Paynes Landing

Juan Trippe president of Pan American Airways tags along on South American Adventure

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His loyal stewardess Lois guards the plane from would be hijackers. 
"We would not want a repeat of the last fiasco." Comments Juan.
The model is a Boing 314-A by "Authentic Models". The model is actually fabric over framework and has been detailed with a real nice aged patina. This was the ultimate production flying boat of the era. 
At the beginning of the war the half dozen 314's in service with Pan Am were requisitioned by the military.  This particular one was actually used to ferry President Roosevelt to Casablanca for the Allied leadership summit.

What is a "Clipper" doing in the backwaters of South America?

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I picked up this model at Colpar Hobbies in Denver a few years ago. The problem in my mind is justifying it on backwater excursions to remote and primitive locations. In the first pulp adventure that I ran at the club two players established a long standing rivalry which is still talked about.  That rivalry has continued through each succeeding game.  The challenge for me is to start them at different locations so that too many innocents are not caught in the crossfire in the first couple of turns.  The first game ended with the memorable image of the "Dixie Clipper" barely clearing the trees as Luis hijacked the plane stranding the many other players at the location.  This in my opinion established him as a villainous character, but in my estimation any player willing to establish themselves as a common foe deserves some additional help as they become a prime target.

Machete Flats the remote and lawless jump off point for this Adventure

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I like to start my adventures in a recruiting and equipping phase.  The players generally start with a couple dozen pieces of gold in a small remote community where local guides, trackers, and grade one mercenaries can be enlisted to support each players "Expedition."  In these communities players may also rent pack animals, or secure transportation into the dangerous and unknown territories.

Here one building serves as the boat tours office, another a fruit stand.  The buildings also include a small room rental, an outfitters store, a warehouse, and a pack animal rental shack and stable.

A wary expedition sets out on the river

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Here we have a small expedition launching off on Captain Hestor's steam launch.  This steam launch was scratch built and is a bit wide (beamy) but works well in that you can accommodate bases between the boiler and the sides.  The forward deck is nice and roomy accommodating a large adventuring party or even a small artillery pies for the really big game trophies like Spinosaurus or even say... King Conk.
The canoe in the background was formed out of Scuply and basswood strips for seats.  It has proven itself very durable after many adventures.

Another shot of the Amazon Queen

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Mr. Ling stows the negotiated price for the cruise, a case of scotch, for an undoubtebly hazardous voyage.

The Amazon queen was a fairly straight forward build.  I used a 1/8th inch piece of Masonite for the base.  It was cut with a jigsaw.  Cut the upper deck and sides out of heavy cardstock, Specifically 'Mat board' which takes a curve pretty well without buckling or creasing. After forming the sides and transom (flat back plate) I attached, maybe 6 short frames, to each side to 'beef up' the deck and keep it from collapsing under the rigors of gaming.  The boiler is an old Humbrol paint tin set up-side down on an old galvanized tin base with a ring of "Evergreen" plastic around the top.  It is detailed with a small door for adding wood.  Brass used for handles and pipe work and stack. Hearing aid batteries were used for gauges and 'throttle pivot'.  Small metal fittings were used for steam cylinders, but capped brass tubing would work as well.  Brass rod and aluminum tubing were used for the awning supports.  The rudder scratch built from left-over walnut and wooden ship fittings, harder to find these days but available from Model Expo and others.  You could substitute "Evergreen" plastic hobby stocks just as well.  Rail and trim from the "Evergreen" plastic.  The model was then primed and painted.  The last step was to age it.  In this case I used Minwax wood stain to give the paint an aged patina.  This actually was a near disaster as the aggressive solvent - possibly turpentine - softened the paint as I was smoothing it. I would recommend a "Citadel" - 'Wash' as much safer and easy to use, not to mention the smell!