Cabin fever......well I guess the most tricky part of the whole build is cutting out the window apertures in the cabin vacuum forming.

In preparation I moulded an inner skin of plastic and bonded it to the bottom of the cabin moulding, creating a gap between the two in which I can slide some tinted acetate for the windows once cut.

 

....and now, the 'secret button' that when depressed lifts the magnetically attached decking for access to the tugs steering, engine and control gear.

here is the push/lift mechanism, and below, how the wide slot was cut in the stainless steel by holding two blades in the hacksaw for a wider cut.

clearly it's time for a coffee break.....

  

....and here's the seagull view

......on.......off......light cowling made from a LEGO figure head, sliced and diced!

 

Re thought the funnels, have decided to make removable tops so the tug colour scheme can be easily changed. Cabin door/switch fitted, lifejackets must be worn, ha,ha, and inspection hatch detailed.

.....a bit more progress

....beginning to take shape

Masked with Frog tape and ready for painting

 

I'm using very small LED Christmas lights that run off a 3volt power pack for all the deck and navigation lights.

The deck lights came from a great German online shop, Modellbau-Kaufhaus. They are made from clear casting resin which I drilled out to take the LED. The glazed portion of the light was masked before being painted black, then finally white. The initial black paint prevents light showing through the white casing when on.

Hazard tape made from PVC insulation tape

 

Bulwark supports fitted

 

Tug? I think it needs to be an icebreaker

 

Hull finished.....now it's time for the deck furniture and super structure

 

        Rubber Bow Detail
 

  Mild steel stern roller rusted to simulate wear
 

Linkage assembly

 

.....a bit more work on the foredeck

Improvised spindle moulder for machining 0.5mm radius on deck rail

Stainless steel hoop door hinge so side main cabin door can be opened to access on/off switch

Fabricating Funnel Vents from etched brass

 

Funnel fun

Deck winch and stainless steel towing bollard positioning