How To Make A Model Launch

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 38, 15 March 1940, Page 34

How To Make A Model Launch

(This is the second of a series of articles on how to make a model launch, by Modelmaker. of 1YA Auckland, Children’s Hour )

This is the second article on how to build a model launch (the first appeared last week). Below is a drawing showing how the block is to be marked. The top half of the drawing shows how the deck is to be marked and the lower half shows the bottom markings. Note that the bow end of the deck pattern comes to’ the bow end of the block and the stern end of the bottom pattern to the stern end of the block. This gives a_ slight stagger at the bow and stern.

The centre line A goes right around the block. The lines marked 1 to 5 are only on the deck or top of the block. Using the half deck pattern, mark in the deck lines. Inside this line mark in another line. At the sides a quarter of an inch, but at the bow

and stern leave at least an inch. ‘These last lines are for the hollowing out. With a brace and bit do some of the hollowing out. Hollow to, say, an inch and a-half at the stern, coming to three inches amidships, and the same at the bow. Leave the sides say half an inch thick for the. present. Mark in the bottom lines and cut away the wood on the outside

of both the deck line and the bottom line. Next, take your profile or side view plan and lay this on the side of your block, Draw around this and cut away the wood on the outside of this mark. Draw in your centre line again. Whether you round the bottom or make it V-shaped, I leave to you. My model is V-shaped. Which ever shape you make, make shaping templates that will fit around the hull at the lines 1 to 5. Finish

the hollowing out. If you have a pair of callipers, use them for checking the hollowing out. The deck is cut to shape, and the hole in the centre is cut out with a fret-saw. The plank marks are made with a pencil. The little cleats are made of wood. Also the

flag-staffs. The cabin is cut out with a fret-saw and glued together with ambroid. Small brass nails are also used to fasten it together. The top of the cabin is made to lift off, for attending to the machinery. The cabin windows are covered with celluloid, glued on the inside. Later we shall be discussing the metal parts and the installation of the machinery, etc.