Jump to content

Louie da fly

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    7,714

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Louie da fly

  1. Louie da fly
    However, whether the Mayflower was painted is another question. She was a fairly small merchant vessel, not a top of the line navy ship. She might have been painted, but as we know almost nothing about her except her approximate size, that she was hired by a bunch of people who weren't all that well off and that she was fairly old in 1620, your guess is as good as mine. There was a reconstruction built of Mayflower in 1957, which was sailed across the Atlantic and is still in Plimouth Plantation. She has a bit of decorative paintwork - do a google image search for Mayflower replica and you'll see her. Apparently a new reconstruction is being built at the moment, but I couldn't find any pictures of her.
  2. Louie da fly
    Well, I started adding more slivers between the port superstructure and the lower hull, and cutting them back flush with the planking. Then an AAAAARGGGHHH moment, I'm afraid. I've discovered that I'd got the position and alignment of the port superstructure wrong. You can see it on the following photos. When I started putting in cross-pieces at the stern I realised the starboard side was higher than the port, so the crosspieces weren't square. You can see the difference in angle between the top crosspieces and the one at the bottom, which is the only one that's correct. I could have left it as it was - "she'll be right" - but I know it would have sneered at me from then on, and I'd have cursed myself for not fixing it when I could have. So I've removed it again (thank heaven for isopropanol) so I can fix it properly. I've made a cardboard template which will be used to get the shape of the after end of the aftercastle right. I'll be able to re-use all the bits, but it's rather annoying. In retrospect, I don't think there was any easy way to avoid this problem. There were too many variables - I just had to try it and see how it worked. But perhaps I could have thought it out better in advance instead of charging in like a bull at a gate. Sigh. Steven
  3. Louie da fly
    Superb as usual, Xavier! The quality of your work is consistently excellent and inspirational. Steven
  4. Louie da fly
    Hi Phil, You're doing a good job with your cog. You'll find all kinds of models on this forum, including even some 3D digital ones for gaming (plus an embroidered portrait of HMS Agamemnon in cross-stitch), so don't worry about your balsa wood one. It's all about the enjoyment of the build, not about impressing people - though some of the builds on this forum leave me slack-jawed with awe. I love mediaeval and renaissance ships, and the cog is a particularly attractive one. I think for the purpose you're building it for, your cog is totally ok, and your construction method is quite adequate for the job the ship is to do. A lot of ship models (including my own) fudge the bits that are below decks. "If you can't see it, it's not there". You might like to get some more information on cogs (if you don't have it already) from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_cog and https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/owKSqVwIBfJGJw . Though many cogs had rectangular forecastles, the Bremen cog doesn't seem to have had one (though it seems to have been under construction when it sank - maybe they hadn't got around to adding the forecastle yet?). I think Luponero's idea (he's writing in Italian and Google is translating into English for him) is to cut a small hole in the stern, and add a rudder with a fake tiller that just goes through the hole and stops. My own opinion is that you should add an aftercastle like on the Bremen cog. At this time the castles weren't integral with the hull- they were sort of just "plonked" onto ships as an afterthought. If you compare your model with the pictures of the Bremen cog, and particularly the model on the second link above, you can see that the sternpost that supports the rudder goes up on an angle, following the angle of the hull, and the rudder is swung from that. I think you should trim the sternpost to be like that and then add a rudder (which is what I think you had in mind in your post #5 above) , and the rudder comes up through the aftercastle, the tiller can be above the deck of the aftercastle, which is what I believe you are after. I hope that makes sense. Oh, by the way your Viking boat at the top would be better called a faering (four-oared boat). A knarr was a fairly large merchant/cargo ship. Keep up the good work, and if by any chance you do go over to the Dark Side and get into serious modelling, you'll find this community very friendly and helpful. Steven
  5. Louie da fly
    Pat, I'm pretty sure the Hamble River remains are of Henry V's (the Agincourt guy) Grace Dieu. My model is of Henry VIII's (the guy with VIII wives) Henry Grace a Dieu. Different ships with similar names, over 100 years apart. Having said that, I think the Grace Dieu is fascinating as well. She was enormous for the time; if I remember correctly she was about the size of the Victory - in comparison with other ships of the era she was sort of like the Great Eastern compared with the Sirius. There was (and still may be) a set of lines for the surviving hull on the Net. I think this might have been connected with the Time Team investigation of maybe a decade ago done by echo-location, I think. As usual, only below the waterline has survived, and you could only get a small picture taken from an angle which was all but useless. I've meant to contact whoever's in charge to get a proper copy of them but never got around to it. Steven
  6. Louie da fly
    Thanks everybody for the likes. Dick, the Serce Limani "glass wreck" of c. 1025 had vestiges of a chain pump according to one of the published papers, and I believe (can't remember where from - might be the same paper) that the Romans had them, and as the Byzantines were continuing the Roman tradition the presence of one in the 11th century seems logical. I have thought long and hard about whether to include a chain pump as the evidence is a little thin on the ground, but I ended up deciding to go for it. And here are some progress photos for the pump: The "box" is glued in place, but the wheel covers are currently just dry fitted. I still have to sort out what I'm going to do about the axles and the crank handles. I also have to cut holes in the ends of the box for the lands. Steven
  7. Louie da fly
    Beautifully detailed, Fabio. It's getting to be a very impressive model. Steven
  8. Louie da fly
    Beautiful carving work, Fabio - both the arches and columns and the Madonna and Child. I take my hat off to you, sir. By the way, quite a few carracks are shown in contemporary pictures with a dragon-head as a figurehead. And one of these has even been found on a Scandinavian wreck of the time. However, the very great majority of contemporary pictures of carracks show no figurehead at all. So you don't really need to have one on your own model. Steven
  9. Louie da fly
    Very ingenious and nicely carried out, Dick. Steven
  10. Louie da fly
    Working on the chain pump. Here's the sketch I did (to the same scale as the model) to work out the sizes: Starting on the frame - top of the "box" And the bottom frame, plus the sides: Top frame attached to the side pieces - note the locating "pins" at the ends of the side pieces, to insert into the deck. I put the pins into a piece of styrene foam to simulate the deck so the bottom frame could be at the right level. Cardboard semicircles to act as backing for the planking on the covers for the drive wheels: Glued to the sheet of wood with planks sliced into it. The planked side pieces cut out. And the holes for the axles added. More to come. Steven
  11. Louie da fly
    I've added the superstructure for the port side of the aftercastle. I had to sit with my thumb on the forward end till the glue dried - there was no other way to clamp it in position. Because the stern is narrower than on the original model, the complex curves of the bottom of the superstructure and the top of the main hull no longer lined up with each other - there's a long narrow gap between them. So I've started putting a sliver of wood in the gap. I didn't want to make any more cannons than I had to, so I've also added port lids to all the gunports except those at the "well deck", where the guns are visible anyway. Steven
  12. Louie da fly
    Here is the railing for the ladder to belowdecks. I did one version, wasn't happy with it,and this is version 2. The uprights: Side rails in place: Unfortunately, one of the wooden locating pins broke off the bottom of a post, (see picture above) and I had to drill a hole in the end and put a new one in. Assembled: In place on the deck: Steven
  13. Louie da fly
    There are a couple of Napoleonic bone models at the Maritime Museum in Southampton, a 14th century stone barn re-purposed, and with a Titanic exhibit on the upper floor - at least that's the way it was when my wife and I visited in 2009. Steven
  14. Louie da fly
    Thanks, Don. Steven
  15. Louie da fly
    Thanks for the likes, and thanks Don for posting that picture. It seems to me that these things have been around doing the same job since at least the 5th century AD and right up to the present, so an 18th century example (which appears to be doing exactly the same thing as on the modern video) is right on the money. Interesting that there are two of them. One appears to be near the top of the halyard - is the other one also on the halyard, at the bottom? Steven
  16. Louie da fly
    Aaaaaaarghh! The memories!!! Seriously, though - that's exactly what they are. Steven
  17. Louie da fly
    More rigging items from the Yenikapi excavations in Istanbul - there seven of these in various archaeological reports, all very similar to one another, ranging from approx 10cm (4") to 24cm (9.4") in length, with dates from the 5th to the 10th/11th century AD. These items are variously described as belaying pins, toggles, spools, or "rope buckles". These names are probably a bit misleading, being translations from Turkish into English by archaeologists rather than mariners. Their purpose is described in one source as "used for coiling the rope of a sail to tighten it and then fasten it on the shroud." (again a little confusing). But I think I have the answer to their real use. Have a look at the video of a (modern) lateener being rigged - and check out from 4:35 to 4:48 and 5:39 to 5:50. It appears to be a quick-release joiner for the halyard (though I suppose it could have a similar use in other places). Very interesting! Steven
  18. Louie da fly
    Erm . . . that would be me . . .😁 That's right. They appear quite often in contemporary pictures of ships under oars, and if I recall correctly are also mentioned in contemporary records as giving the time for the oarsmen. Apparently the sound of a flute or recorder is audible above all the sounds on shipboard, far better than other things. Using drums to give the time is apparently a Hollywood thing. Note the above ship has two flute players on board, and the guy on my model is taken from the one in blue. It appears the other one is playing a flute with finger-holes - or would we call that a recorder? Steven Steven
  19. Louie da fly
    Thanks for all the likes (though all did was post some photos!), and thanks Fabio for the positive comments. Druxey, I had another look at your earlier description of a shoe block, but I have to admit I can't figure out how they worked. Still, with a bit more consideration I might be able to find a way to use the thing. Daveyboy, thanks for that information. Perhaps you're right; maybe it is used for sail control. It's really still very early days with the sails and rigging - I'm not really at the stage yet where I'm seriously looking at the way it all works, but when I get there I'll be able to put more consideration into what will have to go where and do what to what (if you see what I mean). Steven
  20. Louie da fly
    I've been meaning to post the pics I have of some blocks which I believe are from the Yenikapi excavations. They were very kindly sent to me by one of the archaeologists involved with the excavations, but they were sent to an old email address of mine which no longer exists, so I don't have a record of the email any more (sigh). Unfortunately the accompanying captions are a little hard to follow, presumably because they are written by someone whose first language isn't English. I believe the first one is likely to have been used in adjusting the shrouds - the function carried out by deadeyes in Western ships. The second one I really know nothing about, and it's so covered in mud it's hard to know very much about its configuration and there are so many odd bits of rope confusing the issue I really can't make head nor tail of it. But it looks quite weird - I really can't figure out how it was supposed to work. Is there a rope around it from a tapered wooden "base" piece? And if so, is that the sheave facing us - and if it is, is there really enough room for a rope to pass through? Here's a block which appears pretty simple, though the first sentence in the caption is a bit confusing. The "short cylindrical handle" in the second sentence is presumably the spindle, but I can't figure out the bit about "one side flat, the other side narrowed" etc. It would be good to put this to use, but where? And two pictures, from two different angles. of a rather complex block with sheaves at right angles to each other. Any light that can be shed on the possible purpose of this one would be gratefully received. Steven
  21. Louie da fly
    Thanks Christos for the explanation. You don't have to apologise at all - Ancient Greek (and Mediaeval Greek even more so) are obsessions of mine as well. I'm returning to university next year (doing history, with a mediaeval/Byzantine emphasis) and this time I intend to master Greek properly, so I can read it without needing Google . . .😁 Looking again at the inscription above, I believe you're right - it must originally have said ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΜΙΛΗΣΙΟΣ - Alexander, son of Alexander from Miletus - the remains of the "missing" letters ΔΡ and Σ can be seen now that I've looked more carefully. And I'd like to thank Dick for posting that picture. The best evidence available at the time Age of the Dromon was published (admittedly that's 13 years old now) was a "probable" lateen dated if I recall correctly to the 6th century. But this is a definite lateen, not a "maybe it's a lateen if you look at it the right way", and moves the origin of the Mediterranean lateen back several centuries. Here in Ballarat it's rained all day with no let-up at all. The puddle we normally get in the back yard in heavy rain has become a lake. I'm stuck in the house with the cats (my wife's in warm sunny Brisbane visiting rels), so I've watched Sink The Bismark,The Dam Busters (hey, it's got water in it!) and The Emperor's New Clothes with Ian Holm (if you haven't seen it I'd highly recommend it - a wonderful, funny, inspiring alternative history about Napoleon). I don't know whether I'll watch Good Will Hunting next or The Right Stuff. I know I should probably be "boating" (as my family call it) but I'm having a very lazy day off, not even shipbuilding. Steven
  22. Louie da fly
    Dick, I've checked whether the yard can be slung around the foremast and it can - just. It looks like the crutch won't be an issue. However, I might have to support the yard from a bit forrard of centre, as there's a bit of clearance problem with the forecastle, despite all my calculations. I'd rather support it in the centre, as almost all the pictures I've seen, both contemporary and modern, show it supported that way. But the only way to do that is to shorten the yard, which I'm loath to do. I'd never seen that second century representation before. Very interesting. It certainly pretty much demolishes the "Arab" origin for the the lateen sail. The inscription appears to say αλεξαν αλεξανδρου μιλησιος, which according to Google means "the Milesian Alexandros" - which I think means Alexander of Milesia (or possibly in/at Milesia?). I don't think I can accept the alternative translation - "they chose the skeleton" Steven
  23. Louie da fly
    Thanks for the comments and likes. Dick, I've certainly thought long and hard about these issues. You may be right about the crutch, but as the final position of the yard has yet to be determined, I think I can position it so there won't be any problems. Similarly with the forecastle. On the other hand, the captain of the caravel reconstruction Notorious told me he follows the Arabs in not bothering to move the yard across the mast, but just keeps it on the same "tack" with the wind blowing from the other side. This of course blows the sail against the mast, but apparently it makes very little difference. I've looked at the idea of putting the masts and yards on the crutches but there are enough accounts of galleys being both rowed and sailed simultaneously for me to feel justified in portraying the dromon that way. Of course, as dromons are pretty easily capsized by side winds, I intend to show her sailing with the wind aft, with the two sails on opposite tacks, so she's "goose-winged". Steven.
  24. Louie da fly
    Thanks again everybody for all the input. Lehmann, I take your comments on board, and they certainly provide food for thought. regarding your points above, 1. However, lacking a metal reinforcement I can't see how the end grain pulling out could be avoided. Certainly there's no evidence of grooves for a rope strop running around the end, either. 2. It certainly seems that way, doesn't it? 3. Both points taken and they certainly look valid. 4. Yes. 5. Possible, but I'll have to give that one some more thought. 6. Yes. It's quite possible that the theoretical reconstruction is incorrect in several ways, particularly in assuming symmetry where the evidence for it is at the very least equivocal. Further speculation may be served by adding the opposite side view and the end view of the block, including a black mass I take to be a cross section about halfway along, perhaps level with the hole for the sheave axle (I'm finding it difficult to get my head around that bit, I have to admit). I think overall that I should leave this block off my model, at least till I can work out better what if any function it might serve. Fascinating stuff, though. Steven
  25. Louie da fly
    Just thought I'd update the record for the full vessel: Here it is with just about everything on board that I've done to date, though quite a few of them are only temporarily in place for the photos. A lot of things "on hold" till other things get done. The big one is being ready to put the lower oars in place. Once that's done, a lot of other things can be finalised and many things already made can be put in place permanently. Steven PS: That's only half the oars - the others are made but they have the inboard end "bodged" so I can fit them on the ship without having to make lower deck oarsmen.

About us

Modelshipworld - Advancing Ship Modeling through Research

SSL Secured

Your security is important for us so this Website is SSL-Secured

NRG Mailing Address

Nautical Research Guild
237 South Lincoln Street
Westmont IL, 60559-1917

Model Ship World ® and the MSW logo are Registered Trademarks, and belong to the Nautical Research Guild (United States Patent and Trademark Office: No. 6,929,264 & No. 6,929,274, registered Dec. 20, 2022)

Helpful Links

About the NRG

If you enjoy building ship models that are historically accurate as well as beautiful, then The Nautical Research Guild (NRG) is just right for you.

The Guild is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to “Advance Ship Modeling Through Research”. We provide support to our members in their efforts to raise the quality of their model ships.

The Nautical Research Guild has published our world-renowned quarterly magazine, The Nautical Research Journal, since 1955. The pages of the Journal are full of articles by accomplished ship modelers who show you how they create those exquisite details on their models, and by maritime historians who show you the correct details to build. The Journal is available in both print and digital editions. Go to the NRG web site (www.thenrg.org) to download a complimentary digital copy of the Journal. The NRG also publishes plan sets, books and compilations of back issues of the Journal and the former Ships in Scale and Model Ship Builder magazines.

Our Emblem ®

Modelshipworld - Advancing Ship Modeling through Research

Nautical Research Guild ® and the NRG logo are Registered Trademarks, and belong to the Nautical Research Guild (United States Patent and Trademark Office: No. 6,999,236 & No. 6,999,237, registered March 14, 2023)

×
×
  • Create New...