Motor Vessel PUT-IN-BAY

Captions by master model builder Carl Rees.
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(41 pictures - click on picture to open larger version)

This is how I think the ship would have looked in the summer of 1961 with the enclosed and expanded passenger cabin.	All of the vehicles on the deck have Ohio 1961 license plates. The local vehicles have the suffix "P" on the plates. 9 of the 12 vehicles on the deck were built just for the boat diorama.	The side of the model shows tire marks acquired while docking.	There are 42 hand made decals on the boat and the vehicles on the deck.
The two deck hands are preparing to dock the ship.	The model is just over 30 inches along and 18 inches wide not including the base it sets on.	The flag is 2 decals on aluminum foil. The foil makes the flag stick out as though it were blowing the breeze.	The close up shows the ship's bell., spotlight, radar unit, clearance light and the ship's captain (which bears a striking resemblance to Glenn Cooper)
Various views show some of the detail like the life preservers, rope, grab irons, port holes fire station and the people.		Scuff marks, rust and oil stains are visible on the deck. You can see the builders plate on the island and a young passenger taking a picture.	The fishing boat is the first boat I ever built and was built just to be where it is. Check out the detail, it has a motor fuel line and gas tank, anchor, tackle box, fishing pole, bucket and life jacket. This model by itself won a first place at the local IPMS model show.
	The model builder repositions the model for more photos. My shop is visible in the background.	A close look at this picture reveals the back window in the pilot house, the exhaust system, the flag staff, the mast light stanchion and some of the passengers.	Two of the passengers watch as the PIB crosses the lake. You can see the detailing on the ceiling in the passenger cabin.
The model was built over a period of ten years working on it off and on. The last two years I worked on it every weekend during the winter.	I probably have well over 600 hours building time, not including the vehicles.	The full hull is waterproof and equipped with 2 electric engines. The twin rudder system is fully functional. The model was built to be radio controlled but has never been in the water.	The model was built as close to the original as possible. Even the steps to the passenger cabin are 100% accurate.
The hull was made from sheets of wood and is gel-coated to make it waterproof. Everything above the deck was made from styrene plastic except the mesh around the pilot house and passenger deck which is brass.	This is one of my favorite views of the ship. The off set pilot house and curvature of the deck are plainly visible.	I went aboard many times to measure and photograph the details of the ship.
This view of the port side of the pilot house shows the compass, ship's wheel and the Morse controls. Unfortunately what you can't see is the pilot's wooden stool and the linoleum floor, again just like the original.	Pilot house radar screen and radio are visible at the Captain's finger tips.	On the console you can see the engine controls, gauges and levers.
The ceiling in the pilot house contains the ship's documents.	The ceiling in the tunnel has adult life jackets. They are held in place with boards and ropes for easy access in case of emergency. There are 54 life jackets accurate down to the webbing that holds them together stored here. The come along that holds the chain across the deck opening is also visible.
This view of the passenger cabin shows a schedule on the purser's office window. You can also see the trash basket held in place with a bunge cord just like the real ship. Also visible is tan emergency light, fire extinguisher and seating for the passengers.	A view of the tunnel from the stern shows the forward fire station, the internal detailing including the storing of the life jackets.	The vehicles on the deck include a Mac's cab, and a National Parks GMC carry-all.	A Reibel House Ford station wagon, Schnoor & Fuchs panel truck, and my Dad's 1954 Ford Mainline.