rafine

Thanks so much Victorpapa. I early appreciate your interest and kind words.

Bob

Thanks so much Scott.

Just returned from a trip up north to see the kids and grandkids and to attend my 50th law school reunion. Had a great time, but happy to get back to Essex.

I've completed the waist deck framing. The construction followed the materials and procedures used for the other deck framing ( all of which has been previously described ). With this step, all of the upper deck framing is now done. I've included a full profile photo of the model to this point. The next work will be the limited deck planking to be done in the waist.

Bob

Your work on the boat is simply great.

Bob

I'm late to the party in praising your deck planking, but let me add my admiration for your work. For what it's worth, I like the look of treenailing, but I would understand if you choose not to do it.

Bob

Lees,"Masting and Rigging", contains formulae for determining the size of every line on the ship. Very helpful.

Bob

Very nice work on the framing Michael.

Bob

Testors has apparently dropped most of the line, including all of the solvent based paints, but is now selling a very limited range of the acrylic paints in smaller jars.

Bob

Just give me a couple of days notice Grant and I'm delighted to have you. The weather and the golf are great.

Bob

B.E., it would be my pleasure to have you come to Florida to play some golf and then spend some time with the modeling. I live on a golf course and it's my real day job nowadays. Much as I appreciate your kind thought about seeing my Essex, we should start with the golf.

Bob

Thanks so much Thomas. The anchor cable is Syren .054" line.

Thanks so much Grant. I'm just trying to reach the bar that you've already set.

Thanks so much Tim. Your praise is appreciated, but overly generous.

Thanks also to the "likes" for your continuing interest.

Bob

Thanks Jason. The beams are flat. As I've explained earlier, there were two reasons: first, the framing bulkheads create a flat gun deck and a noticeable camber of the upper deck beams looked somewhat odd; second, when looking at the small scale section drawings in AOTS Essex, it is difficult to even see the camber without using a straight edge. While I'm sure that there should be some camber on both decks, I chose to match the flat gun deck.

Bob

I've now made and installed the first part of the waist deck framing. As with the quarterdeck and forecastle deck framing, the beams, carlings, ledges and hanging knees are boxwood and the lodging knees are cherry. In addition, this portion of the decking required support stanchions. These were made from square boxwood strip with the round portions done with files and sandpaper. As always, the wood was finished with Wipe-on Poly. I am now working on the remaining waist deck framing.

Bob

Thanks so much Thomas for the kind words. One of the benefits of retirement is the time available to do what you like. I really like to build ship models and spend a whole lot of time at it. When you look at it that way, one to two years per model doesn't seem such a short time.

Bob

A lot of work for the redo, but well worth it Sjors. I'm sure that you're happier with it now as well.

Bob

I really like what you've done with the cross-section. Great work.

Bob

Thanks for the very kind words Rowan.

Bob

Thanks so much Hamilton and Rich.

Bob

Thanks very much Sjors.

Bob

Ed, I did it the way you are doing it. Either we're both right or both wrong. I've seen it done in different ways, but I'm confident that the way we're doing it is a "correct" way.

Thanks so much Nils. You are absolutely right that this was one of my favorite builds.

Bob

You and B.E. make me watch in awe as you do these small boats. A very tough act to follow.

Bob

Ken, I used veil netting.

Bob

Thanks Grant and Alistair. Greatly appreciated.

Bob

Thanks so much Nigel, Augie and Jan for your kind comments and also to the "likes" for your continuing interest.

Nigel, I don't think I could face 100 guns. The 26 on the gun deck were quite enough. Of course, I still have some to do on the quarterdeck.

Bob

A minor milestone -- work on the gun deck is complete. I have made, installed and rigged the last four guns, added their deck ringbolts and made and installed the jeer capstan, the second of the three required capstans. I also tied the line for the main course tacks to their bulwark cleats.

The guns were done the same way as all the others (very glad to be done with them). The capstan was done in boxwood, with a pear cap The pawls (stops) were also made from boxwood, painted black and added to the deck.

Next up will be the deck framing for the gangboards (midship decking).

Bob

Looking very good Ken. The capstan definitely looks better.

Bob