The model of Cumon Baby 15-A was built
in 1953? by R. Frank Neely.
He built the model just before building
the record setting, full size hull of Cumon
Baby II
From Frank Neely's son, Will, "Dad
made the model 1/4 size so he could experiment before building the real
boat.
The question was could he get the thin aircraft
plywood to form all the shapes and how to splice sheets together without
showing seams"
He had this model hang from the garage for
about 45 years before I pulled it down to examine it.
It was covered with years of powder dust
that sucked every molecue of moisture out of the wood.
The skin and frames were delaminating and
falling apart.
I pulled all the top skin off and checked
the inside.
The entire model was originally put together
using a marine grade weldwood powder glue.
After hours of cleaning up the inside and sanding
all the dead wood off,
the best and safest way to restore the model
was to use West Systems Marine Epoxy.
I must have mixed a hundred small batches
of resin epoxy and reglued every piece back together.
The epoxy worked great. It was now much
stronger then when originally built. Then, the top skin was epoxied back
in place.
Next, the entire top and sides were coverd
with a thin modelers fiberglass woven cloth and epoxy".
Will Neely
A note from Randy Wold:
Will Neely redid the upholstry in tan instead
of white, added the gauges, steering wheel and redid the hood & tailpiece
(the curves of which are not exactly correct).
The lettering was done by a local sign shop. Also the tailpiece lettering
wasn't on the
original model & the speed record numbers
aren't correct. (however, Frank may have gone that fast sometime in a trials
but I don't have
that information). Anyways, it's not important.
Will did a terrific job preserving this cherished piece of history.
Ford Flathead V8/60 1/4 scale engine that
Will Neely made to capture the spirit of his father's modified motor.
©2004 Randy
Wold
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