USS MAINE Torpedo Boat (c.1896) SCRATCH-BUILD (WIP)

[gregbal]

Just a short update, plodding along with hull skinning pretty much done.

Here's the process 'in progress,' with a base layer of cheap printer paper applied in sections as a substrate to shape out the structural body...then a layer of thicker 'plating' paper, attached in manageable segments to minimize buckling, to give as smooth a finish as possible:



And here's the mostly-finished hull, with strakes and keel applied:





I laid out and printed parts for the bow torpedo tube.



And the finished tube (less the door and some structural detail):




That's it so far. Onward and upward!

[gregbal]

Just a short update, plodding along with hull skinning pretty much done.

Here's the process 'in progress,' with a base layer of cheap printer paper applied in sections as a substrate to shape out the structural body...then a layer of thicker 'plating' paper, attached in manageable segments to minimize buckling, to give as smooth a finish as possible:



And here's the mostly-finished hull, with strakes and keel applied:





I laid out and printed parts for the bow torpedo tube.



And the finished tube (less the door and some structural detail):




That's it so far. Onward and upward!

[PAPER FAN]

Great and fun looking build.

[gregbal]

Apologies for the 'double' post. Don't know how that happened...was having trouble getting the page to load.
Sorry for the clutter.

[Michael Mash]

Originally Posted by gregbal:

Here's the process 'in progress,' with a base layer of cheap printer paper applied in sections as a substrate to shape out the structural body...then a layer of thicker 'plating' paper, attached in manageable segments to minimize buckling, to give as smooth a finish as possible:

Well done. The technique you describe is similar to what I use. Very effective. Although it is more work, the additional layers of hull plating create a much smoother looking hull.
Mike

[JP64]

Originally Posted by gregbal

Just a short update, plodding along with hull skinning pretty much done.

Here's the process 'in progress,' with a base layer of cheap printer paper applied in sections as a substrate to shape out the structural body...then a layer of thicker 'plating' paper, attached in manageable segments to minimize buckling, to give as smooth a finish as possible:

...................

That's it so far. Onward and upward!

Very well !! I see that building is going in the right way !

The "double layering" of the hull is a technique I never used before (on paper ships... in traditional materials I used it very often)...

I have to think to try it on my next paper ship model...

Thanks for inspiration.. and go on with this very nice model !

ciao

JP

[Don Boose]

Outstanding work continues on this trim vessel.

Don

[gregbal]

Thanks Paper Fan, Mike, JP and Don!

Originally Posted by JP64

The "double layering" of the hull is a technique I never used before (on paper ships... in traditional materials I used it very often)...

I have to think to try it on my next paper ship model...

JP

To be honest, I don't usually find it necessary on waterline or larger-scale models. But for ones like this with tight compound curves, it saves a lot of grief (and the occasional tearing-out and re-doing of sections, when you can't get rid of that last convoluted buckle or pucker.)

As a 'side' benefit...for small ships like this with a lot of curve and very little beam...it definitely helps stiffen the structure against that always-annoying tendency to warp and twist.

Cheers

[gregbal]

Starting to actually look like something, now.

The 'whaleback' covering the engine area was refreshingly easy to engineer -- just a flat section curved into an arch. I added separate lines of rivets to give it a little dimensional relief.



And the whaleback and bridge cupola finally in place:





I was intent on doing the bow section in a single piece, if possible. Here's the before and after:





Some of the artwork I did for assorted hatches and such is visible in the first photo above. Here's a shot of the whaleback 'in progress' with coaling hatches, vents and main hatches being added.



Twin stacks for the boilers, and the Driggs-Schroeder 3.7 cm rapid-fire gun mount are underway (pictures to follow).

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

[Don Boose]

Looks really good!

Don