NMBROOK

Thanks Nigel.  You beat me to it.

I wish I was as good with words as you are Brian. That is what I have been trying to say all along.
Pete

The meeting continues, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Nigel,
 
You have me worried now – they're still out there I'm afraid.
Actually I'm not that worried. I get them from here, and had a reply email confirming my order soon after:
 
http://clasicmodel.com/shop/index.php?route=common/home
 
I've dealt with him before, and he has been reliable. They're very nice blocks btw, ready to use and already stained and polished. Sorry, but I think most kit-bought blocks are c---p, even though Caldercraft blocks are probably the better ones. 
 
However, I will need a suitable triple block soon (fitted at the end of the bowsprit – for the topgallant stay and the topsail braces) but they only sell them in packs of ten. I only want one, and I'm not sure I'll be using many elsewhere. So, if anyone knows where I can buy a suitable block, perhaps in smaller numbers...? I'm not really into making my own, but if I can't find any, I suppose I'll have to resort to modifying one of the Caldercraft ones.

Be careful Kester  Are you in receipt of said blocks?or are they in what we now know to be the black hole,the mail order ether           If you are considering block replacement Eamonn,I would give serious consideration to Chuck's blocks.Personally I think these are superior to any thing else on the market.Caldercraft blocks are better than many,so to improve on them,that would be the route I would take.You could also get some of Chuck's rope while you were at it Even if you just replaced the larger rope,the improvement would be well worthwhile,easier than making a planetary ropewalk out of lego
BTW expect a branch of NMBrook's nautical library appearing in a European town near you soon                
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Be careful Kester  Are you in receipt of said blocks?or are they in what we now know to be the black hole,the mail order ether           If you are considering block replacement Eamonn,I would give serious consideration to Chuck's blocks.Personally I think these are superior to any thing else on the market.Caldercraft blocks are better than many,so to improve on them,that would be the route I would take.You could also get some of Chuck's rope while you were at it Even if you just replaced the larger rope,the improvement would be well worthwhile,easier than making a planetary ropewalk out of lego
BTW expect a branch of NMBrook's nautical library appearing in a European town near you soon                
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Postman and CMB are off my 'Hit List' twas a close thing though..   (they were in for such a severe frowning upon  ) 
There mustn't be a nautical book available in the whole of Europe as Nigel owns them all now..
 
What blocks did you pick up Kester, 'tisn't something I've looked at with a critical eye yet! are the kit ones not up to scratch or is it that there aren't enough of them?
 
Eamonn

Eamonn,
 
Good to hear that, and the fact you're back in the shipyard. Look forward to the photos.
 
Btw you guys, I've just purchased some blocks... so there!

That's some great news buddy!I just made back from the shop it in time for your 5 o'clock bulletin I have just received confirmation from Ancre that my payment has been confirmed,so Mr Frolich's book on it's way in the next 24 hours.Looks like it is my turn to stalk the postman     Longridge at sorting office to collect tomorrow and Lavery's book in the post somewhere I won't have any building time    
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Fitting some toptimbers made from pear.
 

 
 mij
 
 
 

Done a bit more to the Xebec.
 
Cutting out the stern
 

 
completed items cut out
 

 
I don`t normally paint my models, but as these ships were colourful, I decided to give it a bit of colour.
 

 

 

 

 

 
mij

I have ordered proof prints of mortar and 8 pounder, should have them on March 4th latest (although I am not sure I will have my model here by then-  it is in my old house, another city you know). Anyway- for sure I will keep you updated.

No problem, Nigel.  I just feared that some of the members would think that Como was the name of a ship.

Hi Mark
There is a reason for this,Euromodels Como is the official name,there is a company in the UK specialising in period ships called Euromodels
I was airing on the side of caution
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi All
As discussion about Euromodels kits seems to be a 'hot potato' at the moment,I thought it would be a good idea for all discussion relating to these kits have a thread of it's own.Anyone looking for reference in the future may find it beneficial and easy to find.Here is the link http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/5678-euromodels-como-kit-discussion/#entry163185
 
Post away to your hearts content
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi guys, well at least something arrived and it gives me hope for the rest of the consignment, I wouldn't have been able to do anything until Tomorrow at best anyhoo (that's why I was prepared to give till mid week before contacting Cornwall)
It turns out they may have shipped my 2 orders (placed at virtually the same time) separately (I had asked them to combine shipping costs, but I guess dispatch just went ahead and sent them) 
 
The order that arrived contained various sized Beech timber, and if the worst comes to the worst I'll be able to work with them (after a little bit of sanding that is)
 
Thanks for checking in,
 
Am off out shortly for the evening so won't be back in touch until tomorrow morning.
 
Take Care
 
Eamonn

Sorry to hear that Eamonn
I can believe after all that time it was only a part order you received.Makes you wonder whether someone down at CMB is following this thread and thought'we better send something'.I know I would if it was my business,what better way to get free customer feedback Assuming you were thinking of working top down,this really doesn't help
Kind Regards Nigel

Excellent work Bob!!!You cannot beat real wood for details like this.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Phew .... sanity prevails. Thanks Nigel
Pete

Thanks Jean-Pierre. We are on the same wavelength about anchors but in the light of a thorough amount of commentary over the last 24 hours, what more can be said ?. In the end, it comes down to the degree of excellence shown by any one builder. Some are more excellent than others ! The more excellent the builder, like yourself, the more that person will question. I come back to the point that at least Euromodel in their drawings not only show the anchors but include actual dimensions. I think that that is the critical point. Appreciate seeing the evidence in those photos !
Pete
 
PS Maybe somebody can start up a new post because as Nigel said, the original topic for this thread has been well and truly covered ?

Having decided not to build the ship's boats for the Euromodel Friederich Wilhelm, I 'undecided' that ! Bar constructing the actual hull from scratch, I examined the white resin hull provided and whilst the actual depth is far from perfect, the final build would not show this. The interior section immediately adjacent to the bow and stern was far too thick but easily reduced in size with my Dremel and a small grinding tool.  It was like carving butter ! The end result I am happy with and all I need to do now is to teach myself a dry brushing technique to make it look old and weathered and all will be fine. Should I have painted the hull interior first ? Well, that was my choice not to so that photographic illustrations would be enhanced. This little project was such a diversion from normal ship building and I am glad that I did do it.
 
The full description is contained in my latest posting for the Wilhelm on the Euromodel website under 'Customer Assistance' - FW.INT.04.v8
Pete

It's now time to tackle the quarter galleries. Sam had been kind enough to provide me with resin castings to replace the kit metal castings, but I decided to go ahead and scratch build the entire assembles from boxwood. After completing the port side gallery, I'm happy with my choice. It was mostly fun and I like the look of it.
 
The only non-scratch parts that I used were the window frames, which are the laser cut kit pieces. As can be seen from the photos, I worked progressively , first adding some counter planking, then the moldings and filler pieces below the windows, then the parts for the window framing and finally the upper and lower finishing parts. It was all pretty straight forward, except for the lower finishing, which has a variety of complex curves and was the cause for considerable foul language before I got it to fit. Hopefully, it will go easier on the second try.
 
The trick now is to duplicate, as closely as possible, all this work on the starboard side.
 
Bob

Thanks Nigel. Just trying to give a balanced view of things and hoping that people like you can confirm what I am saying. I just try to think 'out of the square' a little and maintain the 'logicity' of my brain. Hope there is such a word ?
 
There is no doubt that the Euromodel drawings are so comprehensive in their detail
 
Pete

Nigel - you answer is succinct and pristine and shows an understanding of marketing skills ! The market out there must be very competitive and so to survive, something different must be offered. That is why Euromodel does so well by presenting ships such as a mixture of German, French and English origins with a mix of frigates and merchantman-type uses. I have made my comments (above) regarding the Ajax so nothing further there. The magnificent Friederich Wilhelm (add on 'zu Pferde' for 'horseman') is the ship of my dreams. Not on my wish list but currently building her and the challenges she poses are just so fascinating. Opportunities for a little wood carving are thrown in as well. I have just completed (almost) - bar the painting - the construction of one of her boats and must admit this was something I was prepared to ignore. Just a marvelous diversion from the actual ship. Refer to 'Euromodel Interpretive Files' and Ship's Boat'  postings which I am about to do.
 
Jean-Pierre made a comment about the standard of anchor size in Euromodel's kits. In looking at ships like the Royal William (and others), the data contained in historical records shows just how variable anchor size is between ships. How many builders just accept the anchors provided and assume that they are naturally correct ? For this reason, Euromodel supplies a limited range of anchor sizes all of which allow for individuals to modify their size as they wish. Their drawings in each case do give a good indication of correct size. From what I have seen (and I may be wrong) drawings from elsewhere do not necessarily state anchor dimensions. In the case of the Royal William, I took on the challenge of re-shaping the anchors to what they should be and that in itself was an interesting exercise. Two photos attached illustrate some of what I did.
 

I do find it amusing they have Victory as a background on their homepage.I can understand why they haven't made a kit for her,simple reason is it is a saturated market.You have to come up with something different like Chris Watton did i.e. full interior.The kits they do produce sell simply because,apart from the high quality,they offer subjects a little different from the mainstream.Whilst the Euromodels ethos would be interesting applied to Victory,would it make good marketing sense?Just my thoughts.
 
Kind Regards Nigel