Fitz Project

Belly Acres - RC Boats

1:96 scale model of the Edmund Fitzgerald Radio Controlled Boat

In 2005 I ran across a website Great Lakes Modeling Association that had excellent plans for building a large scale model of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I was so impressed with the detailing that it re-kindled my interest in RC boats.

Late last year I ordered the 1/16th scale plans for the 'Fitz' from Bearco Marine. I began working on a 1/96th scale model of the Edmund Fitzgerald completely built from scratch using the information from the GLMA website. The model is based on some very good information from the GLMA website and Jeff Churill's 'Big Fitz' project. His website has an abundance of information on building large scale boats. You can tell he has a passion for Great Lakes boats. I owe a great part of this project to him.

I began working on a 1:96 scale model of the Edmund Fitzgerald completely built from scratch. The finished model will be over 8 feet long and will be radio controlled with working lights, RADAR, a ballast tank cargo hold, running lights, working bow thrusters and much more detail. Here you can follow my progress on the 'Fitz'.

The first step was to have the plans enlarged to 1:96 scale. I took them to the local blue print shop and had them enlarged 210%. Next I began to put together a materials list. The hull is made from 1/8th inch paneling and 1" pink insulation covered in fiberglass. The decks are made from 1/16th " birch plywood. The super structure is sheet styrene and 1/16th " birch plywood.