NMBROOK

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

Hi Jean-Pierre...
 
yes... it is really a pity that Euro Model doen NOT have a Victory or Endeavour... So it is almost a shame that we MUST decide between a Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde (what a shipname... and what a glorious ship of the almost - even in Germany - unkown navy of Brandenburg) or a Ajax (Amsterdam? Soccer in model??) or the Derfflinger (what really is a small model and perhaps not so high-Level - but a Beauty and also a Branden-Burger ) No, no... stop kidding now - Euro Model is definetly on my wish-list. I will probaly start with the Derfflinger, but my dream is the Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde...
 
All the best
 
Cheerio
 
Max

I just paid a visit to the Euromodel site.  Really excellent: site, excellent models, and a very open minded company to show what can be done with their kits, and last but not least, the extra explanations readily available on their site.
 
Drawbacks for Euromodel kits are:
-there is no Victory in their range
-there is neither a Bounty or an Endeavour or a Cutty Sark
-some parts of their kits seem -strangely enough- rather rude (Ex; their thick anchors and pinrails)
-some of their smaller kits, like the Derflinger or the Hanseatic Kogge, do not quite reach the high level of their larger models, but then they can be improved, of course.
 
I am definitely putting this brand on my wish list!

She is looking wonderful Kevin   I have noticed your neck of the woods is getting the worst of the horrendous weather we are having!!
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Good afternoon, 
some progress on my build, the fore deck is complete with the exception of the cannons. I t has taken a little while to get back into it, not being 100% and the weather here, like in many other places has been - well  - poor
 
nothing is fixed into position yet, hence some bits look not quite level
 
- good to be back
 
 
 

been a slow build weekend as i get back into the build, managed to make the upper deck gratings - still to make the coamings to support them - also - i had forgoten just how wide she will be with the 11"stud booms in lace total width 28" 

Thanks mobbsie, most appreciated! Do you mean cannons for the upper deck, if so these are the ones. Vasa had a mixed bag of howitzers and culverins. On the quarter deck there were also two falconets, one of them had no carriage and was strapped to the deck. Vasa was prepared for four swivel guns at the four round holes below the stern windows, but these where not delivered or mounted when she sank.
 
Nigel, cheers mate! Yeah I think a simplified rigging hopefully will keep the sense of scale.
 
 
/Matti

Fabulous work mate!!!I agree a cautious approach re the rigging of these is the best.You have marvelous scale fidelity there and that is all too easy to spoil with oversize rigging.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Phew, here's a pic of three finished cannons. There where many hours to get them the way I wanted and they are quite fragile.
 

 
I plan to simplify the cannon rigging, as I'm afraid to to make it look like someone throw a bunch of ropes over them at this scale. I still havent decide how to do it yet but I'm leaning thowards a rather simple setup. 
 
 
 
/Matti

Hi Marc
It is quite funny that I was just ready about the battle of Beachy Head 1690 where the English and Dutch formed a combined fleet to defeat the French!It is funny how one's allies seem to change on a regular basis.Sovereign did live long enough to see this alliance,so the 'golden devil' that once was foe,was now friend.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi Doris
Yes I understand what you have done now As you will have seen on my build,I haven't got this compartment as I am working direct to the book.The problem is what should in reality be actually at the end of the bowsprit and how this is fixed.If you follow the book it is just a square block sat on the deck,it just seems wrong and not strong enough.I may consult Janos and see what he came up with.Thanks again and looking forward to more of your fantastic build
Kind Regards Nigel

dgbot: Thank you for your kind words, dear David, I am really very honoured reading your post.
 
Nigel: I am not sure, but maybe you mean this place:
 

 
I've made ​​the necessary adjustment on the bow - there was added another bulkhead under the foredeck ( it is not drawn in plans and other parts also have been changed and modified) to achieve better durability and solidity of the hull - the model is mainly made of card and needs larger reinforcement. Did you mean this?
 
Kind regards
Doris

Hi Doris
I fully understand,I will do a drawing and post it later tonight.If you do take the book as gospel,then it means there is little support for the bowsprit.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi Eamonn
If you are in need of Scandinavian softwood,buy it now!!!due to my extensive purchases for Trinnidad's hull this too is in short supply along with your planking
 
Kind regards Nigel

Thank you very much for your kind words and comments, dear friends, I appreciate them a lot.
 
 
 
Well, I know about some mistakes in the book but please could you explain to me or show a pics (it is better for me to see the mistake and the way how to correct it), what you mean? I am afraid, I cannot understand well, my English is not very good.
Best regards,
Doris

Fabulous work Doris  It looks like you are working to the Anatomy of the ship book,same as me.There is a mistake on the drawings as to how the bowsprit is anchored.In the side view it is shown going to a wooden plate that fits between the legs on the foredeck bitts,as the gussets of the anchor bitts falls short.In Plan it shows the gussets much longer  on the anchor bitts and the wooden bowsprit support plate fits between these.I just wondered how you went about this as I don't think you have posted a photo before the foredeck went on.I apologise in advance if you read this with google translater as I should imagine this will make little sense.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

Hi Again Kester,
 
I too am a big Amazon buyer (for more much mundane 'new releases' books of course) I find I have to fund my book shopping by 'Knocking Off' the odd Bank in my spare time! BBA have told me that that is just enabling my problem though, and to stop immediately..
 
Am looking forward to giving the old Serving Machine a lash, but given the lack of 'Stuff that Trees are Made of' it may be some time away yet! (admittedly some choice words may be spoken by me at that time too, being as how I'm an Ex Sailor & Irish those words may extent to.. dare I say it.. 'Colourful' :mellow: )
 
Hopefully in a few days I can look back at the Great Timber Shortage of 2014, with a happy tear in my eye and say.. 'Ah Yes, I remember it like it was yesterday' as I take another sip of sherry!!
 
All The Best
 
Eamonn