Hi;
As some know I took on another Commission although I had said No to any more! Here's the thing, It was a challenge I couldn't refuse. I have built many vessels that had Vac-Formed or Blow-Molded hulls! Well, this is going to be a challenge! How about a vac-formed Great Lakes Freighter Six Feet long?
I am NOT the first to touch her though! This won't prove to be a barrier. She's fairly straight forward, although the choice of Wheelhouses means I can only build a 60s to 90s version. According to the paperwork she had been supplied with Two Houses and two Stacks. Well, the box contains the two stacks, but only one very well formed Vac-Formed Clear wheelhouse.
But, The big job is going to be the keel ( Backbone and Frames) necessary to stabilize the hull! She shows what is called (Molding Sheer) This is when the plastic starts to cool while being pulled over the mold. Leastwise, back in the day at Avecor, that's what it was called.
This Creates a ridge the length of the model. This must be sanded off. But to do that and not destroy the hull, It will NEED inner structure. That's okay. I wrote at another thread a while ago that even in planes that are Injection Molded sometimes You have to create a strong-back in the Fuselage to get everything straight.
So Vac-Formed at this size it is expected. The Ship is H.O. Or 1/87 scale. So it will have a lot of detail and figures on it. Wish Me Luck, Please?