Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: hazegry on April 23, 2009, 01:57:33 am

Title: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on April 23, 2009, 01:57:33 am
Hey guys I know this kit isn't a proper representation of the movie boat but I thought it still looked nice so I bought it tonight. I have a question the plans dont show how to hook up the rudder does anyone have any suggestions? I also want to improve the looks of the decking but I am on a budget.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: Jonty on April 23, 2009, 10:06:32 pm
  Complicated but neatest:

  http://navi.modelisme.com/article7.html
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on April 25, 2009, 03:53:35 pm
thanks I think I might try something similar but use a chain drive so I can have just 2 small holes
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on April 26, 2010, 05:03:18 am
wow its been a year and I just dusted this thing off gonna have to start it again going to rename it and build it right out of the box mostly but I might try to do that rudder modification.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: Jonty on April 27, 2010, 10:38:39 pm
  Someone in the States is now making a little kit to convert a standard servo into a linear actuator. Might be possible to put a servo under the rear thwart with a rod up to a slot in the tiller arm.

  Still scratching my head about how to do mine!
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 27, 2010, 11:10:59 pm
hey guys I dusted this one off I am gonna try to get some stuff done on it this winter. I am going to use a cable drive on a servo below the water line. I am not worried about it looking just like the movie I just want a nice boat. I might redo some of the boiler copper pipe and sheathing on the boiler and polish them up. anyone with hits or tips would be a godsend.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 28, 2010, 09:47:08 pm
well started staining the decking I used a screwdriver to put groves in the decking its turning out good should have this on the water this summer!
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 29, 2010, 04:19:41 am
stained the wood tonight didnt get much done but took some picks.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/SSC_0062-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/SSC_0063-1.jpg)

I did have some help Capt. Snowflake says get back to work
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/DSC_0056.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on January 03, 2011, 03:55:06 am
worked on the other boats today but we did go thru an inspection
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/Puddinsailing.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: triumphjon on January 03, 2011, 12:01:16 pm
is that a new eco freindly motor you have in there ?  :-))
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: essex2visuvesi on January 03, 2011, 01:20:21 pm
is that a new eco freindly motor you have in there ?  :-))

Don't eat the floating raisins!  :}
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on January 04, 2011, 01:31:22 am
all I am going to say is thank god its a abs hull and easy to clean little "xxxxx"
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on October 10, 2011, 12:36:49 am
Ok well I am not happy with the abs hull one bit. my bow split as I was trimming the excess abs. The boat split right down the seam and the rudder area did the exact same thing. I got it fixed mostly and started working on the boiler and engine. I am going to machine some of the plastic parts out of brass as I now have access to a mill and lathe at work. You can see on the boiler I rounded the wood to give it a more pleasing shape.
bow repair
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/bowrepair.jpg)
rudder area repair
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/rudderrepair.jpg)
boiler I rounded the wooden pucks to give it a more realistic look
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/boiler.jpg)
one of the hull
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/progersssofar.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on October 10, 2011, 04:06:24 am
well got the frames all tacked in with ca I will epoxy them in first thing in the morning. I am hoping to have the deck on by the end of the week.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 10, 2011, 04:58:40 am
Looks like Billing's Quality Control bloke was off sick again...
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on October 17, 2011, 02:24:05 am
yeah he was out again I guess but I am getting thru it I did allot yesterday and will post pics up later.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on October 17, 2011, 12:26:04 pm
heres some pics I almost trashed the decking and remade it I am glad I didnt. all the decks and seat are not glued down yet I am thinking of attaching the decks with magnets so I can get underneath the boat.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/longshot.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/queen.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/steamplant.jpg)
just the plastic bits I painted a dark green it should contrast with the brass fittings nicely
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/DSC_0104.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 02, 2011, 12:34:31 pm
hey guys I got the hull ballasted and tested it in the hot tub no leaks even with the big cracks I had to fix so I am happy there but, its time to start thinking about the battery placement.

I am thinking of cutting the deck out on the inside of the boiler and hiding the batterys in the boiler. The top would secure with magnets and allow me access.

I am using 2s 1800mah lipos they just fit inside the boiler but I want to fit them lower if possible so I dont raise the CG to much any thoughts? I am open to suggestions none of the decking has been secured yet
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 27, 2011, 02:11:02 am
just an update its coming along it will be a nice boat when its all done.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/queenwhitepainted.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: colin on November 27, 2011, 07:35:29 am
That tip with the rudder will teach me to read more posts it would have been perfect on the back of my puffer.
Colin
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 29, 2011, 12:16:33 am
bottom is done I am very happy with the color
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/hazegry/queenbottompaint.jpg)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 29, 2011, 12:48:01 am
The African Queen was on TV this afternoon.... your model looks a bit shiny!   ok2
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 29, 2011, 01:10:49 am
yup but I just cant bring myself to weather it
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on November 29, 2011, 01:36:41 am
can I ask why you have painted the hull befor trimming the top edge of it?

Peter
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 29, 2011, 02:21:28 am
it wont show once I trim it and it gives me something to move the boat with after I paint it. I wouldnt have left it but its so thin I dont think its going to matter
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on November 29, 2011, 04:53:33 am
ok not built a billings kit so didnt know if there was a reason , good idea saves finger marks.

Peter
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on November 29, 2011, 11:29:06 am

I was watching the film yesterday as well.  I thought the boat looked on it's last legs and that weathering a model to look like that might involve giving it to my dog to play with it.   {-)

Quite a challenge in the weathering department, I would have thought.

ken

Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on November 30, 2011, 01:56:20 am
I am happy to have it in un weathered condition I am just glad I didnt give up on it. I didnt get anything done today I fiberglassed a buddys dumas tuna clipper hull for him today.
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 04, 2011, 02:59:05 am

(http://s8.postimage.org/ci0lxr7tt/trimmed_queen.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ci0lxr7tt/)
just a update on my progress
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 08, 2011, 02:40:43 am
got the deck coated with spar varnish looks great thanks for the tips guys

(http://s8.postimage.org/oxe15t4m9/queen_shiny_deck.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/oxe15t4m9/)

(http://s8.postimage.org/s5iiiuqw1/queen_deck_front_shine.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/s5iiiuqw1/)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: brianB6 on December 09, 2011, 09:17:48 pm
From the BBC news:-
"The British-built boat that co-starred with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn in 1951 film The African Queen is to be restored and will sail again.
Owner Jim Hendricks, referring to the boat's whistle, told the Key West Citizen it would mean "giving the Queen her voice back".
Mr Hendricks' late father bought the Queen in 1982 for $65,000 (£41,300).

The boat is in a state of disrepair after sitting in a dry dock next to the Key Largo Holiday Inn for 10 years."
I wonder if it will be restored to look as it was in the film or 'tarted up'?   <*<
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 10, 2011, 02:05:35 am
not sure but I am making changes to this one so I am going to name it after the wife so I dont have to hear how it doesnt look like the boat in the movie
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 13, 2011, 03:03:28 am

got more done today varnished the mast and built the coal box. I also glassed the hull to the PT-109
(http://s7.postimage.org/jktx4350n/mast_ring.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jktx4350n/)

(http://s11.postimage.org/wwllshevz/queen_mast.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wwllshevz/)

(http://s8.postimage.org/9zlun9y41/coal_box.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/9zlun9y41/)
Title: Re: billings african queen
Post by: hazegry on December 19, 2011, 10:54:21 am

got a bit more done  today the coal in the coal box came out great
(http://s9.postimage.org/fondznckb/DSC_0376.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/fondznckb/)

(http://s7.postimage.org/s95clikrb/rigging_ring.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/s95clikrb/)

(http://s8.postimage.org/kbhjp840h/rudder.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kbhjp840h/)