The 1:144 to 1:160 hull conversion has a name now. The Cussler. Started adding rails using .020 rod which is a pain but doesn't look too bad to my old eyes. Also started adding the masts to the deck along with ventilators, search and floodlights and an air compressor back by the rear deckhouse. Also started drilling out the boat davits and cranes for lines.
Finished building the cranes and rigging them. For cables I used silver metallic thread and the hooks are brass. Blocks and pulleys are from my stock of ship parts. Now have to weather the cables some and finish the hose reels for the diving bell. A 54 foot N scale car is setting behind the vessel deck for a size perspective. The vessel will be about 210 feet long when done.
Just finished 2 items a wooden tressel to cross a future stream and tunnel entrance. And modified a caboose to add a flashing light. I also had to modify the light component, bought one of those battery operated flashers for end of the train. battery pack wouldnt fit so take a look at the pictures i posted. works great.
Working on THREE Eastern wood 'hacks'. C&C, Norfolk Western and NKP. Occasionaly I build other than Western roads. Coming along nicely. Had to cut and frame 47 windows...that's done. Adding all the brass rails and grabs...slow ,but getting there...
Continuing with the research vessel conversion. Added two more masts one with an early radar version mounted at the top. Started installing lifeline stanchions to the hanger top and the rear elevated deck. Added two more sets of boat davits and converted two small boats to have cabins. Added a crane boom stop on the hanger top. And not satisfied with the first seaplane started another conversion from a smaller plane kit that was 1:144 to a 1:160 including new floats. Used my printer and copier to make the insignia and mounted them on the hanger sides. Started examining another hull for a possible small coastal cargo ship or another research vessel.
Received my WM H-9 from Shapeways. Got around to making some adjustments to the design for a better fit on the Bachmann 2-8-0 chassis. I was able to salvage some detail parts from the Bachmann shell, including headlights, bells, generator, marker lights, and power reverse!
I ordered a test print yesterday. Its going to be a tight fit on the Atlas frame, but it should be ok. My idea was to us a modular design, similar to the Highliners F units in HO. Since the DRS 4-4-1500 and the AS16 where very similar with the exception of a few grill placements, I wanted to be able to offer the baldwin hood with a few interchangeable panels so that both could be modeled with the same kit. Hopefully it won't need to many revisions, I'd like to release it around Thanksgiving. My WM H9 should be ready by then too!
Now THAT is a way to take advantage of the 3d printing technology! Plee keep us apprised of progress! thanks, Otto K.
I think that is a great approach, I'll be watching with interest. Painting and decaling will be much easier this way for sure. I've found that the Shapeways prints are MUCH better after priming and sanding, your method makes that easier. Randy
N.U.M.A. or National Underwater Marine Agency. I'm a huge Clive Cussler fan. Vessel is a converted old four stacker destroyer originally in !:144 scale that has had some parts cast and others modified. The hull converts to a 205 foot hull in N scale. Some of the original life rafts and boats were used as is with the exception of two and some model boat parts and a lot of styrene. Some of the parts that were cast on the deck were cut off and then reused like the electronics compartment at the base of the forward mast. The vessel will carry four Boston Whalers of two sizes and two 18 foot dive boats with cabins, plus the diving bell and submersible, and a folding wing single engine two seater seaplane built from a 1:144 plane kit. This will be the largest vessel in my future harbor scene which will have to be redone some to include this and about six fishing and intercoastal small cargo vessels.
When I saw Cussler maybe it would be like the Oregon then I read your back posts! The Oregon that would be a conversation piece at a port durring a trainshow!
It could be on the horizon if I can find a 1:144 or close scale German WW2 raider or a sutable cargo vessel. However the layout plans would have to be seriuosly revised since the Oregon is about 2 and 1/2 times the size of this vessel to come up with a large enough harbor area.
Three PGE/BCR MLW M-630s from the Briggs Models conversion kit underway. Mechanisms running in DC mode with Dofasco trucks; carbodies now have rear end and radiators installed. The original noses were removed and replaced with the noses from the Atlas C-630 shells for a better fit and look: Fuel supply car PGE 1104 with etched carbody details added and stretched Micro-Trains underframe installed: The fuel tanks have been detailed with vent pipes made from styrene rod and breather pipes bent from brass wire. The air bottle rack was assembled from strip styrene: Off to the local train show tomorrow - stop by our PGE-BCR Modellers tables and say hi if you are coming! Tim
Working on my small batch of seaplanes with one done except for decals. Took three 1:144 biplanes and cut all down to 1:160. The right rear one has it's floats mounted and just needs decals. The other two were biplanes converted to monoplane and some cutdown where needed. The left rear will be equipped with a large center float and two small wing outrigger floats. The floats are all made of styrene tube and angle stock then filled where needed with putty and filed to shape. The small orange seaplane will be for the NUMA research vessel Cussler. While there is only one N scale plane that I've found it is possible to take the 1:144 versions and cut down some where needed. The planes I am using are the F toys 1/144 workshop editions.
Nice work John! Been mulling over getting some planes. When you say cutting down, what do you mean? Shortening the fuselage, cutting wings etc.? Is it really necesary to get to 1/160 versus 1/144? Is the difference really noticeable?
