Well in-between the recycling project and HMS Nelson, I've been toying with the idea of Noah's Ark. Initially I'd created one out of cardboard and coffee stirrers according to the biblical dimensions and when building in N gauge worked out to be approximately 1m or 3'in old money. The idea at the time was for the door to open and for an elephant 🐘 to be on the inside. The main "house"would lift off and offer an inside view of holding pens etc and underneath that would be the rc. So anyway, I decided to make a start. Firstly a suitable donor was required. Decided that a scratch built aircraft carrier that I no longer sail was ideal. As you can see, the size is comparable - a little longer than required but this can be cut back and reshaped. Hull to deck level on both vessels is roughly the same. Many different descriptions of the Ark are out there, I'm with a little "artistic licence "going to curve in both ends as this appears to be a somewhat favoured view. The propulsion method is via two motors which were fixed to the underside of the original aircraft carrier. When I did sail this, it created very little wake which is ideal as of course Noah's Ark had no propulsion of any kind. However, that sort of defeats the object for using at the club. It's a bit of fun, so I'll see how it goes.

So made a start on the conversion from "new age " to "old age " . Firstly the bow had to come off, the bow restructured with some 1mm birch ply I had in the spares box, and then started the same procedure for the stern. Stern was much easier as I only needed to be able to construct a rounded end compared to the more angular stern as is present. Hopefully will be able to start on the outer skin soon

A little bit more today, a bit of a cheat as I don't possess the means or have the skills to start bending planks. So with that in mind, I'm using laminate veneer edging strips from wardrobes which are pliable enough for the bow and stern. Once all are positioned and dried off I can then mark them to give the impression of individual planks.

Now that the studio has been moved and mostly sorted out, additional paving laid etc etc, finally managed to get back to the Ark. Outer planks are all finished, some cosmetics still waiting to be done, the bow post is in first fix stage as is the "sail"on the stern. With regards to an interior, I'm going to be using one which I'd previously built and was in my card version 😀

Had a little bit of time for a "dry fit" this afternoon. As no records available showing any interior, I've made my own - if Noah's not impressed, I'm sure he'll correct me in due course 😊.
Anyway, I digress. The interior was divided into 3 sections as that was how I made the donor aircraft carrier originally. Each section will lift out allowing access to ballast and rc gear.
A bit of tweaking on the "house" to provide proper fitting and the "door " yet to be cut out and fitted with a servo allowing it to open and close.
If the rain 🌧 continues like it has been, I might have to upgrade 😁.
Dimensions are in N gauge according to biblical dimensions in Genesis

A quick half hour and cut a door 🚪 for the "animals "to board 2 by 2

A bit of time this morning spent with the paint 🎨 brush trying to give the Ark a bit of wear - I'm sure that Noah didn't have a pristine finish, but then again?. Anyway, initial paint finish is on, the interior is ready to accommodate-just need to find the animals 2 by 2. Think I might be raiding the toy 📦 🗃. Still playing with the door and servo to open it, but getting there. Hopefully no biblical rain before.