Canute

Thank you Jack. A lot of learning ahead
alan

Thank you OC. Let’s see how I do on the details! As I understand it Skinners Horse are the only British Army unit to have worn yellow. Very distinctive. I’ve just found that Art Girona has a lot of 19 th century Indian army subjects in their 70 mm range. That could solve birthday presents for a while (or frighten the credit card)
alan

Hi, My name is Jim. I'm new to the group. A retired tool and die maker who finally indulge myself in model making. My first wood project is the 1848 stage coach that Kevin built. My biggest question is: What finish do I use on the outside of the coach. The instructions just don't specify. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Here is completed one.
 

 
 
Please consider it an unpainted or semi-assembled model. I missed some parts or made mistakes.
 
I discovered more errors in the kit during the later procedure, which were identical to the previous errors I found. The errors are repetitive.
 
1. The manual format isn't user friendly. There are too many things in one scene, and sometimes the instruction isn't clear because of lack of information.
2. The manual occationally misses descriptions for some parts. Most of the missing parts are essential to complete the model.
 

3. The manual is designed for the kit's stock paper only. When I use laser-cut parts and glue colored parts to them, it is very sensitive to the directon of adhesion. I didn't pay attention to this, which resulted in some part becoming unrecoverable.
 
To succeed in further card board models, I need to be more careful.
 
1. Scan everything and reprint it when you need it - Some critical errors may require editing the scanned picture or building new parts.
2. Temporary assembly - Don't glue and paste as the instruction say. Put a cut part on the model and ensure that the fit or direction is all correct.
3. Need a better manual - I've seen several card board model kits, and their instructions are too difficult for a 21th-century boy. The manual format needs to be refined and expanded to include dozens of pages.
Also, additional instructions for optional laser cut parts will improve the building experience.
 
The card board model is quite difficult and sensitive, but my eyes can't leave their exotic kits...

I built this model the year before last and found the experience all in all less than enjoyable. I had previously built a range of other models published by Oriel, most of which had been designed by Alexandr Kustov (the Askold, Lavoisier, Solferino and Wladimir). Kustov's models are all excellent, with clear and comprehensive instructions. What is more, the quality of the print is outstanding (for example, copper does really look like copper), and you can build them without having to use anything except the paper that is being provided (and some thread for the rigging, railings etc.). The Orel (not by Kustov) is different. I found two things most annoying: First, even very small parts were printed on relatively thick and stiff paper, which made forming them a pain, and second, the instructions and diagrams are of such a poor quality that it still baffles me where some pieces are supposed to go. On top of that, you are expected to use templates to form additional pieces of wire or other materials, which I found irritating (but that's of course no more than my personal preference). The upshot is that when buying a paper model kit, it is a good idea to pay attention to who has designed the model: this is really relevant.

Little update.
 
I will soon have a new 24 and 26-foot launch for sale later today. These have 3-d printed hulls, windlass and stern davit, and a 0.8mm pear laser cut sheet containing knees, thwarts, oars etc. Both in 64th scale for now.
 
I have also commissioned a 22- and 24-foot cutter, 22-foot yawl, 28 and 32-foot pinnace and another launch, so ultimately, I shall have complete pre made hull sets (along with the laser cut wood parts to go with them) for all of my kits, including future developments, as an alternative to the plank on bulkhead versions.
 
Also almost ready are the new Nelson figures. This will be available in 72nd, 64th, 48th, 32nd and a few in 1:16th scale. These have a separate base.

So cool.
 
 MCB, you never went into great detail about making the ship's boat other than "I made..." What material did you use for the cover? 

Looking good! It's interesting that the name on the stern includes 'of' and is not just the bare name and port of registry.
 
John

Hello All,
Thanks for the comments, Keith Black, Jim Lad and Canute.  Thanks all for the likes.
 
Time for a small update.  Most of the super structure is now in its final color.  Started applying decals.  Everything is only sitting in place, not glued.  I will not fasten much down until the end of the build as there will be more assemblies going over the superstructure and things may get complicated.
Added towing bitts.  Some detail (including the pin for the fire monitor) can be seen through the window openings after all, at least for now.
And I promise the next New York Harbor boat will not be red.
Looking at one of these pictures I notice a small door is missing.  I'm off to look for it.
 
Thanks for looking,
mcb
 
 

"Oh and 13 is just the start !" More power to your elbow Steven as it's all in a good cause.
 
Dave 

Glen, 'chuffed' means pleased. You can be mildly chuffed or extremely chuffed. I think they were near the top end of the scale. One asked me if it would be possible to get his yacht model repaired, others were very interested in the idea of selling the models to the public - lots of people come here from Melbourne and have a nice trip in the lake in the paddlewheeler. What nicer than to then buy a model of the boat? 
 
Roger, I agree about the cost factor. The wood is donated - we have far more than we know what to do with, and the machinery to cut it to size. I'm hoping I can figure out a jig to make mass production easier.
 
Oh, and 13 is just the start!
 
Steven

I believe that everything being hand made should also be a selling feature. In this case it’s also cheaper as it  appears that you are donating time and materials.  Printing materials and labor would be out of pocket costs.
 
I join others in lifting my virtural hat to you!  Building 13 of the same model !
 
Roger

Thanks for the likes and comments everybody. I got into preparing multiple 1:50 hulls today - I think I have about 13 made so far. But I only have half a dozen "verandahs" and awnings so far, so I've got some catching up to do.
 
Also working on the sort of roll-top desk thingy (see photo No. 3 in post #18 above) for the big model - it supports the wheel on the full-sized vessel, but I'm only doing the wheel for the big one. I have a cunning plan for how to make it. It remains to be seen whether it will work.
 
Pat, 3D printing would certainly save time and effort, but as I have absolutely no experience or equipment I expect I'll just build up the seats and gates with strips of wood (and they're free!)
 
Steven

Looks good to me!

Just ran across this log, Steven.  A very cool project and amazingly well done in such a short time.  Like Pat, I doff my hat. 
 
I hope that "chuffed" means the people that run the museum liked your model!

A great (and nice looking) little project Steven, enjoyed the catch-up on your log.  If doing multiples 3D printing some of the items such as the chairs, gates etc may help and be a lot cheaper/easier when considering the time you would spend if making them?  then again if just providing the stock the cost would not be a concern but may put some budding modellers off?
A great idea and what a great way to preserve some local history,  I doff my hat.
 
cheers
 
Pat
 

I was invited to take the almost-complete 1:50 model along to the meeting of the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society (the group of volunteers who own and run the Golden City) so they could have a look at it.
 
They were all very chuffed with it, thought it was brilliant, loved the idea of selling 1:50 models to visitors as a fundraiser. And wanted to know if the big (1:25) model would be ready to display in time for the "season" (they only run the full-sized one on the lake from October to April due to Australia being upside down and having winter in June.) I wasn't able to give a definite undertaking because of uncertainties in what problems might arise in building the big one, but just between you and me I think it's quite possible.
 
They even have a big glass display case (museum-sized) which they recently acquired and in which they plan to display it.
 
All rather positive. Now I actually have to deliver the goods!
 
Steven

Thanks John,
so far so good, now comes the fitting out part and the boatsdeck. The lighttower mast is basicly done already but not painted yet. The soldering of the fragile frontmast in brass will probably be the most difficult thing on this ship, as well as the two ships work / lifeboats. I think I`ll make the boats with silicone mold and raisin cast ( I did`nt see these for purchase anywhwere)
One problem I have, is that all has to be addopted from pics and the web, because I did not buy the buildplan in the beginning, and the plan with side view and frameplan out of Helmut Thomas`s publication is missing all the details, also in bird`s view, on the boats deck, and of course the dimensions in order to scale them down to 1:87
 
Nils

You'll be finished before you know it, Nils!
 
John

Thanks for the 'likes and wows' I certainly need them to keep enthused. I've finished the 'fiddly bits' but am now at the stage where I keep breaking things as the model becomes more conjested. Is it just me or does that happen to everyone?
Anyway, progress is being made today as I:
 
Completed the rigging around the diving planes,

 
exhaust and air intake tubes, and set up the antenna posts in preparation for the wire strands.

 
Have a great weekend,
Cheers

I was given a voucher for a presentation on ship weathering. So I was tossing up repainting the Morser and I decided I’d just do another one sans shield. Came out cost neutral 

If you ever get back to Dayton, PirateWhilly, visit Carillon Park and also the Air Force Museum.  Both have dispalys if the Wright aircraft and tools.  I used to live there about 30 years ago or so and they were great back then and quick Google says they're even better today.

I just ordered my kit from Model Shipways, and they reference this build log, which I came and looked at very briefly. I will go over the entire build log over the next several days. I can't wait for my kit to arrive!
 
Several years ago on PBS, there was a special on this aircraft on the site, and a group of Brazilians researched the aircraft, built a replica and actually flew it. It was as hard to fly as everyone on here surmises.
 
After his death, Santos-Dumont's heart was removed from his body, placed in a glass decanter, and is on display in a Brazilian museum.  I hope to visit there and go see it someday. 
 
About 10 years ago, I flew into Dayton, Oh, to examine a flight control problem on a Learjet 35, where they were having problems getting the aileron rigging adjusted. I got that sorted out, and then went to the Wright Brothers bicycle shop and the area surrounding it, which is now a Historic District. They have very little there because the Wright Home and most of their estate went to Henry Ford in Greenfield Village.  But they DID have some of the Wright Brothers personal tools in a display cabinet. The ranger who showed me the tools, when she found out I was an airplane mechanic, asked if I would like to actually TOUCH them, and I told her "ABSOLUTELY!!" and she opened the case for me, and allowed me to closely examine the tools, actually handling them and examining them very closely. I was absolutely ecstatic, and thanked her profusely! That was a real event in my life, I can tell you!  Actually handling the tools the Wright Brothers used, and their mechanic Charles Taylor, also, was an incredible treat!
 
The few remaining houses in that district were obviously very upper-class, with a lot of detail work, and were very large. The Wrights lived and worked in a very prosperous area of Dayton, I can tell you. I visited several other buildings in the area, which were related to Wright history, but most were occupied by other businesses, some were vacant. But it was still great just to see them.  Many of the streets in the area just have 1-2 houses on a street that are original, and there are a lot of vacant lots where other houses stood in the time of the Wrights.  That was a wonderful afternoon that I will never forget! (There are lots for sale in that area, but the house you build must fit the architectural style of the area (1890's Victorian) in order to be approved for construction. 
 
Anyway, the whole point of this post was to mention the Brazilian effort to build and fly one of these for real, and if it has been mentioned in this forum topic previously, I will soon find out about it, and am sorry for a duplicate post mentioning it. But if it has not, the PBS show was VERY interesting and would be worth hunting down for anyone who has a kit on order and is planning on building it.   

I have built this one with a few extras added to the BB/pit area she builds up Nicely.

😲 I remember the excitement when around my 6th birthday this time 62 years ago Lego came up first with wheels. Several family members gave me wheel sets - a bit boring, but then you couldn’t have enough of them. I think Lego went down a contraproductive avenue educational wise, but perhaps not revenue wise …
looking forward to more progress on the Renault …