USS Monitor (1862) Scale TBA

[APA-168]

Hello all, for my first design on this forum I will be showing my USS Monitor currently under design. I just started her today, she is progressing nicely however it will be some time before she is ready. Feel free to ask any question, or give constructive suggestions.

I haven't decided on a scale, but due to the fact that I will not include a turret interior this time around it might be 1:250. My primary references will be:

http://www.monitorcenter.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Monitor

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/monitora.htm

Plus a number of other pages and photos found online and in books. If you are interested in a complete list of references, send me a PM with your e-mail.

I will give the builder the option for her as built (no funnels, low vents), as modified while under repair (Tall vents, square twin funnels) or as lost (Single, tall, trunked round funnel) as well as instructions and parts for the awning over her turret. The turret interior will be basic, consisting only of the main guns due to the relatively small scale.

The first photo showing about five minutes of work in Google's Sketchup program.

[JT Fox]

Hi APA-168.

Could you give us a summary of your build process and the software you use to help us follow your progress.

Thanks.

Cheers JTF

[APA-168]

Of course!

I design and unfold in Google Sketchup. The file is then exported as an SVG file and edited in Inkscape before being saved as a PDF file. For the unfolding and exporting from Sketchup I use a couple a free plug-ins and they have served me very well.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers,

Avery

[APA-168]

Well, I hit a snag and then life and some other projects got in the way, but work has resumed and an update will be coming soon.

[cgutzmer]

Welcome back!

[APA-168]

Thanks I have the model finished just need to unfold and export. Got a method figured out, just a matter of putting it into practice. Next up is USS Passaic. And a Convair B-36. Hows that for eclectic?? :D

[APA-168]

Got the kit finished and sent off to the first beta builder today! Release date is set for next week. If you want to beta let me know NOW, there's still room for at least one more!

[cgutzmer]

whomever does beta's be sure to post me some pics!

[APA-168]

I lost all of the files on my computer. Fortunately the Monitor PDFs were backed up but the CADs are gone which will delay the instructions. Release date pushed back to early January, sorry! :-[

[paperforce]

do you still need beta builders?