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[steve mahoney]

The easiest next item on the list was a toss up between the airconditioning unit, and the liferaft & cradle – so I built them all in tandem.

I had thought that the aircon base (going from a rectangle top to a small circle base, photo 1) would be difficult. A perfect job for my little desk disc sander. Only an afternoon to make, and another to paint. It can be put aside for awhile, and won’t be attached until the final stages.

[steve mahoney]

Same with the life raft and cradle. Some fiddly soldering but nothing too difficult. Although after a couple of days to look at my results (pic 1), I rebuilt the cradle (pic 2). The first attempt was just too chunky/clunky. Looks much better now. This all goes into the box of bits that will be attached later.

[Capt Podge]

That second attempt at the liferaft cradle looks great Steve, sits lovely on the superstructure as well - good job


Cheers,


Ray.

[steve mahoney]

Thanks Ray. These photos are twice the size of the pieces. They look much better in real life.

[steve mahoney]

The Maui has a Seematz 1000w halogen searchlight mounted on the top rail of the flying bridge. A fairly recent addition. This one is styrene, with brass brackets. Went together without any problems. In the box. Easy! I’m on fire!

These Seematz searchlights are usually a pale beige/light caramel colour, although the one on the Maui is all white. Even easier. Smokin’!

[steve mahoney]

The crane was next up.

I had thought that this would be a bit tricky but it turns out that a little strategic thinking beforehand paid off. I drew it up, thought about it, planned out the construction, and was able to knock it out relatively pain-free. Turns out this ‘thinking’ thing works out. Must try it more often.

The all over black paint hides most of the details, and some mistakes. In real life the crane boom is green but I didn’t want to introduce another colour into the model – so no green.

[steve mahoney]

Strangely enough, my theory about doing the easiest stuff first and dodging the hard stuff seems to be working out. Must tell the wife about that. Some of these items, like the crane, which had appeared difficult were much less of a problem than I had imagined.

Hope I haven’t just jinxed it because there’s only the really hard stuff left now: 2 fire monitors, and a very complicated towhook. The bridge deck monitor is a single nozzle with some very complex curves in the piping. The flying bridge monitor also has a foam cannon. No complex piping but lots of flanges and funny angles. Both hard work.

I started with the single monitor first. I tried using copper rod for the wiggly piping (it’s made up from 3 sections) but after some problems soldering it, actually not soldering it was the problem, I went back to good old brass rod. Stick with what you know, Steve.

The pedastal and flanges are styrene. The rest of the components are a mix of styrene, aluminium tubing and brass rod. I’m happy with it. Wasn’t as daunting as imagined. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?!

[Capt Podge]

Very impressive work you've done with the single monitor Steve and good practice for the dual monitor - getting there...


Cheers,


Ray.

[Martin (Admin)]

That IS impressive work ..... 

[steve mahoney]

Thanks boys.
It's a beautifuf day, just walked the dog and about to hit the bench and start on monitor 2. What could possibly go wrong?

[steve mahoney]

Fire monitor No. 2.

Some of the flanges/ribs/fins/etc are virtually the same as monitor No. 1 so the pedastal section went together without too many problems. Although I had half finished it when I decided that it wasn’t right, binned it, and started again. You always know, deep down, when it’s not right, and there’s only one way to fix it. Saves a lot of coulda/shoulda thinking later on.

Once again it’s a mix of styrene, aluminium tubing, copper wire, brass rod, and some PE brass wheels.

Good progress over the past few weeks. Surprising what you can get done when you put your back into it. Can’t believe I’ve managed to spin this out for 5 years.