Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Pearlsfirstmate on March 08, 2014, 03:18:24 pm

Title: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Pearlsfirstmate on March 08, 2014, 03:18:24 pm
As a novice builder I found other peoples build photos of this ever popular Northlight Caldercraft Kit invaluable, so hopefully my interpretation of the Clyde Puffer may also assist and inspire others.

I would rate this kit 8 out of 10, there are some ambiguities in the instructions, and some of the white metal parts are not easily identifiable or easy to find within the kit, but all were there, so all I would suggest is to do your homework first and read up, there are many comprehensive build posts and adaptations here on Mayhem.

I do have to say however, JoTika came up trumps when a part of my winch rolled down the back of my kitchen work top, and the only way I could have recovered it was to dismantle the kitchen cupboards which was obviously frowned upon by my other half. I e-mailed them with the part number and description but heard nothing then out of the blue a couple of weeks later it arrived in the post free-gratis. So thank you JoTika :-))


I did treat her to a few extras as you can see, including working lights and sound but decided smoke was just a bit too adventurous.

She goes to the lake tomorrow for her maiden voyage (weather permitting) so keep your fingers crossed for me as it’s a bit early in the year to go swimming ok2

My thanks go to all the Mayhemers who offered their support, expertise and advice along the way, not forgetting of course the other half :kiss:


Eve
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Netleyned on March 08, 2014, 04:28:22 pm
Beautiful work  :-))
Must be straight from the builders.
Puffers were some of the muckiest
ships afloat.
Canny Scots shipowners spent the minimum
on looks and crews wages.

Ned
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: bill jardine on March 08, 2014, 05:18:46 pm
I bought this kit second-hand a couple of months back. I've yet to start on it, as I'm still finishing a model slipways puffer.
Frankly I would never have bought the kit from new, simply because I've never liked the funnel; it looks too fussy and doesn't match any puffer I remember.
Having said that, this one is a tidy build and has some nice wee touches.
Netleyned is spot on  - I sailed as a deckhand from Stranraer to Shetland on the successor of a puffer back in the seventies, and my wage was only fractionally more than Ben-Hur got as a galley slave; the crew's ration allowance for a week wouldn't have kept a cat in Whiskas.
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Pearlsfirstmate on March 08, 2014, 06:21:23 pm
Thanks guys, you have to wipe your feet before you go on board this one  ok2
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Chris G on March 08, 2014, 06:45:36 pm
I know this build well as I am the other half. %% I watched it progress slowly due to the meticulous nature of the builder, the ships boat took hours and little touches like a reduced but accurate map of the Clyde in the wheelhouse cannot be fully appreciated in the photo's posted.
This is Eve's first build, I am very proud to have seen it evolve. Just watch out for our next joint project. {-)
Well done and I hope the maiden voyage is a success. Chris G 
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Martin (Admin) on March 08, 2014, 06:58:33 pm
 
 Nice!

"Showroom condition. One careful owner, little old lady that took it out only on Sundays."
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: Pearlsfirstmate on March 09, 2014, 04:52:02 pm
Thanks for the compliments - she went well on the lake today  :-))
Title: Re: Wee Willie Caldercraft Clyde Puffer (Northlight)
Post by: mark w on March 31, 2014, 10:06:26 pm
She's a real beauty  :}   :-))
 
Mark