SawdustDave

Thanks all.

Seems nice to finally be able to post some progress.

Long way to go yet, but, as you know, getting past the shrouds and rat lines is like breaking free afterrunning in place for a long time.

Cheers

Here's how she appears now at full height....

Now I can begin focusing on completing the standing rigging....

 

Hi Yanc....

Just found this incredible build. HOLY MOLY!

The La Couronne is one of my favorite ships, having scratch built her twice. Have you calculated her scale?

You posted a comment about cannons. How will you treat her cannons, considering the scale.

I can imagine you will pretty much be challenged with so many scale issues with about every thing you do.... blocks, dead eyes, rope, hooks, hinges, grating, etc., etc.

Beautiful job so far. Pulling up a chair for sure.

You know, It was the fear of the French La Couronne that led King Chuck to commission the SOS. Good thing those two never crossed swords.

Where do you stand on rigging your Confederacy?

Got any pics?

You know I almost completely destroyed mine a few months ago....scared the crap out of me!

Cheers Mate

Thanks Pat, CapSteve, Mark.... Only a fellow tall ship builder would understand that feeling....right?

Cheers

FINALLY!

A pic of the final ratline clove hitch!

FYI - That is clove hitch number 2,872!

I know, it's a little blurred, but I'm tired and ready for a cold beer celebration.

So true Bill Hime.  Gonna take a long time for our community infrastructure to be repaired.  Some communities manage to come back better and stronger, while some never recover.  Not sure which way my community will go from here.

Thanks all again for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Dave

Thanks Ed....

Update - Worst is over, except for water pressure. As of this morning, the official word was that it will be at least two weeks before the city water system will be repaired and back in service.

Meantime tractor trailer loads of bottled water keep coming in.... distribution centers are set up at several parking lots around town.

I am using my neighbors swimming pool water to flush our toilets.

Heating water in pots in order to bath, shave, wash hair, etc....

Could be much worse. Some of our friends have lost everything.

Dave

SOS Progress....
Still tying in shrouds and rat lines.  Hope I can post a few pics within the next few days.

Clove hitch - clove hitch - clove hitch......

Dave

Storm Report....
Thanks for the inquires regarding the hurricane that struck our town.
Happy to report no damages to our home.
Severe flooding throughout many parts of Lumberton, NC, but our home is on high ground and completely safe from the flood waters.
Just got power restored this morning after four days without lights.  Had to throw away all frozen foods and perishable items from the frig.  
Still without water pressure, but that is a very small inconvenience considering.  Using neighbors swimming pool water for flushing our toilets.
Sad to report the tragic loss of an old friend....RIP.
 

Dave

Good question Vic.  I'm surprised I didn't address this way back when I created those little shingles.
Best pic I have found to explain is of the belfry top seen below....
 

Rather than cut each shingle individually, each row is cut and shaped as a single narrow strip of black vinyl, shaped with the individual tabs along the bottom edge.  The tips of each shingle is painted with gold metallic enamel prior to gluing in place, staggering the shaped edges to give the illusion of individual shingles. 

Hope this helps.

Clove hitch....clove hitch....clove hitch.... etc. etc. etc.

Tony and Dave....
Information like this is one of the reasons why I value my MSW friends so much.  Some of you who know me by now, understand that I seriously need guidance when it comes to these kind of technical issues.  

Thanks 

Here's a shot of the fore shrouds for that same ship.

Question for my friends....

Last year I enjoyed visiting this Spanish Gallion which was visiting in Wilmington, NC.
Noting the use of "sheer poles" at intervals on her shrouds.  (see photo)

Since I had never seen this before, I thought it unusual, but kept wondering, and tried to do some research on their use.  Cannot find a thing.

Having problems with the rat lines on the SOS.... keeping the shroud lines evenly spaced, especially the outside shrouds that want to creep in and not maintain a nice straight line from the dead eyes to the top.

So I am using sheer poles to keep the shrouds spread, with the intentions of removing them and replacing them with rope  rat lines once all the rat lines have been tied.

Thing is.... I kind of like the look!
So what if I decide to leave them on the SOS?

Repairs of the Confederacy DONE!

Back to work on the SOS....FINALLY

Many times, bad things happen for a reason....right?
The task of repairing the damage to the Confederacy's rigging is now 90% completed.  

The GOOD thing about this nightmare event is that it forced me to re-examine a number of rigging errors that have existed on this model for YEARS.  

Most of these errors being specifically related to the two bowsprit yards, where I failed to incorporate proper block and tackle rigging.  

Being so long ago when I developed the rigging plan for this model, I am completely lost for an explanation of how I made such obvius errors, and also, why I am just now discovering them.... except.... as I recall, my rush to bring her to a stage of "completion" just prior to the fund raising event in Fayetteville last year.  

Another valuable lesson learnt! 

This issue will be completely fixed over the next few days.....then I can return to the SOS build, where I can begin our favorite task of tying a few hundred clove hitches for her lower shrouds.

Thanks again for all the outpouring of moral support from all you MSW mates.

Wacko Joe....

Change your name to Mark.
Problem solved!

Getting "Mixed up" is what I do Joe.

SORRY bout that.

And I thank you sit.

Mark....Thank you for whatever you've done or said today.... I'm sure there must be sumpin.

Thanks for the excellent photo's Mark. A visit to the museum is on my bucket list for sure.

Final comment.... Forget the awards thing guys. Seriously.... Still had a great time, met a lot of very nice new modeling friends from all parts of the country.

And, ABOVE ALL....I learned how to put on a world class event!

Which brings me to the next topic....

I will probably start a new thread for anyone interested in participating in another fund raising event next spring.

Last year's event raising money for "Wounded Warriors" was well worth a re-do. All participating modelers gave us excellent feedback.

Our next venue will be in Raleigh, N.C. and the beneficiary organization will be "Hope For Warriors".

Plans are to do a Friday / Saturday event .... Including a Sat. Evening Awards Dinner.

IPMS Modelers will be invited BUT..... There will be NO IPMS JUDGES!

COMMENTS?

Thanks John....
Don't get me wrong my friend.... the MEMBERS were wonderful, and went a little nuts over my ships.  They truly appreciated the difference between out of box assembling plastic parts vs. scratch building a piece of art from raw material.
In fact, I cannot tell you how many of them came to me after the awards ceremony....very upset and expressing their embarrassment for the organization.

Would I go again?
Yep....but would not register my ships for the competition.
 

Great time at the IPMS Nationals....meeting hundreds of new friends with a passion for scale modeling.  
HOWEVER!  BIG LESSON LEARNED....

Do not....REPEAT....DO NOT take a museum quality scratch built WOODEN model to a International PLASTIC Modelers Society competition!
You are more likely to win by going to Wal-Mart and purchasing a plastic water pistol and air brushing it with camouflage patterns. 

First....
Please understand, I have NO HURT FEELINGS whatsoever.  Especially after an explanation from an old veteran IPMS member who has served as an events judge at four previous events at the Regional and National level. 

Here's the lesson....
The primary MOTIVES of "the organization" is cleverly hidden from the massive membership.  Rather than promoting the hobby of "scale modeling" around the world, they are now completely driven by the commercial promotion of PLASTIC MODEL KITS!
In other words.... IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY!

Here is the example he gave ....
"The finest wooden model from the Smithsonian Museum would never be selected by the IPMS judges for a category winner."

Just passing this along to any of you who might be thinking of taking one of your ships to an IPMS even for any reason other than meeting a lot of really nice people who love "scale modeling".

 



 

First day at the IPMS Nationals....

I can count the number of modeler's events attended on one hand. I'll say the IPMS Nationals is very impressive indeed.

Not just BIG....The organization of this massive event is absolutely world class!

These folks have really got their act together.

In addition to the SOS, entered three more of my models (all I could get in my truck).... Frigate Confederacy, Mayflower, and the 180th scale Vic.

Appears the Confederacy has caught the eye of the IPMS freelance photographer.... came back with special lenses for a third shoot.

Must say, I wish the organization just had more tall ship builders. Their roots are deeply into military .... Planes, tanks, artillery and such.

Sorprisingly, the mini-Vic seems to be drawing almost as much attention as the SOS.

Thanks for all the visits and "likes" guys.  
Plenty of pics for sure Piet.

Rapidly running out of time.  Should wrap up the remaining tops today, leaving just enough time to build a display base for the fancy lady.

Great to see my old mate Mr. Piet dropping in for a visit.  Wish you could join me on this one Pete....should be a real blast.

Took a few update shots this morning, with only four days to have her "more finished" for the road trip....

All channels have now been rigged with dead eyes and chains.... 56 of them.

All dead eyes have now been rigged with shrouds....
Note that the main mast top has been added.

Currently working on completing the three remaining tops.  Note - there are over 80 custom cut and shaped parts to these little tops.

Thanks for dropping in mates....including you WW (WackoWolf)    hahaha

So good to hear from so many old shipyard friends again.  Must say I've really missed you all.
Looking forward to having more leisure time to browse your builds and enjoy catching up on your progress as well.

Anthony....I have to admit, there were times (especially during the big gun port rip-out) when I questioned my own sanity!  YAHAHAR
Now, after more than 2,000 hours....and only 1,000 to go....I've finally reached that point where the light is beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel.

If only I could get one of you mates to visit long enough to tie a few hundred clove hitches for me!  YUCK!