Ryland Craze

Well said and well done. The decisions are made and we’re moving forward. Great news that you’ve outgrown your current space, despite the effort involved to locate a new one 

When I started Surprise, I had a choice to develop her as she was for her very short real career, or more like as per the novels. I decided that the majority, I suspect well over 90% of builders, would like to depict her as per the novels, so this is what I focused on for the main kit. There will be an optional armament for the 32-Pounder carronades and the different figurehead, so there is a choice.
 
I shall reiterate, Surprise is developed with the fictional version well and truly in mind, and most, if not all of that action was post 1801 - this is why, when I was asked by the supplier of the flags, which period would I like to go for, I told them the later version. As these sets are quite expensive, being of very nice quality, I thought it best to go with the version that I strongly suspect most modellers will build her as. I could not get either/or, as the costs are too prohibitive to have one set gathering dust on the shelves for years to come.
 
The only area that I have left alone is the main mast, there will be no 36 gun frigate main mast in the kit. I think this is fine, as that mast wasn't stepped upon Aubrey's command, but later.
 
As for what I am doing now, I am trying hard to complete the plan sets. I suspect now that I will have them done in the next 4 weeks, or just before Christmas. This has taken much longer than I anticipated due to having to stop frequently and focus my attention on production for orders. I have yet to start production for Surprise, but this is normal. I usually start when I am 100% sure the parts I gave Jim are all fine. If I started before this, and Jim came accross a problem, it would be a disaster, as all of that expensive pear wood sheet would have to be scrapped and re done - so production of laser cut parts is usually the final job for me once I am 100% sure all parts fit as intended.
 
We are now actively looking for a unit to rent, as we have well and truly outgrown the space we have here, so hopefully we can find somewhere where we can expand a lot more.
 
Finally, I am looking into purchasing better 3-d printers, (commercial grade rather than consumer grade) and have been looking at FormLabs products. I think these would be better suited for my needs going forward, as the print tolorances are much tighter, although quite a large investment (FormLabs 4L package is quite an investment, plus the resin required).

Chapter 5
 
I received Chapter 5 yesterday and started on it. I show below the parts received:
 

I recognize most of the laser cut sheets as discussed in Chuck's log.  Sheet Y seems to replace the second layer of the upper bulkhead S (the part with the column etched on it in Chuck's log). The monograph of Chapter 5 should clarify that. Anyway, a lot of precise work ahead of me.  

To flap or not to flap, that is the question. The true Vexillologist can also choose to drape.

Yes it is, John.
 
 I lean towards the engine being a salvaged marine or automotive gas engine. You have to remember Engel built Billy for $1,000.00. There wasn't a lot in the budget for the engine. According to Google a new marine diesel would have cost about $700.00 in 1938. Even if Engel had managed to but a second hand diesel engine the cost would have been pretty significant and would have meant buying one less chicken coop.    I would think he could have purchased a used marine or automotive engine much much cheaper. 
 
 True enough, there could have a vent on rear starboard side. 
 
 
 I thought the window at the top of that goofy looking door was a glazed transom window. I'm also going to model the door's transom window unglazed for venting. 

The sun is setting and dropping anchor again. 
As Always Best Rick 

After filling the coal bins turned my nautical attention to the steam boiler before heading into port for the night. 

Just finished this Model T.  I've built two, one a touring car and now this firetruck.  Kits are pretty easy to build, some areas a little tricky but all in all goes together well.
 
Enjoy the pictures.
 
Kurt
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

First coat of paint on the lower port side. I was intrigued by the use of green for the waterline paint. I believe it was Tim who used green. I usually use some version of red for antifouling paint. I dont know if the green is historically accurate, but its certainly a nice change.
Phil

While waiting for the epoxy to dry I figured I would stain the decks. I used my trusted go to stain, Minwax Golden Oak. For some variety, i have a darker stain that can on the deck houses. I tossed around the idea of adding nail holes but I decided against that. Really not visible in this scale (unless they are bleeding rust). 
  I also epoxyed the oak display stand that i put through Dad's old router table a few days ago. Pedestals were ordered yesterday. More on that when they arrive.
Phil

After reading this and other comments I have taken the plunge and ordered a Elegoo 3D printer. Heaven help us all!  

@Chuck I printed out your file of the figure and it is a perfect fit; looks great too.  Now to get all of the stern carvings made into stl files and printed out. Once I have everything in stl files, I will print them out in beige resin.

Finishing the bowsprit by adding the simulated sheave added at tip. Placed the bowsprit in my Proxxon lathe tapering from the square section to the tip. While in the lathe I filed tip with a small file. The metal (simulated) band was added to tip with 4 holes for the blocks. That all done I had to carefully finagle the blocks through the hole. Adding the bowstrip step and aligning such that the square rod could be pushed into the square hole. Now the posttion of the bowstrip and winch could be determined I glued them in position.

This done I started the rigging process first the bobstay tackle and bobstay guys were rigged.
Now with this done lets move on to lower main mast. I didn't have a piece of wood long enough so I have a slab of boxwood that I planned to use on 1776 Washington Galley later but that will be later. Next more about ripping the slab to make the beginning of the lower mast.

Its been quite awhile since I ripped wood on my band saw so Its too late starting a long process so I leave it until were home from Thanksgiving with friends in Phoenix. I had bought several of these boxwood slabs from the Gilmorewood company in Portland, Oregon. Its hard to cut into a slab to used in another project for one mast but It is for a good use and I have more.



 
 
 

Thanks Glenn for the suggestions. Looking at the rigging  of the boom I see why you suggested and why.
Thanks to all who looked and commented on the Cheerful to date.
 
Chapter 11 complete up to bowsprit and mast
shape wood Bowsprit and mast
rig bowsprit
rip wood for the mast
finish mast
touch up paint
use drafting compass to draw 7/1/7 lines on wood

r
 
Shaping after squaring and drilling holes

Add metal band at the tip with four blocks seized to the rings

file hole in bulwarks to fit the bowsprit
touch up paint
On to the mast

I painted the ropes I made black and added them to the hammock cranes.

Cockpit seat is finished and installed.
 

Boots done, I want to make all these blokes dusty before I add them to the base. It’s spent the entire day adding rifle straps and gas mask straps 

Lower Masts cont’d
 
With the tops fitted, details at the head can now be added.
The bolsters are made from some 2mm fret and cut and rounded off. They are cut a little longer than those supplied.
The hoops are cut from heat-shrink tubing and spaced according to the plan: four on the foremast and five on the main.
Eight battens are fitted around the head to reduce chafing of the shrouds and other ropes I cut them from 0.8mm fret which allows enough depth for them to be notched over the hoops.

With these details added, I have painted the head and mast to the bottom of the bibs in matt black.
A 5mm block is stropped to the foremast head for the main topmast preventer stay using 0.5mm served thread. The main difficulty is judging the length of thread required. I served 50mm of thread leaving a short length unserved at either end and siezed the block in centrally. The unserved section is threaded through to make a false splice, tightened against the mast and tied off.

The boom topping lift runs through a 5mm block at the head of the main mast. It is siezed to an eyebolt and glued into the mast.
I made the tenon 4mm square to fit into the tops and therefore need to cut new caps. They are made from 4mm pear, using the kit piece as a pattern for size. The holes in the main mast cap also need to be cut a a slight angle so that it sits parallel to the top and the waterline. The corners of the cap are rounded as per the drawings in Lees.


I’ve still to add eyebolts and the block on the main cap. This will wait for the fitting of the topmasts when I can finish the forward hole in the cap. The violin blocks for the yard lifts will be made up and added at the same time.

This is Harpy as she stands. The masts don't need any glue, they are just slotted in.
 
Thanks for likes and comments. They are much appreciated as always.
 
David 

 

Thank you so much, Jeff, that's so kind.
But let's see if I can improve the poses even further.
 
But first i am making a long strip of colored tissue paper is placed around the remaining railing of the bridge and cut at the corners.
 

 
Once the strip has dried, I can fold over the top edge between the cuts and glue it down.
 

 
A small model-making spatula with a ball head helps to neatly shape the tarpaulin against the railing.
 
  Then age again and you’re done.     Once that was done, I looked at my work and thought, hmm, how could I make it a little more interesting? Maybe create a little scene where the crew is attaching the tarpaulin to the railing?
Let’s see, Jeff. 😉
 

 
So I started this test run…
 

 
…with styrene, an old railing and a few sailors.
 

 
So far so good.
 

 
Only one thing bothers me.
Unfortunately, I only thought of it after I’d finished the railing on the rear bridge. And that would have been the perfect spot for this little section of groyne. It has the most space to properly detail it.
Now I have to figure out where else I could fit it.
 

 
   
 
 

Sun just came up over the horizon and the seas are calm so anchor lifted and setting sail on another workday. Filled the coal bins and airbrushed the coal bin hinges and cleats Liquitex acrylic Fluid Ivory Black to begin my day. 

After a long day and calm seas and fun work it’s time to drop the anchor and turn in for the night. 
As Always. Best Rick

Been a long day at sea. While sailing I installed and painted the top rub rail with Liquitex Basic Acrylic FLUID—Neutral Gray and finished painting interior decor with Liquitex Basic Acrylic FLUID Alizarin Crimson. 

Not being a Hydro Engineer in this or former life I've not a clue if Engel's design provided an increase in efficiency, hence the question. I do know this, building arches like those on Billy takes considerable more time, material, and skill than building a simple flat wall. But then it could have been nothing more than Engel thought it looked cool? 
 
 
 Another item we've yet to address is fuel storage. Fuel storage had to have been located inside but how were they filled? I see nothing in the photo to suggest access to a tank/tanks, not even a vent pipe. Of course, we're only provided a port side view. If the area in which fuel storage was located wasn't properly vented Billy would have been a floating bomb unless those two small windows on the stern wall weren't glazed and they acted as vents? 
 
 Because we don't see vents I'm going to model those two stern wall windows unglazed representing venting. 

Yeah, I have to agree that other Keith has it. If such a design really did make a meaningful increase in efficiency, I'd think other vessels would have adopted it at some point. American riverboat design was an absolute ferment of evolutionary creativity (few regulations, no "official" dockyards, no corporate staidness) and overall the designs evolved rapidly toward convergence on best practices. 
 
My guess is he just wanted to maximize his cabin/deck space on this small vessel, and doing that gave him the equivalent of an RV's "over the cab" loft. But it's question worth asking, and certainly one can never rule out the idea of a creative iconoclast coming up with something new!