The model of Cumon Baby
15-A was built
in 1953? by R. Frank Neely.
He built the model just
before building
the record setting, full size hull of Cumon
Baby II
From Frank Neely's son,
Will, "Dad
made the model 1/4 size so he could experiment before
building the real
boat.
The question was could he get
the thin aircraft
plywood to form all the shapes and how to splice
sheets together without
showing seams"
He had this model hang from
the garage for
about 45 years before I pulled it down to examine
it.
It was covered with years of
powder dust
that sucked every molecue of moisture out of the
wood.
The skin and frames were
delaminating and
falling apart.
I pulled all the top skin off
and checked
the inside.
The entire model was
originally put together
using a marine grade weldwood powder glue.
After hours of cleaning up the
inside and sanding
all the dead wood off,
the best and safest way to
restore the model
was to use West Systems Marine Epoxy.
I must have mixed a hundred
small batches
of resin epoxy and re-glued every piece back together.
The epoxy worked great. It
was now much
stronger then when originally built. Then, the top
skin was epoxied back
in place.
Next, the entire top and
sides were covered
with a thin modelers fiberglass woven cloth and
epoxy".
Will Neely
Will did a terrific job
preserving this
cherished piece of history.
Ford Flathead V8/60 1/4 scale
engine that
Will Neely made to capture the spirit of his father's
modified motor.
It was on display at the
Craftsmanship
Museum in California.
The detail &
craftsmanship of the Neely's
scratch-built, modeling skills is simply amazing.
© Randy
Wold
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