CSS Baltic Ironclad Sidewheeler

[Knife]

Fresh from the magical drawing board of CT Ertz is the CSS Baltic. This grand old lady was the only Ironclad in Mobile, AL for two years. This is a beta build, so pieces and placement might change before release. My printer doesn't do the wood color justice. The model (currently) comes on four sheets, three parts sheets and one instruction sheet.

The first part of construction is the base/deck. I ended up layering 8 sheets of 110lb cardstock to build up the thickness of the deck. Since I use water based Aleene's tacky glue, I placed the multilayered deck under a sheet of glass weighted down with books and weights overnight to dry flat.

While the deck is drying, I started on the casemate. Corey has done an excellent job of designing the casemate, it is made of one piece folded up and glued together.

[ct ertz]

Wow, off to a good start. Thanks Knife.
CT

[Knife]

After gluing up the casemate, the paddle covers are added. The fit was perfect. I painted the interior of the casemate with a permanent marker. Then the cannons need to be rolled and built up. One problem with the deck is the lack of markings for where the cannons should be glued onto the deck. I trial fitted the casemate onto the deck and used a pencil to mark the deck through the gunports. Once I was sure the cannons aren't going anywhere, I glued the casemate to the the deck. Then I fitted out the top of the casemate with the various grates and hatchways.

I'm going to add some doors to the casemate, steps going up the sloped casemate sides, and cleats to the deck that aren't currently on the parts sheet.

[Torakaze-222]

Looking nice. Will have to get it once it's up for sale. I don't suppose Cory could be tempted to do a Cairo or Benton pattern...

[ct ertz]

Avery was working on the Cairo last I knew, and I have the USS Benton started, along with the USS Taylor (timber clad) and an odd double casement four gun ironclad built at the Richmond Yard by the Confederates. I also have the CSS Texas in the works.

Your doing a great build knife, thanks again.
CT

[Wyvern]

Another awesome CT Ironclad!

Wyvern

[Knife]

Just fitting out the Baltic with misc pieces. I added doors to access the paddle wheels and the engine room. Put stairs on the sides of the casemate and ladders to reach the top of the paddlewheel housings. I stole the anchor davits from the CSS Albermerle kit and used some shaved carbonfiber elements for the anchor chain.

Still need to do the guide wires for the smokestack and the ship's boats and davits, flagpoles, and flags.

[APA-168]

Originally Posted by Torakaze-222

Looking nice. Will have to get it once it's up for sale. I don't suppose Cory could be tempted to do a Cairo or Benton pattern...

As Corey very graciously acknowledged, I have been planning a City class for some time. I am just now beginning the pre-design gathering of references, and the project is next up on my list. It will be a bit of a long-term project I think since I have enough reference material to really take my time with it and do it properly.

[ct ertz]

OK Knife, I will add some doors and steps to the kit. I really like the awning in place. Your build looks great! What stack did you use? I am thinking of making a simple add on for the hull and lower part of the wheels as an option.
CT

[Knife]

I used the stack from the Virginia II, slightly cut down in diameter. I think it should be slightly taller, however, based on the Baltic drawing. I figure the paddlewheel casings needed doors so the crew could get to the paddles for maintainance. Also, there seems to be doors represented on the drawing.

One small note, the awning support vertical members need to be spread a little further apart where they span the two larger hatches. Also, the deck sides are a perfect fit, good job.