mikeaidanh

Hello one and all,
 
Here I go then. My attempt to build HMS Surprise.
 
I had hoped to base this very firmly on Jack Aubrey’s vessel but I have found it difficult to tie down exactly what Patrick O’Brian had in mind. It is quite clear that O’brian contradicts himself at times and that he plays fast and loose with the time line. Others may have a better handle on this than me and I would love to hear their thoughts; in the mean time the plan is to build L’Unite/Surprise before her refit in 1798 thus giving scope to include “long guns” much loved by our Jack.
 
 
 
The kit from Artesania Latina leaves much to be desired even to my unpracticed eye and this has been touched upon by others. Kim, krt2, pointed out, in his sadly now missing build log, the problem with mast positions and channels. I intend to address these issues where I can and, again, would be very interested in the view of others.
 
 
So, HMS Surprise with the odd hint of Aubrey.
 

In the beginning.The familiar starting point. Does anyone else use this wonderful Dremel vice?
 

Gluing in using small engineers squares.
 

All bulkheads in place.
 

As I have a biggish drawing board it occurred to me that I could “test” the planking layout before fitting the false deck sections.
 

Binding strakes and Margin planks have also been drawn in.
 

Templates for margin planks...
 

......and in situ on the marked up deck.
 
 
The marked up deck will contain errors due to parallax and pencil thickness so they are purely a guide. I hope they will at least keep me on track when laying the planks. A butt shift pattern had been worked out in advance.....I hope it is correct!
 
Some below deck interest.
 


The main hatch will be displayed open for added interest and the hatch below that will also be open do infer that work between decks is underway. A hoist may be added later.
 


Fitting the false decks.....
 

....and a preview of the hatch below.
 
 
Oh no! a boo boo! Bulkhead 18 has been misfitted and I failed to notice it before now. A section of false deck must be cut out and removed before the glue holding the bulkhead has been softened with IPA and the offending piece removed and replaced correctly.(Sorry, lousy photo.)
 


In passing I must pay homage to the accumulated wisdom within these forums (fora?) that led me to the solution of PVA with IPA.
 

All fixed and the false deck section due to be replaced.
 

Starting the planking. A guide has been placed for laying the first plank.
 

The central un butt shifted planks are laid.
 
At this point I must thank those people who responded to my question regarding scraping and scrapers in the Building,Framing and Planking forum. The small amount of deck that  has been laid so far looked a bit messy due to inept use of the permanent marker and smudgy transfer from my fingers. I tried a wee scrape and it works! Now I must learn to be cleaner in my work
 
 
On the subject of plank edge marking it seems to look better if only one face of a pair of planks is marked. Is this the method in general?
 

Well apart from purchasing a few wheel/handles, i am calling this one, sorry it is not brilliant, but i tried my best, oh and but the way im pleased with it




   

Greetings Richard,
good luck with your build.
Mike in MK.

Greetings Richard,
good luck with your build.
Mike in MK.

Greetings Richard,
good luck with your build.
Mike in MK.

Between $200 and $300 but probably in between.

The Pegasus for me. If the instructions are as good as the Syren instructions, it would be a great opportunity to take my modeling to the next level and include building a fully framed cross section.
A lot may also depend on the pricing of these models. What price range do you have in mind for these 3.
Peter.

And  a few more shots of Gregs cross section of Pegasus.
 

I have always known them by the name chebacco....similar to a pinky.
 
Here is a contemporary model of the Lion from the smithsonian.   

And a Ronnberg model that is in Mystic.

Other than these few examples.....not many models of her or other chebaccos are modeled. There is a fellow building an actual full sized representation of the LIon ....he is making great progress.
 


 
 

Hello folks,   
 
I am just about finished cutting the new bulkheads and keel parts for Winchelsea.  The plans are basically completed other than minor tweaking as a I build her.  I am excited and eager to start making sawdust on her any day now.  
 
Having said that,  because the plans are basically done I like to begin drafting my next project as I build the one on my workbench.
 
I have read through the topics we created about what types of kits and projects might be of interest to folks.  I started with 12 possibilities and narrowed it down to 6 and then finally down to just three.  Because the Winnie is so large I am looking for a smallish project to research/design/draft.  Much like the Barge.  Which is all done now.
 
So I would like to ask you to help me out here.  For all I know,  there may be little interest in either of these.  So please just dont start suggesting new choices as I want to concentrate on these three.  To help me eliminate them from consideration.   Should none interest you than select that as your option and I will continue to look for another subject.
 
A - Dutch Boeier, I have been fascinated by these little subjects and to my knowledge no decent kits or projects exist of one.  At least not like I would attempt to create one.  No Guns but very beautiful and decorative.  This is the exact Boeier I am contemplating.  1/4" scale in Cherry most likely
 

B. Pegasus Cross section...you guys know this one.  1/4" scale in Cherry and also second option for Boxwood upgrade.  In cooperation with Admiralty models I would prepare a cross section kit for Pegasus.  Not because I am hung up on guns or English ships, but because I really want to try my new method for making frames.  I am also excited about working with those guys and think my design features will make it incredibly easy for someone to build a fully framed cross section in a fraction of the time that it would take from scratch...or even with one of the new shady cross section kits on the market.

C. Chebacco Boat Lion...early american late 18th century ...POB model of another rarely seen subject that I find interesting.  New England fishing Chebacco.  1/4" scale in Cherry with Boxwood upgrade available.
 

 
 
D.  You are not interested in any of them.....I shouldnt waste a year or so designing a kit of any of these because you are certain that you would not buy them.  Dont feel bad choosing this.   Helping me to eliminate a project that nobody wants will save me years of wasted time.
 
 
FEEL FREE TO ELABORATE ON WHY YOU CHOSE ONE OF THE THREE OR NONE OF THEM....its very helpful to me.
 
 

Greetings John,
Welcome. I knew a girl once in Harrogate but that now seems so long ago!
Mike.

All sorted now. Jim Byrnes has kindly offered to send me a spacer with my current order. My TC blade inventory is now complete. My new spacer will allow me to use HSS slitting blades from Chronos, thanks Keith, when I need to. 
Once again thanks for all the input.
End of thread..
Mike.

All sorted now. Jim Byrnes has kindly offered to send me a spacer with my current order. My TC blade inventory is now complete. My new spacer will allow me to use HSS slitting blades from Chronos, thanks Keith, when I need to. 
Once again thanks for all the input.
End of thread..
Mike.

All sorted now. Jim Byrnes has kindly offered to send me a spacer with my current order. My TC blade inventory is now complete. My new spacer will allow me to use HSS slitting blades from Chronos, thanks Keith, when I need to. 
Once again thanks for all the input.
End of thread..
Mike.

All sorted now. Jim Byrnes has kindly offered to send me a spacer with my current order. My TC blade inventory is now complete. My new spacer will allow me to use HSS slitting blades from Chronos, thanks Keith, when I need to. 
Once again thanks for all the input.
End of thread..
Mike.

Thank you Mark but it was the finding rather than the searching that was giving me trouble!
Thank you Keith. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned carbide tips and I have just ordered from Jim Byrnes. I was trying to avoid this due to the postage costs but I gave in rather than waste anymore time. The slitting blade info that you sent will be very useful in the future and I thank you for it. I do not have a lathe but will search for the appropriate reducing washer at some point.
Many thanks to one and all who responded to my request.
Best wishes,
Mike.

Thank you Mark but it was the finding rather than the searching that was giving me trouble!
Thank you Keith. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned carbide tips and I have just ordered from Jim Byrnes. I was trying to avoid this due to the postage costs but I gave in rather than waste anymore time. The slitting blade info that you sent will be very useful in the future and I thank you for it. I do not have a lathe but will search for the appropriate reducing washer at some point.
Many thanks to one and all who responded to my request.
Best wishes,
Mike.

Thank you Thistle. I could buy direct from Jim Byrnes but I am trying to source blades either here in the UK or in Europe in general.
I appreciate your input though.
Mike.

Can any UK member tell me where to buy suitable blades for my Jim saw on this side of the pond? I have had no luck so far in my searches on line.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My thanks in anticipation,
Mike.

Thank you Thistle. I could buy direct from Jim Byrnes but I am trying to source blades either here in the UK or in Europe in general.
I appreciate your input though.
Mike.

Can any UK member tell me where to buy suitable blades for my Jim saw on this side of the pond? I have had no luck so far in my searches on line.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My thanks in anticipation,
Mike.

Greetings Jim from another ex FAA. Virtually the same years as you. Hermes with 803 and Eagle with 800B. welcome to this excellent forum.
Mike.

Greetings Jim from another ex FAA. Virtually the same years as you. Hermes with 803 and Eagle with 800B. welcome to this excellent forum.
Mike.

This was my first attempt at model ship building. It is incomplete as the cannon were not built. I found 1:64 to be too small for me. The job was hurried because i wanted to try out all the aspects of the build to see how i liked it. I liked it a lot which is why i am about to take a very great deal of time building the AL 1:48 HMS Surprise.
 
The following photographs form a pictorial record of the build. Sorry....no words.
 
Mike.
 

A hard worked boat. Brilliant!