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Thanks Rick, Yup, I am much happier with the Bowsprit Black!! 🙂 Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Update time.... Poop Railing installed, a bit of a mission but got there.... Columns are spaced at 8.0mm intervals. Ladders/Stiars installed Focsle Pin Rails installed I relented and decided to polish the Copper Plating, I think that this was the correct thing to do as this will now hopefully, assume a consistent patina over time. Work Benches re-configured to enable easy access to both sides of the Ship. I also made foray into planning for Rigging and associated Blocks. I am again disappointed with the kit, there do not appear to be enough Blocks of all sizes. From a quick count, there may be "Just" enough.... I need spares and have put my feelers out for a supply of more. (I have also ordered replacements of the Capstans, (X 4) as there is something wrong with the kit provided ones.) So, that's it for the mo.... Cheers.... HOF. Photos:

Hi Wefaick, All good information!! Many Thanks. Harry.

Hi Trevor, Many thanks for your considered information, much appreciated!! I do have the Corrothers book but missed the info that you mentioned, I found the publication more aligned to actual Hull construction than anything else. I have included Cavils on my build, they are in Scott Bradner's plans but not the Kit. Thanks also confirming no belaying lines around the feet of the crew. (I actually do not like the Cleats anyway, I reckon they are much too large at 7.0mm, that would make them 600mm (Or something like that) actual size.) I have also already placed two on either side of the Boom, these look o.k., and I more or less get their function. So, now back to the puzzle, next stage for me is Hull/Deck Eyebolts and associated Blocks. (This will take some time comparing plans, Mr. Bradner Vs "Mamoli." All good stuff!!🙂 Kind Regards, Harry.

Thanks Gentlemen, Interesting dissertation.... But.... Do American Built Clippers, circa 1851, make use of Cleats? (Deck/Mast) (If a Yacht, the answer would be yes.) Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Thank you Gr.PR, Much appreciated!! Kind Regards, Harry.

Thanks Jim, I think that Mamoli may have used some "Artistic" license. I'll go with the "No Cleat" solution and use Eyebolts in thier place unless someone comes back to the contrary.... 🙂 (Much more in scale.) Kind Regards, Harry.

Hi All, This question relates to my build of the Mamoli, 1/96 Flying Cloud A conundrum for me recently is the addition of 7.0mm Cleats located at various points around the circumference of the Deck. (8 per side.) There are another set of 6 Cleats around the base of each of the Masts and two either side of the Boom, this I can understand. Scott Bradner's' plans do not show Cleats at all, rather, Deck Rings. (I would have thought that Eyebolts would look better at this scale anyway.) From my ruminations, I wonder if the Deck Cleats are just some "Mamoli" artistic license. (There are two "Deck" Cleats I can see sense in, these are on the Inboard, top of the Catheads.) Bitts and Fairleads, (Deck/Main Rail) are straightforward and I have no issue with these. If someone could please advise me further, it would be very much appreciated. Cheers....HOF.

Hi All, Update: Coppering completed. I finally decided not to laminate the Copper Tape; laminating was just a waste of breath.... My little Embossing machine worked very well and allowed me to produce strips over a meter long. One thing that I should have done, taper Gore ends off the model. Never mind, live and learn it's done now and the tape cannot be removed, even if I wanted to. Copper Patina is underway even after a few days, I'll leave it thus. Bow and Stern Decals applied; I checked Mr. Corrothers book first to ensure that these were actually "Gilded." (Double check I guess.) Rudder fitted; I used the Kit Pintles/Gudgeons. Metal Deck fittings prepared, Painted/Varnished. (No Photo) Bowsprit/Jibboom rubbed down and resprayed Black. (The way it should be.... 🙂 Cavills constructed, four required, installed. Today's efforts, getting the Houses in position in a way that I can remove them prior to final installation. My solution was to use the Coaming Strips, Front and Rear to hold things in place, seems to have worked o.k. Plenty more to do.... Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi All, Small update: Anchor Hawse Holes drilled, and Hawse Pipes fitted. Same for the Stern Boomkins but leaving these off until Plating completed. (I like to place the Masts/Bowsprit after these stages just to see how the overall model looks.) Hull Topsides masked and painted. (Vallejo Black followed by Vallejo Satin.) I looked at various images of the Flying Cloud last night, seems that the Bowsprit/Jibboom was actually Black. I am unsure if I will change the White, I have plenty of time to think about this. I guess that I'll make some Copper Plates tomorrow. 🙂 That's me for today.... Cheers....HOF. (PS. Thanks for the "Likes." If you wish to comment, positive or negative, please feel free.) Photos:

Hi All, Update time prior to painting Hull Topsides Black.... More Mast work, painting the dreaded White here and there.... 🙂 Lower Mast Bands done. I initially tried with thread but was not at all consistent, so, a trip to the local "Warehouse 150 GSM Black Paper and a "Fiskars" paper trimmer. Much better and much simpler. (Mizzen Bands installed, they do not appear on Mamoli plans but are on the box.... They are also on Scott Bradner's plans, I like the look.) Keel Drilled 2.0mm holes and 2.6mm Stainless Threaded Rod tapped, (Wound), in. Base of 25.0mm Kauri Milled (Something different for me, most if not all my woodwork is Rimu.... NZ Native Timbers Base drilled, Pedestals and Hull mounted. Hopefully tomorrow I can think about Painting Hull Topsides Black. Seems a bit "Criminal" but I think the result will be o.k. Thats me for the mo. Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi Peter, Thanks for that, (Also thanks for the other kind words of encouragement on this thread!!) I agree, it is good to see it get Tall but at this stage, just a gauge.... The face of the model changes again soon as I have now drilled holes for Pedestal Rods and marked the W/L in preparation for Paint, (Topsides and Copper Plating. I am also thinking of sealing the Hull that the Copper Tape will adhere to. (Sanding Sealer?) I figure that while it is unpainted, it will also be a good time to fit Anchor Hawse Holes and holes for the Stern Boomkins. I'll take a couple of photos before I temporarily remove the Masts. Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Update time.... Over the past few weeks, I have not been a "Slouch...." I have continued on the Masts/Yards. (I know the Hull needs some love, I'll get on to this after I have drilled holes for Pedestal threaded rods.) Today I painted the various Mast components and put them together, (Without Glue at this stage (With the exception of Mainmast fittings and alternate Mast Caps to enable disassembly.)), to see if everything lined up. Not too bad, some touch-up work required. Mast Coats brought all Masts into line and the Mast Plug-In Housings were a real bonus. (I am pleased that I spent the time on these.) (The Top Mast Tops/Backstay Spreaders are yet to be assembled/painted. (The Tops require small holes for Topmast Yard Lift Blocks. Mast Coats required quite a bit of work to get them to fit as did the majority of Mast/Yard fittings. I assembled the Yards, again, no glue at this stage apart from the inboard Stunsail Boom fittings. (Yards need painting first, Bocks installed and then Stunsail Booms/Jackstays, Etc.) So, there you have it!! A footnote: Some castings are extremely brittle.... 🙂 Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi Chap, Sorry to hear that life got in the way, happens I guess. I sincerely hope that you can get back to completing your fabulous Cutty!! On a positive note, your model will wait patiently for your attentions. I hope that the description for the Plate Embossing machine was adequate. I'll get some photos up in the next day or so for some progress of the Flying Cloud. (It certainly has not been a very easy journey thus far.... 🙂) Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi Chap, How's it going and how's your "Cutty?" finished yet? (I have been wondering how your project had been going 🙂) Plate Embosser? I was not looking forward to describing this fairly rudimentary experiment.... O.K I started with the A/L 17.0 X 5.0mm Plates Marker, this worked well but was very difficult to keep "On-Track." My thought was to guide the Copper strip and pull it though a guide of some sort. The A/L Tool Wheels/Spacers add up to 5.0mm in thickness, all good but there are three PE pieces spaced around the circumference of the wheels that keep the wheels in line but also mark each plate as the wheels rotate. These three PE pieces protrude about 1.0mm each side of the wheels. I made up a couple of supports for the Plate Marker and decided to mount a square rod for the body of the Marker to slip onto so that I could remove the Marker if so desired, I also did not want to alter the integrity of the Marker at all. I attached to supports to a random length of hard wood and made the Marked Pivot so the Marker would engage at about 45" I attached guide strips along the length of the guide at 7.0mm in width and a couple of 1.0 X 1.0mm strips inside these creating a 5.0 X 1.0mm Chamel for the tape to ride in. (Clear as mud so far? 🙂) I now had to figure out how to ensure clearance for the afore mentioned PE bits so the wheels would rotate, removed about 10.00mm of the 1.0mm guide strips where the wheels rotate.. Also in mind was a slippery surface for the tape to slide on so used some 6.0mm Tamiya masking with candle wax rubbed on, paraffin wax I guess.... So, to try the device.... I had seen a chap building a "Victory" on You-Tube who laminated his 0.mm Copper tape to bump up the thickness to 0.2mm so that the copper is a little stiffer. I did this also. I Pulled my first, (Of many), test strips through applying downward pressure on the tool, not bad but the strip still wandered, I decided on an additional guide to ride on top of the tape so the Feed-In was flat and within the guide channel, a piece of 5.0mm thick wood fit the bill with the Masking/Wax treatment, to ensure this didn't slide forward and jam the wheel, I but a Brass rod through the front of this so that it "Stops" on the Pivot Uprights, clear of the tape channel and just rear of the wheels. Try again with pressure on the tool and pressure on the tape guide block, better but not perfect, I had to shim my guide rails with lengths of Tamiya tape on one side to get the "Track" centered. So, there you go, it seems to work. Someone with a good Lathe/Mill, (Yourself?), could probably knock out something better. 🙂 Happy to take some more photos of the device if you so wish. The build continues, currently working on Masts/Yards, I got sidetracked but it doesn't matter, it all has to be done anyway.... 🙂 If you are going to attempt this model, be aware of the issues I encountered, maybe my kit was a Monday morning/Friday afternoon production run? To be fair, I purchased mine maybe 15 years ago? (Old release.) Looking forward to seeing your Cutty progress at some stage. (No pressure!!) Really good to have your communique!! PS. Happy New Year to you and yours!! Kindest Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Update Time.... Channels installed Figurehead cleaned up, painted and placed Cat Heads in position (Not yet attached) Mast Tops made (One thing led to another and I decided to make the Masts.... After this I thought I'd turn the rest of the Spars/Yards/Stunsail Booms. Again, as I was well aware, not enough Dowel material at all.... I had a stock of Dowel, (Clear Pine), that some components were turned from.) I tinkered with my Plate Embossing device; after mucking around for a while yesterday I achieved a few runs of acceptable Plates Time to carry on, much to do!! 🙂 Wishing you all a great Christmas/New Year!! Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi All, Small update: Water Casks completed, six of them - 3 Port and 3 Starboard. (My photos are a little out of focus so apologies for that.) Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi All, Small update: Catheads prepared Fore Deck Mooring Bitts prepared Fore and Main Mast Fife Rails prepared Master Blank for Water Casks prepared and planked (This will be cut into six 21.0mm lengths, Strapped and Deck Supports manufactured.) Fore and Main Hatches will be re-built Main Mast "Step" (Housing) improved In all, it's starting to look a little more like a ship!! Plenty more to go.... 🙂 Cheers.... HOF. Photos:

Thanks Rob, Many thanks for the Heads-Up!! Would you have any links to the info? To date, I am using Scott Branders plans as reference. Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Small update: Inboard Bulwark Planking completed (Maple) Remainder of Waterways installed Main Rail installed It certainly helped to have components for the Main Rail pre-bent to more or less conform to the Bulwarks. The Main Rail still required some small persuasion to conform to the curves. Next task.... Undecided at the mo. Thoughts: are: Drill holes for Pedestal Rods Poop Deck Rail Deck Fittings, Bitts/Fife Rails Water Casks That's me for today. 🙂 Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi All, Bit of an update.... Bow and Stern Main Rail Prepped (Stern: 4 X laminations 1.0 X 1.0mm Not yet trimmed to length) Waterways, Bulwark Planking, Bulwark Stanchions and Pin Rails installed (Main Deck) Bulwark "Clamp" installed Remainder of Bulwarks to be Planked/Waterways installed, Bow, Main and Poop. I'll see how this progresses tomorrow. Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Thanks Gregory. Speaking for myself, I bought the old version.... Cheers....HOF.

HJ Jami/Ian, Sorry to hear of the missing parts.... I do not believe that Mamoli is a company any longer, I may be wrong, but I believe that a fire ended thier business, I think that you may be able to source Chain Plats as a Photo Etch accessory and is something that I want to have a look at also at some stage. Unsure of what company might deal with this but worth a look? I have also seen You-Tube videos on hot to make them, they don't look too difficult, maybe with a little practice. I wish you all the best with your endeavors.. Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Ditto to the above!! I'm interested with the Trumpeter version which I have in storage. I completed the "Partworks" (Amati) version but feel the Trumpeter version has more detail, esp. with the upgrade stets. (Maybe I'll get to this one day.... 🙂) Cheers..... HOF.

Thank you both for your kind words, very much appreciated. Yup, the Keel issues are now but a memory.... 🙂 Over the past few days I have been tinkering, thinking about the next logical steps. I assembled the Chain Plates, accounting for all of them. (I think I'll have to solder the middle link joint) Inside Bulwark Planking/Stanchions and Pin Rails have to be next. All good fun!! Cheers and Regards, Harry.