A
A FREE PAPER MODEL TO DOWNLOAD AND CONSTRUCT
Civil War
Buff´s Historic
Paper Models
no.1
SCALE 1/250
Sidewheel Steamer MENDOTA
Built by F. Z. Tucker in Brooklyn and launched in1863, the USS Mendota patroled
uneventfully as a blockadingship on the James River. The rake on the bow served to
remove mines that were floating or stationary. The dimensions of the ship were as
follows: length 205 ft (62 m) and beam 35 ft. The speed was 11 knots and with a
complement of 145 it carried 12 guns.
a
61 Detail of bow with
the device for clearing
61d mines b
36 Paddle wheel assembly
a
61a b
61c
18 Capstan
15 Hatch 16 Hatch with
a
a skylight
d
d
b b
b c
a
57 Galley chimneypipe
42 Ventilators
c
b Secretary of Navy Gideon Wel-
a les ordered the ship, along with
almost thirty similar gunboats,
making it the most numerous
type in the Union navy.
B
THE SYMBOLS
Mountainfold 33 Number of parts Part to be rolled
Valleyfold 37 Location of parts Optional part
Location of parts Double and cut out Space to remove
THE VIEW FROM THE FORE DECK
This view of the fore deck shows the capstan, the
Parrot gun rotated to firing position and crew me-
mbers posing at ease. On the foremast the main
yard has been lowered and the awnings are rolled.
To the left in the image are the anti-boarding nets
running along the gangway. USS Mendota belon-
ged to the Sassacus-class of gunboats, also known
as "Double-Enders"for having rudders both fore
and aft to add manuverability in narrow waters.
NUMBERS AND NAMES OF THE PARTS
1 Hull base 28 Portside hullside 45 Lookout´s armour 62 Flags
2 Hull spine 29 Anti-boarding net 46 Upper mas section 63 Captain
3-13 Hull formers 30 Anti-boarding net 47 Mainmast 64 Crew
14 Main deck 31 Paddlebox support 48 Upper mast section 65 Chicken cage
15 Hatch 32 Portside paddlebox side 49 Lookout´s armour 66 Buckets
16 Hatch with skylight 33 Starboardside paddlebox side 50 Gaff, foremast 67 Coils of rope
17 Skylight 34 Starboard paddlebox top 51 Gaff, mainmast 68 Diorama
18 Capstan 35 Portside paddlebox top 52 Flagstaff, bow
19 Bollards 36 Starboard paddlewheel 53 Flagstaff, stern
20 Rail 37 Portside paddle wheel 54 Anchor´s crane
21 Engine cap 38 Gunport covers 55 Ship´s boats davits
22 Decksupport 39 Fore castle deck 56 Ship´s boats
23 Hurricane deck 40 Funnel 57 Galley chimney
24 Pilot house 41 Steampipes 58 Parrot gun
25 Skylight 42 Ventilators 59 9" gun
26 Arms chest 43 Anchors 60 Howitzer
27 Starboard hullside 44 Foremast 61 Mine rake
LAYOUT OF THE BASE OF THE MODEL
5 6
3 4 1
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
C
PARTS OF THE SHIP´S GUNS
58 Parrot gun 59 9" Gun 60 Howitzer
c
c
a
d b a b
a b e
HOW TO BUILD THIS PAPER MODEL
The tools needed for papermodeling are simple: a scissor for cutting, a scalpel for small details, ruler and a
pointed object, perhaps a nail to score pieces that are to be folded. A tweezer will be useful. White glue is
recommended, leaving no spots, however a non-waterbased product is to be preferred when glueing the spine
of the ship, since water may cause warping. All parts that are to be cylindric, masts, vents or gun pipes, should
first be softned by careful and repeated rolling, otherwise the paper will crack. When building this model,
always follow the numbers of the parts and glue them in that order. Start with the base and spine of the ship
as in the diagram above. Let the construction dry to gain some strength before continuing with the main deck.
Some parts are to be doubled, score them, glue and fold into one piece.
44d
44c 44b
40a
50a
46 41a
50b 41b
55
61 39 52 54 18 19 15 55 61 23d 60 42 35c 26 65 25 56 31 57 58 17 53
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
4 8 15a 14 1
15b
9
12
2 10
1
13 3
3 22b
3
16b 16a
4 19
4
15
5
5
20 20
16
17
6
6
6 7
7
7
21 21 21
3b
8
8
16c
9
9
15c
20 16 20
21
10
10
23
11 23c 17
11
20
12
12
13 18b
13
11 5 18a
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
23a 40b
41b 2
40c
40a
40d
41a
26
24 23b
40 39
36a
29c
26 26
25
37a 28c
24
36b 37b
31
34c 25
24a 24b
23d
35b
32 33
34b
34a 35a
27b
29 30
28b 27a 28a
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
45 49
43 3
54
56
d d
b b
c c
44 47
61a 53
61b 61c
46 48
61d
44a 47a
50b 51b
44e 50a 51a
57b
67
63
57a
47f
65
66 64
47e
59c
58b
60c
42 60b
60a
55 62
59a
52
58d
53 59b
58c 58a
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
68 4
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
