NMBROOK

Quick update:  Most of the frames have been cut and shaped.  Once the keel is in place, the half frames at the bow will be shaped and installed.  I'm working on the keel, transom, and stem now.
 

Teeny Weeny Update..
 
2nd Sanding done, Small amount of Filling done & sanded, Stern Post in place and Gluing as we speak, Hawse Pipes drilled out.  Next up 'possibly' the Wale (I say Possibly as I'm not 100% sure what to do next as I'm waiting on my angled files to clean-up the insides of the bulwarks & deck where I removed the Bulkhead 'horns')
 
Take Care Folks
 
Eamonn

Hi Nigel,
 
I have started backing all my images up in the 'cloud' just in case I have an IT catastrophie.  good idea to have them in more than one place, I use photobucket but there are plenty of similer sites.
 
Still love this build.
 
Jase

Thank you very much indeed B.E. and Nils for your very kind words.Unfortunately I had a clear out of pictures on my laptop as things were getting a little congested.Unfortunately I am certain I no longer have copies of the missing images.
 
Kind Regards
Nigel

Hi Nigel,
 
great work on this model, very nice Details, the treenailed hull planking and the carved items look superb
Some of the pics in the early log-pages probably went lost, trust you would have replaced them if you have had back ups, but that is no handicap for this fine build...
 
Nils

Just enjoyed reading thro' your log Nigel, what a fine model you are producing. Love your attention to detail and innovative approach.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.

Thank you very much indeed everybody for your very kind words  
In answer to your question Kevin.I am looking back and thinking how I could of progressed differently.The problem with this being a partwork is there are no drawings and the model being supplied is vastly different from the model advertised.This did start out with the intention of being a near stock build but as the part work progressed and looking at the Italian forum(which is about 6 months infront)the difference with what we are building to what was advertised was becoming obvious.At this point I had a fully planked hull which due to sourcing my own more expensive timber stood me at quite a lot of money.
So then the 'modification ball' started rolling and I found that all the supplied ornamentation was going to be inaccurate.Inspired by Bill Short's log which I used to follow before the 'crash' and becoming a member,I decided to take the step of 'having a go'at producing my own carvings.
What started out as a stock build had now turned in to probably 3-4000 hours work.Thinking on this made me think that 'dummy'canons didn't quite come up to par with the rest of the build.Helped in no small part by Chris Watton's amazing victory prototype.I think though the biggest discovery was Arthur Molle's amazing model of the Sovereign.I looked at that and thought 'I have to do that'.I include a picture of Molle's model that I am going to try and replicate to some extent for the deck structures,I am not planing on sawing the model in half though    
Back to the question of would I have done things different?Yes I would have bought Sergal's plans and worked from there,full scratchbuild.
Kind Regards Nigel

After a marathon carving session over the last few days I have managed to complete the basic ornamentation on the starboard side of the prow.There are still vertical carvings to fit on the stem underneath and of course the myriad of decorative panels.
Kind Regards Nigel

I have had quite a productive evening.I first fitted the remaining carvings.I then made the caprail  out of 1mm pear then fitted it.Finally I applied a coat of varnish.The varnish still has a slight sheen because it is not fully dry.
Kind Regards Nigel

Just a small update.Work is progressing well on the pediment carvings,but as they are only 6mmx8mm I gave up trying to take a decent picture.I have now fitted the first and the autofocus on the iphone works now the carving is fitted to the hull.I am actually up to 5 out of 6, but because I am putting two coats of varnish and then leaving 24 hours before fitting,it will be a couple of days before they are all fitted.
Kind Regards Nigel

I have fitted the grated deck to the prow with epoxy and a few brass dowels in key positions.
Kind Regards Nigel

I have fitted the carving.I have used aluminium tube 8mm long to replicate the lead lining that was used in the hawse holes.The bores have been countersunk to remove the corner.On to the other side now
Kind Regards Nigel

I have to admit my patience has been stretched several times working on the prow deck.I have had numerous pieces filed in the 'recycling section' and have had to remake them.I feel I am on the home straight now,but I can't believe how long it is taking.I include some pics of as it is today.The gratings are caldercraft 1mm ones as small children could fall through the ones supplied.
Kind Regards Nigel

I have nearly finished all the treenailing on the starboard side.I decided to use 0.5mm copper for the mainwales.Now as a break I decided to start work on the beakhead bulkhead.In the deagostini partwork,this is almost identical to Sergals offering.As I am modifying this model to represent the Vandevelde artworks, I decided this was best scratchbuilt.I came up with a design that incorparates the uprights for the railings for strength,as the majority of the rigging is tied off to these railings.I made three limewood formers and notched these to take the boxwood uprights.This was then glued together on a sheet of glass to ensure flatness.The front face was skinned in two laminations of 0.8mm ply and then planked with black boxwood strips I have obtained from a marqeuetry supplier.After gluing braces into the forecastle area,I removed the majority of the original bulkhead.The planking at the forecastle was slimmed down to 1mm thick from the inside.To the inside of this I laminated some more 0.8mm ply.This strengthens this area and forms a base for the uprights at the sides of the forecastle.I then mortised the remains of the old bulkhead and epoxied in the corner uprights.At the moment all the uprights are left way overlength and the new bulkhead's sides will be trimmed flush to the hull when this is bonded in place.I am going to detail this bulkhead before I actually bond it in place.
Kind Regards Nigel

Hello Mates,
 
I think that I'm becoming boring for some of you here, BUT I think that I have resolved the weather deck cannon carriage issues.
 
1)  reduced their length front and rear
2)  lowered and deepened the upper groove, in which the cannons pivot
3)  "tucked in" the wheels a bit closer to the under frame. Not right I know !!
4) will install two smaller guns on each side towards the stern, and built four smaller carriages.
 
 
A BIG thanks to Nigel, and to B.E. (got an email but your quote did not post?) Both of you, as usual were very kind in helping me. Also thanks to all of the kind folks who drop in, click or just look in -- Thanks so much (:-)
 
So it should work out. I won't post any more silly cannon issues until they are set for metal bits, wheels, and installation. Though as I have mentioned I know that these cannons are not "Vasa" types nor the correct lengths. But they look a heck of a lot better than kit included generic cannons IMO.
 
Regards,
 
MIchael

Cheers mate! I really need to learn to recognice kinds of wood.
 
 
/Matti

Nice carving work mate!One slip with the knife and he would have been a she   If it is Obechi,then very well done,this stuff whilst hard,is also very splintery.
 
Kind Regard
 
Nigel

Nice carving work mate!One slip with the knife and he would have been a she   If it is Obechi,then very well done,this stuff whilst hard,is also very splintery.
 
Kind Regard
 
Nigel

Thank you both!
 
Steve, yeah.  Especially when males often where sculpted like this in the 17th century:
 

 
/Matti
 
 

The two Herakles sculptures are not included in the BB kit. I want to try and carve them. The first one had the face getting lose, so I had to start over. I'm not sure the wood is obechi. It's more brown, a little harder and when I put it in boiling water it doesnt smell bad at all. The obechi planks used for the hull smelled like moose fart when they go wet. It could be a different wood then listed, or a missread on my part.
 
Anyways, here is the first one. Seems Mr Hercules forgot his pants, but at least he remembered his lion hat.
 



 
 
/Matti
 
 
 

Dear Sjors,
I know, you are making fun of me....
Creating crew members in this amount would take several years of difficult work. But one Nelson maybe could be possible. I usually make one figure about 1-2 days.

I love watching your beautiful work on wooden models, it is a great inspiration and pleasure for me.

In April I am going to start other projects - IJN Yamato 1:350 and then USS Missouri also in 1:350 scale ( Tamiya manufacturer). And there I will use some photoetched parts , crew members included.
 
Best regards
Doris

Other pics at daylight:





 
 

Hello dear friends,

thank you very much for you kind words, comments and support, that is a great honor and pleasure for me.

It is also a challenge for me to keep up my work to be worthy of your praise. I believe that it is always possible to make things better. For example I have improved some details on the figures (I adapted the feet or changed the shape of officer´s hat .....).
 
 
The crew is hand made from clay/sculpey by my own, all figures are made exactly and in a scale, how I need.
 
 
 
Wow,  only 300 men? Oh, I understand - the others will be hidden inside of the ship, right?
 
***********
During the weekend I finished another seaman and also tackles at one of the cannons. I tried to capture the moment, when both seamen are waiting to the lieutenant command to manipulate the cannon.
 
Here are some pics so please enjoy them.
 






 





 
 
Kind regards
Doris

Absolutely inspirational work Doris !!!I really wouldn't know where to begin making figures like that.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Glad to see you managed to bring the keel back straight Wayne  
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel