Sovereign of the Seas by Tallshiptragic - Sergal - 1/78

[Tallshiptragic]

Merci Messi

 

i thought id better mention a few other changes to the kit. The f'cstle deck slants downwards toward the rear according to sergal. This is incorrect and is in fact an almost level deck so this deck was raised at the rear to suit. The half deck, quarter deck and poop deck also slant though upwards following the take of the ship. Again to match Van de Velde sketches this has been changed. There mention in Sephtons book of straightening her decks in the 1640's while also reducing the height of her bulwarks to improve sea keeping qualities which is what you see on the Van de Velde sketch. So the half deck and quarter deck have been lowered aft producing more of a slight incline- basically level. Only the poop deck has retained the rearward incline. Another reason for doing this is on the Van de Velde sketch the bulkhead at the start of the poop deck which leads to the roundhouse (officers quarters below the poop deck) show a door and windows. If I built these as per sergal suggests, these windows would not be possible and a door would be far to tall to fit. 

 

So so those three decks were removed, the framing adjusted and the decks reinstalled in there new a modified locations. I had contemplated building her after her major refit of 1659/60 at one point which would have required a complete restructure of all her upper stern decks as well as a new head but decided to leave it in favor of the Van de Velde sketch believed to be from either 1651 or as she was entering dry dock in 1659 for her major rebuild. 

[Tallshiptragic]

Half deck now also planked. Not yet treenailed. 

[Tallshiptragic]

Decided to build up the beakhead bulwarks. The false deck I've used only as a guide at this stage as it's not fixed in place just to guide the shape of the sides. The bulwarks are made of two pieces per side providing a reasonably similar shape to that of the Van de Velde sketch. The upper piece I used unchanged and fit perfectly even with my modified wale positions, the lower piece had to be trimmed to fit but overall not by much so was happy to not have to cut completely new pieces. 

 

You will also also see now how I've raised my forepeak (small deck in front of the f'cstle bulkhead). This matches more to the ship building methods of the time and not one continuous deck into the beakhead as sergal suggested.

[Tallshiptragic]

Again more building, this time the quarter galleries  the forward deck extensions have had to be extended and the lower row of dead lights (windows) need to be larger to match those of the level above... I don't understand why sergal had these half the size of the others? 

 

Also ive yet to do, but the underside will be built up with an incline again to match the sketch I'm using as my base. She's coming along now and now really resembles the Sovereign! 😁

[Tallshiptragic]

An overall shot is how she is this evening  

[John Allen]

First class, that says it all!

[Tallshiptragic]

I also think from looking at her now, you can see how close her design was to that of the galleons of the previous century. 

[Tallshiptragic]

2 minutes ago, John Allen said:

First class, that says it all!

Thank you very much John 

[EJ_L]

She is looking like a first rate ship more and more with each update! Beautiful work! I'm enjoying seeing how your details bring her to life!

 

Many of the designs on these these ships were inspired by castle warfare. Tall turrets or in a ships case stern and forecastles allow for a high ground and defensible position while providing an advantage to fire down upon enemies. Galleons being already built in this method gave an established basis of design to work with. The challenge came in how to make her stable with the weight and movement of a hundred canon. Obviously some ships were far more successful than others. 

 

 

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks EJ, she's a joy to build and I do prefer the modifications I've made to her. Well worth the extra effort  I don't think I've looked at the kit plans or limited instructions since I put the frames and keel together hahaha 

 

It would be great to have a Mary Rose and Revenge along with a Royal William and Victory side by side to see the development of the large British warships. 

[Tallshiptragic]

Done a little more tonight. Began the build up of the lower part of the quarter galleries. Still a little rough as I figure out if the incline of the lower planks are correct. Again not working from plans makes it a little harder but at the same time, gives me a lot of artistic freedom.

[EJ_L]

Having a few ships of the same nationality displayed side by side to see the progression in designs is what I intend to do with my builds only with the French instead of the British... for now at least... 

 

Good start on those quarter galleys. Getting those angles right gave me a lot of trouble as they just kept not looking right and I kept picturing the captain sliding down the steep slope of the deck every time he tried to use the chamber pot! 

[Tallshiptragic]

Yeah a lot of models I've seen the builders have adjusted the slope to be less and the quarter galleries look more horizontal. I guess in a way to ease their own minds. This isn't right though as from the contemporary sketches they follow the sheer line. It's amazing what you can walk and work on though haha sailing on both Duyfken and Batavia which have sloping decks following the sheer surprisingly didn't hinder much at all.

[Tallshiptragic]

I've yet to build a French ship. Perhaps I should ad one to my list  

[Tallshiptragic]

Bottoms of the quarter galleries sorted, lower dead lights enlarged and a the British royal crest added to the sides. Also have added a couple of the trim pieces to the head.

[Ulises Victoria]

Coming along real nice, Anton... and a gorgeous helper you have there.

 

[MESSIS]

She is a beauty! Great ornamentation also.

[Tallshiptragic]

Decorations a mix of new and provided sergal pieces on the f'cstle bulkhead. I love the busy look of the carvings on this ship.

[Tallshiptragic]

45 minutes ago, MESSIS said:

She is a beauty! Great ornamentation also.

 

52 minutes ago, Ulises Victoria said:

Coming along real nice, Anton... and a gorgeous helper you have there.

 

Thanks guys, Sascha my malamute is lovely hahaha, Amelia... she's evil hahhaa

[Tallshiptragic]

Some more work on her topide decorations added and working on.

[Sjors]

And so when I'm looking I see a naked hull.

Few day's later I'm looking again and there are decorations !

And wood worms.....or termites ?

 

Sjors

[Tallshiptragic]

Haha don't make fun of my treenailing efforts! 😂 

 

ive had an impromptu leave extension and with the kids at school and gf at work during the day... well haha

[Tallshiptragic]

Thought I'd show a bit more detail of how I make the replacement decorations. A lot of the sergal pieces are either close enough or correct according to the descriptions from Sephtons book which match the Van de Velde sketch. The stern however as we know is the most incorrect basically all needs to be replaced. So I thought to best piece to show was the effigy of a winged Victory with her outstretched arms holding ribbons of gold. I am more comfortable in this small scale with sculpting so this is my preferred medium.

 

To start I draw a template of the stern with the carvings in place to suit my model and using miliput a add thin pieces until they build up the body of the piece. My apologies for lack of steps in my photos as this is a messy business so I waited till the piece was complete. 

 

Once the miliput has dried it peels away from the paper back and can be glued to the model  

[Tallshiptragic]

For painting I use Vallejo acrylic metal gold paint. This is a nice warm gold tone with a slight green hue which gives the appearance of patina on the gold leaf which I prefer over a bright gold. I will give them all a light wash with diluted black once all the decorations are on again to emphasise weathering.

[MESSIS]

You are more than a modeller. You are an artist my friend! My respect.

[Tallshiptragic]

6 minutes ago, MESSIS said:

You are more than a modeller. You are an artist my friend! My respect.

Thank you very much Messis  

[Tallshiptragic]

Victory in her place on the stern facia. 

[granta]

Well done, Anton, on those decorations and their finish. Sometimes we see these as being too overscale and garish. Something off a birthday cake. But you've nailed it, buddy.

I've noted the paint you've used  as well as the technique for later.

Top stuff.

 

Grant

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks Grant, your right though. I have the same thoughts of some of the finish from kit supplied decorations. The gold coloured brass some of them come in are just far too gold which makes them look garish, though with some treatment it's easy enough to tone down the look. As a teenager I liked to build 1/32 armour and planes where I always played with weathering and like to use it now sparingly when required  

 

 

[Tallshiptragic]

Before getting too distracted with the stern I want to finish the sides first so have redirected my attention to the beakhead. I'm at a stage now where I will turn her around and continue with those decorations until the sides are even before progressing further.