xken

Hello dear friends, 
thank you all for your kind words and support and also your help, I do appreciate it a lot. That is a great pleasure for me. Thank you also for your "likes".
You are right and thank you for advice. I have already looked at various pics of real ships, that often helps me with better decision. 
I used the pics of Sheldon model mainly for an inspiration, how to create the bow - timbers, rails etc. The shape of bow on RK model is made according the Vale´s painting.
 
That's great, Patrick,  thank you very much for sharing, this help me a lot. Super!
 
**********************************
 
I have started making the most demanding statue at the bow. First I create the horse - it is made in stages and each part is then heated in the oven. The rider, harness and a pair of smaller statues behind the horse will be created separately.
 
Here is the beginning:
 

 
Best regards,
Doris

Doris, I can only concur with all the previous accolades of your wonderful talent. I also appreciate the fact of individually sculpting each detail. Your time and effort puts the "ART" in the art of ship building.
Have a great day and keep up the great work you are doing!
 

Doris, Thank you for continuing to show us your model and the ways that you accomplish your detailed decorations I too like your method of individually making parts rather than casting them. Many of us in these modern times look for the fast solution to a building or manufacturing process. By taking the time to make each piece individually you have shown clearly that Practice makes perfect, or to put it another way "...perseverance is necessary to establish perfection"  It is also evident that you love doing what you do, it is beautiful work!
 
Michael

Doris, I can only concur with all the previous accolades of your wonderful talent. I also appreciate the fact of individually sculpting each detail. Your time and effort puts the "ART" in the art of ship building.
Have a great day and keep up the great work you are doing!
 

Doris, I can only concur with all the previous accolades of your wonderful talent. I also appreciate the fact of individually sculpting each detail. Your time and effort puts the "ART" in the art of ship building.
Have a great day and keep up the great work you are doing!
 

Doris, I can only concur with all the previous accolades of your wonderful talent. I also appreciate the fact of individually sculpting each detail. Your time and effort puts the "ART" in the art of ship building.
Have a great day and keep up the great work you are doing!
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

Here are some additional pictures for a better look at it. The decorations are P.E. brass. This is targeted for those wanting to get into boat building and learn some of the techniques of building. The challenge for me to to build it using no machines and doing everything by hand as a novice might have to just getting started. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Here are some additional pictures for a better look at it. The decorations are P.E. brass. This is targeted for those wanting to get into boat building and learn some of the techniques of building. The challenge for me to to build it using no machines and doing everything by hand as a novice might have to just getting started. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

Here are some additional pictures for a better look at it. The decorations are P.E. brass. This is targeted for those wanting to get into boat building and learn some of the techniques of building. The challenge for me to to build it using no machines and doing everything by hand as a novice might have to just getting started. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

Here are some additional pictures for a better look at it. The decorations are P.E. brass. This is targeted for those wanting to get into boat building and learn some of the techniques of building. The challenge for me to to build it using no machines and doing everything by hand as a novice might have to just getting started. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

This is one of the projects I have been working on and is now available. It is a larger scale than the previous kit offered by Model Expo and is the one Chuck refereed to in one of his postings. 
I can now show it since ME has posted it.

 
MODEL SHIPWAYS 18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
BRAND NEW! 1:24 SCALE KIT 24" LONG
True plank-on-frame construction
Perfect detailing with 36 Brittania mettal fittings, dozens of photo-etched parts
Armed with 2 swivel guns & a cannon
Three huge sheets of detailed plans 
48-page step-by-step assembly manual

 
SEE IT HERE & BE THE FIRST ONE TO OWN IT! 


18th CENTURY ARMED LONGBOAT
Laser Cut Basswood, Metal & Photo-Etched Brass Parts 
Model Shipways 1:24 Scale Kit No. MS1460
MSRP $169.99   Intro Special $119.99
Bulwarks & transom decorations are photo-etched brass!
ARMED LONGBOAT PAINT SET 
      Ten 1 oz. Bottles of Model Shipways Paint
One each: Bulwarks Gun Red, 
Primer, White, Hull Yellow Occre, Iron Cannon Black. 
Two: MS4973 Wood Conditioner, 
Three: MS4972 Clear Satin 
                            Reg. $44.99   Now $34.99 
 

]Kurt, the Ladder Wagon was completed and delivered the Hearse is on hold, just need to complete the plans and instructions when I get the go ahead.
 
Here is the Ladder Wagon prototype with working ladder.
 

Hi again to all - 
 
Here is the second and final installment of this little build log.  Hope you enjoy it.
 
With the model and bases polished up, I could move to the fun part – populating it with people.  The vision of Professor Smith was to make the Pike display more ‘hands-on’ and interesting for the school age groups that visit the museum.   The idea was to have a number of vignettes around the ship that would show both the civilian crew and the naval armed guardsmen in realistic settings.    The internet quickly turned up a number of wartime photographs of Navy men servicing the guns.  Here are a few.

Photographs of civilian crewmen were harder to find, other than sterile, posed shots of a ship’s entire crew, all of them scrubbed up as if for their class photo.  I did round up a few, like these motley sailors at cards, and the captain at his desk.

The figures themselves were sourced from Shapeways.  I knew of them from the funnel cages for the Michelangelo, but was surprised at how many offerings were in their catalog when I searched for “1/24 navy figures”.  Dozens of poses, uniforms, helmets, and caps.  Here are a few.  The guardsmen came from their combat sets, with helmets and life jackets.  The crew from the merchant navy sets, some with lifejackets, some without, and even one in the apron and hat of a cook.

The figures are produced in two quality levels, coarse and fine, with the latter being a good deal more expensive.  The financial parameters of the contract mandated the former.  Although they are described as ‘soft’ by Shapeways, when they arrived I found that they are printed in a hard, brittle white plastic with just a little give.  Following the instructions, they were cleaned of oils and primed.  Here is the figure of a kneeling loader for the 5 inch gun.  In the close-up you can see how rough the surface actually is, especially on the skin areas.  Some details, like his helmet brim and strap, have extra lumps of plastic, while the strap is connected to his neck with an extra web.

Using knives and grinding bitts the extra bumps were removed and the helmet strap was cut free.  A wire wheel was used to smooth the flesh of the face and hands, leaving the white plastic showing.  To perfect the pose the hands were sliced off at the wrists and rotated.

I painted the figures with craft acrylics in basic colors.  Little attempt was made to be hyper-realistic with shading and washes, trusting to the eye of the viewer to supply those textures.  The 5 inch shell was turned to military specifications from a birch dowel on my drill press/lathe.    

Although all alone and in closeup the figure appears crude, but on deck I think it worked out pretty well. 

And here is the 5 inch gun with six guardsmen crewing it.  Notice that there are separate propellant charges and warheads, as well as some joined as one shell ready for use.   

It was while researching the gun and its ammunition that I discovered another little-known detail of Wally’s model.  All the way to the starboard side of the gun there are three shells upside down in a fixture.  It turns out that this is the fuse setting machine.  The fire control officer in control center would wire down the proper setting to the machine, and the crank was turned till the shell setting matched.  This substantially improved American rate of fire.

Here is the 3 inch gun at the bow with a gunner and loader.  Even in a fairly close-up shot the Shapeways figures stand up to examination.

The 20mm Oerlikons are served by gunners whose arms were surgically removed and positioned to grasp the handles of the model’s guns.  One is African-American, as were many sailors during the war, watching out warily for the enemy.

The civilian crew is on lookout as well.  The helmsman stands ready at the wheel with his eye on the gimballed compass and the old man’s eye on him.

On deck a few crewmen muscle oil drums onto a pallet while the mate shades his eyes and keeps them honest.

I’m still adding touches.  There will be several figures involved in a lifeboat drill, and additional deck workers.  As an extra I rounded up a 1/24 scale Sherman tank, a broken Radio Shack R/C toy.  After removing the incorrect spotlight, muzzle brake, switches and markings, their holes were filled and painted.  The broken tracks were repaired and reinforced with black fabric tape and the tank set on deck where it will have some crewmen securing it with chains.

But whatever other vignettes get built, there is one that is already a hit with the school crowd.  At the rail the cook watches while his KP swabby empties a pail full of scratch-built garbage.

Hope that this was an entertaining diversion.  Now back to the Michelangelo.
 
Dan
 
 
 
 
 

I used a piece of strip 1/32" thick and 1/16" wide drilled several .020" holes in a row down the strip added a drop of CA to each hole to harden and then cut the nuts square around the hole and filed the cut edges square. This technique can also be used with gray automotive gasket material which turns black with CA added. Sometimes the holes have to be carefully re-drill or reamed once the CA is added and before cutting square. Just check first to make sure the hole is open.
 
Ken

Thank you, I followed the link, your build is absolutely stunning! I will follow your thread it is truly educational!

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.
There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.

Hi Guy's, long time i posted something here, but that's gonna change.
 
Today i just bought myself a long time wanna have gift.
 

 
I will start soon on this one, just for now, are there any tip's to build this kit.
 
Regards
 
Danny

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.
There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.
There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.
There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.