Click on any image that has a border to enlarge. -
The model is scratch built like a canoe , covered with fiberglass. He used 1/4 inch basswood for the skin after flute & beading the edges so they would curve to the shape of form (you can get router bits to put this edge on strip wood from major woodworking supplies, such as Woodcraft, among others). The ship is piloted from inside the conning tower, and has many creature comforts, including a sound system that plays Wagner and other tunes while sailing on the lakes of the state of Maine. The ship is powered by 15 hp outboard engine under the rear gun turret. A steering wheel is connected to engine by push cable.
It has 3 water pumps in case water is taken aboard, and lights for night running. GPS positioning give a technical advantage lacked by the Kriegsmarine during World War II.
William has four years in on model at this point , and estimates another two to finish details. The lack of available 1/20 scale details has made the job even more complex, as everything must be scratchbuilt. The job was an engineering challenge, but pays off in the delight that onlookers show when the ship cruises slowly by...
Note: The "ME 109 E" on the hull is a State Registration hull number, required for passenger boats - Kurt
July, 2003 Update - the latest photo
September 2003 Update
October 2011 Update
Here is another very ambitious, large scale model - the USS Arizona in roughly 1/15 scale. We will post more pictures of this monster as she progresses!
Editors note - I have not heard back from this modeler since these intitial photos some years back.
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This page maintained by Kurt Greiner. Email me here.
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