Union River Ironclad USS CHOCTAW - 1:200

**JP64** · #1 08-24-2023, 02:48 AM

Hello to all paper modelers worldwide....

Today I would share with you some pics (took few days ago) of the paper models of Union river Ironclad USS CHOCTAW of the American Civil War era ..

Some information about the original ship you can find at the Wikipedia link :
USS Choctaw (1856 - Wikipedia)

The model kit is product by Heinkel Models firm, and like man other kits of the same producer, the quality of the drawings and the coloring is at a very high level.

The unusual look of the ship and the period of his life were both attractive for me and, besides another couple of models I'm building, I decided to make a model also of this unusual gunboat.

the scale is the usual 1:200 and, like some other past models, I have added some particulars in the building, like the pilot post with the stern wheel, the side paddle wheels, some of the guns in the front, rear and lateral positions.

From some alternative sources than Wikipedia, I read that the ship was equipped also with a couple of little caliber guns, positioned in the battery bridge and firing for broadside. The guns were muzzle loader and so I put this couple of little guns on "traditional" carriages.

Anyway, in the following pictures, you can see the ship as the actual status...
Are still missing the rudder, the lateral cranes with boats, flags, anchors, the stand and to be completed a transparent case.

I hope to post soon (spare time permitting) the next advance of this model.

I wish you an happy paper modeling
Kind regards

Jp

**rockpaperscissor** · #2 08-24-2023, 05:20 AM

Outstanding build! You've certainly done this one proud.

**Michael Mash** · #3 08-24-2023, 06:29 AM

Exceptional JP.
Nice photos. I like the closeup image of the paddlewheel.
And your addition of small firearms is an excellent idea.

Looking forward to your completion images.

Mike

**georgerutherford1861** · #4 08-24-2023, 08:02 AM

That is an incredible amount of detail. I am amazed at the amount of rigging on a ship that had no reliance on sails for propulsion. Signal flags and all that, I presume. It took a lot of patience to add that all in, and it enhances the model a great deal. Thanks.

Doug

**rmks2000** · #5 08-24-2023, 01:59 PM

Very nice detail work. It looks great.

**Don Boose** · #6 08-24-2023, 02:51 PM

Superb work on this historic gunboat!

Thanks for sharing the information and the images of your work in progress and the completed model.

Don

**gregbal** · #7 08-24-2023, 05:55 PM

Really superb work and an impressive amount of detail! Really captures the era. Nicely done! 👍

**JP64** · #8 08-25-2023, 02:49 AM

Hello, friends !!

thanks for your kind words about this model ... indeed is a strange, unusual and very interesting ship and also the building was a bit challenging, especially for all the parts and particulars that the kid designer do no included in the project (pilot post, side wheels, full guns, etc..)

Answering @Doug : indeed I agree with you... the full rigging and masts are probably a bit "too much" for a river ship... taking into count that, the max number of flags that a ship like this can host should be three : stem, stern and one pennant on the main mast... (from the pics used as source, you can see that, usually, the ship has not so many flags flowing..)
Anyway, I have decided, on the completed model, to put on only stem and stern flags and nothing more... I have already collected and printed the US Union Navy flags of that exact period and I'll put soon on the ship.

Once completed I'll post some new pics in the next days !!

ciao

Jp

**Wyvern** · #9 08-25-2023, 08:38 AM

Fantastic!

Wyvern

**JP64** · #10 08-30-2023, 10:11 AM

Hello to all paper modelers..

At the end, the model of the USS Choctaw has been completed.

All the last particulars and elements have been added to the model and now the only missing thing is the transparent case (just ordered to a good German producer).

So, I have added the cranes with boats (I have added the oars to the boats), the rudder, the anchors and the american Navy flags.
I have found, downloaded and printed the US Navy flags of the period of the Choctaw and I modeled the flags trying to give them the appearance of flags in the wind...

Here below are the pics of the completed model.
I hope you'll like.

Have an happy paper-modeling

ciao
Jp