Heres another oldie but goodie. One of our members came to our club meeting last Wednesday carrying this armful of antique Chris-Craft. The model is 50" long , scaled at 2"=1'. It was built by his Dad in 1944. Dad owned the full sized one, took measurements of it and built the model. No plans used. It was never powered - no motor, no prop. I'm told it was put together with little nails and Testors model airplane glue. Its in good shape considering that it has laid around for 66 years in garages and basements. Some of the interior upholstery has been chewed up by mice. Note the head (toilet) up in the bow compartment.

It's a model of a 25' Chris Craft cruiser, but which one? We don't know. Any of you Chris-Craft authorities out there know? Its a handsome looking boat and if plans were available it would make a great R/C model, built to this size or even half this size. As for this one, it will be cleaned and hopefully put in a case. Family heirloom.

Very nice model- I'll pull out the book (Chris Craft the Essential Guide)and post the info later today. This boat is in the book-

On the topic of these older boats, note the registration number on the bow of this model... anybody know the "logic" behind these numbers? Currently reg numbers in the US are typicially 2 letters for state, 4 numbers, 2 letters... example "CF 1234 AB" for a california boat...

The older reg numbers I've seen start with 2 numbers, a letter and 3 numbers...

Most seem to start with "38" in old pictures I've seen...

Anybody know the background?

This looks like the one.

Ya beat me to it, WB!

Aero, the last 2 letters in the modern reg. numbers are the owners initials. Nice model John,does need motor,radio etc though.

In CA, the "CF numbers" are "first in, first out"- not personalized like other places apparently.


Any leads on the 'old' numbering system? I understand that it was introduced in the mid or late 30's... not sure when the current system took over, I would guess early 1960's

(sorry to go off topic, John! )

This might be of some related interest:

http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/ma...documents.html

Yep, thats it. Looks identical to the model. All of us present at the club meeting agreed it should not be restored or powered with R/C. That would destroy its antique value. The owner says he plans to clean it up and hopefully put it in a case. We all felt that it is family treasure and should be kept as originally built.

Thanks for the catalog page! If there are any plans extant, the Mariner's Museum in Va. probably has them.

Originally Posted by Aerominded

Ya beat me to it, WB!

oops...

Dad must of been proud. Wonder where the real deal is today?

Originally Posted by woodybob

oops...

Hee hee!

John, sounds like the owner of this model has the right idea- I would only give it a cleaning and not attempt to otherwise restore it... I would even keep the mouse eaten bench cushion... it really is a great model!

Now, the idea of building a working replica of the model, that has major appeal!

Mariner's M. probably does have the drawings! (they have the complete C*C archive through about 1980, IIRC)

"Margie" was restored from such an old model...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attac...mentid=3118820

...and was re-launched with the original builder looking on, from his comfy chair at lake's side... was a touching event.

The early registration numbers were done by the USCG. I do not know the meaning of the system. I do know what the numbers were for three of our antique boats. Tried to research them twice. The first time I got all the info on our steamboat and was told that nothing available on the other two. A bunch of years later I learned about some paperwork archives somewhere, so I checked this out only to learn what bins the paperwork on the other boats were in and the exact date it was destroyed. This date was after the first time I tried to learn about it.

Thanks, MKC Syd! I was thinking this system may have been "Federal" (USCG) instead of state but wasn't sure...

I'm also under the understanding that the numbers were required to be larger, as seen on this model, during the war... most of the time (in pictures) they appear to be @ 3"... which is the standard today...

IMG_0245.jpg from link in post 11 is a sedan of some sort. Can anybody tell me if this is a kit or scratch build??
Hello all BTW new here, glad to meet you all.

prolly scratch built...