Bill Morrison

I am most impressed with your extremely beautiful craftsmanship and artistry!  Well done!

Bill

On 9/29/2023 at 9:39 AM, Theodosius said:

Beside the money, I would like to know, in the end, if this was more or less work than building a new kit :-). But all the same, I have great respect for what you are doing here :-).

It seems that you are basically starting over with a previously owned kit. I am curious about the original cost and how much you have sunk into the project.  I am impressed with your innovative use of the bow and stern fillers! You have given me an idea for overcoming the deficiencies of a Pandora kit I picked up at a flea market.

Bill

On 12/10/2018 at 2:28 PM, MrBlueJacket said:

Al's grinder is a Craftsman as shown in the photo below. Also here's a link to a Makita one on Amazon. They run from about $60-$120

 

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-GA4030K-4-Inch-Angle-Grinder/dp/B002OTDIH2

 

I use a Craftsman 3-D Sander. It features 3 small pivoting sanding heads that will sand any shape just as the templates indicate.  

Bill

Tres magnifique!

Bill

On 2/16/2024 at 1:35 PM, Ian_Grant said:

Michael, as you know I have this in my stash and know how tiny it is. Otherwise I might assume from the above pics that it is a 1/100 scale model. Looks fantastic!

 

I noticed that the actual molds have fewer decorations at the bow than the box art; will you be casting more to add?

The kit is around 1/168.  However, that is a close guestimate . . .

Bill

I am very amazed at this model!  It all started with an impressive planking job. Well done, sir!

Bill

I, for one, enjoy solid hull kits as well as POB.

Bill

Bluejacket once had several very interesting solid hull ship model kits.  I currently have their old Half Moon and their Continental Navy Ship Cabot.  I would love to have their Flying Cloud. I wish that Bluejacket would manufacture them again.

Bill

This is the BEST model of the Alfred that I have ever seen!  OUTSTANDING work so far! Please keep posting.

Bill

Although both kits have some problems, the most egregious one can be found in the hull moldings.  There is really good detail as far as wood grain, but there are no planks.  They almost look like the ships were carved out of logs. That said, I like both models and have planked over the hulls as much as possible. Problem solved . . .

Bill

I only have one question.  You are doing a truly exceptional job. I particularly like the white trim at the bow and stern. But where did you get the plastic wood?

Bill

I began building PoF ships when I was stationed in Italy at the end of the 1970s.  At the time, there existed a company called Aeropiccola that had a range of smaller ship models called "Super Mec.  I have built two of them early in my modeling experience, HMS Victory and HMS Prince. They were of 1/144 to 1/180 scale. Although they were basic, they were of a perfect size for most homes. The builder was also free to add detailing as he or she wanted.  I wish that we could have more ships in these small scales.

Bill

I am struck with your decks!  Did you paint the decks or use wood?  They are beautiful!

Bill

Well, it may be a difficult kit but you are making a masterpiece of it! You are making excellent progress,!

Bill

I have this kit awaiting me in my stash.  I am taking inspiration from your excellent job so far!

Bill

On 5/17/2019 at 1:45 AM, MESSIS said:

😉  @cog dear friend, Is it a sign of old age... or is it just old age? Ofcourse important its not the age but how you feel.

 

I remember my late father when with 82 he got upset and stopped going to  his club because "too many older gentlemen there... he preferred something more appropriate for his age".... and that worried my sister a lot, calling me all the time and asking his whereabouts. 👍

 

@Dutchman yes ofcourse... actually thats the whole fan in this blog.... Its a getting together of people from every corner of our planet! I believe thats a wonderful feeling!!

Amen to that!

Bill

I have the old Marine Models kit of the Sea Witch. You are inspiring me to build it!

Bill

Avi,

There is nothing in particular. There are so many videos that are helpful.  They are great!

Bill

On 12/4/2023 at 10:57 AM, Avi said:

Two coats of wax on all of the copper - about 10 plates needed to be reinforced or remove and recemented - but waxing is done. Next is varnish. I’m sure the wax provides more than enough protection, but the sheer “pointiness” and “edginess” of the plates means something is going to get stuck on an edge or corner and yank a plate off, or bend it, no matter how long it’s been there. A few coats of varnish will provide a thin layer of sealant, like a tight raincoat or wetsuit, on the whole thing. 

Avi.

Have you seen the videos on coppering a ship on YouTube?

Bill

On 3/8/2021 at 2:53 AM, Vane said:

I think the window of opportunity is lost concerning that kit. It could had rided on the wave and popularity of the Hollywood movie, but too much time has passed now.

Luckily, I got to see the movie ship in San Diego when I was there on a business trip back in 2012. 

 

 

Unfortunately, the movie version of HMS Surprise     originated as a replica of HMS Rose, of importance here in southern New England. I don't know how much she was modified for the movie, or how much she was made to resemble the real HMS Surprise.  Just' sayin' . . .

Bill Morrison

Beautiful job on the Prince!!! Well done!

Keith,

I can't wait to see your Royal William.

Bill Morrison

Mine is the Constructo kit that came out just a few years ago, so it looks like the same kit you are building.  I hope mine looks as good as yours!

Bill Morrison.

On 10/21/2022 at 12:31 AM, KHauptfuehrer said:

Sprits'l yard braces and foremast yard braces in place.  Obviously, a lot of tensioning and retensioning has yet to be done.  I thought I had that done on the upper stays, but nope.  Oh well, good thing I have debonder on hand.  Braces can  droop, but I will wait until they are all in place, and the backstays are finalized before I try to get it all right.  Topmast and t'gallant mast backstays reconnected.  My missing the mark on the upper fore and aft stays made me delay finalizing them.

 

I can't believe how hard it is to belay lines.  I do not remember its being anywhere near this hard when doing my plastic ship models as a kid.

The rigging of plas5ic versus wood ship kits is the same. only the material and complexity of the model is different, which might affect the methos used.

Bill

Wow!

On 9/5/2022 at 7:30 PM, Sailor1234567890 said:

Always wanted to see someone do her in pre rebuild days. Looking great.

I remember back in the 1990s that a friend of mine converted the Heller 1/100 kit to her as-built configuration. I have to admit that that, to me, is when she was most attractive.  You are doing a wonderful build.  Well done!

Bill Morrison