09/08/03

Toy Redwood Boat

This boat is one of the few surviving examples of the toys I built for myself as a child.  The hull of the boat was carved using a draw knife from a large redwood beam that was given to us for firewood.   The base for the forward torrent and aft engine cover were of walnut. 

The guns on the turrets are nails and  a single nail was used to anchor the turret to the deck allowing the guns to turn.  This ship was modeled from the famous Bismarck and the many plastic models I have built over the years.  The boat is hollowed to allow her to float high in the water. 

(Click on picture to see larger version)

Originally it had a small motor in the rear which drove a small propeller allowing the boat to be self propelled.  Only a draw knife, file, surf form, and an electric drill were used to build it.