Model of ps Waverley

More progress:













Note the engine room under construction now.
One thing with scratch build is that you need to think well ahead, or else bits will not go on due to access problems!!!

For those who have never tried it, scrtach building is the ultimate, much like playing chess with several people at once! but very satisfying when it all works out!!!! (well, it had better this time round!!).
(1986)

Further update:
Hull is now virtually complete, with doulbe planking to a total thickness oif 4mm. The outside has been trearted with Ronseal Woodhardener (similar to Galttfix, but much cheaper and in 1 litre tins). The inside has been coated wioth resin to make waterproof and to toughen up.
The window sections have been addedewd to the stern and port side forward (starboard still to be done).
Port side sponson cover fitted and housing under way.
Port paddle wheel basic frame nearly complete.
At Xmas, Waverley met the Bismarck!!















(2010)

She is coming on quite quickly because the Bismarck is on hold. I have decided not to carry out any work on a sections of the Bismarck until all the parts are available, as I already have a box of bits waiting to be fastened down as Hachette quote "later" and already I am sure that some of the bits I have lost track of!!!
The paddle wheels are made from scratch from brass. I was lucky to find a neighbour with a metal lathe who turned up the bosses for me. Unfortunately, metal work is not my scene, so am struggling a bit with the other parts.
Another reason for the quick build is the lousy weather plus being a pleasure to work in wood, and at a scale where I can actually see the parts I am gluing together!!!!

Your Waverley lady is nicely taking shape, Don. Nice work.
I gave a look at Skyfire's picture of the finished model and no doubt she'll become a beautiful queen!

I share too your frustration about storing too many tiny bits all over the place before we get "authorized" go-aheads from Hachette... Luckily, we have other models which only ask to be pampered to grin and bear it.

About your nice old Waverley, do you know what period and in which waters she used to live and how did she finished?

Keep on the very good job. Scratch models aren't that easy.

Robert

Thanks for your comments folks.
I am living up to my old forum title: Who dares wins, as mentioned, I do not like metal work, but have grasped the nettle and am scratch building the paddle wheels from brass/aluminium with a hope that all will turn out well. Have just bought a gas kit to attempt some silver soldering, which I have never done before. Either it will work, or be a complete disaster or I shall set things on fire!!!
The current Waverley was brought into service in 1947 to run on the Clyde as a working ship. When she was retired, she was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (of which I am memeber No. 13) about 40 odd years ago for £1.
Since then she has run excursions all round the British Isles on an annual basis, coming to this region where I live in September of every year.
In 1998, she had a major refit costing many millions of pounds which should keep her going for many years to come. She is the last sea-going paddle steamer left in the world, there are many others but all sail on inland waters, including our own Kingswear Castle based at Chatham on the river Medway.
Model wise, she has changed quite a bit over the years, and one of my problems is that I have many pictures taken aboard both before and after the refit, but each group does not cover all the detail that I need! Also, as she is still a living ship, minor alterations take place all the time so full accuracy becomes a nightmare......as we know, the models of the Bismarck have similar problems!!!!
Times will be hard this year, and ships like this are expensive to run (as indeed is our railway) so if anyone fancies a trip on the Waverley, please do so, we need your money!!(and do not wish to land up like poor old Woolworths).

Thank you for your summary on Lady Waverley, Don.

If ever I go by Swanage, I promise to make a ride on the mini train -- just in case I would (most probably) miss one of the Waverley stopovers.

Yes, indeed a pity. Yesterday Woolworth's and today Wedgwood, a tradition which goes back more than 300 years now, is going into administration... Getting a little more difficult to "always look at the bright side of life."

But don't we discourage, let's cheer up, my friend:
"After the rain, comes the shining sun!

Best, Robert

Hopefully I'll be able to meet quite a few people from off the forum when I get over to that part of the world again.