Half kit half scratch? Tramp Steamer

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:19 am

Didn't know where else to put this, but I used the laser cutter sticky in this forum to get the parts made.

Special Note:
This is not my design or plans, the files came from someone else, the credit goes to Andy Miller of starshiphulls.com. Though the site is gone, I was still able to contact him when I had these made up, so I could send him something for the effort he put in.

Laserfirecreations, our own Disillusionist here did the scaling and laser cutting PDQ for me.

Tramp Steamer @ %50 scaling of the original designs:
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/tramp_steamer/IMGP6061.JPG
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/tramp_steamer/IMGP6063.JPG
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/tramp_steamer/IMGP6064.JPG

This was a dry fit test with some 1 inch wood dowel I had, it needed to be sanded down to fit the ribs, and I probably took to much off.
The rear 2 ribs have had the 'expander's added, so that they (when clad) look beefer as the engine housing.

The dowel and the universal rib separators extend past the last engine rib, this is not by design. I just didn't want to cut them [yet]. I don't think I'll use them here accept maybe to help align the ribs will they are glued in place.

Andy had some very good starting suggestions for ways to use the parts to make very different ships. These are in the pdf's which I don't have permission to post. If you want them PM me and I can send you the instructions. If you want parts I'm betting Disillusionist still has the scaled files and can quote you a cost. The rib separators (URS) you could use 8 per ship but you don't need them per say. Use balsa-wood stock in their place per the instruction sheet.

I also had parts from another ship Andy designed, cut, I will post pics and or a mockup of the 'Small freighter' tomorrow hopefully.

kerick · Post by **kerick** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:49 pm

Looks interesting! Will you be "plating" the hull with styrene, balsa or something else?

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:57 am

I was thinking of spoofing it and plating with balsa.

But not on this copy. Its supposed to be the right size for some trucking containers. My plan is to take it to Hobby Town USA store within the next couple of days to tryout whatever they have there. Also I need some stock balsa or styrene for the ribbing battens.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:43 pm

Here's the small freighter with the 'no neck' configuration as described in the instructions.

http://www.kc6sye.com/images/small_frei ... GP6142.JPG
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/small_frei ... GP6143.JPG
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/small_frei ... GP6144.JPG
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/small_frei ... GP6145.JPG

here's and exaggerated version with the neck joint, just didn't look right. also the rib separators are slightly off, such that the bridge structure could not lock into place across any of the ribs (though they worked for the tramp steamer as seen above).
http://www.kc6sye.com/images/small_frei ... GP6073.JPG

DaveVan · Post by **DaveVan** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:28 pm

Nice work.....interested to see how it comes together.