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Midwest/Model Expo Fireboat
Model Expo has confirmed that production will soon begin on a new Midwest kit: the Fireboat, presented at a scale of 1/2" = 1 foot.
To clarify, Model Expo has acquired the licensing rights from Midwest to produce all of their models. At the moment, they have 27 kits in production, with more on the way. I previously worked with Model Expo in customer service, answering model-building questions and handling replacement-part requests. Now, I am one of the model builders who assemble their prototypesโthe models they intend to release to the public.
With that being said, I invite all of you to follow along with this build. I introduced only a limited number of modificationsโmostly to make the vessel more suitable for radio-control operation and to enhance its realismโwhile preserving the essential character of the original design.
Many of you have probably built this classic kit before; however, this is my first time working with it. Please feel free to share your opinions and past experiences with this charming little model.
History of the Fireboats
This model represents a small fireboat equipped with twin monitors, a type of vessel historically stationed in nearly every major working harbor throughout the United States and abroad. Its configuration is based on a combination of plans and photographic references from several representative examples. Because of this, it serves as an accurate portrayal of the smaller fireboatsโmany of which are still in service in various ports today.
chugalone100
3 days ago
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๐ Sprite
7 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Wow, itโs coming alone beautifully.
Great job.
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๐ฌ Re: Trim tabs removed
10 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Another excellent eBay find. Youโre truly a skilled hunter.
The finished result clearly reflects your expertise with this type of model.
Congratulations.
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๐ LesRo Javelin (2).
10 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Zooma,
That was some great eBay hunting...you really scored with her.
I check my eBay listings several times a day hoping to catch a good deal like yours.
Nevertheless, you definitely have your hands full restoring your newly acquired LesRo Javelin.
Iโd honestly be afraid to take on a project like that myself, so credit where credit is due.
I sincerely admire the dedication and skill it takes to tackle a restoration of that caliber.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
14 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Assembling the Monkey Rudders and Components
After having a good time assembling the window panes, I moved on the next day to assembling the Monkey Rudders and their components.
Before assembling anything, the first and most important step is to locate, mark, and drill a small pilot hole on top of the paddle horns A18, as shown. This is where part E1-7 will later be glued.
Be careful with E1-7, as there is a right and a left piece. Also, be very gentle when drilling the final hole that will accept the brass tube from E1-7โthese parts are small and easy to damage.
Now assemble all the components and perform a full dry fit.
Your kit includes two pieces: one measuring 154 mm (top) and one 161 mm (bottom).
Once you are satisfied that everything fits correctly, disassemble the parts and epoxy only the bottom piece H3-6. Make sure the holes that accept H3-4 (the monkey rudder stock) are properly aligned and match the position of K3-5.
After the bottom piece has fully cured, epoxy the remaining components in place.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
14 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Gluing Window Panes to the Window Frames
This was my first attempt at assembling the pilothouse window panes into their corresponding frames.
I initially used canopy glue, but I wasnโt satisfied with the final result. Too much dried glue was visible, and trying to remove it from the clear window panes turned into a tedious and honestly horrifying experience.
A fellow modeler then recommended Micro Metal Foil Adhesive. Unfortunately, after a few days of frustrationโand more than a few nightmaresโworking with something that looks simple but is extremely difficult to execute cleanly, I knew I needed a different approach.
Thatโs when the light bulb went on. Since I work for a display company, I remembered that we regularly use Weld-On for many of our projects. I decided to give it a tryโthis time knowing I had to be completely calm and in full control. I applied it using a syringe fitted with a very fine needle, placing just a couple of drops at a time. The precision required was definitely nerve-racking.
For that, I relied on a proven nerve-calming formula: Glenlivet 18-Year-Old Scotch ๐ท ๐ a very effective solution used by many modelers.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
14 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Attaching the Superstructure to the Hull
After sanding and priming to my satisfaction, I permanently glued the superstructure to the deck.
I used a few spare wooden wedges to ensure the structure made full contact with all sides of the hull while the glue cured.
As you can see in many of the photos, I use Lyman lead weights whenever I have the opportunity. Their flat shape and weight make them ideal for holding parts firmly in place without shifting during glue-up.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
15 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Superstructure Crossbeams โ Continued
1. At this stage, I felt the structure needed additional support between B19 and B20+20, so I added a reinforcing bridge. This piece was carefully sized to sit perfectly flush on top, since any excess height would interfere with the sundeck above.
2. Before mounting the doors, I decided it would be a good idea to add rear backing support. As shown in one of the photos, this extra reinforcement helps keep everything rigid and prevents movement later on.
3. Next, I positioned the doors and windows. I made reference markings directly on the structure to ensure the correct orientation, especially to keep the door handles facing the proper direction.
4. When installing the window frames, I used a strip as a guide so all frames would be aligned and consistent. Later in the build, some of the very thin upper sections broke, so I reinforced them by adding a 1/16" square strip to the inside of each window opening. This greatly improved their strength without affecting appearance.
5.
The final photo shows the completed superstructure with primer applied. I never glue this assembly to the deck at this stage, as I prefer to paint it separately before permanently attaching it.
Note: You can also see the corner supports glued to the front of the structure. These are in place to receive the companionway unit later on, once the entire vessel has received its final finish.
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๐ JUANITAS STERN WHEELER
16 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Pilothouse Control Console
The next step was the construction of the pilothouse control console and bench.
At this stage of the build, I had to make a decision: whether to build the kit-supplied console or attempt to replicate the actual console found on the real Juanita.
In the interest of simplicity and progress, I chose the more straightforward route and proceeded with the kit-provided control console.
In the last photo, you can also notice what appears to be a black anti-fatigue mat on the floor in front of the consoleโthis is a small detail I added for authenticity.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
16 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Pilothouse Assembly
While allowing the superstructure to dry, I used the time to begin construction of the pilothouse.
First, Iโll show the instruction drawings.
When it comes time to install the rounded corner pieces, keep in mind that the plastic corner parts are numbered on the inside and must be installed in their corresponding corners. Be sure to match them correctly before gluing.
The final photo shows the kit-provided markings on the pilothouse roof, which are intended to help position the items that will be added later in the building.
Great detail that the maker to in consideration.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
16 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Pushing Heads / Knees Assembly
Another component that should be assembled separately is the set of 17 pieces that make up the pushing heads (knees). I recommend approaching this task in a relaxed manner, as it is time-consuming and requires patience.
First, Iโll show what is provided in the instruction drawings.
1. The treads include lasered markings that indicate the areas which must be sanded at an angle to achieve the correct fit.
2. All 17 individual pieces need to be painted separately. This is a very tedious and, at times, frustrating process, but itโs necessary to achieve a clean final result.
3. The final two photos show the completed, assembled unitsโthose little buggers once theyโre finally done. ๐
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
17 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Stairs: Lower Deck to SundeckโCompanionwayโ
Another component of the superstructure is the companionway stairs assembly connecting the lower deck to the sundeck. All of the stair components need to be painted prior to assembly. This is a three-color part and not an easy one to finish cleanly, especially along the edges of the treads
This stairway section also requires some trimming of the interlocking tabs in order to fit properly into the upper section of the superstructure.
1. First, let me show what is provided in the instruction drawings. I then added the back panel of the treads, setting it at the correct angle so it would mate properly with the upper deck. I assembled the treads on a flat surface to ensure they were all even and aligned.
2. This side represents the top portion that meets the sundeck. During dry fitting, the stairway assembly will slide into position, but the upper tabs require a slight angle in order to engage properly.
3. When dry fitting the stairway, I noticed that at the frontโwhere the stairway assembly meets the forward structureโthe rear tabs that interlock with the crossbeam prevented the stairs from sliding fully into place. The only solution I found was to carefully sand a small angle into the rear tabs so the assembly could be eased down into position.
4. The final photo shows the upper tabs sanded at a slight angle to facilitate insertion into the upper part of the structure. Iโm not entirely sure how the designer intended this to be done, but this method works well and allows the stairs to seat correctly.
After I was satisfied with how the entire stair unit fit and how all of the tabs engaged, I set it aside for final gluing at a later stage.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
17 hours ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Superstructure Assembly
For the superstructure assembly, I received a great deal of guidance from Chuck, who was very helpful in putting this section together, as he was with many others, until communication was unfortunately interrupted due to internet restrictions in China.
The instruction drawings do not specify an assembly sequence, so after giving it some careful thought, this is the approach I followed. I began the assembly from the stern forward, starting with parts B10, B11, and B21.
I made an error when installing B20, as I initially did not laminate (double) the part. I later corrected this by tracing the original, cutting a replacement, and installing it afterward.
Part B16 should be reversed if you intend to open the door and display the interior. I chose not to show the interior and installed it as supplied, although opening the door would have been a nice added detail.
The yellow copy shown was marked by Chuck.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Cash;
Yes, thatโs my goal with this build.
i actually started working on it the very first day I received the kit in the mail, but other commitments kept putting it on the back burner.
Now Iโm finally free from building for someone else, and I can focus on building just for myselfโฆat least until Juanita is paddling in the water.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Stern Wheel Arms Assembly
1. The next step is to assemble the stern wheel arms A18 and A19.
2. Before gluing A18 to A19, ensure that the opening between the two A19 arms measures exactly 154 mm.
3. Once the correct spacing is confirmed, glue A18 in place.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Once again, Iโd like to emphasize that all of the parts shown so far interlock perfectly, with no adjustment required. In this particular case, I did have to apply slight pressure during installation because some paint had entered the slots. Even so, the part snapped into place cleanly, much like a precision-fit kit component. Overall, this is a very well-engineered and accurately manufactured kit.
You can also see the reference marks on the deck indicating where each component is intended to be installed. With the deck now in place, the rounded bow corners can be filled using leftover scrap material to complete the area cleanly.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Hull Interior Sealing and Deck Preparation
1. The entire hull interior was sealed with epoxy. The products I used were purchased from Amazon.
2. After the epoxy had fully cured, I sprayed the interior with primer, followed by paint.
3. Once the paint dried, I scraped the mating edges that will receive the deck to ensure proper glue adhesion.
4. The forward deck was sealed and primed prior to being glued to the hull.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Once all the frames had fully dried, the next step was to install the bow bottom B3 and bow tip A1, followed by the stern bottom B4 and stern tip A15.
The bow tip A1 is a thin piece and requires sanding at a slight angle. Care should be taken during this process, as the part is fragileโI broke mine while sanding, as shown in the drawing.
The final photo shows how I filled the curved bottom joints using thin leftover material to improve continuity and support.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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First Step
I began with a dry fit of several frames to the hull bottom. The fit is almost snap-together in nature, with the parts aligning perfectly. However, there is a specific assembly sequence that must be followed when gluing the frames to the hull bottom to ensure proper alignment.
One side of the hull bottom had a slight bend, which I corrected using my guitar wood bender. In retrospect, this may not have been strictly necessary, as the frames would likely have pulled the structure straight during assembly. Nevertheless, I preferred to correct it beforehand to ensure everything was properly aligned before gluing.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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When ordering the kit, you can choose between plastic or brass rudders. I elected to use the brass rudders for this build, as their accuracy and level of detail are truly exceptional.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Also included are two very practical 9 g servo trays, intended for the steering and speed control mechanisms.
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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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๐ JUANITA STERN WHEELER
1 day ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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A good hello to all members.
Now that I finished The Fireboat, I would like to add to the forum my favorite build, one you are all familiar with.Hello fellow members.
The Juanita Stern Wheeler.
This an amazing, high end kit that that when finished will be 40" LOA & should weigh under 10lbs ballasted.
According to online sources the JUANITA was built in 1954 by O. F. Shearer & Sons at Cedar Grove, West Virginia. Another source on the internet says that the JUANITA has been "in operation since 1977."
The present owner of the JUANITA is Tom Cook of Dunbar, West Virginia on the Kanawha River.
I was lucky enough to be a part of the first clients that purchase the first run of this fantastic model and I got it for a very reasonable price.
With that being said, I would like to show you guys a building log for this model but buy no means I will say that this is the best way to build the Juanita but this is how Im building it with my limited knowledge and the help of the instructions emailed to me by the designer.
I also like to say that this kit does not have written instructions since this kit was produced in a rush job before kits had to be sent out; the only instructions is a PDF file containing drawings showing the main steps of building process, but the designer himself is very helpful in answering all of my emails about specific needed details in the build.
So, lets get started.
I will start by showing the real Juanita.
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๐ Lobster Smack
3 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Jumpugly:
Your fatherโs model is truly outstandingโฆmore than craftsmanship, it feels like a piece of his spirit lives in it.
I think many of us are quietly looking forward to the day your own skill and care bring it back to full glory, as a beautiful tribute to his memory.
Model Expo also offers a Lobster Smack kit, though it isnโt quite as large as your fatherโs. I thought you might enjoy seeing it:
| https://www.modelexpo-online.com/products/midwest-muscongus-bay-lobster-smack-1- |
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๐ Midwest/ Model Expo The Fireboat
3 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Hi Chris:
That was actually one of the questions I asked the Production Manager. According to him, they have already started setting up parts of the model. Now that all of the upgrades are finalized, his estimate is that it may take about two months for the kit to appear in their catalog as soon as possible.
Both of the videos youโve seen here were shown to Mark, the owner, and he approved moving forward with production of the kit.
The next time I stop by, Iโll be more specific in asking about the release date. Iโll keep everyone posted as soon as possible.
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๐ฌ Re: Midwest/ Model Expo The Fireboat
4 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Iโll tell them cash. As a matter of fact, I need to stop by anyway to give them the decal file I created with the help of a coworker.
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๐ Midwest/ Model Expo The Fireboat
4 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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I just returned from Model Expo today, where I had an extended discussion with both the production manager and the designer. At the conclusion of that meeting, I left the model in their care.
After many months of designing, assembling, painting, and refining every detail, the final result was extremely satisfying.
Letting go of a freshly completed model does bring an unexpected sense of detachment.
However, knowing that this improved version will benefit both new and experienced model builders makes the experience a positive one. Itโs gratifying to know that my contribution will ultimately serve the greater modeling community.
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๐ Midwest/ Model Expo Fireboat
4 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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Finally the youtube videos are ready.
THE PHOTO SHOOT.
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๐ฌ Re: Finishing the Decks with Epoxy Resin.
5 days ago by
๐บ๐ธ chugalone100 (

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That is one super sharp looking deck.
Great work.
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