Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: steve mahoney on March 29, 2018, 08:35:38 pm

Title: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on March 29, 2018, 08:35:38 pm
I started this build over at my usual haunt ]www.modeltugforum.com (http://www.modeltugforum.com/) but sadly, activity has been quite slow there lately so I thought some of you might be interested. I'm still trying to finish the last 1% of the little Hikurangi (only the pudding fenders left to make) and started this as a side project.

It's the steam tug Kumea.

There isn't a great deal of information about the Kumea – just one old photo and not much else. Built in Britain, probably in 1928, she spent time in Auckland, Wanganui on New Zealand's North Island, and Greymouth (down south).

There aren't many navigable rivers in NZ, they are all either to swift, too shallow or don't go inland far enough. The Wangaui is one the few that is navigable for a long way upstream, and has a port a mile or two from the mouth of the river. The entrance to the river can be quite dangerous and the tugs had a busy time. Quite a few ships had a tough time trying to get in there – the Port Bowen being one of the largest to come to grief. The Harbour Board had its own dredge and the entrance was continually being dredged but it didn't prevent regular disasters. The port isn't used much these days but up until the 1960s it was a busy little provincial port.

The only photo shows the Kumea steaming down the Wanganui River in the mid 30s. It is from Russell Ward's site: tugboats.co.nz. I can't visit that site without finding another tug that needs to be built.

So… not much to go on. I can sort out the hull based on typical British tug hulls from that era. From the photo, I'm guessing around 80ft LOA, steel hull, wooden wheelhouse. In fact pretty much everything will be guesswork – even the colours. Wanganui's provincial rugby colours are royal blue and black hoops (the 'butcher boys' win the 2nd division on a regular basis and always turn down promotion) so that's the funnel sorted. The hull is obviously not black and at the moment it's looking very Union Castle lilac, from this angle. Wanganui port is in the suburb of Castlecliff so that's close enough for me.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on March 29, 2018, 08:45:28 pm
So... the model will be 1/50 and display only. I settled on 80ft (1/50 = 490mm). I have subsequently found out she was 75ft but I had already started by then. I can live with it.

Anyone who has seen any of my previous builds will know the drill by now. I began by adapting a plan of the 1900 steam tug Flying Foam down to the dimensions I figured to be equal to the Kumea. It is a very narrow beam thing – a real racing snake.


The adapted plan was then turned into a vector file for a set of ribs, keel, deck and basic superstructure components to be laser cut. The ribs and keel are 3.6mm Meranti, and the deck and superstructure parts are 1.5mm Birch. The 1.5mm ply in the photo still has the backing paper attached. This holds all of the pieces in place as it is being lasered. It peels off very easily and leaves no residue.

After a quick scrub to remove any laser dust/ash, the pieces slot together very simply and quickly. All glued together with CA and plenty of bracing to keep everything square and straight. Used 2 complete 3mL tubes of glue on the hull so far, so none of the pieces are ever going to move. Luckily the CA glue is very inexpensive.

Drawing up the plans and parts takes about 3-4 evenings, assembling the hull carcase takes only a couple of hours. The bracing might be a bit over the top but I've had hulls warp and twist at this stage so now I over-compensate just to be on the safe side. Plus I'm working in a very sunny room and that doesn't help with any warping.

Before I get stuck into the planking I needed to pack out the bow and stern with some balsa blocks and to fair it. 

The planking is pretty straightforward and shouldn't cause too many problems but the curves in these areas are quite tight and complex, so the more surface area for the planks to be glued onto, the better.

The packing only needs a rough sand – it'll all be covered eventually.

The timbered sections of the deck were stained as well, and they'll be covered in masking tape for the duration so I don't spill any glue or paint onto the stained areas. The decking lines are laser etched into the ply. The stain highlights the etched lines, paint would cover and hide them. Not sure about the colour at the moment – might be a little light.

So far so good. Next step… planking.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: tassie48 on March 29, 2018, 09:10:13 pm
Well done mate great to see some one building the boats that no one else tackles following this build as I shipped out of Wanganui many years ago you build some great models keep up the great work tassie48
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 02, 2018, 06:48:24 am
Thanks Gregg. Small world. Not a lot of traffic out of Wanganui these days. A friends' father worked at WHB in the '50s and he 'salvaged' quite a few items from any boats that were being scrapped. He has a piece of timber from the bridge of the Kumea (he thinks) which I'll be using for the stand.

I laid out the first plank and found that one of the frames needed a little remedial work to smooth out the curves. A thin strip of ply to pack it out and then sanded back did the trick. The rest of the frames were sorted out with a light sand to fair them out. Then the first plank could be relaid and both side looked pretty even and symmetrical.

My planking is pretty messy compared to many of the fine examples on the forum. Mine are more swiss cheese than watertight. I tend to see planking as a means to an end, and rely on filling and sanding a little too heavily. I usually use balsa but after seeing some of the fine examples here I might try using Lime/Basswood for my next attempt. Unfortunately it is about 4 times the cost over here so I may need to tidy up my technique.

Anyway, I'll spare you the gory details of my hamfisted planking progress, and hopefully in a few days I'll have something looking more like a hull.

Let the planking begin!
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 04, 2018, 09:47:12 pm
Well, that wasn't too painful.

The planking is done (first 3 photos), it's had a coat of resin (next 2), and the first session of primer, filler and sanding (last 2).

Early days yet. I usually need to repeat this process many times. Hopefully I'll have something I'm happy with in another week or so.
Regular viewers will notice that I've managed my usual trick of snapping of the rudder post. Not such a disaster this time as I couldn't get the prop shaft in with it there. Not thought out too well.

Whenever I see a model boat my first instinct is to check out the hull. The detail topside is fine but, for me, the real work is in the hull. Getting rid of any bumps, dips, funny curves or flat spots might take ages but It's something I'm very fussy about. I can spend days on it, I think I had 8 sessions on my last build. Being obsessive is just part of modelling, I guess.

Anyway, it beats gardening.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: tassie48 on April 05, 2018, 09:15:43 pm
Steve that is great like the way you fit bracing tween the frames it is great to learn different things I see the sense in doing this good to see a couple photos of the old home port and the old dredge Wanganui digging in the Harbour remember as a kid in the early 60,s visiting the port and going on a old naval ship a bathurst class corvette that was in port .Your planking is good filling and sanding getting that shape well done mate do enjoy your builds great to see small tugs you must have a fleet by now Gregg tassie48
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 05, 2018, 10:02:16 pm
Thanks Gregg. Yeah, as this one is display only I could go overboard with the internal bracing.
As for the planking – when you're spiling, you're smiling. Ha ha.
Yes, the spare room is starting to fill up with tugs: Kupe (Wellington 1970), Te Matua (Tauranga 1992), Parahaki (Whangarei 1964), Rangi (Otago 1974), Hikurangi (Gisborne 1962), James O'Brien (Westport 1945), Koraki (Picton 1986), Christian Reinauer (NY ATB), St Johns (Florida SDM), Cates X (Vancouver harbour tug) and about 6 half built hulls. As you can imagine my wife is over the moon. Luckily we have several spare rooms so full steam ahead.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 08, 2018, 11:33:32 pm
Between sanding sessions, I started on the bulwarks. I had pre-planned for this by laser cutting a heap of bulwark knees, and the appropriate sized base slots out of the deck. The knees slot into place very easily although on this particular model they are very narrow and will need delicate handling until the bulwarks are applied. The knees are CA glued in using a few Lego blocks to keep everything square and flush with the shear of the deck.

I started the bulwarks at the bow and stern, which have the sharpest and most complex curves. These areas are skinned in 2 layers of 0.5mm ply. Each piece is cut out of the sheet at 90Ί to the other so that the grain/layers are opposite when glued. It's much stronger than it sounds and can take quite a bit of rough handling. The mid sections are relatively straight so they are just a strip of 1mm ply, laid with the 2 outer ply layers going with the grain, along the deck.

Did that all make sense?

When cutting the ply I only worry about getting a good fit with the deck (more or less). I always leave excess above the knees and just sand it down when everything is solidly in place.

Still plenty of work to do yet but now that the bulwarks are on I can start getting the hull to a final smooth as finish.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 10, 2018, 09:02:04 pm
I've managed to get in a few solid sessions on the hull over the past week.[/size]Added the rubbing strakes/bands/strips (made from basswood), and the capping rail (made from 0.5mm ply). The first attempt at the rubbing strip didn't look right as I had ended it too short of the bow. It goes right around. This has subsequently been fixed without any drama.In these photos the upward curve of the capping rail at the bow is a bit too steep and abrupt. This has been extended and flattened out.I have one photo of the real boat and I really need to look at it more often – doh! I'm almost happy with the surface and shape of the hull however some of the balsa I used for the planking was very soft and even when covered with a good coating of resin the hull has suffered a few pressure dents. Easily fixed but a pain in the proverbial. Handling it with kid gloves now and I've covered the building stand with felt as a precaution. Hopefully only a few more session to go. Still need to fix that rudder post.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on April 10, 2018, 09:31:45 pm
 %)............Steve wrote

"I've managed to get in a few solid sessions on the hull over the past week.  Added the rubbing strakes/bands/strips (made from basswood), and the capping rail (made from 0.5mm ply). The first attempt at the rubbing strip didn't look right as I had ended it too short of the bow. It goes right around. This has subsequently been fixed without any drama. In these photos the upward curve of the capping rail at the bow is a bit too steep and abrupt. This has been extended and flattened out. I have one photo of the real boat and I really need to look at it more often – doh! I'm almost happy with the surface and shape of the hull however some of the balsa I used for the planking was very soft and even when covered with a good coating of resin the hull has suffered a few pressure dents. Easily fixed but a pain in the proverbial. Handling it with kid gloves now and I've covered the building stand with felt as a precaution. Hopefully only a few more session to go. Still need to fix that rudder post".

O0


Thank you Derek. very helpful. It's what this club is all about..    :-))
ken
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: CJ1 on April 11, 2018, 05:17:08 pm
This is my "apprentice piece" built when I was 16, based on a Bassett Lowke plan, with a B-L boiler, twin Stuart Turners and a single screw. I called it Kumeer as a play on words when I was calling it across the pond (come here!).... nice coincidence though, especially as it looks so similar.
Nice build Steve.
Chris



Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 11, 2018, 09:55:13 pm
Thanks Derek, don't know what happened there. Looks like the back of a legal document.


Thanks Chris, ha ha – I hadn't thought of the name that way. I don't have any reference of the bow area of my Kumea so I might 'borrow' a couple of your ideas.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 15, 2018, 12:07:09 am
After few more shaping sessions the hull was about where I wanted to be. Having a few really good layers of primer followed by a fine sand with 400, 600 and finally 1200 grit gets it to the 'smooth as a baby's bum' state.

For this project I thought that I might have a go at plating – well, more simulated, and just for effect. At 1/50 scale 1/2inch plate is only 0.25mm thick – that's only the thickness of a couple of layers of paint. So I masked up the hull to form plates at 4ft tall. I brushed on several coats of primer and when the tape was removed just lightly buffed the hard edges with some 600 grit paper. This took several days waiting for the layers to dry completely.

The plate lines were marked out in the same way you would do the waterline – a pencil taped to a jig, run around the levelled hull.

The final result turned out OK. I won't worry about rivets (that's a whole other story to be covered later) or plate join lines. At this size I'm OK with it as it is.

Also managed to repair the rudder post, make the rude, and add the hawser holes. The hawser hole surrounds are some PE brass that I had etched at the start of the build.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on April 19, 2018, 01:41:01 am
The simulated plating turned out OK so the next step was to go to final painting.

The only existing photo of the Kumea is an old B/W so the boat's colours were always going to be pretty much guesswork. I had initially planned to paint the hull in a Union Castle lilac. I've always liked that colour but Wanganui is definitely not a 'lilac' kind of place. I eventually went for a warm grey. The original Kumea was probably light grey and this colour is very close in tone to the photo. I used to row on the Wanganui River many years ago and often, after a lot of rain, it was a similar colour to this grey.

So far so good.

The hull only has a couple of scuppers/freeing ports, not really much for ocean work but probably OK for a river. Most freeing ports in salt water don't have covers as the can rust shut.

The deck steel colour is some left over paint from my last project, the Parahaki. Looks OK with the grey and red oxide of the hull.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 01, 2018, 12:33:33 am
The propellor arrived from Cornwall Model Boats today (excellent service and prompt delivery as usual), and that was the last item needed to complete the basic hull.

Lastly, I added a timber rubbing rail at the stern gunwale and at the other end a bow fairlead.

Haven't even thought about the deck equipment yet but it will need a windlass, capstan, towing beam and bow derrick at the minimum.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 01, 2018, 12:40:04 am
Tugs of this era still had chain steering linkages so while I was waiting for the propeller to arrive I decided to try and make a chain steering system.

There are a couple of common ways that the chain systems work.

One runs down the side of the gunwales as a chain from the wheel that crosses the deck, runs through some rollers, connects to a rod that runs the length of the boat before reconnecting to a chain that runs around the steering quadrant. Mirror image port & starboard.

The other common method runs the rods through a box conduit along the centre line of the deck and where it exits the engine room housing it splits at 90Ί into chains that then turn another 90Ί to link to each side of the quadrant. The chains run through square steel channels so you don't see the chain much at all.

All clear as mud? I'm sure most of you know how it works anyway.

I went for the first method because the way the system works is more visible – and I didn't want channels running down the timber section of the deck.

There's no evidence as to which system was used on the Kumea so either could be correct, although as the tug was quite a dated design when it was built I'm thinking my choice is probably more likely.

So... here's how it looks.

Pic 2 is the deck plate that covers the chain as it crosses the deck from the bridge.
Pic 3 shows the connecting rod.

In real life the port chain attaches to the starboard side of the quadrant and vice versa. Luckily this end is hidden by the quadrant cover/duckboard.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Martin (Admin) on May 01, 2018, 06:19:04 am
 
Looking Good!   :-))
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 06, 2018, 11:36:07 pm
Thanks Martin.

And now... on to the superstructure...

The basic structural parts had been laser cut from 1.5mm ply from the same sheet as the deck and bulwark knees.
They fit together with a simple slot and tab system. The 4 basic components are superstructure, wheelhouse, engine room housing and deck hatch.

The main superstructure unit went together pretty quickly and easily. I used some square basswood section to brace the corners. A baseplate and the boat deck keep everything square and solid.

So far so good.

The superstructure went together according to plan. I managed to fill any gaps and sand the corners down to the right radius for the rounded corners. After a coat to primer I was ready to tackle the next step.

I had decided to try and simulate rivet lines and had ordered some decal rivets from Micro mark in the US.They looked pretty good and the instructions were thorough and clear: get the surface as smooth as possible (paint, 1200 wet & dry), apply decals carefully, leave to dry 24 hours and then apply several coats of decal solvent, with 24 hours between coats.

The whole process turned out to be quite a disaster.

The first problem was that USPost considered the decal solvent a 'hazardous substance' and refused to send it. I had to go through a slow process of getting a detailed description of the constituent chemicals and their dangers and submit that to the USPost. After 3 weeks they decide it was safe to send. The bottle was only 1oz so not really a weapon of mass destruction. After it arrived I discovered that the same product is available in NZ at a fraction of the cost. Doh!

So here's how the decals look at the start, before any coats of solvent.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: tassie48 on May 07, 2018, 04:14:26 am
Steve you build some great looking ships mate well done do I call you a rivet counter now or just steve haha your eye for detail is really good I enjoy your builds I learn a lot from you which is great for the hobby all round tassie48
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on May 07, 2018, 05:38:37 am
Steve.....just thinking about the rolling of plates or riveting of corner channel

From this, you could consider an additional plate band on the to surface of the structure, and I do not understand why the concentration of rivet patterns as marked

I understand winches may have been installed here, however just a few rows of strengthening would be adequate

Derek
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 07, 2018, 09:47:02 pm
Derek – the wheel house goes where the red lines are, so no need for rivets there. The mass of rivets was my attempt at a non-slip walkway. That is the area for access to the wheelhouse and between ladders to the main deck. That whole area of decals peeled off in stages so that it has now dead smooth again. Several other small sections of the rivet lines have also flaked off, even after several coats of paint. CBA fixing them.


Gregg – Thanks, after the shambles with these decals I reckon my rivet counting days are over.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 08, 2018, 10:34:34 pm
After 6 applications of solvent the decals are still not adhering to the paint. They flake off at the merest touch.

Even with 2 light coats of sealer primer they still peel away. I've had to make repairs to or replace the decals almost every time I work on the parts – and I have been handling them extremely gently and not touching the decals directly. The process has been very disappointing – and frustrating.

The instructions show it working on brass, maybe they only work on plastic or brass. I had painted the ply as per instructions and the surface was super smooth and clean – but no joy. Pretty much a total waste of time – and money – all up the decals, solvent and postage to NZ came to about $50. Arrrgh!!
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: JimG on May 09, 2018, 10:25:45 am
Were you using gloss paint? Decals will normally only stick properly to a gloss surface. If the paint had been sanded smooth the surface may still have fine sanding grooves which allows air under the decal. Try a coat of gloss varnish over the paint first before adding the decal.
Jim
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 09, 2018, 11:29:52 pm
Yes Jim, you're probably right – I had 1200 wet&dried the paint before application. That may be the problem.

They flake off as soon as the wind changes. I've had to replace or repair many sections and they are still peeling off. They have got me a bit gun-shy now. I'm treating everything with kid gloves. In hindsight, it might not have been a good idea to wet & dry the surface before applying the decals. Spilt milk now.


Added some PE brass parts – the sooner I get some top coat on them the better.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 13, 2018, 01:01:28 am
Managed to get a couple of top coats onto the superstructure over the past few days.

I've gone for a grey and very dark red hull, dark orange deck and dark brown superstructure. The wheelhouse is teak with an cream roof. The funnel is dark red with a cream stripe and black top. The original names for these colours were: ivory (roof), chocolate (superstructure), whale grey (hull), oxblood (below waterline) and burgundy (funnel). And with the teak it's a very 'roaring twenties' sounding colour scheme. Sounds horrible but it looks OK.

Here are the first pieces to be painted. My attempt at a decal riveted non slip walkway peeled of during painting. I had to sand that area back, re-seal and re-spray. Several other small bits of the decal strips also flaked off. CBA fixing a few areas.

The decals are great in theory, I'll just have to figure out the correct way to apply them. Or stay away from riveted hulls.

Also added the hatch handles and the funnel stay anchor points to the main cabin block.

The engine and boiler room hatch portholes are PE brass frames and brass rod bars and handles. So far, so good...
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on May 13, 2018, 01:15:48 am
There were a number of forms of riveted construction methods used in ship building, one being flush finished and another popular form of domed external head format

The rivet's format you have chosen are discrete enough for the domed head..well done Steve :-)).....

Anyone who has seen this actual form of riveted superstructure ship construction will agree  O0....

Derek
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: tugnut on May 13, 2018, 05:40:55 am
Very nice build :-)) .

Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 14, 2018, 09:08:54 pm
Thanks Derek, let's hope they stay put under all that paint.
Thanks Tugnut, haven't seen you over at Modeltugforum lately. Anything on the bench?



I also have a question for anyone out there: This tug had no anchor well, the anchor was stowed on the deck and a davit dropped it over the side. The chain passed through a hawse hole at deck level. A windlass wound it back up and then the davit would lift it over the gunwale onto the deck.


What sort of system would the chain run through from the gypsy wheel to the hawse hole? It's a straight line but at an angle.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 16, 2018, 09:53:50 pm
Next step was the wheelhouse/bridge.

The laser cut ply parts went together very quickly. Just needed to sand the corners for a bevel fit. I had etched plank lines in the ply and when stained and varnished it gives a reasonable impression of polished wood. Might be a bit extravagant for this old workhorse but it fits with the age of the tug and looks good.

The doors are PE brass, the life buoy is laser cut ply with plenty of coats of paint, and the life buoy holder is 0.5mm brass rod.

The wheel is a silhouette only for effect. Other than the wheel and a very basic telegraph there will be no interior details – just a coat of dark grey paint.

I've picked up plenty of good ideas through following other peoples' threads here, and the awning brackets and tarpaper roof are straight from Longbike's (RCGroups) bag of tricks. I'm sure a few of you will recognise a few of your own techniques in here from now on. Thanks.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on May 17, 2018, 12:19:44 am
Yes Steve...that awning protecting the Skippers eyes from the sun reminds me of my Dear Dads FJ Holden windscreen visor...... {-)

Must agree, tar paper roof is proto typical  :-)).....just not sure why 2 doors so close together facing aft?

Derek
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 17, 2018, 05:28:05 am
I guess it's more a sun visor than a rain awning.
I agree about the doors, but that is one of the few things that is clear in the only photo.
One for officers, one for ratings? Entry and exit? Indoor outdoor flow?
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 21, 2018, 05:10:40 am
I've ordered some parts from Shapeways so I can't get started on a couple of things yet, but I was able to knock out the railings, rails and ladders.
This tug doesn't have many of these so the whole lot only took a few hour's soldering. The ladders are all brass rod so a simple jig was needed to hold everything in place while soldering. Worked out fine. Strangely enough, I enjoy soldering, it's very satisfying.

The soldering didn't need to much of a clean up, and after a quick undercoat I was able to give it a top coat of the deck colour.

The funnel was the next job.

Started out with the basic cylinder. I couldn't get brass or styrene tubing at the right diameter so I padded out some 15mm brass with layers of styrene to take it up to the required diameter. Simple enough but when I'm using styrene that thin (0.2mm) I'm paranoid about getting ripples as it is glued down. Not too bad this time and I just needed to fill and sand the seams.

Before I started the build I had photo etched some brass fittings for the funnel: some seam/join rings and a stack top/flange/lip and grating. One of the rings has eyes for the stays. The whistle is a piece of brass rod. These bits aren't attached yet, only pushed together for this photo. The bands are ultra thin and bent very easily. I had to straighten them out between two pieces of wood once they had been slid into place.

The flange for the base of the stack is already attached to the boat deck.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 23, 2018, 09:44:29 pm
Well that turned out OK.


Got some paint onto it and it looks alright.


The red of the funnel needs to match the ventilators. These are 3D printed and can't handle enamel paint so I need to do these parts in acrylic.
I have a love/hate relationship with acrylics. Some brands and some colours are OK but there seems to be a great variance between them.
The red that I ended up using is very transparent and took a lot of coats to get a smooth even finish. It ended up darker than I had planned because of all the transparent layers.
I can live with it. At least they dry quickly.


The ivory band is crying out for an emblem or logo of some sort – the K is just to see how something would look, it won't staying.


The water tank (I think it's a water tank) goes immediately behind the wheelhouse. I assume it is for the galley and head. Or it's an oil tank for the generator?
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Tafelspitz on May 24, 2018, 09:35:20 am
Awesome job on that funnel!  (https://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/froehlich/a020.gif)
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on May 25, 2018, 12:17:45 am
Yes...awesome job on the funnel Steve  :-)) ......but seriously don't know what the round cris-cross funnel mesh top is for?

Guessing a 48" diameter funnel in real size, so looking at your scale.....I would appear the mesh sizing is about 2" square  :o ....so what was it used for?
 
1. to let the smoke out
2. but to keep the house brick cinders in?
3. to stop nosy humans from climbing up & falling in?
4. to keep the rain out?
5. to help maintain the funnel roundness at the top?

Derek
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 25, 2018, 12:39:04 am
Thanks Tafelspitz.


Thanks Derek.
I've seen grates like this on funnels before. Not sure what their purpose is. I can only guess that it was to stop anything getting in. Much in the same way as chimneys often have mesh to stop birds getting in.
At 1/50 the squares are quite small, I could probably have halved the size but made a guess at this size purely for aesthetic reasons.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Jerry C on May 25, 2018, 08:09:12 am
Spark arrester?
Jerry.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on May 25, 2018, 10:42:50 pm
That'll do me Jerry! It's a spark arrester.

Once the funnel was completed I could start assembling the final superstructure. I don't usually do this until I have made every component. This time I couldn't resist seeing how it all worked together.

First step was to attach a very basic telegraph to the wheelhouse/bridge deck.

A friend's father worked at for Wanganui Harbour Board in the 1950s. He remembers going onboard a tug with his dad as a young boy, and particularly remembers that the cast iron step treads had a fish scale pattern on them. I've tried to re-create that pattern on the steps/companionway.

He also has some timber that this father 'salvaged' from a tug undergoing repairs around this time – that will be the stand for this Kumea. Yes - he is also a 'magpie' and can't throw anything out – like me. So I now have a 100 year old piece of timber, with history, for the final touches. My friend also has the red glass from a port nav light from a tug from that era. It is the most intense red I've ever seen in glass, it is a very beautiful piece of glass.

The other bits and pieces all fitted together with out any drama. Threading the funnel stays was a delicate wee process, I'll have to be very careful not to snag them.

So far so good. Now I have to wait for Shapeways to deliver some capstans and winch drums before I can go any further.

I'll have to find something to do while I'm waiting. Mmmm...
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on May 26, 2018, 01:40:31 am
The rivet detail now very subdued but is still there Steve and looks very lifelike ...like being painted & over painted over the years....again, very lifelike as that's what happened....one way to eliminate visual rust was to paint over it  O0

With respect to the funnel mesh.....I have spoken to the son of an old seadog, and the response was...to keep seagulls & vermin out   

Spark Arrester?....would need to been rather large sparks to be arrested <*< I that size mesh

Derek

Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Jerry C on May 26, 2018, 08:14:20 am
The coarse mesh is the support for a fine mesh wired to it. The fine mesh is the spark arrester. [size=78%] Even modern diesel tugs working in refineries employ them. [/size]
[size=78%]Jerry.[/size]
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Tafelspitz on May 28, 2018, 07:03:46 am
Awesome work, very impressive! Only the life rings look a tad plain in comparison, methinks.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: hama on May 28, 2018, 08:04:09 am

Looks fantastic!  You are truly talented  :-))  A pity you can' t sail her, she would look outstanding on the water but will of ourse do the same on the shelf O0
 Hama
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on July 22, 2018, 06:36:50 am
Belated thanks Tafelsptiz and Hama.

Finally managed to get back to work on this project.

I started a new job 2 months ago and haven't had any spare time to finish the Kumea. I had forgotten how much time work takes up. Too knackered after work during the week and not enough spare time on the weekends. One of you guys should have warned me!

It's also the middle of winter and I don't enjoy working on the model after dark. Eyesight isn't what it once was.

Anyway, I have made a start on the deck equipment: capstan, samson posts and bollards, life boat and davits, mast, and anchor windlass.

This boat didn't have an anchor well and relied on a davit to lift the raised anchor over the bulwarks for storage on the deck.

There are no photos or reference of the deck or any of the equipment. So my version of the anchor windlass is based on the type used on the TID tugs – only a little bigger. The capstan and davits are simple enough and based on Admiralty drawings from around that period.

It's warm enough and not too windy today so I hoped to be able to get some paint on the finished items. Started badly by dropping a full 2 litre tin of white paint onto the basement floor – from height. It went everywhere: floor, bench, open tool drawer, cabinet doors and me. Wasn't able to salvage any paint (or my jeans and shoes). Used 4 litres of turps and every rag and old towel in the house trying to clean it up as much as possible – and wasted about 2 hours. Not a great success but the neighbours did learn a few new words.

This is what I have so far: a mix of brass, styrene and aluminium. The mast is a piece of teak dowel sanded to a slight taper. The capstan drum was printed at Shapeways – really should learn to use that lathe in the basement that I just cleaned!

In hindsight the fittings on the davits would ideally have been easier to make from etched brass, same as the hose reel components.
But then, hindsight is always 20/20.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Perkasaman2 on July 22, 2018, 05:25:12 pm
This is first class work and detail.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on August 31, 2018, 07:53:41 am
Thanks Perkasaman.

I've been pretty lax with time spent at the bench lately but have slowly got back into the build as time allows and I'm now pretty close to finishing – if all things go according to plan.

The other day I realised I only had a couple of parts left to make: the towing bow, tow hook, tow hook rail/slide, and the name plates. I can just about see the finish line. I was able to knock these out without too much drama.

The tow hook was made from some left-over brass spare parts from the YTL tug tow hook I made last year. Only needed a little adaption to fit onto the Kumea's tow table.

The
tow hook rail/slide is brass H rod and styrene endstops.

The name plates are styrene.

The one and only photo of the Kumea (first post) shows the towing bows as not being pipe or angle iron or i beam – just a big section of curved steel. Easy enough.

The tow bow/arches are made up of 3 layers of thin styrene strip laminated together around a profile. I cut and sanded a piece of basswood to form the inside curve of the tow bow shape. I then held a length of styrene strip tightly around the shape and then glued another layer of styrene on top of it. It was then held in position with some balsa blocks and pins to dry. Once this had dried completely I repeated the process.

The outer layers hold the previous layer in shape. Only needed a light sand to remove a little excess glue. It is surprisingly strong and holds its shape well. Works just as well with plywood.

The first photos show the laminating process for forming the complex curves of the towing arch – pretty simple stuff, and the last photos show the finished product waiting for some undercoat.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Brian60 on August 31, 2018, 11:20:20 am
This is a process I have done many times when 'pulling' wood into shape, but I never once gave it a thought to try with styrene! Cheers Steve, I'll file that idea away for next time I am trying to get styrene to keep the shape I want :-))
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on September 06, 2018, 10:03:22 am

This tug has a pudding fender on the bow and a fender on the stern. Both are the coir/rope type.


I had put off making these until the last part of the build, partly because I had no idea how I was going to make them.
I thought about:
1. Rolling them out of modelling clay (the type you bake in the oven) and stamping some surface detail on them. Couldn't get the death uniform enough.
2. 3D printing them – too easy and they would look too solid.
3. Wrapping a base in some sort of material to give the impression of woven rope. Didn't look realistic


So, in the end I bit the bullet and did it the old fashioned way – hitching around a rope middle but in this case; several pipe cleaners tied together..


I hadn't anticipated how many hitches would be needed or I would have settled for any of the methods above. Using a 1/50 2inch rope (cotton thread) works out to thousands of tiny half hitches – about 1000 for every 10mm of fender. And each 10mm takes about 2 hours. I've finished the stern fender (about 14 hours) and still have the pudding to go.


I've always liked the New York style beard fenders so I'm thing of adding one to the front of the Kumea but at the moment I am pretty much over hitching. I needed a fairly long section of rope fender to complete the Hikurangi which has been languishing in a cupboard almost finished for over 12 months. I'm 15mm into 130mm so it's going to be along slog.


Here is the stern fender before dyeing/staining.


I think my next project will have to be a bit more modern and have rubber fenders or tyres!

Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on September 28, 2018, 09:52:38 pm
Whew! All fenders finished and dyed.
I got a bit cocky with my knotting skills towards the end and decided to add a few side fenders. I'm glad that's all over – it wasn't doing my eyes any good at all.
I need to put some eyes or fairleads onto the capping rail or the bulwarks to tie the fenders to.
The last piece that needed to be made was a rope cradle for the rear deck.
[/size]Now I can start assembling and attaching the last few bits and pieces.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 05, 2018, 08:33:52 pm
I've pretty much emptied my box of bits and assembled everything and attached them.
I might have mentioned earlier that this tug didn't have any anchor wells – the anchor was stowed on the deck and lifted over the bulwarks by a davit.

This all turned out OK so the mast stays could be installed, the forward engine room ventilators, and the samson posts and bollards put in place.
The davit is mostly brass, the pulleys are made up from the PE brass parts on my sheet of parts.
The windlass is loosely based on the windlass used on the TID tugs. It's all styrene – same as the fairleads at the bow.
The bollards etc are styrene
The nav lights (always my least enjoyed part of any build) weren't such a hassle this time.
So far so good.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 10, 2018, 07:43:49 am
The boat davits were also finished and installed. Making up the pulleys and rigging them took a little time – and required the ventilators to be re-positioned and repainted.

The tow hook and tow table gear is fairly basic and went together smoothly. The hose reel has subsequently been moved from the deck to the boat deck. Still need to make up a hydrant for it.

All coming together nicely now. Just about all finished, only the fenders to attach, and a display stand to make.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 21, 2018, 10:45:28 pm
Well, finally managed to finish everything .

I've tried to make it as close as possible to the only existing photo. It wasn't much to go on but I'm happy the way it turned out – even down to the fenders still over the rails while steaming – always a no-no to have lines over the side when you're moving.

I made a couple of concessions: the ship's boat is not lying on the deck (as in the photo) and I've had to guess at the deck equipment and colours but we'll never know for sure. I went for a selection of traditional 1920's colours and they work well together.

The boat has nice lines and looks like a real greyhound. I'm happy with the way the hull turned out. I seem to have more success with complex curves than with straight line hard chine hulls.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 21, 2018, 10:48:06 pm
A few more close ups
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 21, 2018, 10:50:45 pm
Last few...

The final touches on this build took longer than anticipated and I had already started planning for my next project so the last 2% seemed to drag on.

I hadn't made a tug from this era before and it was more enjoyable than imagined – they sure have more character than the modern tugs. The big funnel and ventilators works for me.

The extra effort and hassle of the rivets, fenders and chain link steering has all been worthwhile although it sure didn't feel that way at the time.

Thanks for following and all comments have been greatly appreciated.

Now, what's next...
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: derekwarner on October 21, 2018, 11:21:54 pm
Yes...again all very crisp Steve......we can see the lightly distressed rivet detail etc :-))


Just one observation....a part of the Fireman's job in these craft to set the air intake scoops to maximize air movement and as such to lower the ambient air temperature in and around the boiler/engine space and commonly used in conjunction with an opened engine room skylight as the warm/hot air outlet


These air scoops [often called ventilators] are as distinct to air educators which drawer air out of enclosed spaces 


So getting back to the Fireman's role...this was the setting the ventilators direction to capture the prevailing breeze......so setting both athwart ship is questionable


[don't be concerned about a visible turning mechanism for the ventilators, these were simple telescopic rods to hand or ratchet wheels to rotate the ventilators from the lower boiler room floor space at chest height...[the level was also called the boiler flat]


Derek 
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: steve mahoney on October 23, 2018, 03:54:13 am
Must have been the same guy who left the fenders hanging over the sides, Derek.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Jerry C on October 23, 2018, 08:40:44 am
When I first went to sea as a Cadet it was out duty to set the ventilators as per the OOW instructions. We had forced ventilation to the lower holds and natural ventilation for the tween and centrecastle decks. Windward vents faced away from the wind and leeward vents faced into the wind. This method reduced any Water/spray ingress to the compartments and maximised air change below.
Jerry.
Title: Re: Wanganui River Steam Tug Kumea
Post by: Jerry C on October 23, 2018, 08:53:35 am
(http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2018/10/23/3D7EC4B2-07BE-48A7-99BA-8075FFA8674E.png) (http://modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/JNvpV)


The vents are the white ones on ships side on centrecastle deck forward of the accommodation.
Jerry.