved! It looks first class on the stand!

 

Congratulations on a job very well done, Greg.

 

John

[steamschooner]

really great looking model, well done!