mrshanks

Bummer grayarea.  I never use forceps as a clamp because they don't have any force adjustment at all and clamp very tightly.  For stuff like that I'll use the style of tweezers that are normally closed, or small alligator clamps.
 
For the hearts, Model Expo will replace parts free of charge, so don't be afraid to just contact them and ask for more!
 
I replaced the kit hearts completely using the ones from Syren.

That is magnificent Mr Rabbit. Very very clean work.

I've seen that reference also, Ken.  No other information on "Independence" exists as far as I know.  But there must have been at least a dozen colonial schooners that we have no record of, maybe more.  Any name might be appropriate!

I ordered both sets of micro shapers too.  Never knew those were out there, and saves me from trying to file out patterns on blades.  
 
Dave, did you make a decision on the quarter badges yet?  Personally, I'd add them if you think they would be historically accurate (from Charlie's post, seems like they would be).  Like the stern ornamentation, I think quarter badges add a neat little decorative touch and a lot of character to the model.

That looks real nice Dave, those mouldings certainly add to the look, once rail is on she will be so sweet. As usual Great Work Dave!!

I installed the moldings and the fascia to the transom.  I still need to do some treenailing back there and install the taff rail, but the rail will come after the main rails are fitted to the bulwarks.  The transom is jazzed up a bit, but still relatively simple for this small, converted merchantman.  I think I like the look as it is and won't add any more to it.

Those micro shapers look great Dave - easier than having to create my own shapers, thanks for the recommendation!

Hi Doc! Regarding quarter badges for the ship I would say yes she should have them or at least I would add them. Reason is 1 most ships at that time with a quarterdeck had them in the cabin and also the Halifax and similar type ships were all standard merchant schooners which were converted for battle so they all had that apple shape heavy design vs the other type of ship the Bermuda sloop or other sloops and galleys which would have probably lacked such a cabin space.
 
 
Aside from that regarding name there are a few options if you are looking for one. There were two Independence's active at the same time the 1776 Rhode Island sloop of 8 guns and the 1776 Massachusetts brigantine of 10 guns. Neither really fit a Halifax/Sultana style schooner however no measurements are on record so nothing against naming her Independence.
 
Hahn's colonial schooner book mentions a list of armed schooners employed at that time Hope, S Lawrence, Gaspey, Magdalen, Chaleur and St John. I imagine many of these looked like Chaleur or maybe Edward Hawke (the Marblehead schooner). Gaspee is depicted in Millar's book on the Continental Navy looking something similar to the schooner Baltick or Franklin. He also shows a few other schooners in that book of similar lines to your kit. Not exact but these are of course all conjecture. That said ive seen a version of Gaspee using either the kit or Halifax and it looked rather nice. Some pics below

The fascia will look very good. Nice shape.
 
Russ

I planked the inboard surface of the transom with red heart.  I'll trim it to final size tomorrow.  I also drew up the design and cut out the boxwood fascia that will decorate the transom.  This is similar to what was installed on my Patrick Henry AVS. Lastly, I installed all the bulwark frames.  These are 3mm X 2mm boxwood pieces.

Hey Don!  Here's a link:   http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGEGJ

Thanks Dave. I know you mentioned it somewhere but did you get those from micromark?

Don:  The scrapers do a great job and are easy to work with.  The steel is strong and substantial (.012" thick) as opposed to a razor blade (.008" thick).

Looks real good Dave. The mouldings should give it that little extra. How do you like that scraper? It looks like it does a nice job

Here is the transom glued in place.  I used epoxy.  I made some molding out of boxwood using my Artesania Latina scrapers.  There will be two horizontal strips across the entire transom.  One below the windows and one above.  I haven't worked out what else I may include back there yet.

So, the kit goes away for a while. Back in the 1980's I had one of these, worked fine.
 
Now to re learn the skill.
 
I intend to start painting up bits of the old tool to learn modulation and filtering, before any paint goes on the new kit.
 
This should be fun. It's amazing how much there is on Utube for tanks and planes, nothing on ships.

So, 27 more triple 25MM's.
 
The bases including the seats and windage levers.
 
Plonk the barrels on.
 
Finished and I'm just a bit over these things.

My wife just thinks I'm stubborn, I call it focused

After a few days off due to illness, the 25mm triple mass production continues.
 
For ease of application they are laid out on masking tape and the barrels added.
 
Then the magazines folded and placed in blue tack facing the right way for application.
 
Then the sights and rear handles added. Whilst the alignment is not perfect, they are soo tiny it is not really noticeable with the naked eye.

Thanks Mike. I have too say, it is tempting. I'm getting another boat this weekend (I know, I have too many kits at this point) to add to the stash. I think the only things keeping me from starting multiple builds are the clutter on my work table and my urge to finish the boat I started back in 2015 ! I haven't heard of your other two builds. Where are the other build logs? You make me feel like I'm missing something. The two build logs you have are looking very nice. It shouldn't be too long until you finish one of them, as you have started doing the rigging on your Niagara. By the way, thanks for looking in. I'm hesitant to update my log before I at least get the main boom finished and rigged, but I will update once it is. Have a good day!

good evening everyone, today spent some time on the aitrcraft, and at the end of it, I just placed two of them and put some of the ships boats into position (possibly not the right position) to see what it looks like, I am actually quite pleased with it
 

spent a few hours yesterday and today working on the ships boats, only the outer hull is original from the kit, the rest is PE
 
only the outer hull is used, everything else comes as part of the KA PE kit

 
 
all parts for one

 
and four

 
well that's 7 done

 
 
 
 

for some reason i am not able to get decent picture with new camera, the build actually does look better in RL, still experimenting with the weathering

Thank you Joe, and everyone for the likes and comments
 
spent more time today on the bow area, will need a lot of weathering I think

hahaha Mike