SS Bohuslän 1914 by Mirabell61 - FINISHED - Billing Boats - scale 1:50 - Swedish museum steamer

[Mirabell61]

SS BOHUSLÄN swedish live museum steamer, scale 1:50 by Nils Langemann

 

This model is already completed

 

 

Introduction to this Build log

 

 

This already completed model was built with many interruptions out of the (long time out of production) Billing Boats Kit, but without the separate available fittings kit.

The still running actual steamer, homeport Gothenburg, is operated by the Historic Swedish Steamboat Society, and is proudly knifing her way through the many Swedish archipelaqgo waters of the Swedish Bohuslän-County of the westcoast in the sommer months of the year for passengers and all steamship enthusiasts.

 

Some data:

Built 1914 at Eriksberg Mekaniska Verkstad, build N°. 166, Gothenburg, Sweden as flagship for Marstrand Shipping Co, 12 knots, 304 tons

Engine 3-fold steam expansion engine, 700 Psi, 3 oil fired boilers

Fast coastal passenger steamer, since 1966 as actual and live operating museum ship

 

 

The model

The 87 cm long model in plank on frame make (single planking) and is representing the early look like provided by the kit, but also some kit-bashing features like metal plating of the hull, metal funnel, vents and masts. The whole top deck is removable allowing access to the inside, where I had fitted an electric motor, power supply and RC control devices. After launching and RC controlling it first time, the decision was made, to change it to a static model, after the fine mahagoni planking had suffered cracks under the paint due to being submerged in the waterand splashwater getting in. The model was initially built without metal plating in the beginning, but later on, and after the model was sitting a long time idle and forgotten taking on dust on a cupboard I needed a trial object to practice the intended plating procedure for another model, when the “Heinrich Kayser” steamer was under construction, so the Bohuslän was my very first prototype metal plated ship. At that time the models progress was revived to life again and finalized. In all it must have been two years building duration in total.

Much to my regret I have no documented pictures of the building sequences before the pictures shown here start, simply because I had no digital camera at that time. The first pictures are showing the hull as it looked like without plating. Also the bowpost was fixed then for a more 1914 like straight down nostalgic look. The nice little clinker planked (on frames) lifeboats are actually small built models of their own.

 

Enjoy the build log

 

Nils

 

 

 

 

Build log part 1

 

 

 

the White triangle flag with the blue ball is that of the Historical Swedish Steamboat Society

 

This overview plan came with the kit

 

I still have the old box (just for the Picture)

 

the Billing Boat Bohuslän kit was distributed by Simprop Electronics

 

of course I could`nt wait to Launch her to the near Pond for RC controlled maiden voyage, The complete top deck is removeable, no bulleyes fitted yet, and still it was not a good idea to get her in contact with the Ponds water. Thats when her build was set forth as a static model

 

the funnel sheet was formed around a wooden template

 

the Card sheet acted as a template for 0,3 mm brass sheet

 

mini 90° elbows were used to make the vents from

 

many portions of the Mahagoni planking started to crack apart beneath the painting (somehow moisture got into the Wood)

 

after sanding those Areas, I used this thin viscosity creep-glue for the cracks. One could realy watch it creeping into the cracks and then curing out transparent and hard. After sanding over everything was fixed again.

 

 

 

Build log part 2 to follow

 

Nils

[NMBROOK]

Hi Nils

 

I thought I had lots of build logs   I am struggling to keep up my friend .This looks like a stunning kit from Billings and one I have never seen before.I look forward to following your postings immensely of this build.The hairline cracks on single planked RC are a fairly common problem.In the past I have always covered the outside with a coat of epoxy and the ultrathin woven matt.The insides I normal coat in epoxy as well.This does mean temporarily fitting the deck and removal after planking to allow access,because I know Billings like to suggest you fix the deck before planking,not always the best approach when you want a solid waterproof hull. 

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[Mirabell61]

Thanks Nigel,

 

I trust this Billings kit is so Long out of production already that the elder members may probably remember it. It was the time where also the beautiful out of production Billing Boat paddle Steamer "Hjejlen" was on the market.

 

For the hairline crack Problem I see you are speaking of well experienced own practice. The way you do it is exactly as I do (did) with my older Sea-going RC models, although I don`nt intend to build further RC models (and no grand children there yet)

BTW one of the great Advantages of using2-comp epoxy resin is that not the whole house will be smelling after the resin.

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 2

 

 

This part is before I started to metal-plate the hull

 

 

here still some of the dust up on and between the decks from the shelf-life can be seen

 

funnel, vents, Davits in raw condition. selfmade White round skylights

 

the first Propeller was of brass and soldered, selfmade (was full functional but did`nt look so nice)

 

 

 

the stanchions and railing wires were self made. The old prop was replaced against a nice scale brass prop

 

Little seating benches had to be built all around between bulwarks and passenger cabins area

 

wooden Frames around the outer hull Windows, but no bulleyes fitted yet

 

the two boats are set on cradles and strapped down

 

through the glass of the wheelhouse the large wooden wheel can be seen

 

Skylight with opening panels, vents, and plated funel with steam pipes and with steam whistle, eyelets for funnel stays

 

 

 

 

Build log part 3 to follow....

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 3

 

 

 

the double sheaved boat brass blocks are selfmade, also the round Skylights from Wood rings and brass "spokes"

 

sorry the pic is not too good, but here the hull has been plated and the portholes drilled for the bulleyes

 

the wheel- / charthouse foof has become a rim around and drainpipes for rain in the aft corners

 

here and in the next pic the plating can be seen better

 

 

 

 

 

behind the railings the many Mahagoni sitting benches can be seen.

Drainpipes from the boat deck go down from the upper cabins Roof and in 90° angle out through scupper like openings in the low hight bulwarks

 

front deck hatch and brass made masts fitted, angle meets that of the funnel

 

 

 

 

Build log part 4 to follow...

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 4

 

 

 

White part above waterline only primered

 

bulleyes fitted, hull "riveted", plated and painted

 

tackle brackets for fastening the aft mast stays, soldered to the railing stanchions (through deck below

 

above the rectangular wooden window Frame there shall be fitted Ornament decors later on

 

 

model for making the clay-mould for the ornaments (intend to use low meting Point metal for that)

 

 

 

stair to 2nd passenger deck, swan neck vents, and fastening bracket rail for Front mast stays

 

anchor crane and bowpost flagstock

 

Progress well under way

 

 

 

 

Build log part 5 to follow....

 

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Thanks for dropping in Brian,

 

and for your Kind comment, I`m glad you like it

 

Nils

[NMBROOK]

I have to agree with Brian,Nils,she is one FINE looking model!

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[popeye the sailor]

she's a beauty Nils........a very old Billing kit indeed!   they don't even show the PDF instructions {I love to read them}.  lots of cool brass......not surprising though,  most of the early kits were sold with the fitting kits sold separately.   my Nordkap was like that.....my friend Harold had a heck of a time trying to find them.  I imagine that this kit wasn't laser cut either.    looking forward in seeing more 

Edited April 9, 2014 by popeye the sailor

[Mirabell61]

I have to agree with Brian,Nils,she is one FINE looking model!

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

Thank you Nigel,

 

when I bought the kit it was so Long ago, and good kits of steamships were quite rare on the market. It is a pitty that Billing Boats did not Keep up with it in their program

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

she's a beauty Nils........a very old Billing kit indeed!   they don't even show the PDF instructions {I love to read them}.  lots of cool brass......not surprising though,  most of the early kits were sold with the fitting kits sold separately.   my Nordkap was like that.....my friend Harold had a heck of a time trying to find them.  I imagine that this kit wasn't laser cut either.    looking forward in seeing more 

Correct Popeye,

 

the wooden parts were all printed on Wood, those were the times the modeler had one or two good old jigsaws and lots of thin blades in different tooth sizes Handy. I don`t even remember if the Frames had to be cut out or not. But I can remember that there was a perfect straking of the Planks to the Framework, it was really enjoyable and easy to plank in single mode.

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 5

 

 

 

 

the Bohuslän has a very nice slim Stern, and the whole waterline appearance in birds view Looks like she is designed for Swift coastal travel

 

prop and rudder are well protected against unpurposed ground contacts in shallow waters

 

 

 

the handrails are from Mahagoni but laminated with thin aero-ply from below to avoid Splitting when shaping and Drilling them

 

the Little clinker planked lifeboats are models of their own

 

for the boats strappings I cut some stripes from black Roof-Skin plastic material I still had

 

the Integration of the three trims into the metal plating worked out quite well

 

Gothenburgs town badge-flag set at the bowpost, and rigging of the Forward mast and load Derrick under way

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build log part 6 to follow...

 

Nils

[popeye the sailor]

in the background of the last picture,  it looks like you were building the Cux {the shrimp cooker gives it away},  another of Billing's fine boats.   I built that one as well........enjoyed it very much.   my big problem,  was when I did the Nordkap,  I was a confirmed newbie.  I can tell ya.......nothing brings you up to speed faster,  than a build that isn't laser cut     It's just me.....I've always had a fascination with old kits.......I think it's the nostalgia more than anything else.  it's nice to see kits {ships} like this,  and the sweet upgrades you've done to her.

[Mirabell61]

Aah, you have a good eye Popeye,

 

it is the Billings "Cux 97" and it is still waiting to be completed, for that one I also did not purchase the Fittings kit.

The Boat kit is as old as the Bohuslän and out of that early building period. I also have the Billing Boats "Marie Jeanne" thunny fisher but that one is fully completed and in a glass case.

 

Nils

[captainbob]

Nils, beautiful work as always. 

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

Thank you Bob

 

Nils

[popeye the sailor]

I can certainly see where you wouldn't need the fittings kit........your past  'iron works'  definitely shows your abilities well      hopefully,  we will see a log on her in the future.   

[dragzz]

u have done a vary good job on that ship the craftmenship is sec to none keep up the great work

[Mirabell61]

Popeye, Dragzz, and Crackers,

 

Thank you so much for your Kind words, it honors me very much to receive all these praises

 

Nils

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

wheelhouse with hinged door, Bridge grating, port nav. light, bell and 90° Lever for operating the steam whistle (per wire Connection to the funnel)

 

starboard side with lifevest chest

 

here a nice brass anchor, modified a bit, will be blackened later on

 

 

here again one of These Little benches on Bridge deck

 

Crew and Gothenburg passengers boarded for a next roundtrip, lifeboats rigged up

 

 

 

Build log 7 to follow....

 

Nils

[dgbot]

Great looking model.

David B

[Mirabell61]

David,

 

thank you for your comment

 

Nils

[popeye the sailor]

nice use of the turnbuckles and cabling,  as I mentioned,  your metal work is amazing

[Mirabell61]

nice use of the turnbuckles and cabling,  as I mentioned,  your metal work is amazing

Thank you Popeye,

 

The use of These turnbuckles is a great help to strumm set the cables and stays

 

Nils

[popeye the sailor]

I've gotten some in a few of my Billing kits. did you slot them like that? I noticed the way you did them....very nice

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 7

 

 

 

here the baseplate for the casing, the standplate and the two pedestals have been made (pedestals again made from old candleholders)

 

foredeck completed together with the selfmade anchor winch

 

the steering chain leaves the wheelhouse, is turned 90° over a block, under the Little bench, and heads under the lifeboat towards Stern over the boats deck in guided stanchions

 

Stern flagpost and capstan added, and two life-raft Containments in their launching racks on the boatsdeck. The ruddershaft in its sleeve-tube goes through all decks

 

 

 

anchor winch

 

who saw the mistake ? (Sternlight should be White instead of green)

 

 

 

 

Build log part 8 to follow....

 

 

(part 8 + 9) shall be the last two intended parts for this build

 

 

Nils

Edited April 11, 2014 by Mirabell61

[Mirabell61]

I've gotten some in a few of my Billing kits. did you slot them like that? I noticed the way you did them....very nice

Popeye,

 

I get These functional turnbuckles in different sizes, lengths, from M1 thread onwards from my Hobby shop and in two Versions (slotted and with eyes)

 

Nils

[popeye the sailor]

the ones I got from Billing's just have a hole in them........I like the idea that your able to include shackles and other forms of linkage.

 

very nice indeed!

[Mirabell61]

Build log part 8

 

 

the horizontal steering Segment is made from a clockwheel of on old mantel clock. Belaying clamps on lower deck railing fitted

 

Sven is just inspecting the starboard inflatable liferaft Containment. Here for Popeye..., slotted turnbuckles for the aft mast shrouds

 

Davit and lifeboat rigging, wooden oar sets to the boats

 

Position of the stairway from lower deck to bridgedeck. Right bottom Corner... the drainpipe opening on deck

 

here the steering chain leaving the wheelhouse can be better seen

 

 

the upper deck was designed in the way that the stair and its rail as well as the entrance (door and its Frame stay Standing when the comlpete upperdeck is removed. Because I made a static model of it the upper deck is now fixed on with two small hidden screws

 

the riveting gives the real 1914 look... to the hull

 

 

 

 

Build log part 9 (last part) tofollow with next post....

 

Nils

[WackoWolf]

The work you have done is Beautiful. It does really make the ship stand out with the riveting detail. More pictures please. And Thank you for sharing this excellent ship with us.