David Lester

Hi Ken,
Looking very nice. I prefer boomkin too; bumpkin reminds me too much of my home town!
David

Hi Ken,
Looking very nice. I prefer boomkin too; bumpkin reminds me too much of my home town!
David

Hi Ken,
Looking very nice. I prefer boomkin too; bumpkin reminds me too much of my home town!
David

Tom, yes you are correct, the plans show two brace rods, but real ship photos show only one. Both historic and modern. Since I have found other issues with the plans on accuracy I decided to go with the photos. 
As I have mentioned before one feature on the I-pad versus the PC is the ability to zoom in on photos for detail looks. In the historic photo below also note the difference in the billet head design and decoration with some of the rails not painted white. Being new to ship building I am still trying to sort things out and am learning everyday. 
 

I mounted the rudder to the hull.  The system used to create the gudgeons and pintles is different from what I've been used two.  In my last two rudders, the pintles were short lengths of brass rod, soldered to the brass strap that attached them to the rudder.  The gudgeons were likewise brass tubing soldered to the straps attaching them to the hull.  This method is different.  After cutting the recesses into the rudder to allow the pintles to slip over the gudgeons and into place, the straps are glued in place.  The pintles are simply pins pushed into the wood of the rudder.  No soldering!  The gudgeons are made of little wood semi-circles with a hole drilled in to receive the pintles.  They are then painted black.  The straps for the gudgeons are just strips of bras glued and nailed to the hull on each side.  Again, no soldering!
 
The rudder has no false keel and is mounted so the bottom edge is about even with the bottom of the keel itself.

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Hi Ken,
This is amazing. I've been a little remiss in not commenting sooner, but I am hesitant because it feels to me a little like my telling Michelangelo he's not a bad sculptor. You're in a different league than I am but it's a pleasure to follow along.
David

Thanks for the comments and likes. And Thanks Tom and Ken for the offer of cannons. I appreciate it but I think I'm ok as it is.
David

Hi Ken,
This is amazing. I've been a little remiss in not commenting sooner, but I am hesitant because it feels to me a little like my telling Michelangelo he's not a bad sculptor. You're in a different league than I am but it's a pleasure to follow along.
David

Hi Ken,
This is amazing. I've been a little remiss in not commenting sooner, but I am hesitant because it feels to me a little like my telling Michelangelo he's not a bad sculptor. You're in a different league than I am but it's a pleasure to follow along.
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Hi Ken,
This is amazing. I've been a little remiss in not commenting sooner, but I am hesitant because it feels to me a little like my telling Michelangelo he's not a bad sculptor. You're in a different league than I am but it's a pleasure to follow along.
David

Thanks for the comments and likes. And Thanks Tom and Ken for the offer of cannons. I appreciate it but I think I'm ok as it is.
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Hi Ken,
This is amazing. I've been a little remiss in not commenting sooner, but I am hesitant because it feels to me a little like my telling Michelangelo he's not a bad sculptor. You're in a different league than I am but it's a pleasure to follow along.
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David

Thanks Brian,
I'll do a little experimenting and see what I can do to improve the appearance of my pictures. I've been reducing them in size to 650 px x 488 px and then choosing "save for web and devices." This takes them way below the 2mb size maximum. I'll try reducing them less next time.
David

Hi Dave,
The mast top is just basswood. It all gets painted white and gray. For my camera, I've been using my Nikon Coolpix which is a very little camera with a zoom lens. It's about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I bought it in Venice (Italy) after my old camera bit the dust our first day out.
 
When I was posting at LLS it seemed I needed to reduce the size of the pictures substantially which is what I have still been doing here by force of habit. Maybe I don't need to. I'm still having trouble getting a clear focus for up close pictures. Maybe I'll try my ipad; I haven't been much in the habit of using it for taking pictures, but I'll give it a try next time.
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Happy Friday Everyone,
A little progress to report: I've all but finished the deck details and started on the upper hull details. I've installed the dummy cannons and the gunport lids on the starboard side and am about to do the port side. All is moving along with almost no problems. I say almost, because I did have one moment of panic when I was installing the dummy cannons. Their diameter is wider at the end than it is throughout the rest of the barrel. As you insert them, they fit tightly at first and then all of sudden they don't anymore. I lost control of one of them and it fell right through and into the hull. And I thought things were lost for good when they hit my basement floor. This cannon was gone. Of course, they don't give you any extra, so I was short one. They give you thousands of those little brass brads which I never use - (I tend to think of getting them with a model kit like getting all that extra white rice with an order of take out chinese food - you don't really use it, but they seem to think it needs to be there nevertheless,) but the things you really do need are doled out like they were made of gold. So I had three options. Either order a replacement(s) from Model Expo and wait forever and pay an exorbitant international shipping charge, or order from a Canadian supplier but it wouldn't be a match for the others, or make one out of wood which is what I did. It's in the last picture below. You can most likely tell which one it is, but the casual observer won't be able to detect it, especially when I place this side of the model against the wall.
 
David

Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David