Rattlesnake by KenW - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - American Privateer

[KenW]

Hey Jon:  I do have the Hahn book, but neglected to look at it.  I see that he has a vertical post (but he doesn't have buckets).  My fixed platform will be below the quarter deck - about like yours, I think.  But you see the issue with the steps on the outside of the hull.  Those coming up would have to jump down to the gun deck or make a somewhat awkward step to the ladder in order to get to the quarter deck.  Also, how 'fixed' is the fixed gangplank?  It seems to me that the vertical post would get in the way of those manning the gun(s).  I suspect that there are no absolute answers to these questions.  But the discussion is interesting.

[JSGerson]

Ah yes, the buckets. I've wondered about those. You are correct, Hahn did not make a bucket rack nor for that matter, buckets. Since I was (at the time) following very closely to the practicum, I didn't make any either. Had I paid more attention to the kit plans, I might have added them as an added interest, There are other items like all of the gun tools necessary to clean and prepare the guns, the cannon ball racks, etc.; I guess that's the modeler's choice.

 

The hull boarding steps on Hahn's model line up just forward of the rail cap scroll. On my model, the ladder is a bit aft of the rail cap scroll which I believe yours will too. So the sailors would have to step on the rail cap and step down to the ladder, a bit awkward I'll admit, but doable. Until you mentioned it, I hadn't paid it much attention.

 

The gangplank post is permanent as well as the gangplank. And by the way, you are not the first to notice the tight quarters under the gangplank for the gun crew. Based on discussions I've read in other build logs, it is more than likely these guns were not used very much or maybe even left vacant. A similar argument can even be made of the most forward gun ports. There too, the working space for the gun crews is very tight.

 

Jonathan

[KenW]

Hey Jon:  Well, I also did some more research with my limited library.  It turns out that I do have a Hahn book, but not the one with the photo of the Rattlesnake model.  I do have a book by Howard Chapelle entitled,"The History of American Sailing Ships", published in 1935.  My copy is pretty old but there are a couple drawings of the Rattlesnake.  They show no temporary gangway and an extended fixed gangway.  And, there is a post right behind the ladder.

 

 

As of now this is the way I'm going to do my model.  With the extended fixed gangway, I could place a post between the guns anywhere behind the stairs to allow more room for firing.  Or, I can try a metal bracket (made of wood).  I attach a photo of my fixed platform which is held up by pins and piece of scrape wood to represent the post.

 

 

It is a solution - maybe it's not the best but I'm open to more suggestions.

Edited April 9, 2016 by KenW

[KenW]

Jon:  I just reread your posts, as well as mine, and still feel that I like the Chapelle look better.  The problem seems to be that there is no absolute source where a definite plan or drawing can be found.  Howard Hahn even questions the Admiralty drafts.  Added to that, compromised model kit plans and defects in the modeler's ability means that getting a truly and totally accurate model is probably impossible.  I don't mind the look of the fixed platform being higher than the waist cap rail.  And, I kind of like the look of the extended platform.  I will experiment with a bracket, as well as a post.  I completely agree with H.M. Hahn when he says that the model builder must, "do a little research and decision making of his own."

Cheers.

[JSGerson]

I have pictures of SIXTY different models (and some of their build logs) of the Rattlesnake and not one of them is the same as the next. As we all have realized, it is up to the model builder to determine how the model is to look. You do what you think is best for you.

 

Enjoy your build

 

Jonathan

[KenW]

Thanks Jon.  I agree totally.

Enjoy your build.

[shipmodel]

Hi Ken - 

 

Just catching up on your build and enjoying the nice workmanship.  Thanks for sharing.

 

I think you have made the better choice on the gangway.  Utility would have trumped looks all the time, back then.  Your solution looks more user friendly, where the outer handholds and steps match with the stairway on the other side of the gangway, and the spacing of the steps leads to the caprail and then one more up to the gangway, which is as high as possible to clear headroom for the gunners.  The stairs could then be easily taken down and stowed when clearing for action.

 

Lookin' good.

 

Dan

[KenW]

Just a small update – I installed the horse for the boom sheet, the kevels on the quarter deck bulwark and the bulkhead ‘ladder’ or steps.  I made 4 kevels per side to give me a place to tie off the lower main yard lifts.  Still need to come up with a place to tie off the crossjack lift, but there is plenty of time to make that decision.

[DocBlake]

Beautiful, Ken.  Nice workmanship.

[KenW]

I’ve planked the forecastle deck and I’m pleased with the results.  I think that the tree nailing is the best I’ve managed to do - certainly the best on this model.  (In the photo, the yellow coloring means I have to do more sanding.)  So, it’s on to the next challenge. 

[russ]

The deck planking looks very good. Nice nibbing. Your model is coming along really well.

 

Russ

[KenW]

Thanks Russ.  Surprised you noticed the nibbling.

Cheers.

[russ]

Ken:

I love those little details.

 

Russ

[DocBlake]

Ken:  Nice job on the "hooked" deck planking.   That's a lot tougher than nibbing into a margin plank!

[KenW]

Thanks Dave. 

I'll have to look up those definitions again. 

[Ryland Craze]

Ken,

 

Your Rattlesnake looks great.  It was a real pleasure meeting you at the SMSNJ Club meeting last week.  There is a lot of talent in that Club which shows in the models they build.  Your Rattlesnake is coming along nicely.

[KenW]

Thanks Ryland.  Good to meet you as well.

Cheers.

[KenW]

I wanted to show the kevels, which I thought were pretty good.  These are for the forecastle and are much smaller than those on the quarter deck because they have to attach to a stanchion.  While none of the stanchions are glued, and I have yet to cut the cap rail, I think that the model is progressing, all be it slowly.

 

   

 

[JSGerson]

I'm impressed; functional 1:64 scale kevels! Build is coming along nicely

 

Jon

[KenW]

Thanks Jon.  They do look a little big, but hopefully that will be 'covered up' by everything around it once the rigging starts.

The stanchion cleats aren't nearly as big looking.

Cheers.

[Jimz66]

Nice progress Ken. Keep it going. 

[KenW]

Quick status:  I made 25 belaying pins from tooth picks.  They are 5/16” long and, needless to say, there are many rejects in the waste basket.  I’m going to paint them with the wood hardener and hope that whatever wood the tooth picks are made of will hold up to the rigging.  The model is progressing slowly, but steady.

 

[russ]

Ken:

The belaying pins came out quite well. The heads are usually the problem as they tend to wind up out of scale. Yours came out much better than that. It is common to have a good deal of rejects in this process. Good work.

 

Russ

[EJ_L]

Those belaying pins are great. Good idea with the toothpicks. I too am interested on how well they hold up under rigging. I would think quite well as they are intended to take some pressure when used for cleaning teeth or the hundreds of other uses they get tasked to do.

[DocBlake]

Nice job on the belaying pins, Ken!  Most toothpicks are birch.  The fact that you could turn them so crisply without any fuzziness suggests the wood will be more than strong enough to handle the rigging.

[KenW]

Thanks to Russ, EJ and Dave, as well as the 'likes'. 

I'm optimistic about the tooth picks - I do know they are not bamboo.

Cheers.

[Martin W]

Very nice work indeed on those belaying pins.  It's those little details that make a build special, since they become your signature!

 

cheers

 

Martin

[dgbot]

Nice job on the belaying pins. Toothpicks have been used in modeling for years.  They should hold up for your rigging just fine.

David B

Edited May 18, 2016 by dgbot

[KenW]

The forecastle furniture is complete.  The breast rail is not glued yet because I’m worried about having enough room to tie the rigging.  A lot of people on this site have mentioned that, so I’m holding back on a lot of stuff.  Maybe I’m over-reacting.  Next I realized that I forgot to install the anchor cable before I planked the forecastle.  So I used a piece of wire and snaked the cable through the hawse hole.  Now the cable is secured and the other end is just hanging there waiting for the anchor.

 

 

I also finally glued the figurehead onto the stem.  I think I’ll bring the model to my club meeting next week.

 

 

[russ]

Ken:

Great work. The forecastle and the figurehead look really good.

 

Russ