Skyship ERIS - Part 4 (January-February, 2019)

THEORETICAL INTERLUDE:  Before I describe the workings of the Skyship, how about a little Fantasy Physical/Chemical/Engineering Theory. This vessel is driven and steered in the horizontal direction by the twin propellers located on outboard pods. These propellers are, in turn, powered by an engine at the rear of the ship. Of course, if we accept that we are in the "Steampunk" era, it should have a coal-fired steam boiler and engine. Only parts of the engine are visible; the rest is below deck.

The vertical movement of the ship is driven by the balloons, which are filled with an inert helium-like gas. This gas is produced by a secret electrochemical/mechanical method, developed by Italian Gnomes in hidden valleys of the Alps. They gathered all the existing information from Universities in Parma, Milan, and Bologna, andthen added their own special adaptations (and a bit of magic). Most of the gas production equipment is hidden below deck, but some of the hardware can be seen at the front of the ship; a large gas storage barrel, assorted controls, and a large tube leading to the control console, amidship, and on to the balloons. By adjusting the gas flow rate and direction, the ship can be raised and lowered quickly and precisely

The Control Console is the province of "Il Capitano". Here he oversees all the workings of the ship, utilizing the ship's wheel, gauges and switches, and several levers. Here, Il Capitano controls both the vertical and horizontal movement and direction of the skyship. He also communicates to the Crow's Nest via a two-way radiophone or telegraph.

Skyship ERIS - Part 3 (January, 2019)

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES:  Through the month of January, I worked on the ship, added sheathing to the inside of the framework (I wanted the frame to show), a bottom, and the decks. For all the sheetwork, I used commercial sheet balsa and basswood in various thicknesses. Inside, I hid a big wood block, drilled through to hold the threaded rod, which now ran from below the ship bottom to the top of the balloons. I bent it to disguise it's support function, and would later disguise it further as a big tube supplying gas to the balloons.

The assembled airship on my workbench - Note the wooden support block
and the rod. Dowels were placed through the structure to act as "landing gear".

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Here, the ship has planking and decks added, along with rails and the beginnings of the engine (in primer), the gas production barrel, a deck hatch, and an earlier version of Il Capitano.

A little later, there's been a second version of the deck arrangement. The control console is in progress, and a corrugated tube (from my CPAP Machine) covers the support rod. I'm hoping that, when finished, the curved tube will hide the fact that a threaded 1/4" rod (not the ropes to be added) is actually holding up the balloons. At the bottom, you can see the open cargo hatch beginning to take shape in the side of the hull. 

Skyship ERIS - Part 2 (December/January, 2018/19)

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS:   After research was complete, and sketches and plans were drawn, I actually started building in early December. 

I started with the balloons. I wanted a multi-lobed design with a coarse cloth surface, so I bought some cheap dollar-store balloons, and tried to glue them in a cluster. No glue worked very well, and then my son Paul suggested that I stuff the balloons into the "butt-end" of extra-large pantyhose. Well, that worked fine, and I was able to arrange the balloons, and apply layers of plaster bandage over that, to set the shape. Then, I popped the balloons, leaving the hard shell intact. At this point, the balloon cluster is about 12”High X 19”Long X 11”Wide.

5 balloons, covered with plaster bandages.

Finally, I cut some muslin material into pieces, stained it different shades of tan, and glued it on for a final rough-textured surface. The restraints are cord with brass loops and fasteners. A threaded rod was run through the balloons to support and attach it to the ship.

At this point, I put the ballon assembly aside for the Holidays.

In early January, I started work on the ship, or sky-vessel. The Gnomes call it a "ship" because that is a form they are familiar with, for water transport. The advantage of a "skyship" is that is doesn't have to be waterproof. This allows for more freedom in the design/build process.

The basic structure of the ship was built from clear pine wood strips, cut on my table saw. As in traditional ship construction, a keel was laid down, on a simple jig. The cross-frames and other braces were then added to give the ship its overall basic form.

Now the ship could be removed from the jig, and readied for sides and decks.

Skyship ERIS - Part 1 (November, 2018)

PROLOG:  In the late Fall of 2018, I decided to take on a big new project that I've been dreaming about for years. It's a fantasy airship, supported by balloons, with a Steampunk design, and pirate gnomes as a crew. 

The origin of my fantasy airship idea dates all the way back to the early 1970's when I was a big fan of a folk singer, the late JOHN HARTFORD, and we attended one of his concerts in Charlottesville Virginia. One of my favorite songs of his was a fantasy story-song he sang called "The Steam-Powered Airplane". Ever since, that idea has been rattling around my brain, waiting for realization. Seeing the movie, Mortal Engines, was the clincher. 

Research began in earnest. I searched the web for fantasy airships, and found the 3 examples below; the first one from a "Mortal Engines" book. I also decided that this ship would be a small, fast, explorer vessel, used to locate, map, and explore new territories. Larger cargo and passenger vessels would follow later.

Add to that my long-time fascination with gnomes, especially Italian Gnomes, and this airship began to come into focus. So, those are some of the motivations behind this project. 

Oh, and the names of this ship (one on each side) will be ERIS and DISCORDIA, honoring the Greek and Roman Goddesses of Chaos, respectively. Yes, that's big list of fantasies, dreams, and expectations, but I was ready to begin construction.

TERRANOVA - Parte Quinta

TERRANOVA - The layout is now running great... even the tight curve behind the buildings in the Left Rear Corner. Recall, this is 1" scale on 32mm gauge track, representing "Minimal" 15" Gauge track.
     I have also completed scenery on the Left Module (half) of the new layout, complete with foliage and some details. I made some vines, using real twigs, and tiny leaves punched from a real oak leaf (Quercia alba), and painted. Lots of work, but I think it looks pretty good.
     Pictures taken from my new iPhone... not bad.

Overall view of the left end.

Chain Hoist on the Piazza.

Vines made from twigs, with punched and painted leaves.

TERRANOVA - Parte Quarta

Terranova - Slate Tile Roof: I just made a small roof for Terranova, and wanted some weathered and battered slate shingles for it. I discovered the solution on the "Minworks" Blog. https://minworks.blogspot.com/2010/…/slatelookrooftiles.html

His technique uses a cardboard base (I used egg cartons for added texture) and a skim-coat of spackle or plaster. Brilliant and convincing in 1" scale. Here is an example of the roof I built...

Slate roof at Terranova

TERRANOVA - Bonus

                                     Porca Miseria!  (Oops!)    Who spilled the paint?