This design is what might be called an amphibious toy, which means one that is at home both on the land and water. The base, or hull, is made from a piece of 1/2" board, 5-1/4" wide and 14" long. At a point on the long edges, 4-1/2" from the ends, a center is taken with a compass, or pair of dividers, set at 5-1/4" radius, as shown in the drawing. Strike all of these curves and cut to the line with a coping saw and finish smooth. The main turret and the two smaller blocks are either turned on a lathe or cut from a cylindrical piece of wood. If care is used the pieces can also be cut with a turning saw from a piece of wood of the required thickness. The two smaller pieces are cut from a piece of 7/8" board and are 1-3/4" in diameter and are attached with 1" brads and glue, 1-3/4" from each end. For the main turret, which is to be movable, a hole is bored in the hull exactly in the middle. In boring, a bit a little larger than the size of a 1-1/2" No. 8 flat-head screw is used, in order that the screw shank will move easily. This hole is countersunk on the under side. A smaller hole is started on the under side of the turret to receive the screw and, when the pieces are assembled, the screw is not screwed up tight, but enough play is left so that the turret will revolve fairly easily. Monitor and Merrimac The two "guns" may be cut from 5/8" dowels, 2-3/8" long, or may be turned on a lathe. Two holes are bored, on opposite sides of the turret, 3/8" deep, to receive the guns which are glued in. The two pieces to which the wheels are attached are made 1/2" × 3/4" × 4", and are secured in place 4" from bow and stern with shingle nails and glue. Merrimac The four wheels are cut from 1" dowels, 7/8" thick. A hole is bored exactly in the middle of each wheel a little larger than the wire of a shingle nail, which is used to hold them in place on the base. A small piece of 1/4" dowel about 2-1/4" long, is inserted in a hole, bored with a 1/4" bit, 3/4" from the bow. This is the flagstaff, and just in front of this is placed a small screw eye to attach the string for pulling the toy. Give the entire toy two coats of black paint. |