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Hi All

JayDee

JayDee

Joined
Nov 27, 2025
Messages
7
Points
8

My name is John Aka (Jay Dee) I am 78 years old and retired at 68, a couple of years before retiring I started building a 1.5M model of the Robert E Lee paddle steamer with steam, 6 months after retiring I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was undergoing chemo for 6 months bought the modelling to a stop for a while then my 1st wife passed away and although nearly finished I associated the boat with to many bad memories so I eventually sold it. Recently after remarrying and settling in Mornington Victoria Australia I have completed my dream man cave and have got the modelling bug back again I still have the plans for the paddle steamer, but I also have the plans for the steam sailing ship Greta. This is what my new thread is going to be about I have had a bit of a learning curve for my Lazer cutter but I have the hang of it now so it is full steam ahead, sorry no steam engine in this one all electric i'm afraid no where around here to use steam anymore not many clubs around here either. I have been busy cutting items for the boat it will be about 110cm long. This is going to be a slow build as i only get about 45minutes a day on it so don't wait around with baited breath longing for the next post. I will only post when I have something to show. Good to see a few other Aussies on here too.
 
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JayDee said:
My name is John Aka (Jay Dee) I am 78 years old and retired at 68, a couple of years before retiring I started building a 1.5M model of the Robert E Lee paddle steamer with steam, 6 months after retiring I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was undergoing chemo for 6 months bought the modelling to a stop for a while then my 1st wife passed away and although nearly finished I associated the boat with to many bad memories so I eventually sold it. Recently after remarrying and settling in Mornington Victoria Australia I have completed my dream man cave and have got the modelling bug back again I still have the plans for the paddle steamer, but I also have the plans for the steam sailing ship Greta. This is what my new thread is going to be about I have had a bit of a learning curve for my Lazer cutter but I have the hang of it now so it is full steam ahead, sorry no steam engine in this one all electric i'm afraid no where around here to use steam anymore not many clubs around here either. I have been busy cutting items for the boat it will be about 60cm long. This is going to be a slow build as i only get about 45minutes a day on it so don't wait around with baited breath longing for the next post. I will only post when I have something to show. Good to see a few other Aussies on here too.
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A warm welcome aboard John.
I'm glad you've been able to pick up this hobby again. I wish you lots of fun building the Greta. We look forward to your build report.
 
JayDee said:
My name is John Aka (Jay Dee) I am 78 years old and retired at 68, a couple of years before retiring I started building a 1.5M model of the Robert E Lee paddle steamer with steam, 6 months after retiring I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was undergoing chemo for 6 months bought the modelling to a stop for a while then my 1st wife passed away and although nearly finished I associated the boat with to many bad memories so I eventually sold it. Recently after remarrying and settling in Mornington Victoria Australia I have completed my dream man cave and have got the modelling bug back again I still have the plans for the paddle steamer, but I also have the plans for the steam sailing ship Greta. This is what my new thread is going to be about I have had a bit of a learning curve for my Lazer cutter but I have the hang of it now so it is full steam ahead, sorry no steam engine in this one all electric i'm afraid no where around here to use steam anymore not many clubs around here either. I have been busy cutting items for the boat it will be about 60cm long. This is going to be a slow build as i only get about 45minutes a day on it so don't wait around with baited breath longing for the next post. I will only post when I have something to show. Good to see a few other Aussies on here too.
Click to expand...
Welcome to SoS JayDee. Plenty of Aussies here too.
:) Good luck with the build.
 
Thank you all, not much to show yet, but I am trying to organise some photos to post, I know, should have already done that but i'm new here. I am having problems getting my photos off my phone to the computer I have a bit of time on my hands tomorrow so I will try then.
 
I have a latent desire to model a paddler. They look so much more alive on the water.

Bonne chance!

Welcome.


Jim
 
I no how you feel about paddlers Jim. I had the same passion years ago. This was my paddler, gone to a new home now. I still have the plans, so who no's in the future. Unfortunately it was close but never finished with a few minor things to do like deck railings. It all became to heavy with the steam engine and would have sat with the water level at the top of the paddle housings so it had to go electric.

68 2nd deck cabins.jpg

50 Wheel House.jpg

34 Machine tray.jpg

35 Machine tray.jpg

39 Paddles.jpg

84 Queenscliffe Show 1.jpg

75 under lights1.jpg
 
JayDee said:
My name is John Aka (Jay Dee) I am 78 years old and retired at 68, a couple of years before retiring I started building a 1.5M model of the Robert E Lee paddle steamer with steam, 6 months after retiring I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was undergoing chemo for 6 months bought the modelling to a stop for a while then my 1st wife passed away and although nearly finished I associated the boat with to many bad memories so I eventually sold it. Recently after remarrying and settling in Mornington Victoria Australia I have completed my dream man cave and have got the modelling bug back again I still have the plans for the paddle steamer, but I also have the plans for the steam sailing ship Greta. This is what my new thread is going to be about I have had a bit of a learning curve for my Lazer cutter but I have the hang of it now so it is full steam ahead, sorry no steam engine in this one all electric i'm afraid no where around here to use steam anymore not many clubs around here either. I have been busy cutting items for the boat it will be about 110cm long. This is going to be a slow build as i only get about 45minutes a day on it so don't wait around with baited breath longing for the next post. I will only post when I have something to show. Good to see a few other Aussies on here too.
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard Jay Dee, from Melbourne. :)
 
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