Chaperon 1884 Steamer by Model Shipways, 1:48 Scale [COMPLETED BUILD]

With the stacks completed I was able to complete the build this week. This mostly consisted of attaching the life boats, loading platform and all working rigging. I had previously built the masts, lifeboats and other structures while waiting for my deck planking to arrive. This actually made the completion steps a bit more straightforward. I generally like to build stand alone structures during the build as a means to take a break from more repetitive tasks like planking and battens on this project. The standing rigging for the stacks was a bit confusing looking at the plans as some of the lines drawn lose their dimension being in two dimensions. There is logic to the counterbalancing sought to be achieved so as long as you carefully study the plans and related pics it will become clear.
The working rigging on the ship is all straightforward. The setting of the loading platform is a bit of a challenge. While I am satisfied with how my version came out I do think it could be better. Take your time on this process. It’s the line that secures the lower rear of the platform that really determines the angle. The instructions provide only adequate guidance here. 01C46CE8-8D03-4F0F-AE91-7F066CE5E26E.jpeg500B117B-1E39-4F25-B63B-79B501E0FA96.jpegA0C97ABA-4C20-4127-9138-AD882218DBE1.jpeg3365CBE7-BDF3-4B1B-A7D2-6C65BBC7ECDB.jpeg
 
Barry1 said:
Adding the structures to the hurricane deck was pretty straightforward. The trusses are made from wood parts supplied in kit along with brass made into the hog truss. I debated for a while whether to use the white line supplied in the kit or use actual wire for accuracy. I decided to stay with the supplied line as it really didn’t look out of place on the ship. Building and adding the staircase to the pilot house has probably been the most challenging step so far. This structure is very flimsy and you will need to take your time securing it to the deck and pilot house platform. I also decided to locate the ship’s bell on the Texas roof vs the skylight roof. While this may not be historically accurate it made more sense to me to have it tied into the pilot house and be in a position where it could be heard better. Captain’s choice here! With all the items in place now I added the trim brass and to the hurricane deck and trimmed the posts to appropriate length. I am glad I left them long as this made the process much easier to do. The loose lines at the rear of the ship relate to the rear trusses and will be secured once the supports are fit. This step is done in conjunction with the paddle wheel attachment. So now it’s on to the paddle wheel assembly and the related supports. View attachment 265317View attachment 265318
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Looking really awesome
 
Quick summary of The Chaperon kit. Bottom line this is an excellent kit of an interesting subject. Paddle wheelers are certainly non traditional ships with interesting histories. Personally, I enjoy a variety of subjects to model and I really do not enjoy ships with heavy volume of rigging/rat lines, etc. That’s just me. So this kit presents an excellent balance of most of the key aspects of model shipbuilding. While there are some repetitive tasks such as adding battens all is manageable. The directions are clear but some of steps should be evaluated by the individual builder as to how they want certain sections to come together. For example, how decks are constructed. The plans are all well drawn and accurate. Parts and wood are typical of Model Shipways. All laser cutting was good. Additional items beyond kit supplied items that I added to the project included: planking exposed portions of main and boiler decks, black construction paper to simulate tar paper on all other roofs, doorknobs on all doors, plastic sheeting for windows on most openings, small scale posters and hay bales for decoration of main deck, and ship’s wheel for the pilot house.
I decided to stain the main and boiler decks and paddle wheel using a Barn Red stain. Based on my research many of these ships had some type of red deck and paddle wheels varied in finish. But, frankly these areas are more of a personal preference of the builder. This is a large model so make sure you have a place for it!
So, if you have interest in this type of ship this build will bring you moderate challenge, lots of fun and a great looking ship to display.
 
Barry1 said:
With the stacks completed I was able to complete the build this week. This mostly consisted of attaching the life boats, loading platform and all working rigging. I had previously built the masts, lifeboats and other structures while waiting for my deck planking to arrive. This actually made the completion steps a bit more straightforward. I generally like to build stand alone structures during the build as a means to take a break from more repetitive tasks like planking and battens on this project. The standing rigging for the stacks was a bit confusing looking at the plans as some of the lines drawn lose their dimension being in two dimensions. There is logic to the counterbalancing sought to be achieved so as long as you carefully study the plans and related pics it will become clear.
The working rigging on the ship is all straightforward. The setting of the loading platform is a bit of a challenge. While I am satisfied with how my version came out I do think it could be better. Take your time on this process. It’s the line that secures the lower rear of the platform that really determines the angle. The instructions provide only adequate guidance here. View attachment 269204View attachment 269205View attachment 269203View attachment 269206
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You made yourself a very good looking Paddle Steamer!
Regards, Peter
 
Also from my side Congratulations for finishing this interesting model - Very well done
 
Barry1 said:
After working on a couple of smaller projects during the past 12 months I decided to build a riverboat steamer. This kit is based on the Chaperon which was built in Chambersburg, Ohio in 1884. The real boat was 120 feet long, 21 feet wide and 4 feet deep. It was operated on short trade routes and excursions between Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave. The Chaperon was sold prior to WW1 and taken to the Mississippi and renamed the Choctaw where she sailed on the Tallahatchie River until 1922 when she was destroyed by fire.
I researched the different steamer kits available and chose this one primarily as the instructions were done by Ben Lankford and Bob Crane. Crane does an excellent job with plans and instructions. The quality of the kit looks very good. The wood is all in good shape and laser cutting is excellent. The second pic shows most of the parts for the hull laid out before gluing View attachment 252145View attachment 252146
Day 1 was kit inventory, going through the various Britannia parts(they need some work) and preparing the keel and bulkhead parts for assembly. This consisted mostly of removing char and performing some intial fairing work on the first 5 bulkheads and front and rear parts. All are clearly marked for fairing lines.
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Hallo @Barry1
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Birthday-Cake
Are you working on a new peoject?
 
Thanks for the birthday wishes. After the Chaperon build I am looking at a smaller non ship project, an Occre cable car kit. No build log but I’ll post pics when done.
Happy Holidays and New Year to all.
 
Barry two things: First - congratulations on your birthday. May it be a special day for you and your family. Secondly I want to congratulate you on your completed Chaperon. Whilst I cannot follow all build logs, I did follow the last few posting and wanted to tell you that I think you have built an exquisite model. Well done!
 
Heinrich said:
Barry two things: First - congratulations on your birthday. May it be a special day for you and your family. Secondly I want to congratulate you on your completed Chaperon. Whilst I cannot follow all build logs, I did follow the last few posting and wanted to tell you that I think you have built an exquisite model. Well done!
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Thanks much for the feedback. This was my favorite build project to date. It’s a big model and finding the right place for it has been, let’s say, a challenge.
 
Excellent looking paddle boat, it looks wonderful.

Now to get a diorama with some water and weeds and a glass case to protect it.

Not to forget a Happy Birthday to you. Birthday-Cake
Thumbs-UpOkayExplosion
 
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