Robert E Lee by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Constructo

[Captain Al]

Well done Mike.  Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts.

[betamale]

That looks really nice Mike. I have just seen your p.m from nearly 1 year ago! Sorry, I have not done any modelling for a while and have only fleetingly looked in on the site. The build looks very good.

[rodgerdodger]

Well done Mike - a great job.  In reading your log I sense the same frustration that I felt with all the 'fiddly bits' and achieving the tight tolerances that the model requires.  You did well to finish it in four months as it contains a bit more detail than the Amati version that I built, especially on the hull.

There is more than you might think in building the RE Lee but I agree with you - it is well worth the effort.

Roger

[dgbot]

Nicely done.  This is the first Robert E. Lee that i have seen that is not white with red trim I like the natural look.  Though I rarely go that route.  Bravo!

David B

[Mike Dowling]

Thank you to everyone, Strangely enough after all this time I decided to put another row of railings on the wheelhouse deck because somehow the boat just didn't look finished. I reckon it was well worth the effort.

I really am very grateful for all the comments and especially glad that the unpainted approach is appreciated.

 

 

 

[Jparsley]

mike   I think she looks great   I cant see any of the warping   and the non paintage  looks great 

[skipper1947]

They don't use laser cutting which means you have to cut most of the parts with a knife.

 

She really is a great looking model Mike. I would like to ask a question regarding your very first post, just to be sure in my own mind. Do you mean they simply printed an outline on the plywood, and you had to cut the whole thing out with a knife? I have eyed this kit from time to time, but my ability to cut out something by following a line free-hand, is pretty limited (i.e. I usually end up with a mess).

 

Sorry for the dumb question.

Skip

[Mike Dowling]

Not a dumb question at all my friend. I have been used to doing kits with laser cut pieces. Very easy to remove from the boards and, except maybe for the scorch marks, very easy to work with.

I have now completed two Constructo kits, the REL and Louise both of which I am pleased with in the end but, they don't use the same process for parts. As a result what you get are clearly marked sheets of pieces but not fully cut so you have to follow grooves with an xacto or similar. Also the quality of their plywood parts is certainly questionable when compared with other manufacturers.

I can't be too damning of Constructo because they do finish up being nice models but there are certainly better quality kits out there with better instructions.

 

I hope that is helpful to you in some way.

[Altduck]

I like the railing you added on the upper deck; looks like you added a stairway access as well since previous photos, so I'm sure the passengers will appreciate the rail, too.

 

Very nice model.

[Seventynet]

Beautiful job Mike.

[skipper1947]

Thanks for your helpful response regarding the plywood.

 

If I understand correctly, it is partially cut through via laser but not completely. I once built a model where I got sheets of wood with lines printed on them and nothing more. I had to cut them out with an xacto knife (having nothing more sophisticated). The result was not exceptionally pretty.

 

Skip

[dgbot]

Thanks for your helpful response regarding the plywood.

 

If I understand correctly, it is partially cut through via laser but not completely. I once built a model where I got sheets of wood with lines printed on them and nothing more. I had to cut them out with an xacto knife (having nothing more sophisticated). The result was not exceptionally pretty.

 

Skip

I gave up and bought a scroll saw that made the job easier.

David B

[Mike Dowling]

Hey Skipper, sorry if I misled you here. The Constructo frames etc are not laser cut but seem to be 'pressed' so the outine of the parts is there and they are partly cut but nothing like the proper laser cutting of pieces. You have to do quite a lot of work with a knife and then careful sanding afterwards. Whilst I fully appreciate dgbot's answer I haven't had the funds to get a scroll saw yet - often though it was a good idea though especially if I get really brave and decide to have a go at scratchbuliding !!!! Strange, talking of that does anyone have plans for the RSS Discovery?

[mtdoramike]

Thanks for your helpful response regarding the plywood.

 

If I understand correctly, it is partially cut through via laser but not completely. I once built a model where I got sheets of wood with lines printed on them and nothing more. I had to cut them out with an xacto knife (having nothing more sophisticated). The result was not exceptionally pretty.

 

Skip

 

I too built a couple of models with printed lines rather then laser cut. The kits were from the 50's and 60's. I used a coping saw and though a bit time consuming, once I got pretty good with it, the result was quite good.

 

mike

[Eddie]

Hey howya goin Mike mate, wow very impressive work on her mate I hope my Mississippi comes out just as good as your model.