African Princess...(1/35th scale...scratchbuilt)

[catdancer]

 

MODEL...CONGO KEEL BOAT...1/35th SCALE...SCRATCH BUILT...AFRICAN PRINCESS (AMANDA)...

 

HISTORY...On the river, known in common terms as the (taxi)...the version depicted here is the (23'6") boat with a (2'4") draft. Used for the moving of just about everything on the Congo River system. The most famous version of this type of boat was depicted in the 1951 movie " The African Queen " with Humphrey Bogart. The (Princess) version was in common usage from 1928 to 1972...although you can still find some in usage today on both the Congo and Nile river systems.

 

NOTE...My model is completely scratch built as a static display model (not as a diorama) and I named it (Amanda) after my granddaughter...I had many trips on some of these small boats while I was photographing the deadliest snakes found in Africa...And yes; automatic weapons on board were part of the regular gear...it was a time of great political unrest in Africa during those years.

 

SCRATCH BUILT...Hull, cabin, all wooden boxes/crates/barrels, 80% of items, green bananas, food items, etc...all non scratchbuilt items are from my parts boxes.

 

SCALE NOTE...I took you from the (9mm) North Seas pier to this 1/35th scale boat...I hope that you enjoyed both.

 

Paul

[Darsc Zacal]

That's a wonderfully intricate piece. I know its meant for display but it would be great for a pulp genre game.

 

@Catdancer. Is this similar to another boat you did? I'm sure I've seen this or one very close to it before, although I'm not sure if it was posted here or if I saw it through a link to your online gallery.

 

In any case. It's certainly worth taking a second look.

[DocPiske]

Love it. Colors are a little bright for me, but that's just personal preference. Well done.

[malefactus]

She is LOVELY. The SPLENDID modeling & brushwork with the level of details you lavished on the Lady give her a charm & personality all her own. OUTSTANDINGLY WELL DONE!

[Clever Crow]

WOW!! Very nice work. Very impressive that it's completely scratch built...

[Leader of the Rats]

Impressive! And from scratch even moreso

[catdancer]

Again...thank you all for your comments and remarks.

 

Darsc...You have a very good memory. Yes, I built another (African Princess) that was used by varied military persona (who had retired from active duty status) who worked in varied areas of Africa as private security teams...In my time spent in country, I had many a ride on those craft in the hotter areas that I was doing photographic work in.

 

Paul

 

Darsc...I may have been mistaken; it is this boat you may have seen in the past...I posted it before on/in July of this year...I could not find a posting of the other boat that was used by (retired military) working in Africa.

 

Paul

Edited December 29, 2013 by catdancer

[Hibou]

That is a great model. Is there some where we can see your photos of deadly African snakes?

[Darsc Zacal]

Ah. Well that explains it then.

[catdancer]

Hibou...thank you for your comment on the model...In regard to the reptile photography; I am sorry to say that the magazine that I was working for picked up all my expenses plus paid me a very nice assignment fee; but in turn, they bought complete, total and exclusive photographic publication and usage rights. I have a number of my own old photographs but am not at liberty to show/publish them...including on the electronic media...Sorry.

 

Paul

[Hibou]

That sounds like the best way to do it, Catdancer. Live the adventure on some one else's dime. Sure beats shooting weddings.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Hibou

[catdancer]

Hibou...That is something I never did do...never shot weddings, graduations, school photos and other such related areas...Are you in the photographic profession yourself?

 

Paul