It’s been a slow summer for new product announcements. I’ve been very busy with some large commissioned ships and getting the Ohio/Alabama situation resolved, in favor of Ohio.

I’ve had some real problems with the ship drawings I’ve purchased. None of them have been “faired.” A faired drawing means that the deck width matches the width of the sections. Let’s say there are 20 sections (or stations) marked on the profile of a ship. The top width of those sections should match the width of the deck. Well, they usually do not match.

The same goes for the waterline, if I am building a waterline model. The bottom width of the sections should match the width of the hull where it meets the waterline. It doesn’t happen often.

Making it worse, the height of the sections should match the height of the ship in profile. As you might have guessed, they don’t!

I’ve learned that there’s nothing worse than drawing the sections, the center keel, the deck and the bottom to the plans, cutting them out on my cutter, and finding that nothing matches up. I thought at first that I was misinterpreting the drawings, which is commonplace. No such luck–and I’m not that unskilled.

I’ve also been busy inventing ways to make in true scale such items as twin 20 mm Oerkilon cannons and quad 40 mm Bofors, as well as the smaller gun directors. I’ll post some pictures soon of the heavy cruiser Indianapolis, where you can see what I’ve come up with.

Which reminds me that my parts pages are hopelessly outdated. I’m going to try to update these with all of the new parts I’ve developed, with a shopping cart system.

Look for the 169′ Marin ferry from San Francisco Bay in the next few weeks. And–seven years after I first built it–a 110′ patrol boat from WW2.

After my winter hiatus to Alabama, here’s what’s coming in the next few weeks. All are available in N and Z scale (or other scales). Prices are my estimates and could rise or fall a bit as we get experience cutting and packaging them. Prices are for kits; built-ups for these are now quoted independently and will be scheduled on a first-come, first built basis.

A 250′ self-unloader for Great Lakes freighters. This will be positionable, and capable of being movable. Kit price will be about $70.

A Hulett Unloader in N and Z. Like the self-unloader, this will be positionable and capable of automating by intrepid modelers. Kit price will be about $95. The brass kit for railings and stairways will be about $35.

A 180′ auto ferry for protected routes such as the Wadden Sea in Europe or around Seattle. Kit price around $95

A 90′ passenger ferry/cruise ship that is smaller, sleeker and faster than my Port Welcome. Where the Port Welcome weighed in at 105 tons, this one weighs less than 50 tons, so it is much narrower. Kit price about $70.

A 65′ shrimper/crabber suitable for anywhere around the world. Kit price about $40 with booms and brass. Full side decals for the waterline hull eliminate the need for painting–an experiment on my part. Kit price about $60.

An 80′ fishing vessel (single hold) and 90′ fishing vessel (double holds). These also have hull decals. Kit price about $60.

A 145′ oceanographic research ship, the German Capella. Details to come. Kit will be about $200; built-ups start at $1100.

And now, for the big ships:

The C3 Beavercove is now available as a kit. The N scale kit is $545; the Z scale kit is $495. There is an enormous amount of styrene, brass, posts & booms, and details in these kits. Built-ups start at $4000.00.

The Contra Costa car ferry from San Francisco. This 433′ x 117′ side paddlewheel may be the largest ship by weight ever built from wood. The house sides, each with hundreds of window panes, will be etched brass sheets. Price TBD for kits, but probably about $600; built-ups start at $4000.00. I’m not sure how many modelers have ever attempted this model, but this will be your chance. The brass alone will be about $150. The earlier Solano can be custom-ordered; it will be more expensive due to the curved tracks and center house for the A-beams of the steam engines, and offset paddles.

I also began work on various dock facilities, such as a modular ore dock for a Twin Harbors-like scene; a container crane; stay tuned.

I’ll get pictures uploaded and posted as time permits.

My wife and I (and the dog) enjoy the warmer winters of northern Alabama over those of unpredictable southern Ohio. This year we plan to spend November 30 through about February 15 in Alabama. Obviously I cannot move my entire operation with us, so many kits will not be available during that time. I do bring a small cuttter and some supplies to fill custom orders. If you would like to order a kit or a built-up during that time, please let me know by November 28, and I’ll either ship it before we leave or bring the necessary gear to ship it from Alabama. Some of the larger ships require many sheets of styrene and extensive brass and cast parts; these can be fulfilled if I know ahead of time.

I spend my work time in Alabama developing new ships and cutting the first prototypes. The new small Cameo cutter has proven to be a delight, but has a tough time cutting through .020″ (0.5 mm) styrene, which the big BlackCat cutter devours, literally and sometimes with a great mess. The old Silhouette SD, stressed repeatedly to near death, has been retired.

Any suggestions for interesting ships for N or Z scale? I plan to do a HandyMax-size bulk freighter in both Z and N. That’s about 620′ (187 m) long by 85′ (26 m) in beam. And perhaps a modern off-shore supply vessel of about 200′ (60 m) length. Or any structures similar to the 250′ (75 m) self-unloader crane that I hope to introduce before leaving?

Thanks all!

As production ramps up, I’ve been able to reduce the price of some items by 15 to 50 percent, both built-ups and kits. Check back for the items you’re interested in.

This is a model of the William Lyon Mackenzie, launched in 1964, and refurbished in 2004. The boat is the main fireboat for the City of Toronto’s Fire Services. Built in Owen Sound, Ontario by Russel Brothers Limited, it operates 12 months a year, providing emergency services within Toronto Harbor and the adjacent waters of Lake Ontario.

The fire boat is equipped with:
•    Aerial tower – 54′ Amador/Trump Limited Giraffe (refurbished 2004)
•    Hiab 5 ton crane
•    2 Diesel driven water pumps
•    5 water nozzles

General Characteristics
Type:                 Fireboat-Icebreaker
Tonnage:            102 gt
Displacement:     200 tonnes
Length:               24.7m (81 feet)
Beam:                 6m (20 feet)
Propulsion:          2 x 3412 Caterpillar Diesel
Speed:                12 knots (13.8 mph; 22.2 km/h)
Complement:       3, (can use boost crew of 4)
The model has a cast resin hull, and styrene superstructure. The pilot house and aerial platform contain small parts requiring a medium level of modeling skill to assemble. Prices aret $69 for the kit, and $230 for a built-up, plus shipping.

The C3/T3 break-bulk cargo ship/tanker was the mainstay of ocean shipping for decades, supplanted by container ships in the years around 1970. Shown here is the prototype model on my layout in Albuquerque. The C3/T3 hull is the basis for the 487′ First Generation Container Ship, with a different stern and the machine spaces moved to the stern. The Beavercove has a raised cruiser stern. The middle island could accommodate 20 passengers in relative luxury, at about 20 knots per crossing. Alternate midships islands will be available, as well as poop deck houses, and the decking and details for tanker hulls. Cargo details include the many winches, posts, booms, and rigging used by stevedores to offload cargo; the decks are detailed with the many ventilators, lifeboats, davits, hose reels, and myriad other equipment on these utilitarian and sometimes handsome ships.

The model replicates the sweep and camber of the hull and superstructure, making it a graceful but somewhat difficult to build kit. The bow and stern are large cast resin pieces, joined by a styrene box section, so the hull is easier to fabricate. The camber of the middle house will be a challenge, as it is best built up on the hull, making painting a task that requires some planning. The solid white bulwarks along the forward and rear decks will be replaced by prototypical brass railings, which were not available at the time of this build.

Here’s a closer view of the details built with this model.

Due to the immense amount of brass and white metal castings, prices for a fully detailed kit will probably be about $600, although I am working very hard on less expensive fittings. I will probably offer a basic kit, for those who want to build or supply their own details, at around $300. Prices for a fully detailed built-up will be in the $2500 to $4000 range.

This model will not be part of my regular line, but is available on custom order. It will be about June before kits will be available, but inquire, as hulls and superstructures are available.

N Scale Ships is previewing this 81′ fireboat, the fourth in a series. This is a model of the William Lyon Mackenzie, launched in 1964, and refurbished in 2004. The boat is the main fireboat for the City of Toronto’s Fire Services. Built in Owen Sound, Ontario by Russel Brothers Limited, it operates 12 months a year, providing emergency services within Toronto Harbor and the adjacent waters of Lake Ontario.

The fire boat is equipped with:
•    Aerial tower – 54′ Amador/Trump Limited Giraffe (refurbished 2004)
•    Hiab 5 ton crane
•    2 Diesel driven water pumps
•    5 water nozzles

General Characteristics
Type:                 Fireboat-Icebreaker
Tonnage:            102 gt
Displacement:     200 tonnes
Length:               24.7m (81 feet)
Beam:                 6m (20 feet)
Propulsion:          2 x 3412 Caterpillar Diesel
Speed:                12 knots (13.8 mph; 22.2 km/h) – max 22km/hr
Complement:       3, (can use boost crew of 4)
Crew:                  22
[i]Source: Wikipedia[/i]

The model has a cast resin hull, and styrene superstructure. The pilot house and aerial platform contain small, delicate parts requiring a medium level of modeling skill to assemble. Release date for the kit is anticipated to be June 2014. Shown is the prototype without railings, life rafts, water cannons and other small topside details, which will be added upon my return to Ohio. Prices will be about $60 for the kit, and $210 for a built-up.

RAnger 4200

The newest, largest and most powerful fireboats in the US, the Ranger 4200-class is 140′ long, 36′ in beam, with 8,000 hp driving four propellers, capable of 18 knots. The ship serves the largest U.S. East Coast port.

Shown is the hull and superstructure constructed during my 2013-2014 winter stay in Alabama, without the railings, stairways, fire cannons and fittings that are back in Ohio.

The hull is cast resin. The multi-deck styrene superstructure is complex, with many small recesses, compound curves and delicate parts, and requires advanced modeling skills. All three forward spaces can be built with interior details. A built-up model will be $450; the kit will be $149. The fire boom assembly may be added cost.

Chicago Fireboat Christopher Wheatley

The newest Chicago fireboat is a unique design for the shallow rivers and restricted height bridges around the city. It is 90′ long, 25′ in beam, and only 16′ high with its mast folded down.

Shown is the hull and superstructure, with details available upon my return to Ohio. The hull is cast resin. The styrene superstructure is fairly easy to build, for a ship. The interior of the bridge can be detailed. A built-up model will be $299; the kit will be $99. The fire boom assembly may be added cost.

80′ Fireboat/Harbor Tug

Many smaller fireboats were originally tugboats outfitted with auxiliary take-offs or engines for fire cannons.

This model represents a steam-powered 80′ long fireboat with a 20′ beam. As many of these long-lived boats were converted to diesel, a small diesel stack is available. The hull is one-piece cast resin; the main and pilot house are an easy build from styrene.

Railings, ladders, fire cannons and other details will be included upon my return to Ohio. The interior of the pilot house is open and can be detailed. A built-up model is $199; the kit will be $69.

When I get back to Ohio in February (unless the weather remains horrid), I’ll show them with full details