In 2021, before I discovered this site, I finished Artesania Latina's King of the Mississippi kit from the 1980's. I believe they still make it. Occre has a similar kit. I will be starting a build log in the next couple of months, on Model Shipway's USRC (United States Revenue Cutter) Harriet Lane (they call it USCG [Coast Guard] but the Coast Guard was not formed until 1915, long after the Lane's sailing days were over). This kit is a sidewheeler with sails (the kit has the sail plans but you have to purchase the sail cloth separately). Good luck with you searching!
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Is there a stigma against building paddle steamers here? Hardly any.
2nd build in the 1980s was a kit from Artesania Latina kit, King of the Mississippi. Easy build but not a side-wheeler like you're looking for.
A scratch side wheeler would be a neat log to follow! Keep us posted.
A scratch side wheeler would be a neat log to follow! Keep us posted.
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USS Choctaw -----
I created this 3D design purely as a hobby.
I created this 3D design purely as a hobby.
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I’ve seen a few over time so they’re worthy but not as popular as warships.
I model pilot schooners, fishing vessels and other commercially purposed types
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I love the sidewheel paddle steamers especially the Hudson River vessels and blockade runners. As for kits very few (Susquehanna, Harriet Lane) but for plans, the Smithsonian has numerous to choose from e.g.....Chancellor Livingston (Fulton's last Steamboat), blockade runner Hope, Hudson River steamers Mary Powell and Francis Skiddy etc.
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Here, here! I heartily agree. As in aircraft modeling, military specimens take pride of place and purchasing preference. That said, I can think of a martial side-wheeler that was well-armed and of no small historical importance: USS Susquehanna! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Susquehanna_(1850) There's at least one wooden model available of her, found during an admittedly cursory Google search: https://www.japan-wooden-model-kits...den-Sailing-Ship-Model-Kits-by-Woody-JOE.html She's a sleek beauty and the elaborate overlapping rails for her deck guns are quite eye-catching in an of themselves.
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What ho, shipmates!
HenryC, this is to you most specifically and to Neilm more genrally.
The interest in paddle-wheelers is lovely to see! I have little to add to the discussion of the riverboat. Like the usual consumer, I want to build warships
. In either case, there are a small number of paddlewheel kits relative to all sail kits. So, as many shipmates have already advised, you'll likely have to scratch build if you are looking for something specific. And even if you buy a kit, as you already know, you'll be effectively scratch-building. 
As far as sidewheelers go, there are several options. I finished my version of Harriett Lane in May 2025. As HenryC pointed out, it is misnamed on the kit box. It build into a handsom model (IMHO), but took a lot of research and reworking and simply deciding to ignore the dire warnings about adding detail which pepper the instructions. My log on Harriet Lane is https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/...ipways-1-96-scale-circa-1863-completed.13052/
I am in the process of building Mamoli's L'Orenoque, having been bitten by the sidewheeler bug! The kit does not represent the real L'Orenoque, a French sidewheeler frigate. Check my log for the details. https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/lorenoque-mamoli-1-100-scale.16617/
Krick's offereing Gulnara looks like an great kit - 1:50 scale 1837 sidewheeler.
Woody Joe has a 1:120 scale version of USS Susquehannah.
Of course, plan sets are available for USS Susquehannah and L'Aigle - Napoleon III's very elegant ship of state. As to L'Aigle, it is much more a display of elegance than a warship. She carried popguns for saluting.
Hopefully, I have not overshared. I have a problem with that.
Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck
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Not exactly the same, but this 100+ year old wood steam vessel operates in summer taking people on holiday out to visit their cabins on rocks out in the archipelago.
is still operating in Stockholm- Joined
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I used to live in Marietta, Ohio, a hotbed of Western Rivers Steamboat lore. I passed the beautifully preserved sternwheel W.P. Snyder moored on the Muskingum River every day on my way to work. My son now lives in Evansville, Indiana another Ohio River town with an old steamboat history.
I have first hand experience with these interesting American working watercraft and know what they looked like.
I’m sorry, but the apparently popular King of the Mississippi kit does not build a model reflecting either the hard working ruggedness or grace of these iconic American vessels. It builds an exaggerated cartoon of the real thing.
Roger
I have first hand experience with these interesting American working watercraft and know what they looked like.
I’m sorry, but the apparently popular King of the Mississippi kit does not build a model reflecting either the hard working ruggedness or grace of these iconic American vessels. It builds an exaggerated cartoon of the real thing.
Roger
G'day Charlie,
For a real curiosity how about something from the Antipodes? The inland rivers systems of south east Australia supported quite an extensive network of paddle steamers. They were responsible for moving wool, timber and other primary produce to rail heads and larger ports. A small model supplies company, well known to Australian modellers, called Float-a-Boat, has a good catalogue of Australian Paddle Steamer plans. Why not have a crack at one!
Paddle Steamers Archives - FLOAT a BOAT
floataboat.com.au
Hi Neil. I followed the thread followed on you post from the beginning. And yes, I am also a great fan of the Paddle Steamers.
A lot of examples came in view. Then I wanted to name the Robt. E. Lee. Build as the ‘original’ and followed by the ‘II’ and ‘III’.
I started to scratch build the ‘original’ with the drawing of Alan L. Bates, but she ended as the ‘II”.
The links to the ‘Gallery’ and my ‘Build-log’.
My hope is to see more builds of Paddle Steamers passing by.
Regards, Peter
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As you can see from my avatar I to am a fan of River boats. I built this model about15 years ago over a period of about 5 years as I had a sick wife at the time and was working full time. At the time of this photo it was not quite finished no handrails ect. and some more fitting of the engine and RC components. I still have the plans so maybe one day I will redo it a different way. If you would like to check out the feed on this build
https://www.thercmodelboatforum.com/
Forum: Paddle Boats
https://www.thercmodelboatforum.com/
Forum: Paddle Boats
Mississippi Paddle Steamer Robt.E.Lee
Fantastic work and thanks for the links.
Beautiful skill.
I’ve fallen in love with these paddle steamers.
Fantastic work and thanks for the links.
Got some good reading for a few hours now.
Also, if you are after a kit.
Should have added. If you want to try a paper sidewheel steamer, look at this website which has three models of Australian Murray River boats. My model of one of them below.
Should have added. If you want to try a paper sidewheel steamer, look at this website which has three models of Australian Murray River boats. My model of one of them below.
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