THE RIVER BOAT OF MARK TWAIN'S DAY was an awe-inspiring sight as it rounded the last bend and eased up to the dock.

A towering wooden superstructure topped with a highly ornamented pilot house seemed top-heavy from the low freeboard of the hull. Clouds of smoke from the high stacks darkened the sky and the huge paddle wheel churned.

To the people of the river towns, a river boat's coming meant mail, express, passengers, freight and possibly show entertainment - vital transportation that helped the inland United States grow. The shallow draft stern-wheel design was a product of America's ingenuity in coping with narrow upriver waterways with ever shifting sand banks which would have destroyed propellers.

The "Dixie Belle" is a typical boat. The 40-3/4 in. powered model is built to a scale of 1/2 in = 1 ft. The model churns along on quiet lakes or lagoon waters driven by the paddle wheel and the fascinating horizontal crank rod that churns back and forth.

This project is a Master Crafts Grade project because you will be building not just an authentic boat with dozens of railings and balcony supports, but installing the power plant and the wheel drive mechanism.

It was originally presented as a two-part series. This package contains Part 1. and Part 2., Eleven pages which I have enlarged 125% for clarity and your reading enjoyment containing the materials list, the plans, the construction sequence, subassembly drawings, subassembly photos, paddle wheel construction, power plant installation, troubleshooting guide, and finishing tips.

SHIPPING CHARGES:

U.S.........................................................................50 cents.

International Air Post, Asia, Eu, Af, Au, etc.............$1.50.