Okay, I want to build a dio of a tramp steamer (small freighter) unloading
supplies and armor somewhere in North Africa circa 1941-1942.
The dio will only be as wide as the steamer, (1', 2' ?) plus a small portion of dock. The steamer, as I roughly estimate, will be about 6' (actual size), (not good), which equals 200' in 1/35th scale. (Thanks Kevin for the 1/35th scale ruler).
The build will be a waterline hull on the dock side, unloading stuff (vehicles and supplies from two or one hold, depending on the size of the steamer). A cut-away version will be on the water side, showing the ship holds, etc. and as much "tramp steamer" interior as possible.
Now what I need to know is, what is a small tramp steamer lengthwise?
Think = the tramp steamer in King Kong (current make) is what it will be loosely modeled after. Also which is what inspired me for this build.
Could 200 real feet be too long for a small tramp steamer? Or were they shorter? What length do you guys think the K.K., or a small steamer, would foot out to, one hold and two hold type?
Thanks in advance, need opinions, backing and suggestions ~ Cheyenne

Also I need suggestions on what will be on the ship crane thingies, being unloaded in the air and what type of vechs. would be cool to show in the hold, [ holds ] ?
Naturally a small steamer wouldn't be able to hold much, maybe a mixture of all kinds of stuff ?

This ship is just way too cool not to be modeled.

Aw wow, Cheyenne:

I'm sorry I don't have any info about how long in 1:35th
scale a tramp steamer like the one in your great
pictures would be. (There is always a chance you could
just do a section of it, like from about mid ship to the
stern and cut off the dio at the stern end in the water,
and at the mid ship end with the dock running parallel
to the ship and the same length as the portion of the
ship in the dio.

Cheyenne, the main reason I am writing this thread is
to encourage you to do it. Like the other threadmakers
here on the big A train, I am familiar with your talent
and skill from seeing your past projects. I think this is
a super idea and encourage you to dive into it. I just
feel that you could do a great job of it. Those three
pictures of that steamer you posted are just killer. Talk
about getting your engine really reved up for a
unique project. . . those pix will do it. Hope you have
sumpin' to show us soon. Very exciting idea. Good
luck with it. BTW, I have collected a few so so pix and
drawings of dock side cranes that I was hoping to
use in a ship dry dock setting but never got around to
it, as the old saying goes. I would be happy to JPEG
them to you at your email addy. Let me know.

I agree with Rick. It would make a great build if you did it.

Hi cheyenne,a good project youve got going there mate if your considering disharging tanks or other afvs you must take into account the size and tonnage capacity of the ship and the load bearing capcity of the derricks(crane thingies) a small coaster as in the pics would only likely be carrying dry stores, ammo maybe a jeep or m/cycles nothing heavey. Can provide info on ships and rigging, derricks ect if you need it.Good luck Grom

Wow - I have to share this first - when I saw the image and your name I knew it would be a FANTASTIC project.

Based on the first image the person on the deck is about 5-6 feet so 200' is ok for length. The measurement you're looking for is Length on Waterline (LOW) - an example is USS YorkTown - it's 760. Also think about a football field - 300 feet long.


http://www.history.rochester.edu/steam/thurston/fulton/chapter7.html

Here is a link I found - 1/2 way down is drawing of a sidewheel ship with a 300 foot LOW -

As to what should be in the crain - sacks of 'stuff' big loads of burlap sacks. Also barrels, crates,
If it's a civilian cargo you could have tractors 1/2 assembled, military you could have aircraft fusalage and wings assemblies.

Hi Cheyenne


Sounds lika a great project. Don't forget our shipping element has moved to the new site. You'd probably get more help there and they would be most interested in your plan.

Skipper posed me a link to a thread I had run about MTB's, there are some great ideas in the dio and enough to keep me busy for a good few years.

See below for the link.

Hope this helps, the dio has lots of the things you mentioned in it, keep us posted

Cheers

Al

Hi Cheyenne,

Here's the link.

Enjoy

Al

http://www.dynamicdioramas.org/MODEL%20SOURCE/Patrol%20Torpedo%20Boat%20157/index.html

Thanks guys, Rick here are some more pics. These are from some K.K. - Jackson site, pics. of the converted ship Venture, used in the movie.
Look at all that beautiful rust and seaworn metal, Yeah !! Oh and check out the diamond shaped wireless radio antenna/reciever on the roof of the conn., comm., shack. [ last pic. ]
Yes, Rick anything you think I could use ref. wise would be most helpful. = [email protected]
[ Rick, good Lord a dockside crane ? see it's getting bigger already, and I haven't even started yet ... l.o.l. ]
Rick, I thought about the ship section idea but it's been done before, whereas 6' or 7' by 2' would make a long but not to bulky dio.

David, thanks.

Phil, grom, therein lies the problem. The steamer in the movie/pics. only has one hold and small cargo booms [ sorry, had a gill or two of rum before posting the origional thread and came out with, [ rum = crane thingies, aarrrggg ]. Grom yes any ref. help would be appreciated. Some artistic license will be used as far as a plausible ship to cargo weight ratio goes, , because I really would like to have some armor [ small stuff Pz 2s maybe a 3 or Pz 4 or two, in the hold and being unloaded. Hell if it could transport K.K. it could hold a tank or two ? l.o.l.
You know, speaking about it now, I forgot to ask about the beam, ? footage wise.

Scott, thanks man, this is the build that I was going to p.m. you about as far as an article goes.
After building for awhile now, I'm better set up to chronicle and photo everything. You'll be hearing from me.

McNeilly, AlanL, I've seen Joseph Neumeyers work for a long time now and I am definitely inspired by his work.
" Rendezvous with a Grey Wolf ", 1/35th
" The Sea Hunters Lair " 1/32nd
Also favorites.
I would really like to keep this in the dio group, but I will post progress pics on the warship site as I build.

Thanks again guys - Cheyenne

Can't wait! I'm all eyes and ears.

Cheyenne:

Oh I hate when this happens
I had written a long note explaining the dockside crane
pix I'm emailing you and I hit the return button by
mistake and lost the entire note. I'm calling
1 - 800 - WHAAAAAAAA. Durn burn it

But anyway, I'll send the photo ref and hope it may be
of some help to you.

Wow -great idea - in looking at your close ups I noticed that the king post and booms were steel- they would have no problem in handling WW2 era tanks - not a king tiger or a Maus of course but definatly the smaller japanese tanks used in the islands like a type 95-

based on the picture I would guess you could carry about 4 on deck.

Note the booms-

Wow, in the back of my mind I've always wanted to do a dio like this someday. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this come together. Here's a pic for a bit of inspiration:

Hi Cheyenne,

I mentioned you project over on shipwrights and Dave (Grumpyoldman) has 21 pictures in his gallery that might be of use.

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php?cat=14839

Hope these are useful

Cheers

Al

Excellent idea cheyenne.Can't wait for your first pics!!are you going to show it as you go?How about those rope nets that were frequently used for unloading?Flash back images come to my mind from ww2 movies with those nets filled with provisions,mostly big sacks like the sand bags type.some trucks waiting to load them?

Thanks again guys,

BM2, thanks man you just gave me the greatest of ideas [ lotta rattle room in this old head ], I can put some armor, [ or vechs. ] on deck, being un - tarped for unloading. Brilliant - thanks again - I love it already.
Which brings to mind 2 new Q's, what is an average beam for a tramp steamer / frieghter [ one built 1900 - 1940 ] ? and what would the cargo holds be covered with, hatch cover wise ?, surely not one removable cover, I mean a large hole like that, some kind of folding - pull - back arrangement
Also, BM2, Grumpy, AlanL, thanks for the pics. and links, only problem is all my refs. and your kind posts have - entire ship profiles - type pics. [ not that I can't use them - I can ], deck pics. and cargo hold coverings would be helpfull.

Westcon, thank you very much for the pic, actually thats the pic that got me started on wanting to do this project, many yrs. ago.

dedalos, thanks, another brilliant idea for me to use - cargo nets with supplys in them , one hold unlading cargo stores and one armor & vechs., nice touch - thanks again. Yes I will be doing regular updates but just to show some in - progress type stuff. I really want to use extended pics. for this as my first build articule.

Hopefully I'll have something [ pic. wise ] up next weekend. I have been lumbered with Spring yard work, opening pools and hot tubs, getting my boat ready for this seasons charters, mowing lawns etc. oh yeah then there's work - type work, l.o.l.
I really hope it rains like hell next weekend so I can stay indoors and model, this idea and build is burning holes in my fingers !!!!
Thanks again Cheyenne

Cheyenne -

What a fantastic idea and we get an "Article" to go along with it as a bonus!!! The whole scene you've been describing just screams of ideas. Maybe even some livestock being lowered in down or in cargo nets for some contrast to the war machinery? This will involve some serious stockpiling and gathering of 'material'. Let me know if you could use something. I'd love to donate a 1/35 Tamiya PzKpfw III/L or SdKfz 222 or something similar for your cargo. Helps cut down the 'stash'. Really anxious to hear/see more about this one!!!

Blade48mrd