Australian Paddlesteamer "Adelaide" -- paper model 1/100 scale

Built in 1879 as a towboat on Australia's Murray River, the Paddlesteamer "Adelaide" today plies the Murray as tourist boat from Port Echuca, Victoria. She is the second oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer still operating anywhere in the world. While she mainly towed rafts of logs to a lumber mill, she did have some space for freight and a few passenger cabins.

Built in 1879 as a towboat on Australia's Murray River, the Paddlesteamer "Adelaide" today plies the Murray as tourist boat from Port Echuca, Victoria. She is the second oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer still operating anywhere in the world. While she mainly towed rafts of logs to a lumber mill, she did have some space for freight and a few passenger cabins.

The model is one of three Murray River paddlesteamers from World of Paper Ships, all in 1/100 scale. The kit comes printed on smooth card stock with excellent artwork.There are parts for two versions, a simplified model and a more detailed model. The latter includes detailed engine, pilothouse, and paddlewheels. The optional laser-cut set is a must if you want a truly detailed model.

The kit presents the boat as tourist boat. I wanted a working boat, so I omitted a few modern fittings and added some freight to the foredeck. I scratchbuilt the stand with "water" from an online texture library and texture papers from Clever Models.

At the Midwestern Model Ships & Boats Contest held 19-20 May 2023 at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, my Adelaide earned a Gold Award.