"Showing off Dad's duct Tape ship (BB11 Missouri)" Topic

Dad built this ship out of duct tape and cardboard (and a trash bag to be used in "firing" the guns.) These are pics from it's first float test.

I've been posting these pics everywhere I can, 'cause I'm pretty darned proud of Dad.

The scale is 1/24 and the ship is of the USS Missouri BB11 built in 1898. The ship is built as a stand off model as it appeared when it returned from sailing with the Great White Fleet.

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That is great! Thanks for sharing!

Impressive is probably an understatement. That's some pretty amazing work and the idea that it is cardboard and duct tape is stunning.

I was totally expecting something…well…not nearly as good as what is in the pictures! Really good job, considering the materials!

Damon.

That is fantastic. Thanks for sharing the pics.

wow! great job!

Your Dad is very talented and possibly suffering from couple of mental disorders. j/k on the last part, full props for a job well done!

Hello, Evilcartoonist:

Absolutely amazing! I'd love to read an article about the techniques he used to build it.

Could you please elaborate on the comment you made about a trash bag being used for firing the guns? How are the guns fired, etc.?

The gauntlet has been thrown down Murphy. Let's see you get started on the USS NIXON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You now have no excuse. I'll even get some cardboard for you.

To call that way cool would be an insult. That is a truly amazing job.

I was expecting something silver and crude, but, yeah, that is *beautiful*!

if that is really just card board and duct tape then he deserves an award!!!

That is very impressive! I think I may need to trade in all my expensive hobby gear and supplies for some duct tape and cardboard. Apparently I am either working with inferior supplies and materials or I lack the essential skills needed for this hobby . . . . .

Jeff

Unbelievable! Fantastic!

Most impressive!

Lewis: The trash bag serves as a simple airbag (within the barbette) connected to the gun barrels (filled with a bit of talcum or flour.) The ship is run by a pilot reclined inside the hull, who can squeeze the bag to simulate the firing.

Propulsion is by a rack and gear (still out of cardboard) system that's a little difficult to explain in words, but was a novel solution. If I can find time, I'll draw a diagram and post it to my blog (and link it on this thread.)

Jeff, I forget how much cardboard it was, but it was around 30 rolls of duct tape, so it won't be TOO expensive :)

Now that is just amazing. Fantastic job!

I am officially flabbergasted !!!

A truly fantastic post – thank you.

Tony
dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com

I wish I had a pool so I could make an offer for it…

You really need to have it on display somewhere public.

Very very cool.

Hey Murph, what is your excuse for NOT building that aircraft carrier now!

Staggered and boggled by the quality of the workmanship.

Holy feldercarp! I couldn't do that with any materials, blueprints and a great workshop! Pass on a giant KUDOS to your talented sire!

Very well done !

I couldn't do that if someone else did it for me. Amazing!

Astounding.

Doug

Get him to do a few more for naval battles in the swimming pool :)

Outstanding – the Great White Fleet was always one of my favourite naval topics – great work!

There's a PERSON in there?

Inconceivable!

Fantastic job.

Dang, I cant even get Duct Tape to go on nicely when I am just trying to secure a connection between two pipes.

Would like to see more info on the build if possible.

That's a wonderful creation.

F@*k me through the heart with a swizel stick!!!!!!!

Impressed is not the word that is absolutely fantastic.

Fatman

No wonder you are proud of your dad.

Wow. Very impressive!

I don't have much info on exactly how he went about it. But I do have a few more pics on my blog from when he was working on it.

For the past year and a half he's added a little bit here and there until it was done. The hull is ribbed with triple-ply cardboard (stuff they use to line the bottom of cargo palettes.) He worked from ship plans of the U.S.S. Ohio(?) which is the same class.

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Kull Wahad!

Incredible! I couldn't do one tenth as well putting together a pre-made resin kit, let alone fashion something like that from scratch.

Wow. Just Wow.

Thats unbelievable! duct tape,wow!

Amazing.

My daughter likes to do things with duct tape, this will help her set her sights high.

Andrew

"The trash bag serves as a simple airbag (within the barbette) connected to the gun barrels (filled with a bit of talcum or flour.) The ship is run by a pilot reclined inside the hull, who can squeeze the bag to simulate the firing"

Do I understand you to mean that a person lies down inside this thing and controls the propulsion and guns while it is floating!

AWESOME!!!

Man I can hardly believe that ship is scratch built.

Kudos for your dad, whose work and blog Is a must see for us wargamers. Check his other articles too!

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece of work.

Best wishes.

"Do I understand you to mean that a person lies down inside this thing and controls the propulsion and guns while it is floating!"

Yep! I drew up a quick sketch of the internal workings here: picture

Yellow is the pilot's position; orange is the weapon system; green is propulsion; and blue is navigation. This is as best as I can remember it.

Also- here is another photo showing a better shot of the internal hull construction: picture

'There's a PERSON in there?

Inconceivable!'

The person within is clearly not the average wargamer. There isn't room for a swinging backpack, pot belly and large beard. Not to mention the lack of fresh air.

On a more serious note, fantastic model and an astonishing job.

Outstanding! The handymans secret weapon goes to sea!

Totally Great!!!

Amazing that duct tape and cardborad can not only hold the 'pilot' but also prevent the ship from turning into papier mache.

Also cool possibilities for some shipboard skirmishes, though you'd be underscale with 1/32nd figures!

I am speechless. That is a work of art!

Raw genius. He turns us all into hacks and posers. I can't wait to see what he builds next.