Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 29, 2016, 10:48:06 am

Title: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 29, 2016, 10:48:06 am

Here we go with the Xmas present build.     ;)

I have a Revell kit of the paddle steamer  Robert E Lee.  It is a very old battered box kit and I hope all the pieces are included.

As you can see it is quite small  (for my standards) but it does look fun and won't need  'machining or cutting about in any way. 



 
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 29, 2016, 10:51:49 am

The box was opened and all the pieces were broken from their  'Sprues'  and laid out in order.  Gosh !!  this thing is tiny.  It doesn't say what scale it is, but it's perfectly formed.

Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 29, 2016, 10:56:00 am

We started by sorting out the pieces in their colour to be added sections and spraying began immediately with undercoat.

Only the large pieces will be sprayed as the small bits would be overwhelmed so these will have to be hand painted with a fine brush.

The paddle wheels were assembled and glued together.  Going well for the first day.


Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Kipper on December 29, 2016, 11:48:28 am
Now that's a blast from the past, built the same kit about 40 years ago, but only as a static for the shelf.  :-)
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 29, 2016, 11:58:50 am

Yes, the box looks that old.

I have been researching it and found out it sunk and is lying at the bottom of the river.  .

Sounds like one of my models.   {-)    If it looks Ok then I might make a bigger version. I need to know it's dimensions.

Cheers

ken
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Trawlerman-Les on December 29, 2016, 12:15:48 pm
Oh 'eck Kenny, there seems to be a caravan chassis in the kit by mistake!  {-)

Les
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: BFSMP on December 29, 2016, 12:39:18 pm

I always fancied one of those kits as a youngster but could never afford one with my spending money. they were miles above the price of an Airfix kit of the time.


Jim.
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 30, 2016, 09:23:48 am
Oh 'eck Kenny, there seems to be a caravan chassis in the kit by mistake!  {-)

Les

Very observant.     {-)    Now,  I wonder where it goes.


cheers

ken
   
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 30, 2016, 10:01:54 am

I have been doing a bit of research on the original and found out all about her.

  She was famous for the race against 'Natchez' in 1870, which she won. Her total weight was 1467 tons and she cost $200,00 to build. She only lasted 16 years and caught fire in September 1882.

Her length was 285.5 foot long as against my model of 13 inches.  Am I correct with the scale at 1:230 which puts her smaller than the model railways ''Z' scale.

Cheers

ken


Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Brian60 on December 30, 2016, 11:45:32 am
1:260 Ken. 1:230 would give you 14.8 inches
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: warspite on December 30, 2016, 01:17:19 pm
Is the picture on the box an actual spelling mistake on the original boat - on the paddle wheel is has ROBT.E.LEE
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Netleyned on December 30, 2016, 03:49:45 pm
Probably how the Naval Architect texted
The Signwriter his instructions :D


Ned
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on December 30, 2016, 07:40:17 pm

I don't think much of that either.   It's probably to get over copyright issues.   %)

I shall go for the full name so folk will know when they see it.

Cheers

ken
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on January 02, 2017, 10:32:16 am

I have started assembly of the painted parts. I now feel I shouldn't have painted them first as the glue required a clean surface to bond.

Here are the first pictures of assembly, and the parts seem to align up quite well.  The build is proving to be quite a delicate structure so it's time consuming whilst fitting it together.



 
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on January 09, 2017, 10:08:31 am
All going together nicely. Rather delicate work for these ol hands  !!

Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: raflaunches on January 09, 2017, 10:10:45 am
She looks magnificent Kenny
Keep up the good work :-))
Title: Re: Robert E Lee
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on January 09, 2017, 10:14:32 am

Thanks Nick.

She is all  'put together' and really needs smartening up with a tiny paint brush to complete the job, but looks OK from a distance.   :}