Any steamboat models kits?

[David Dewey]

First, I will admit that with 19K dial up, web searches are a pain!
I've been looking for steamboat models--ideallya model of the Delta Queen.
I remember as a child, building one of the Robert E Lee, and it was motorized (a Lindbergh model, if memory is right), as I remember running it in the bathtub! I can't believe that someone didn't make a model kit of hte Delta Queen. I also saw a live steam model of the DQ on the web somewhere, but can't find it (it's probably way to expensive anyways--save that money for another trip onboard!). So, thougth I'd ask here, just in case someone else is looking too.
S'
David D.

[Michael Marleau]

David,

Found this offering on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-4FT-RC-WOOD-...QQcmdZViewItem

Michael

Down the state and in the valley by Modesto.

[Franz Neumeier]

David,

there is a wonderful model kit of the Delta Queen from Japan: http://www.saito-mfg.com/steam%20boa...a%20queen.html from Saito ho even build a high quality steam engine for this model kit. But both are very expensive, about $1,000 each the kit and the engine. There is one online shop in Australia I kno woffering the kit and the model: http://www.hobbycentre.com.au/SAITOE07.html

Franz

[Carmen]

David,

I found a US retailer selling the SAITO models and steam engines

http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/Saito.htm (steamengines) 1,350

http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/DELTA.htm (model kit) 1,899

http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/SaitoB.htm (boiler) 698

Totals 3,947 USD.

I bet you better wanna do the real thing for that money :-)!

Carmen

[David Dewey]

Carmen,
You got that right!! Egads, almost $4K for a model! I wish there were more pictures though, not much interior views or close-ups of the detailing. Thank you for looking and posting.
I was hoping someone else might remember the plastic Robt. E Lee model that I had as a kid. I have no idea what happened to it, I saved a lot of stuff like that, but not everything!
S'
David D.

[Carmen]

David,

Franz has a couple of models and made up German website about steamboat models. Here are some photos

http://www.steamboats.de/pages/stand-modelle.php

The Natchez is a Lindbergh model but no RC.

Carmen

[Charles Miller]

Yes, the Saito kit is expensive, mainly due to its low volume custom production. I was lucky enough to recently purchase a kit off eBay for considerably less than current retail.

If you want to build a working RC version of the Delta Queen, you will want to contact Dwight Hartman of Hartman Fiberglas RC who offers a 1/50 hull kit & plan set. Besides, Saito, he is in the only one in town that offers a Delta Queen model & plans. Mr. Hartman is 81 years young!! & still builds each hull to order, so I'd recommend calling him soon if you are truely interested in getting a kit. His contact information is:

Mr. Dwight Hartman
Hartman Fiberglass RC
PO Box 86
233 Melrose Street
Argent, IL 62501
(217) 745 2275

I just ordered plans from them to build the Saito model into a more accurate version of the DQ when she sailed under the Green Line flag.

Another option other than the DQ would be to consider Dumas' line of model kits that can be build for RC or static display. They have 2 paddlewheel kits that may be an easier & less expensive way to get started.

I highly recommend you visit & join the British website PADDLEDUCKS. It's a great resource & full of helpful members that can assist you in your search for a paddlewheeler model. www.paddleducks.co.uk.

One of their moderators was kind enough to start a build post for my new project which I'll be updating as I get started on the kit. Feel free to stop by anytime! http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2825


Regards,

Chuck

[Franz Neumeier]

How much is Mr. Hartman charging for the model plans?

Sounds like a perfect plan to use his plan to improve the Saito model kit. I've got one at eBay some years ago, too, for a very reasonable price, but was stupid enough to refuse an offer to also buy the Saito steam engine for just $200. Really stupid ...

Franz

[Charles Miller]

Franz,

I paid $48.00 + postage. Since I live in Shanghai, I had a friend purchase them for me but it took less 5 days to have the plans in his hands once placing the call. I've been told that the plans are taken from the original Mississippi build specification & consist of 4 large sheets with several pages of additional detail.

Now all I have to do is not get too needy & load up the boat with too much detail which results in stability problems - I can see by video posted elsewhere on the site that the model rides a bit low aft amidships in the water. Looks like some floatation is in order.

The Saito DQ appears to be as hard to find as a hen's tooth. Any knowledge you or anyone else here has of other owners that I can contact would be appreciated!

Regards,

Chuck

[Charles Miller]

To follow up my earlier comments regarding plans, MAL's VP of Marine Operations contacted me by email this week to let me know that they are going to through the records that were recently sent up from New Orleans & will send me the detail plans for the wheel, stage & some other areas I had been interested in.

Now that is what I call service!

Chuck