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The Mainline => Vehicle Modeling => Topic started by: robert goslin on July 13, 2026, 07:33:41 PM

Title: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: robert goslin on July 13, 2026, 07:33:41 PM
Hello all.
I'm planning on building a new On30 mini Exhibition layout influenced by the Disneyland Jungle cruise ride & movie.
I'm hoping I can have a boat circling the lower level of the layout using chain & magnet underneath.
So first thing I have scratchbuilt is the La Quila boat from the JC movie.

Boat from the film
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726182855-577281606.jpeg)

This is a 1/10 scale boat built by Alexandre Ramon that I used as a reference to get a lot of the details.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726182855-577291644.jpeg)

I've built mine using a foam & matt board hull.  The sides of the hull are built from card & balsa.
I'm inserting a hot wheels car in the bottom to make it move easier.  Not sure if it will work.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726182858-577302251.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726182900-577312299.jpeg)

Cabin & smoke stack made from styrene
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726182902-577321259.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183123-57733841.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183125-577341480.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183126-57735702.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183128-577361066.jpeg)

deck made from balsa
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183130-57737394.jpeg)

Hull skeleton made from stiff card
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183350-577381834.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183352-577391944.jpeg)

Balsa strips added to inside and outside of the hull & painted, and some of the exhaust details added.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183354-577402231.jpeg)

Roof is styrene.  Also added the front and rear hatches
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183357-577412134.jpeg)

I added a printed rattan image to the underneath of cabin roof
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183359-577422180.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183615-577432370.jpeg)

Ribs added to the styrene roof.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183618-57744412.jpeg)

Then added glue soaked paper towel to represent canvas
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183621-577452106.jpeg)

Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: craftsmankits on July 13, 2026, 07:51:10 PM
This is awesome.  Nice progress, can't wait to see the finished product.  I wasn't expecting to see anything like this today.  Mark
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: deemery on July 13, 2026, 07:51:39 PM
It's interesting to see how you constructed this.  Thanks for the set of photos.

dave
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: robert goslin on July 13, 2026, 09:58:09 PM
Thanks Mark and Dave.  These are basically all the construction photos.
Next lot of photos will be the completed model.
I also intend to build a version of the African Queen and one of the JC Disney ride boats to also go on the layout.
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on July 14, 2026, 12:34:02 AM
Looking great, Rob.

Really interesting to see your progress.  Really nice work.

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Larry C on July 14, 2026, 08:17:53 AM
Robert great jog on the boat so far. You seem to have a kick for scratch building boats so if anyone can pull this off you can. Following with interest.
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Ensign on July 14, 2026, 02:35:30 PM
Rob, what an interesting project!
Thanks so much for showing us how you went about building it.
I can't wait to see how it came out looking when finished!

Greg
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: elwoodblues on July 14, 2026, 07:35:14 PM
Rob,

The boat is looking great, can't wait to see the finished product.
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: robert goslin on July 14, 2026, 07:38:46 PM
Thanks Mark, Larry and Greg.
Still really enjoying scratchbuilding boats and this one is certainly different. Has a real steam punk feel to it.
In the film it's set in 1916, the DL ride is set in 1938, but my layout will probably be late 40's to early 50's time period.
Anyhow, here are the final pics of how the boat came out.
I modified a 1/43 scale figure to look like Dwayne Johnson's character Frank Wolff. He originally was a tourist with a camera round his neck and baseball cap.
So I cut off the camera, sculped a skippers cap, added braces, lengthened his sleeves and carved the pants into knee length boots.

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726184114-577571453.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183624-577461889.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183626-577472179.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183819-57748452.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183822-577491363.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183824-577502488.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183826-577511415.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726183829-577521359.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726184102-577531457.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726184106-577541203.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-130726184109-57755391.jpeg)

Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: deemery on July 14, 2026, 07:41:10 PM
My first thought seeing your boat was, of course ,"The African Queen". 

dave
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Ensign on July 14, 2026, 08:14:08 PM
Rob, that came out looking really cool indeed!
Your figure modification into Frank wolff is excellent as well.
Wonderful work all around!

Greg
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Pennman on July 14, 2026, 09:58:13 PM
Rob,

Not an average build but a great rendition, nonetheless.
Your attention to the fine details make this a superb model.

Rich
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: robert goslin on July 15, 2026, 12:54:37 AM
Thanks Ron, Dave, Greg and Rich.

yes Dave it certainly has an African Queen feel to it.
The JC ride is an original 1955 opening day ride, and Walt admitted he was very influenced by the Bogart movie.  I'm also a big Humphrey Bogart fan so will also be doing a version of the African Queen on the layout.
The La Quila scales out to about 36'.  The African Queen model will be a scale 30'as mentioned in the movie.

Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Rick on July 15, 2026, 08:19:30 AM
WOW Rob, you knocked this model out of the park.
Outstanding scratch building and creativity.
And then making it move around the layout will be a treat to see.
Title: Re: Scratchbuilt La Quila boat from the Jungle Cruise movie
Post by: Rail and Tie on July 15, 2026, 02:34:10 PM
That is awesome work. Love it!