Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: B.B on August 19, 2016, 10:22:29 am

Title: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 19, 2016, 10:22:29 am
Hi there, this one is a bit different ,not a new build , this model was made by my Father back in 1956 prior to building his first small trap prawn trawler in the backyard at their Byron Bay residence, when he did build the trawler a couple yrs later she wasn't exact to the model but similar style, so after many yrs of kids breaking stuff (me  :embarrassed: ) and stuck away in the shed ,she came under a bit of damage, the first section of photos I am putting up is the condition she was in before I started to re furbish her.
Photos  ,,,My Mother holding the frame of the model up early 1956.
   Myself with my 2 sisters with the model in 1963.
  Inside shots of the condition of the forecastle area.
  Inside the hull (she has a lift off deck) showing the stringers and ribs.
  The damaged hull ,W-house and rigging.....
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: derekwarner on August 19, 2016, 12:59:12 pm
That image 4.JPG [your Dads build] confirms where your model ship building skills came from O0..... Derek
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: missyd on August 19, 2016, 03:12:21 pm
Wonderful model!  :-))
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 20, 2016, 11:26:31 am
Yes it's probably in the blood I suppose  :-) .
Starting to strip her down ,she had damage to the starboard side and a split at the start of the raise deck, top of the front section of the w-house ( where something must have fallen on her), cut the bulwarks off ,pulled the side back in ,with the w-house took the roof off replaced 2 window studs and front section of beams before new roof and also put sills in each window to take the plastic windows.
Because i cut the bulwarks off the ribs where acting as the stanchion post , so layed a deck cover strip for the new stanchion post .
She has a lift off deck, all the shellac ? was crazed so scraped that off and also put extra beams on the underside of the lift out decking.
Showing the stanchion post in with the first lay of the bulwark planking, also put a sponson across her transom (which she never had).
Planking complete on her bulwarks......
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 25, 2016, 11:51:00 am
Hi there, some more shots of her.
The capping side strip recessed in prior to capping rail being fitted.
Bulwarks finished ,put couple extra beams etc in.
Made a little hand pump for the forecastle sink.
Had to re solder the feet on the trawl A-frames, also the top timber beam for these A-frames was damaged so sticking with the same beam spliced new section in and also slightly extended the towing points as well.....
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: nivapilot on August 25, 2016, 12:42:43 pm
This is going to be another beautiful boat when done, looking forward to seeing her finished...
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 26, 2016, 10:31:26 am
Thanks Nivapilot.
After undercoating and glossing her out ,fitting the bases for her R.C gear, also replaced her stern tube and shaft.
Installing the MFA 919D geared motor 6:1 red, spinning a 53 mm 3 blade prop, using some of the original pulley blocks (even though they are bit over sized).
All her bits n pieces painted.
Made a console for the w-house with basic gear they had in those days.
Just hanging around while her bum dries.....
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: missyd on August 26, 2016, 05:22:40 pm
Wonderful model!
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 27, 2016, 11:22:42 am
next lot.
Stern tube oil filler ( the .22 shell casing comes in handy)
All the R.C gear installed and tested.
The forcastle area after her make over.
The trawl A-frames fitted.....
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: John B on August 27, 2016, 06:37:34 pm
What a lovely model!
Both the 1956 work and 2016 work are most impressive indeed. I really enjoyed your photos.
I hope Irene performs well under remote control - I'm sure she will.


Best,
John
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: Shipmate60 on August 28, 2016, 12:22:51 am
Superb model and certainly look a labour of love.


Bob
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on August 30, 2016, 03:09:46 am
I doesn't really mater how much time you can spend on them the end result is always pleasing  :-) .
Some shots of her all assembled  :-)) .
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: Peter Fitness on August 30, 2016, 06:18:24 am
It must give you a lot of satisfaction to restore such a lovely model, especially as it was built by your late father. Great job Brian.


Peter.
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on September 01, 2016, 10:24:23 pm
Hi Peter, thanks for that, I'm kicking myself i didn't re furbish her a few yrs ago now {:-{ .
Made a prawn net for her so on her scale ( she wasn't built to scale, closest i could work out she was between 3/4"-1'   &  1"-1') so the net is around the 8.5 fathom , won't be towing with her only display..
My mother holding the same model as she did 60 yrs earlier (day of her 79 th Birthday).
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: Peter Fitness on September 02, 2016, 02:05:04 am
That's great Brian, and a lovely photo of your mother too :-))


Peter.
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: nivapilot on September 02, 2016, 08:58:53 am
Two lovely ladies together again.....brought a tear to the eye BB....thanks :-))
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: steve mahoney on September 02, 2016, 10:04:14 pm
That is a real family heirloom, and a great father and son effort. Well done.
Title: Re: Re-furbish of a 60 yr old model "Irene"
Post by: B.B on September 03, 2016, 10:12:41 am
Thanks guys, took the models around to Old Shrimpers flume tank last week to test them for ballast and any fine tuning with the R.C gear, wasn't happy with the prop didn't have much grunt so when i got back home I put more pitch on the prop, and we went out to Ross and Locke yesterday where we normally test the models , with less water in the creek we moved to another section of the creek ( suppose to have a croc there ,thankfully he doesn't fancy models ,,this time anyway ???) with the extra pitch it did slightly improve her performance, so will be giving the "Evie-K-B" her trials out there next Friday....