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Author Topic: My first model boat - The King  (Read 6296 times)

karbine

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My first model boat - The King
« on: July 17, 2007, 12:57:17 am »

Hello There,

As a tribute to a 109 year old vessel my father operated on the River Thames from 1989-1994 i wanted to make a model of her.


I was limited to a few corn flake boxes, some thin wood i found and to use for bollards the bolt tightner for finger skateboards my cousin had lots of.


The bollard and bow



The boat itself is made up in two pieces, the front up until where the window frame starts and then there back to the stern.

I need help with a few things:

- Notice the window frames are in but i have no idea what to use for windows? i have no plastic sheets lying about.
I also need windows for the wheelhouse

- Notice in the real photo there is a blue canvas covering the front deck, i need to find something to use for that

- In the real photo there are a few tire fenders, where can i find these? Possibly lego tires??

- Just before where the window frame starts are two sets of stairs i need to make. Any ideas whats good for steps?

- The stern is rounded using a sheet of card and taped,however as you can imagine due to its shape the tape has creeses in and when painted will look a bit naff.  Any ideas how i can solve this??

- How can i make Liferings and also static liferafts like the following which you throw off or when the boat sinks they float free (see photo below on wheelhouse roof)
http://riverthames.galacgallery.com/albums/userpics/10001/DSC_4327.JPG


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Bunkerbarge

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2007, 01:39:04 am »

If you have a look through this link:

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1711

You will come across a bit where it shows you how to make ladders from wood.  If you have access to any strip wood or can cut some ply into neat strips you can try this method.

As for the windows keep a look out for things from the supermarket such as cake boxes, pasta boxes or any other produce in a box with a clear window in the lid.  This will be made of a stiff enough clear sheet that you can cut up and glue in place as windows.

As for the blue awning, any sort of fine material will do such as satin or silk.  Don't go cutting holes in someones best scarf though!!!
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bigfella

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2007, 01:44:50 am »

Hi Karbine

Welcome to the forum. In regards to some of your requests. First for windows you could use almost any clear flexable plastic such as the packaging that some business shirts are in or anything like that. Small Tyres are available on Ebay. As for canvas you could use the material from an old umbrella. for anything else balsa wood is a good medium. Hope that helps a little.

Regards David
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2007, 02:34:24 am »

Many thanks to both of you for your reply. 

I had a look at the link but couldent see anything?

The clear plastic boxes i didnt even think about !, i dont really want to spend much money on the model as its just something to pass the time yet i do want it to look realistic to the boat itself so buying tires from ebay i cant be bothered with.

What about washers? Would they work as tires?

Not most realistic but it may look ok...if not they may be ok as liferings if painted white.

The umbrella idea i think ill go with, i have an old umbrella and its blue,ill have to check before i cut it to pieces though!

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Guy Bagley

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2007, 12:51:08 pm »

if you want lego tires just ask ! ;D
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Andy M

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2007, 12:55:31 pm »

Try CD case plastic for your windows. I made liferings from wooden curtain rings.
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HS93 (RIP)

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2007, 01:16:59 pm »

microscope slides Make good windows and stay clear and do not fog.

Peter
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2007, 09:19:52 pm »



Do the tire fenders look odd scale to the boat?
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dougal99

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2007, 09:30:24 pm »

I don't think the tyre looks out of place but I would use something finer to tie them on. I use button thread on my Tug. It's quite fine, very strong and can be bought in black or brown.

HTH

Doug
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2007, 11:42:23 pm »

Many thanks doug,ill have a look and see what thinner string i can find.
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2007, 02:07:32 am »

Used some cotton to hold it on,also found some smaller tires

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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #11 on: July 18, 2007, 10:40:49 am »


Hi Ben

You mentioned the stern had problems.  Could you put up a picture for us to see the problems.

You're doing well so far

Ken
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2007, 11:10:40 am »

Hello Ken


You can see in the above photo the rounded stern is covered in masking tape. Ive tried my best to smooth this out and last night painted over it white..doesent look too bad now.

Things i need left to do now are the liferings and liferafts. Any ideas?
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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2007, 11:27:35 am »



Hi Ben

I enclose a picture of Red Pelican's lifebelt.

It could be an idea to use the washers that you spoke of.  You could wrap cotton around the the little segments shown white, so that they were proud and then paint them the colours shown.   ;)

Hope this helps


Cheers...Ken


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Bunkerbarge

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2007, 01:30:33 pm »

Many thanks to both of you for your reply. 

I had a look at the link but couldent see anything?

The clear plastic boxes i didnt even think about !, i dont really want to spend much money on the model as its just something to pass the time yet i do want it to look realistic to the boat itself so buying tires from ebay i cant be bothered with.

What about washers? Would they work as tires?

Not most realistic but it may look ok...if not they may be ok as liferings if painted white.

The umbrella idea i think ill go with, i have an old umbrella and its blue,ill have to check before i cut it to pieces though!




You will have to join the forum to see the pictures and the ladders are on a later page.

As for tyres, I have seen them made from cutting up slices of rubber hose pipe.
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bigfella

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #15 on: July 29, 2007, 01:49:57 am »

Hi Ben

It is really looking good. Have you any more photos of how it looks now you have almost finnished.

Regards David
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - Need help!
« Reply #16 on: July 30, 2007, 03:51:57 pm »

I haven't had much time to do anymore to it really due to work but here's what i have so far:
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2007, 12:11:32 am »

A few more photos:

- Homemade rigid liferafts added to the roof
- Steps added


Shot with NIKON D50 at 2007-08-05

Shot with NIKON D50 at 2007-08-05


Shot with NIKON D50 at 2007-08-05
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tigertiger

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #18 on: August 06, 2007, 01:12:16 am »

Hi Karbine

you said you had problems with stern..

You could peel off the tape and fill it with polyfilla, and sand it down smooth.
I suggest poly filla or P38 car body filler, but polyfilla is cheaper and I assume your model is for display, not putting on water.
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karbine

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #19 on: August 06, 2007, 04:35:28 pm »

The Sterns looking ok now its been painted and glue gunned down. Im trying to do the wheelhouse windows but im worried about cutting out squares where the windows sit incase it looks rubbish
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malcolmfrary

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #20 on: August 06, 2007, 09:24:44 pm »

If you find a good way, let the rest of us know - people tell me that practice is the way.  And then some more practice.
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slewis

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #21 on: August 06, 2007, 09:54:58 pm »

How about cutting the top off the wheelhouse all the way around then putting balsa sticks up to the roof (where the breaks in the glass are) then you have something to stick the plastic sheet to ?

Just an idea  ;)

Shane
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tigertiger

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Re: My first model boat - The King
« Reply #22 on: August 07, 2007, 12:10:59 am »

The Sterns looking ok now its been painted and glue gunned down. Im trying to do the wheelhouse windows but im worried about cutting out squares where the windows sit incase it looks rubbish

The alternative would be to do mock windows. Paint them in using a grey blue colour. Then if you do not like it you can paint it out again.
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