EJ_L

Thank you and a big welcome to Marvin and all the folks at Scale Hardware! Always good to see new sponsors and after taking a stroll through your online store I can see some great products that I'm sure I will be adding to current and future projects.

Thank You Gentlemen....
 
I installed the thwarts and painted them.    Then I began planking the area above them.   I glued one laser cut, pre-spiled plank above the thwarts.  The interesting thing about this plank is the fact that it doesnt extend up to the shear.  It in fact is only wide enough to just touch the bottom edge of the caprail.   This leaves a consistent rabbet or ledge all around the caprail.   Then smaller lengths of laser cut wood the same thickness of the planking are strategically placed on top of this plank.  These small strips do extend to the sheer and are sanded flush with the top of the cap rail.   These pieces are ONLY placed where an oarlock (tholes) will be located.   And they alternate port to starbord as is typical with single banked barges.  This can be seen clearly in the photograph supplied of a typical contemporary model of a barge.
 

 

 
Once Painted I couldnt wait to try out my laser cut panels.  I didnt even wait until all of the interior planking was completed.  This was a real pain to do on the pinnace model and those of you who have built that kit can probably agree.   For the pinnace kit, in order to create the panels you had to first scrape some molding strips to create the fancy profile while keeping the strips very thin.   Then each panel was made by hand where you had to miter each corner of every square panel.  It took dozens of hours over several days.   To alleviate this pain I tried to design laser cut panels with a fancy molded edge. It was of huge importance that this work and look good, in addition to the time savings I was planning on including the friezes in this kit.  If they were laser cut and a consistent size I could include them no problems....
 
I was pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out.  What took dozens of hours over several days on the Pinnace took only a half hour to do on this barge.
 
I have just tested these in position and they are not glued into place yet.  That will be done later after I finish the inboard planking.  The panels are very delicate at only 1/32" thick.  So I sanded the top surface to clean it up and make it bright.  I used a light touch with 320 grit paper.  Then I lightly sanded the outside edges only.  I didnt bother with the inside edges because the panels are too fragile.   I also didnt bother trying to remove the laser char from the etched fancy profile.   After sanding the edges lightly the darker char actually emphasizes the profile and looks rather good.   I would hope you all agree.  They are made from boxwood and once finished with wipe-on-poly they look quite nice.  Friezes printed on paper will be inserted into each panel much like the contemporary model shown above.
 

 
 
 
 

Thank you very much for the likes and comment.
 
The panels were completed and glued into position.  You could leave them like that with just the empty panels which has been seen on many contemporary models.  In this case I chose to insert printed friezes into them like the contemporary model shown above.
 
I actually patterned the same same frieze design from that contemporary model and used it on my prototype.  What do you guys think.   I will be working on the step into the stern sheets next and then started on the outboard details again shortly after.
 

 

 

 

 
 
Chuck

Thank You Marvin at Scale Hardware for sponsoring our forum.  I am sure everyone will love what you guys have to offer.  Tiny bolts and nuts.....rivets and everything in between.  Visit there online store and website and browse around.  Join me in welcoming them
 
www.scalehardware.com

Ditto Sjors

Great start to the transom, EJ.  You were right to shorten the height of the chase ports; it will make a big difference in the finished model.

Great progress EJ, I'll see you over on La Couronne. I'm hoping that when these two are done you will build something that is easier to spell

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Beautiful view EJ.
You have planked that stern just great!
 
Sjors
 

Hey Mike, if you go to their website(located on the home page in the ads) you can email from there. If that doesn't work let me know and I can pm you. Also, have you checked out Zoran's build log of the Trajta, it is real informative and detailed, link is in his signature

Hello Zoran - I am following up from your reply regarding any updated instructions for the Trajta kit. I don't know if what I have is new or old. I bought the kit about 8 months ago. I'd love to get started on Trajta. 
 
I don't seem to be able to PM the maristella.hr account

Hey Don - That's good to know about the updated instructions. I'll see if Zoran can get me a copy. My other Maristella kit is the cog and I don't want to do that one as a secondary build.
 
I know what you mean about putting things off. It's easy to do. Of course when I do that, I end up getting frustrated that things are not progressing. You can't win either way. From the pix I have seen I think all the Maristella kits should have sails. It will come to you when the time is right.
 
Stay with it.

Hi Mike, Thanks for stopping by. Work on the Trabaccolo has been slow as of late but I am now determined to get it finished soon, if all works out. I think I have been stalling a little as I am unsure whether to install the sails or not and the time is coming very close to make this decision.
The Trajta is a nice looking boat and looks like she would be a fun build with great results. If it were me I would do the Trajta first to just get the feel for the MarisStella kits. They are wonderful kits and are certainly not the same as other kits which adds to the adventure of building one. If you decide to start the Trabaccolo I know the instructions have been re-done, it would be just a matter of contacting Zoran for them, if you have the old ones. As Zoran stated above many of the kits instructions have been re-written, a quick email and Zoran will be there to help with any questions you may have concerning any aspect of the kits or your build.
 Whatever decision you make I'll be watching and would be more than happy to help out and to cheer you on.

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Sjors, I use piping for a lot of storage. Wood strips, dowels and model railroad track all have their tubes out in the garage. That is originally what I was using for my ship wood as well until I got this cabinet.
 
I meant to post this a couple days ago but I did finish up the starboard side gun ports and more sanding. She is starting to look good on that side now. The port side is also well underway and I am hoping to have the ports finished up in a couple more days and then more sanding on that side. Once both sides are where I like them I will build out the stern and the 2nd planking will start. If I can manage it at work, I am hoping to get a 4 day weekend this weekend and should be able to get in some long build days. 

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Port side gun ports are in place, hull is sanded and ready for the second planking! 
 
Started working on the stern below the cabin balconies. Framed up the stern ports and planked up to the balconies with the finish layer.
 
Going to take a break on her for a little while now before I really dive into the second planking. There is a lot of it but the second layer tends to go faster than the first and once I get going on it, I like to see it to the end. So before that I want to work some more on La Couronne as she is nearing completion. I may push to finish her up before I return to this log so it may be awhile before there are any new progress pics on here.
 

 

 

Last night, I went to visit Dan Pariser who very graciously invited me over to discuss my project.  After offering a number of helpful tips and suggestions, Dan brought out his recently acquired, two-volume boxed set of the collected paintings of the Van de Veldes, by M.S. Robinson.
 
Upon looking up SR in the index, I discovered the above thumbnail of a large (4'x8') painting of The Battle of Barfleur.  I had never seen this painting before, and was immediately intrigued because it features SR, from her port quarter, facing off against Britannia.  Here is a close-up of her stern detail:

Upon publication of these twin volumes, it was noted by Robinson that the painting was housed in a private collection at Euston Hall, in Sussex.  The painting is not directly attributed to either the Elder or Younger VDV, but is believed to at least be a product of their studio.
 
Later, last night I sent an inquiry to Euston Hall, and the curator responded, promptly, this morning.  She told me that, in her time there, the painting had not been in residence and that she was not familiar with it.
 
My next move will be to contact the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to see whether they have it in their collection, or know its whereabouts.  I am hopefull that they, or some private owner, can ultimately provide me with a high-res close-up of SR.
 
Given the rather large size of the painting, this small thumbnail suggests that there is quite a bit of detail painted into the portrait, which may be insightful under magnification.  My internet image searches have turned up exactly zero results connected to this painting, so I suspect that it has not changed hands often, and as a result, there are few photographs of the work in the public realm.
 
That the work is attributed to the VDV studio lends the image of SR a degree of credible authenticity that is more or less suspect at the hands of other contemporary marine painters.
 
I am sending this out to the MSW community in the hope that some of you may be familiar with the painting, know where it is housed, or even possess some better imagery of the painting that they can share.
 
As always, any help along these lines is greatly appreciated, as are any visitors to my page, for taking an interest in this project.  And special thanks to you Dan, for availing me once again, of your hospitality, insight and resources.
 
Thank you,
 
Marc
 
 
 
 

Very nice work Johann.

Hello Johann,
nice work.
Karl

Sal,
 great work to say the least
looking on your past builds you are A pro
thank you for sharing this Nice build log with MSW I as well as others are enjoying your endeavor please keep up the fine work 
 
Jay

Sjors, thanks for letting me know I just assumed it was Dutch and we all know what happens when you as#-u-me. 

Sal,
 
The book is not Dutch but German.....
I will follow you from the back because i like what you are doing.
 
Sjors