Blue Ensign

Hi Mates,
 
Thanks for all of your very kind and supportive postings, like clicks, and also for just dropping by, all much appreciated.
 
Just finishing up the mizzenmast channels as well their corresponding chainplates and deadeyes. For these small and claustrophobically located deadeyes, I decided to pre-rig them. I did not trust my skills by waiting to thread the ropes. I will adjust the ropes once the shrouds are attached to the mast.   They look as though they have not been threaded correctly, but they are ok, I just need to rotate the deadeyes back and forth a bit.
 
I know that the channel has been mounted too low, but that has been relegated to hindsight, because stern decorative pieces would not have positioned properly (too many gaps) had I lowered the upper galleries due to my miss-calculations during stern assembly. My fault -  Grrrrr.
 
The last two pics. show the beginnings of the next bit; the two blocks that are mounted on those channels. I'm using balsa to create the proper shape, and angles (still a work-in-progress), and then I will cut two out of other wood.
 
The milling machine will get flipped on, hmmm - lets see if I can drill and groove out a proper space for the needed pulleys? On the plus-side pulleys are just already waiting in the wings for just a bit of weight loss on their sides ha ha....
 
Regards,
 
Michael

The starboard gallery is now done. While not exactly the same as the port side, I think it's pretty close. Prior to attaching the port side pieces, I had used them as templates to lay out the corresponding starboard pieces. Because of the almost inevitable small differences in hull shape etc., the parts still required fitting, but all went relatively smoothly. Even the lower finishing, which was still the trickiest part, was a lot easier the second time around.
 
I'm still debating with myself over what to do next.
 
Bob

Build Update:
 
Just completed the Fore and Main Lower yards and attached to their respective mast  Used brass pin to attach yards to mast for ease of assembly.  After attached ran lashing for the tyes.  Upper end lashed to yard, lower end open for now and weighted down with a clip.  Deviated from plans and used triple blocks for the upper blocks (these blocks are served  and doubled (this did have me loosing a view more hairs and working on my vocabulary).  Quarter blocks and sheet/lift blocks are also served.  Used common blocks for the clew garnet blocks (didn't attempt to make myself) plus information indicates these blocks were changed to common after 1780. Most of the line shown on these yards is DMC Cordonnet cotton wht/ecru dyed using RIT dark brown (prior builds used stain but now will use dye).  Footropes ends and falls are fake splice like I did on the gun port lids.  When finished applied Vallejo Matt Medium to add some stiffness and holding power ( still need to do some forming down the road). All blocks shown are from Chucks Syren site, except for the sister blocks (but should be fiddle blocks).  Line on the Yard and Brace Pendants is also purchased material from Chuck as is the Tye lashings and Yard Trusses.  The thimble at the center of the yard is a Deadeye with the center routed out (called out thimble looked to small to me).  This will be attached to another thimble on the sling by lashing. I made these up, but not shown here until needed once I attach the next section of masts. I also deviated from the model plans when doing the yard trusses.  Assembled as shown in rigging book with the exception of no nave line assembly (my choice, my build).
 
This is the first build where I have attached yards off the model for what I hope is easier.  I don't think this will pose a problem once I assemble the shrouds.  We'll see.
 
Next to work on blocks and such and attaching the Mizzen Crossjack before glueing down all masts and adding shrouds.  
 
If your reading this, thanks for looking in and happy modeling,
Len

Well, its been a little longer than I had I thought.  I got into a bit of a funk with a couple of aspects of the rigging and felt myself forcing things - so decided to take a bit of a break.  I think I got lucky with my first mouse, replicating it proved to be rather challenging but decided to make them all in one go so they are as consistent as can be (why don't any manufacturers make mice?).  
 
Not much to report, but I am back in the shipyard at least...I do still want to try and capture each step in order for future reference, so apologize if this is less than thrilling.
 
Maintop with main and preventer stays in place...

 
Main and preventer stays attached to their respective hearts.  Did not serve around the stays where they rub against the fore-mast as would have been done.  I didn't  use the supplied 1.25mm line as supplied as it seemed a little too thick and out of scal, instead going with some 'officially' 1.3mm Caldercraft line which in reality was slightly thinner than the supplied 1.25mm stuff.  This proved to be a 'fuzzy'  nightmare but once in place I brushed with dilute PVA and they seem to have been banished.
 
The lashing of the hearts was done with  fake splice to the lower heart (although believe this maybe should have been to the upper heart) and then seizing the other end to the lashing.  The hearts have circular holes, I'd recommend flattening off the lower side so the lashing sits better, as it is, I found this quite tricky to look right.
 

Build log part 38
 
 
Here come some Pictures I made whilst daylight ilumination, I find they are sharper and better in colour Quality than those made in the Hobby room
Trust the sail making shall then start with log part 41
 
 
 
 

it has now nearly been 2 years since the Pamir was keellayed at Nils`s shipyard
Deck has just been cleaned up for inspection
 

the shrouds are fitted, but ratlines still missing
 

tackled Davits at starboard aft boatstation, boats strapped down
 

all bow stays set through tightly secured
 

the day for relaunch after the 1951 changes is coming nearer day by day
 

portside view to the ships comand- and control area on highdeck
 

second hatch area on foreward welldeck
 

portside aft boat on its cradles with functional strapp down device
 

all paint touchups done
 

view on the Jarvis winch for the third masts bracing tackle
 
 
 
 
Build log part 39 to follow....
 
Nils

Build log part 36
 
 
 
 

front open wheelhouse placed over wheelstand
 

time to get the mizzen mast shrouds started
 

Pamirs auxiliary rudderstand
 

spars for highdeck capstan in their rack
 

capstan under boatstation
 

foreward boat Station with skid cradles and functional boat strappng down
 

aft boatstations
 

beginning with the foretop shrouds, two wire chords already set and spanned
 

running rigging ropes (Surplus length) coiled up on wooden bits
 

partial view of the lowest mainyard
 
 
 
 
 
Build log part 37 to follow....
 
Nils

Hi Guys,
 
Thank you all very much for the very kind words and your concerns, and of course the like buttons, I really do appreciate it.
 
John, great to see you again mate, you've been missed, thanks for the kind words buddy.
 
Kevin, You have been side tracked by a small plastic matter I believe, You'll soon catch up mate.
 
I do have a small update, the ratlines for the Fore Lower Mast are completed now, for a while it seemed 3 steps forward and 2 back with me ripping out completed rows, mainly because they looked like jungle vines rather than ratlines, more droop in them than a bloke on the booze for a week.
 
Some Pics
 

       
 
So that's a small stage completed now, next step is to make the Bowsprit and Jib Boom, with all the accompanying tackle, I want to have a go at making a slider for the Jib Boom which will be a first for me,  there are some very good ideas on site so as long as I don't have to do any welding I should be ok.
 
I have to practice with my micro wood chisel's I bought a week or so ago, with the 2 foot long handles and 18 inch blades I will have plenty to get hold of, my mistake of the year so-far, hopefully I will be able to work with them, if I cant then they didn't cost a lot so little lost.
 
OK guys that me done, your all up to date, most of you will be way ahead of me knowing what's going to happen but still, I need to find out for myself.
 
Be Good
 
Stay Warm / Cool, depending on your hemisphere.
 
mobbsie
 
 

Hi Gabe, I have been looking at the question of  Ensign rigging myself today in connection with my own build.
 
Here's a schematic of the arrangement on British ships that I did some time ago on a different forum.
 

 
Essentially it follows the narrative answer given by Kester, hope it helps.
 
B.E.

Continuing:

Details of the sails.




These were drawn from the plans of Boudriot and are made of Modelspan
tissue .
 



 



 
Attaching reef points nearly destroyed what little was left of my sanity.



As did the ratlines using 125g copper wire.
 

Almost done.


 


 


 

 







 

Those frames look impressive Mike, well done   and thanks Chuck for your additional insights and photos.
 
B.E.

Having finally completed the Triton x-section, it's time to return to this, my first attempt at a plank on frame scratch build. It is the Tasmanian built barque Harriet McGregor from the plans by Harold Underhill, scale is 1:60. Originally started before Dry Dock Models was in operation, I lost interest in it due to the number of mistakes made in the earlier stages of construction that began to affect the build at the current point. The worst mistake: frame extensions above deck level should have been reduced in thickness prior to the waterway installation. I have done what I can to rectify this without pulling the waterways out (not practical), but will have to live with the consequences and work around the problem, hoping other small details will draw the eye from the larger inaccuracies. Having said all that, the model to date does bear a vague resemblance to the plans.
 

 
Grant.

Wonderful stuff Nils, I love it
 
B.E.

I just had to add two more blocks near the mizzen mastcap. It is a real jungle up there.
Mind you, if you don't add sails things are a lot simpler, but not as much fun.
 
In the picture below I counted 14 blocks, two of which are not yet rigged. Then there is one more hiding behind the mast. The main topsail braces come back here also and then down the mizzen mast.
Now I know why I was confused and frustrated a few weeks ago. But I just try to take in stride.
 
Of course, if I had taken the time to study all of this and put the blocks where they belong before mounting the sail . . . .?

 
I hate these close-ups. They show all the mistakes and flaws.

Plate Production:
 
After getting the stamps squared away, it was on to the production of plates to cover the underwater hull.  As I wrote above, originally I wanted to create the relief of the stamp above the surface of the plate rather than emboss the simulated bolts into the plate.  I thought that this would simulate the appearance of nail heads or bolt heads in a more realistic way, However, in practice all that I was able to accomplish was a mess.  So I went into plate production stamping the plates on the copper side of the tape.
 
To start I cut 16" strips of copper tape, and then straightened them by running them through my fingers until the curve from being coiled was taken out.  I marked the stamping jig with a stop line, so that I could advance the tape through the jig and stamp it without any waste in copper.
 

 
After the strips were stamped throughout their entire length, I cut them into the individual plates using a chopping machine.
 

 

 

 
When I started to apply the plates, I was pleasantly surprised by something unforeseen.  While applying each plate, I burnished them with a pencil eraser.  No only did this get the plate to stick to the planking very well, it also produced an effect on the stamped pattern that was very welcome.  The burnishing process raised the center of each simulated nail head, while leaving the perimeter of the circle indented below the plane of the surface.  The visual effect produced is much like the head of a fastener surrounded by a large flat washer.  I am not sure if this would be correct on the real thing, but since we are really just simulating a pattern in a scale that would be extremely difficult to produce a truly accurate pattern, I think the produced effect is a credit to the model.
 
Up to this point, I have coppered the port side.  I will continue with the starboard and dressing belts next week.
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Build log part 13
 
 

plated right down to keel
 

welldeck bulwarks mounted and plated
 

highdeck wake protection spoilers
 

Looks quite OK so far
 

bow with fitted water stay fastening points
 

the original Laeisz paint scheme finds its Revival
 

here the anchor Points for shrouds and backstays are prolonged from welldeck upwards through the pinracks
 
 

portholes not fitted yet
 
 

have to get used to the new colours in my Hobby room
 

so far, so good...
 
 
 
 
Build log part 14 to follow....
 
Nils

Build log part 12
 
 
 

Bulwarks on the high deck mounted and also plated
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Bow area plating
 

for plating keel and bottom Areas the ship is removed from the stand
 

and placed back on it again afterwards
 
 
 
Build log part 13 to follow....
 
Nils

A minor update, but still slowly moving forward. Here are a few pics of the installed channel deadeyes for the main mast. Thanks to all of you who are so kind spending time on my log, clicking and of course offering your thoughts; much appreciated.
 
As many other builders have said, close up photos are scary....I see all kinds of errors that I have made (:-) 
 
 
Regards,
 
 
Michael

Yes it's amazing and humbling to see what the "professionals" can do.  It's an awfully high bar to measure up to, and just a little depressing to think one is not likely to ever achieve that level. 
 
On the other hand, the other night I think I spent about an hour just turning this little boat over in my hand, running my thumb along the frames on the interior; enjoying the feeling of having turned some small pieces of wood (have you ever stopped to think about how many pieces!?), into such an intricate, beautiful little form.  That's a wonderful thing, even if it's not perfect!
 
Little was done today, though.
 
The temporary spacers were glued to the hull--
 

 
 
The rising pieces were glued to the frames--
 

 

 
 
Then the spacers were removed--
 

 
 
Ron

I have to repeat Keith's comments.  It's nice to hear that you can find the joy of your work by simply touching and looking at it.  There's no competition here, just mutual admiration. 
 
Terrific work.
 
Martin

Thanks for the nice comments guys.  I should remind you, BE, that it ain't the space but the skill in using the space that matters. 
 
You'll be happy to know that so far Bounce has spent her birthday eating and sleeping, and it looks like that will be the mode all day.  She flatly refused to go for a walk this morning:  Birthday Girls are entitled to say NO! to 15 degrees and crunchy snow.  I went without her.
 
Cheers,
 
Martin

The next step was the making of the spanker.
There was not much reduction in size possible. I just made a sail similar to a mizzen with the back edge vertical. I rather like the look of the finished sail and think it would be possible to make full sails with all the details that way for a future project.
 
Two clamps were added to the boom. One is below the jaws to belay the spanker sheet; the other was bolted sideways onto the boom, above the taffrail, to belay the flag line.
The flag line will be set up between two small blocks attached to ringbolts on the ends of boom and gaff. I think the flag line must be belayed on the boom otherwise (e.g. if belayed on the taffrail) you would have to reset it on every tack.
 
Then I fixed the spanker to the gaff, set up the gaff and fixed the spanker to the mast. Then the spanker was furled. It still looks a bit untidy but will do as it shall not represent a harbour stow but a ship ready to make sails on short notice – at least that’s my excuse.
 
Now the boom was mounted and I was glad to have that saddle.
Vang pendants and boom sheets will be rigged when all the other work on the rigging to the mizzen mast has been finished. (Of course the very last lines will be most sheets and braces.)
 
Then the crossjack was fixed with sling, parrel and lifts and now I’m about to hoist the mizzen topsail yard with its furled sail.
 
 

Finished sail. On the boom are the two additional cleats visible.
 
 
 
Gaff with attached sail mounted.   
 
                                                                       

Sail bent to the mast and furled.  
 
 

Boom attached and spanker sheet set up.
 
 

Crossjack in place
 
 

Detail of crossjack and gaff
 
 

Work is in progress on the topsail yard.

Build log part 8
 
 
 
 

all decks and the two deckhousings fitted
 

doing the forecastle bulwarks, bow jib boom mounted
 

set of supports for catwalks
 

model for hight adjustable support
 

the two appropriate parts
 

taking measurements with dummy catwalk plank
 

the vent tubes with their Hoods are preliminary mounted
 

the two deckshouses with notches for the venttube sleeves
 

different sizes of vents
 

the two Long ones go to the aft side of the midship highdeck
 
 
 
 
Build log part 9 to follow
 
Nils

Build log part 6
 
 
 

here is a terribly bad and wrong glued together wreck of the 1951 version (Heller 1:150) Pamir Hull, built by unknown...., but I saved it from the bin. It Looks like it ran on to the rocks of Cape Hoorn, but never the less I was only after taking cross check with the own 1:96 hull dimensions. I even sold that hulk at Ebay afterwards to someone else and for the same reason.
By the way, the assebly instruction Manual of the Heller kit, for whoever is able to get an exemplar, bears amoungst other valuable information, beautiful Explosion typ drawings of all individual parts, a great help !
 

leaving open the last Planks came very Handy for clamping down the decks
 
 

started to begin with several cardboard templates for the belaying pin racks Arrangement.
It was my decision to put all the rig (static ad running ropes,lines, chords, stays, Tacklings, bracing tackle, etc...) in full functional way to the rig. I asume there is not a Feature not modeled in to this ship
 

here just a Little Trial model
 

important to fix the Counters on the bottom deck side, same Little model
 

in accordance with the handscetch a made before
 

some of the many pin racks, semiround brass edge on the rope wear side, wooden semiround on the other
 

These also take up the shrouds- and backstay fastening bolts as well as the many individual pins
 

all eyelets have sufficiant Counter Points beneath the decks
 

eyelets within the mastgarden racks
 
 
 
Build log part 7 to follow...
 
 
Nils

Here is one more picture showing the five out of the six sails she will carry.
Today was slow going. Needed to do some 'chores'.
 
But I am constantly finding more eyebolts and blocks I need to add. But then I also have some eyebolts on deck and on the masts that I don't know what they are for.
Better more than not enough???

 
BTW the neighbors across the street are really nice people but I am not promoting their house, even if it were for sale. Termites, you know?
I even found one in my sails. But that was another story here on this forum that turned not to my liking. Besides the SF Bay Area also has earthquakes, strange people and sky-high prices. Don't come to live here, please!
Sorry I added some windmills  in the picture above. There is one on either side. They happen to be of the same scale as my Connie. The small one to the right is similar to what my ancestors used to grind wheat in Holland.
 

Your deck detail looks fine in that close up photo Martin, as do the  shroud cleats.
 
I envy you that work space, going to look impressive with all your hardware set up. I'm effectively limited to 30" x 24" on my desk top.
 
From one shipyard apprentice to another.
 

 
Happy Birthday Bounce, from William and me.