985 Midwest Jim Wilder Tugboat 1930s - 32 1/5 Inch Long Ship for R/C or Scale Display - With Motor And Running Hardware
Wood and Metal Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
Excellent plank-on-frame kit of this historic vessel. Features micro-cut quality hardwood and balsa parts, machined and die-cut components, unique hull construction with an integral jig to insure true hull shape, balsa planking, all necessary fittings including photoetched brass parts, die-cast fittings, brass portholes and railings, clear windows, waterslide decals and more, big RS540 electric motor, full running hardware package, full size plans and fully illustrated 'Success Series' construction manual which planking, finishing and R/C tips. The kit has never been started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and all paperwork. The Success Series is designed for intermediate to beginner builders who wish to complete a wooden ship but have some or zero experience. Midwest really did a fantastic job to truly gear these kits to this market. Everything that could be done to assure success has been done. Please note, this kit is for someone who already has some experience with wooden ship kits. The Jim Wilder No.2 was named after Jim Wilder, owner of Wilder Tug and Launch, est. 1876. She was built in Oakland, CA by the Gorham Engineering Company and her home port was San Francisco. The company was located at 3rd and Berry, but later moved to the Sante Fe dock area known as China Basin. The Jim Wilder was commercially operated for 70 years as a towing and passenger tug; she was most commonly used to tow barges and other tugs that had broken down. The Jim Wilder was built with a double-planked pine hull, bolted together with bent oak frames. Like most tugs, she was refitted over the years with many types of engines. In 1911 her engine was a 110 hp 3 cylinder S.F. standard gas, and in 1925 she had a 125 hp 3 cylinder Enterprise Diesel. In 1946 she was refitted with a pair of 115 hp Caterpillar D-17000 diesels hooked by chain drive to a single shaft. Speed at tow was 9.5 knots. In 1971 most wooden tugs were taken off the Bay due to age and size of newer vessels. The Jim Wilder No.2 was decommissioned by Steven Speidacchi. He left her hull 100% intact, but took her iron out. In 1989, Steven determined that the Jim Wilder No 2 was still restorable, the hull is still intact and some of her original iron has been recovered, all efforts are being made to keep her stable, so that in the future, she can be restored to her original condition. If you have any updates on the restoration progress, please email me.
This item has been sold.
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