Detroit's 300 Anniversary - The Great Tall Ships Parade

On July 19th, 2001 the city of Detroit celebrated it's 300 Anniversary.  The Gala involved many different events throughout the city. Everything from events held at Detroit's Historical Museum to food and fair rides at Detroit's Riverfront in the Downtown area.

Perhaps the most interesting was the parade of tall ships which visited Detroit for three days. Here are some pictures of three such ships.  On the left is the "Pride of Baltimore"  she is one of the graceful looking ships to be part of the parade.

On the right is an exact replica of the Nina; one    

three ships Columbus sailed across the Atlantic

Ocean to find the New World.

1/144 Scale Models

Today I share with you some pictures of my 1/144 scale model collection.

To the left is a model of the Fairly Swordfish biplane.  This type of aircraft help sink the mighty German Battleship Bismarck.  The model is made by F-Toys in Japan and comes almost fully painted and assembled. Adding the tail, some touch up paint here and there and she is almost finished.  Of course rigging is not done and I used fine black plastic hairs from a paint brush for rigging which helps the appearance of the model.

This next set of pictures represents the U.S.C.G. C-130 Hercules transport by Mini-Craft Model, likewise a 1/144 scale model.  The kit is molded in white plastic. and contains a full set of Coast Guard markings decal sheet.

The model took about a month to finish.  Most of the parts fit with no major problems.  I did modify the props so they would spin easily. After painting, I sprayed the entire model with Future Floor Wax and let it dry for almost three weeks before I attempted to decal the model.

Some of my Card Models

Many viewers have ask to see pictures of some of my card models.  Here are some I have built in the few years.

This model is by a German Company who's name escapes me at the moment.  I scanned the original and doubled the size.  The original model is 1/250 scale.  This model measures about 5 inches.  So you can imagine how small the original model would be.

The fishing net was made from Nylon netting used to make wedding remembrance bags.  I dipped them in Black India Ink and let them dry before attaching to the spars.  Small drops of white glue was used to represent the buoys.

This model is by a German Company called HMV

The model is again very small as can be seen by

comparing it to the 6 inch ruler along side of the model.  The ferry is from the 1920/30's and used in German.  Likewise like the model above, I scanned this model also and doubled the size.  I will publish a photo of this model at a later date.

A "Salty" on the Detroit River

If you live in or around the City of Detroit, you probably know about the Diamond Jack Boat Cruises on the Detroit River.  Every weekend all summer the Diamond Jack Boats take people either up river to the mouth of Lake Huron or downriver to the mouth of Lake Erie on cruises that last about 2 hours.  Food snacks and drinks are available on board the boats. The cruises sail rain or shine.

On one such cruise in the summer of 2000, I took these pictures with a Leica Digital Camera of a "Salty" (ocean going ship) while on a downriver cruise.  Here are some pictures of the "Stefania", home ported at Valletta, delivering steel to the Detroit Harbor Terminal.

NEW ADDRESS

Well were almost settled into our new home in Macomb Twp, Michigan.  Shortly I will be adding some new things to my blog.  Mostly pictures and what have you.  Stay tuned.

A Bit of Detroit History

For those of us who were born and raised in Detroit, at least up to the 1960's; who could forget the Bob-Lo Boats?  These boats took millions of people to and from an amusement park near the mouth of Lake Erie called Bob-Lo Island.  The park was closed in the 1990's and sold for private development.  This left the boats in Limbo.  Both boats, the St. Claire and Columbia, were moved down the Detroit River to the Nicholson Drydock in Wyandotte, Michigan.  There the boats were laid up and began to rot.  In the early 2000's one of the boat's was moved by a group of enthusiast to another location for restoration.  The picture shows how badly the Columbia has deteriorated. Taken in 1999 she sits along side her sister, the St. Claire, waiting here fate.

Our Schula

Our Schula is a Mixed Staffordshire Terrier; needless to say, she is the love of our life.  Now approaching her second year of age, she is still a puppy and will destroy everything she can chew or bite

Schula originally came from Mexico and had at least two owners before she was adopted by us from the local animal shelter.  For this reason, Schula suffers  separation anxieties and will go spastic when left alone in the car or at home unless she is in her cage.  Loving children and adults alike; we often think she would rather be around other people over other dogs.  We have found this to be true from our experience with her on visits to the local dog park.  She will run with other dogs, but sooner or later she finds herself playing with the other humans instead.