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Lew's Model Boats - Springer #1

Updated:
April 5, 2026

About

This is the first of four "Springer tugs" built by Lew.  The hull and deck are from a Zippkits model kit.  The remainder is scratch built, mostly from 3D printed parts designed and printed by Lew.  The model is based on one (three photos) found on the internet.  It  was a little different having a lifting pilot house.  I could lift to see over the barge(s) it was pushing and lower to go under low bridges.

Comparison

Here you can see the comparison between the real boat and Lew's model:

1/16 scale was chosen based o the length of the boat.  "Springers" are not based on any particular boat.  (See the "Springers page on this site for more about them.)  Relatining them to measurements take from the real photos, that scale seem aout appropriate. The only issue is the length to beam (width) ration is a little different between the real boat and the model.  That was made up by adjusting the proportional width of the model.

Numerous videos of this model are on YouTube.  Go to the Links Page for Lew's Model Boats to find the YouTube channel where they are locted.

Below are the pilot house, 3D model of the lifting mechanism (using the belts from an old inkjet printer), the schematic, and Bruder figures used to make the crew for the model.