Ray

Shrouds & Ratlines
 
As the weather in the UK has been so bad it has been an ideal time to have a big push at the rigging. I started with the shrouds I decided to tie the deadeyes to the cord at each end and make four all the same length then passed them around the mast and tied the loops, at this point I also made the decision to use watered down quick drying PVA and a small paint brush to cover all my knots with this solution and trim excess cord when dry, this seems to have worked well, stops knots slipping or coming undone.
 
The ratlines were tied next, I started with a simple slip knot at one end and tried clove hitches across, but soon gave them up as way to fiddly (difficult and time consuming) and ended up using a simple overhand knot which I then found it very easy to adjust the tension between each shroud and once glue dobbed strong, after tying the hundreds of knots they were all glued and trimmed. The instructions tell you to use black ink to colour the ratline I used black acrylic artist paint watered down as I already had some, this I think has worked extremely well and would recommend it, note when painting the ratlines remember to mask the deck or you will splatter it with paint or ink.
Next job will be to tie all the standing rigging blocks to the mast.
 
Also I must finalise my choice of next model HMS Pegasus is the front runner.
 
Starting the ratlines


 
Tied before trimming

 
Completed shrouds & ratlines

Masts & Yards
After a lay off during the summer and autumn, it was now time to continue and hopefully complete this build as its now to cold for fishing and golf, with our sub zero temps and snow. Time to make the spars, and then to rig the Lady Nelson I must admit I think the rigging for me will be the least enjoyable part of the build.

 
The spars were turned by clamping the dowel blanks in my unimat and where the dowel is clamped in the chuck wrapping insulation tape around that part, and then just sanding and shaping with various grades of sandpaper using a micrometer to check the diameter at various points. When all shaped and  small wooden blocks (cleats?) added and the pre-cut parts. They were then all spray painted in matt black.
The dreaded rigging is next still there are worst things to do whilst there is 6-8 inches off snow outside.
 
Unimat Lathe



 
 
The masts and yards were the next part of the build the mast and bowsprit first. I am fortunate enough to have a Unimat-sl lathe from years ago, so cleaned up and oiled ready to go, I did also have to order some new drive belts as the old ones were perished, bowsprit first this turned down fairly easily just a taper with a bit reversed at the end, I held the dowel in the three jaw chuck and used sandpaper to taper the dowel checking the diameter with a 0-25mm micrometer. The mast was a lot more difficult firstly I snapped the dowel and had to buy some 9mm, which meant the whole length of the mast had to be reduced, I marked out the mast masking taped
 
Mast detail

Bit of a diversion while I continue to wait for some more Limewood from CMB.
 
I had planned to replace the plywood false keel stem with boxwood, originally I was going to simply cut out the replacement shape.  However, I though this would be a good opportunity to do a little 'scratch' building to give me a flavour for it.  I followed the diagrams in the AOTS book, although simplified them slightly (using enlarged scans as pseudo plans while reconciling key dimensions back to the kit to ensure things stay in line).  Took quite a  few days to do (a full framed ship would clearly be out of the question for me!), its certainly not up to Chuck's standard but overall I was really happy with the result for a first attempt.  I lightly used a pencil to highlight the seams to a small degree without wanting to overdo this.  Unfortunately, I suspect I will be painting over 75% of this, but it was great experience.  
 
I rounded of and tapered the knee of the head using approximate guidance from the FFM book 1.  I think this should be tapered more, but I stopped where I did because it resulted in a nice snug fit for the figurehead I plan to use, any more would have resulted in gaps.  I rounded the leading edge, and will wait to cut the gammoning slot until I'm confident of the placement of the head rail features.  You can see the comparison below between the supplied Diana figurehead which is clearly made to straddle a 5mm knee and result in gaps.  I purchased the figure head from Syren when I bought the kit.
 

 
Everything in place (dry fitted for now). Took some adjustment to ensure I the bowsprit would sit correctly and clear the figurehead.
 

 
Also have addressed the lower counter at the stern.  I got quite aggressive and cut back the transition between the lower counter and the planking to ensure this drops and sweeps forward as it appears to in the AOTS book.  I'm only going to use 1 set of the lower counter shapers
 

 
Premade a lower counter sheet which I though might work better than simple planking.  Looks like some adjustment will be needed as the keel former extends into the hole for the rudder.  I've got my approach laid out for the upper counter and stern fascia which will probably deviate from what the kit suggests...but thats a story for a future post 
 

Thanks for the ticks and comments guys.
Jason
          Firstly I still have a long way to go most likely many weeks or months on the rigging which will include all the rope coils, which took a time to do on Pegasus, there are also the ships boats to build, which I may build and use as a break from the rigging at some point.
        Secondly my next build will be something completely different,it will be a WW2 Hunt Class Destroyer a Deans Marine kit built as a static model. My reason for building the Destroyer are two fold one she was the favourite ship my father served on, he served on her a the time of the D Day landings at Omaha Beach, she was one of the destroyers that closed the beach to 800 yards to silence the shore guns that were decimating the US troops landing that day. Secondly it will be nice to build something different.
 
HMS Tanatside

Thanks for the ticks and comments guys.
Jason
          Firstly I still have a long way to go most likely many weeks or months on the rigging which will include all the rope coils, which took a time to do on Pegasus, there are also the ships boats to build, which I may build and use as a break from the rigging at some point.
        Secondly my next build will be something completely different,it will be a WW2 Hunt Class Destroyer a Deans Marine kit built as a static model. My reason for building the Destroyer are two fold one she was the favourite ship my father served on, he served on her a the time of the D Day landings at Omaha Beach, she was one of the destroyers that closed the beach to 800 yards to silence the shore guns that were decimating the US troops landing that day. Secondly it will be nice to build something different.
 
HMS Tanatside

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Thanks for the ticks and comments guys.
Jason
          Firstly I still have a long way to go most likely many weeks or months on the rigging which will include all the rope coils, which took a time to do on Pegasus, there are also the ships boats to build, which I may build and use as a break from the rigging at some point.
        Secondly my next build will be something completely different,it will be a WW2 Hunt Class Destroyer a Deans Marine kit built as a static model. My reason for building the Destroyer are two fold one she was the favourite ship my father served on, he served on her a the time of the D Day landings at Omaha Beach, she was one of the destroyers that closed the beach to 800 yards to silence the shore guns that were decimating the US troops landing that day. Secondly it will be nice to build something different.
 
HMS Tanatside

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

The rest of the yards and the sprit-sail yard have now been made up and rigged, they were a bit of a doddle after the lower ones, I have also made the two gaffs but I will leave them off for as long as possible to allow turning her  from side to side to gain access, when adding the yards and rigging,as she is getting longer. Again the yards are only in the pin holes.
Top yards

Top yards made up before rigging

Gaffs

Top yards completed

Yards on masts





 
 

Some photos below showing the yards, with stun-sail booms, on the masts, not fixed just in the pin holes. Next job make the remainder of the yards and gaff booms.
 

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Truss- and jeers tackle look super Ray,
 
the whole rigging to date is beautiful and a delight to look at....
 
Nils

Ray - thanks for the tip on the jeers, not got there yet but they've always appeared to look very tricky to get right and you nailed it.  You look to be getting very close to completion Ray, dare I ask what is next?  

Thanks for the ticks and comments guys.
Jason
          Firstly I still have a long way to go most likely many weeks or months on the rigging which will include all the rope coils, which took a time to do on Pegasus, there are also the ships boats to build, which I may build and use as a break from the rigging at some point.
        Secondly my next build will be something completely different,it will be a WW2 Hunt Class Destroyer a Deans Marine kit built as a static model. My reason for building the Destroyer are two fold one she was the favourite ship my father served on, he served on her a the time of the D Day landings at Omaha Beach, she was one of the destroyers that closed the beach to 800 yards to silence the shore guns that were decimating the US troops landing that day. Secondly it will be nice to build something different.
 
HMS Tanatside

Thanks for the ticks and comments guys.
Jason
          Firstly I still have a long way to go most likely many weeks or months on the rigging which will include all the rope coils, which took a time to do on Pegasus, there are also the ships boats to build, which I may build and use as a break from the rigging at some point.
        Secondly my next build will be something completely different,it will be a WW2 Hunt Class Destroyer a Deans Marine kit built as a static model. My reason for building the Destroyer are two fold one she was the favourite ship my father served on, he served on her a the time of the D Day landings at Omaha Beach, she was one of the destroyers that closed the beach to 800 yards to silence the shore guns that were decimating the US troops landing that day. Secondly it will be nice to build something different.
 
HMS Tanatside

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Some photos below showing the yards, with stun-sail booms, on the masts, not fixed just in the pin holes. Next job make the remainder of the yards and gaff booms.
 

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view

Running rigging
Part 1
   The last job before the running rigging was to add the shroud cleats.
The yards, I added the two main yards  first and then the cross-jack, I first made and fixed the Truss Pendants to the yards,I then fixed the yard to the mast held in by the pin, then tied the jeers, then after making sure the yard was horizontal and square cynoed the yard into the mast,and after giving it time to set,set up the blocks and tackle to complete the rigging of the Truss Pendants and the the main slings.
 

 
fitting the yard to the mast

 
truss pendants and jeers

 
Main yards rigged



 
Deck view