1880's-1890's Sternwheeler by Ferrus Manus - Lindberg - 1/64 - PLASTIC - A quick build of a Western barge-pusher

[Ferrus Manus]

A build log is being made for this build because I would like to get some information/do some research on Late 19th century American sternwheel paddle boats. This is Lindberg's "Southern Belle" kit, although it isn't based on any particular ship. I will still be working on the Chebec while I am building this kit, and this kit will not take long- maybe 3 weeks max. 

I have a few things dry-fitted so far, namely the fore deck and engine room gear. One of the things that factored into my decision to build this model is the fact that the last (and first) powered work boat I made was Revell's tug boat, which turned out pretty great. 

The tug, accompanied by a late-19th century fishing smack: 

Another element that factored into my decision to build this kit was @Keith Black's Lula, a sternwheeler intended to supply a floating piece of machinery. 

The only issue here is that I have never, and I mean never, seen a river boat, even a barge-pushing river boat, whose bow and Stern were completely squared off. Any information would be helpful. 

[Keith Black]

6 hours ago, Ferrus Manus said:

The only issue here is that I have never, and I mean never, seen a river boat, even a barge-pushing river boat, whose bow and Stern were completely squared off.

  The sternwheeler in the image below is the Juanita built in 1954. Ferrus, were I you and I liked the kit, i'd build and have fun with it.

 

 

[Ferrus Manus]

Yesterday and today, I worked on the engine room machinery mostly, and also painted the deck. 

I'm not particularly a fan of the pristine "as launched" appearance of modern restorations/reconstructions (this goes for models as well) of work boats. They wouldn't have looked like that for most of their working lives, and in the case of a coal steamer, would have looked disgusting after the first voyage. Hence the unhealthy, lung-destroying layer of coal dust on the deck immediately aft of where the boilers will be. So far, I have assembled the engine room machinery and dry-fitted the paddle wheel and its associated ironworks.