Ainsty Steamer(Update 7/9)

[Andym]

Right gents, this is going to be a difficult one for me. I've been asked to build a modular steamer for casting.

The idea will be to build one hull as a base and then have a few different bits and pieces to glue around it to give slightly different configurations.

For inspiration I'm using Damas' astounding steamer thread. He's also giving me some technical advice on where I'm going wrong
 

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=25931.0

This is only one half so far. You start off with a base and a deck and add ribs to give contours.








Then add a couple of layers of plastic sheet. Bits at a time. The top layer, I've imbossed rivets on to look like steel plate.

[FramFramson]

That's a very unusual and interesting prow shape Andy - what gave you the idea for it?

(also, a modular steamer is a brilliant idea!)

[Papa Spanky]

Oh thats looking good already, keep it up!

[OSHIROmodels]

Looking promising matey 

I hope your hull doesn't kink though 

cheers

James

[Brandlin]

That's a very unusual and interesting prow shape Andy - what gave you the idea for it?

(also, a modular steamer is a brilliant idea!)

Actually it looks like a proper concave curved boat hull. Not the convex shape most (wrongly) use.

[Andym]

That's a very unusual and interesting prow shape Andy - what gave you the idea for it?

(also, a modular steamer is a brilliant idea!)

I've been looking at any pics I can find on line. The first 2 pics are the Waverly that's based here in Glasgow.

Looking promising matey 

I hope your hull doesn't kink though 

cheers

James

There has been a couple of small kinks along the way, but what I've found is that if you take it small bits at a time it helps. You just don't do one big sheet of plastic card. It also helps having layers. The top layer with the rivet detail really secures it all in place.

[Captain Blood]

That's a great start Andy. Genuine miniature engineering. Wonderful.
I might have to buy one of these in due course. Been looking for a decent steamer for years.

Not sure I'd want the paddle wheels though... Do you intend the modularity will allow for non-paddle versions?

[FramFramson]

The concave shape is broadly-speaking correct. However, I hate to nitpick but I think the transition is rather jarring.

Looking at the pictures andy has posted, you can see a much smoother transition in the lines of the prow, almost, but not quite a straight line. Whereas at the waterline of the model so far there's a pretty prominent bulge.

To match the posted pictures, the point where the sides become parallel at the waterline should be much further back, with a much more subtle transition, possibly not until the point where this module ends.  

[Cubs]

It's been photographed on the arm of a chair by the looks of things, so perhaps the curve of the surface is performing optical trickery in those later shots. The shape looks right to my eyes, with the concave shape becoming more prominent the lower down the hull you go towards the keel, and the upper shape looking more convex.

[gary42]

That looks great!  Maybe narrow it a bit at the 4th or 5th rib (From the bow back and from the waterline up making the base footprint narrower...  Follow?) it would would make the transition a bit smoother.  You wouldn't lose any deckspace either.  The concave is good.  I was changing the zincs under one yesterday and unless its a sailboat it'll be concave...  For the most part.

I know what's coming...  Another Andym gem!

[FramFramson]

I don't think the chair arm is distorting anything - the shape is pretty clear in the photos

I'm at work, so all I have is MS paint, but here's essentially what I'm talking about:

[Damas]

Still looking good Andy!

[gary42]

Precisely, Fram.  IMHO.

[Cubs]

I don't think the chair arm is distorting anything - the shape is pretty clear in the photos

I keep looking, but ... it looks okay to me.

[Thunderchicken]

If I had just a modicum of your skills Andy........

As Capt B said, this may be the model that convinces me I need a steamer.