1/48 cargo ship, BIG target!

[Rpmtech1]

I have been building this thing over the last few years. Its 12' long and weighs 900# full loaded with water.

Its really my own design cargo ship, with some consessions made to the hull for simplicity's sake. I pick what i like from looking at pictures of real vessels and incorporate them.

Its powered with a 24v scooter motor and chain drive, with a 7" propeller. it has 8-500gph pumps for ballasting and trimming.

I hope to be able to play with it this summer, after i get the big 1/2 scale V-2 rocket done! no room for both.

Here are a few picture, and the link to the full gallery is at the bottom.











Gallery: http://rpmtech.smugmug.com/Other/148.../8280509_BFfZv

[oztruck]

That is BIG in all ways. How do you get it wet?(into the water) Wonderful work, and a good companion for your tugs. Luv it

[Slats]

I have been building this thing over the last few years. Its 12' long and weighs 900# full loaded with water.

Its really my own design cargo ship, with some consessions made to the hull for simplicity's sake. I pick what i like from looking at pictures of real vessels and incorporate them.

Its powered with a 24v scooter motor and chain drive, with a 7" propeller. it has 8-500gph pumps for ballasting and trimming.

I hope to be able to play with it this summer, after i get the big 1/2 scale V-2 rocket done! no room for both.

Here are a few picture, and the link to the full gallery is at the bottom.











Gallery: http://rpmtech.smugmug.com/Other/148.../8280509_BFfZv

That's a great looking target.

Have to ask - why this size?
Now don't get me wrong I have a rep for big models -
CV64 plug and molds in 1/72 scale (4.6m long / 15.1 feet), Guiseppe Garibaldi in 1/72 (2.5m / 8.2 feet), Silver Cloud cruise ship (2.17m / 7.1 feet), but I can attest these models can be a pain in the arse (or my case back) to logistically shift from home to pond and back. But the nonetheless I am always intrigued why people build big?

[Rpmtech1]

When you're standing next to it you understand why big is good. Its like a floating model railroad layout.

I can carry this thing by myself. Its not heavy just awkward. You stick it in the water un-ballasted and it draws like 1/2" and floats around in the wind like a leaf.

It actually started out as a "dumb" ship ( to be built in a few weeks) just to play around with tugboats. But like usual, I get out of control and now its a full function/detail model. So to be honest it started out a lot more simple and crude in mind than it has become!

[herrmill]

Love that photo of the prop! Looks like it came off a 9 horse Evinrude.

[Rpmtech1]

Ohhh its even better than that. Its straight from Walmart auto section! Hey this is a fun thing, not a dead scale thing right (although topside I do go nuts). So happens that this "tow hitch ornimant" has the perfect strength for its purpose, and bore built in for a 5/16 shaft and is perfect for its job here.