Tim Curtis

Still have to paint the backsides of all the blocks and deadeyes. Have made some good progress on the stanchions so far. Photo was mid-progress but only have 3 left to make at this stage. They don't get glued in place until almost the end of the process but dry-fitted them to see what it would look like. I've ordered some Brass Black as, based on a number of other build logs, I think the final product will be better than trying to paint these. I wish I had thought about getting some Pewter Black for the blocks and deadeyes before I primed and half-painted them already but will store that away for the next build.

This looks like a great kit.
I am currently building the MK Phoenix (plus) and finding it a superb quality kit for a great price.
It looks like the Avos will share many of the same strengths.
Thanks for the historical info about the design of the model, and its relationship to the english cutter Arrow. That's really helpful.
 
Tim

This looks like a great kit.
I am currently building the MK Phoenix (plus) and finding it a superb quality kit for a great price.
It looks like the Avos will share many of the same strengths.
Thanks for the historical info about the design of the model, and its relationship to the english cutter Arrow. That's really helpful.
 
Tim

This looks like a great kit.
I am currently building the MK Phoenix (plus) and finding it a superb quality kit for a great price.
It looks like the Avos will share many of the same strengths.
Thanks for the historical info about the design of the model, and its relationship to the english cutter Arrow. That's really helpful.
 
Tim

This is probably my last update of my Bluenose log.
I took all the pics for the gallery and here I present some of them. The gallery will be open soon.

I would like to thank you all for replys, comment, likes or just stopping by at my log. THANKS   .

Enjoy the pics.


 

Well the clamps are off and the work on the BARGE is done until next weekend. I have another personal build I want to spend some time on and a kit design project just getting underway. Keep an eye on MSW for news on that coming soon...........
 
I taped together a couple of pieces of thin cardboard to make a small firm envelope to store the flags, inset and sweeps' artwork and the chip board laser cut piece. I'll leave them safely in the bottom of the box until they are needed.
 
Sam

I agree 100%.
I recently purchased the Master Korabel Phoenix plus kit.
Amazing quality.
Great value.
Perfect for someone without brilliant woodworking skills, without lots of free time, but who loves model making on a table in his study.
Tim
 
 

Ok, final aspect, now start with other side 
👍


 
.... work on the deck continues ...

Model Enthusiasts,
While building our detailed model of the "USS St. Louis" ironclad, two problems about its basic design have consistently bothered us: 1) How did a crew of 175 access the upper (Hurricane) deck ?,  and 2) How were stores, equipment and  provisions loaded into the cramped spaces of the lower hull?.  Attached are a few contemporary photographs of "City Class" Ironclads and comparable photos of our model which better illustrate this issue. The existing drawings of "City Class" ironclads only show a single hatchway in the Hurricane deck with a ladder down to the gun deck but it is inside of the pilothouse which has no exit onto the deck itself. There are several "so-called skylights" on the Hurricane deck but only the 4' x 6' opening at the front of this deck is usable, but it is directly above the center bow casement cannon. The large "skylight" over the boilers is really an iron grate covered exhaust ventilator, and the other 2 openings are over the "Pittman" Arms and paddle wheel bellcranks. None of them have ladders or stairways. The most obvious access to the Hurricane deck would be thru open gunports onto the fore & aft decks and then up ladders on the fore & aft casements. The Captains access from his quarters on the gun deck to the Hurricane deck would evidently be thru a stern casement open gunport onto the stern deck and up a ladder on the stern casement! You can imagine the difficulty frequent coaling resupply operations with these limitations. Obviously the Hurricane deck is only an unarmored wood beam structure which could be modified for better access but since none of it survived the USS Cairo recovery in 1963, we have no idea what it may have contained.
We have unsuccessfully researched this issue including the USS St. Louis log book (quasi-diary) for a better understanding and would appreciate any feedback you can provide.
 
johnhoward
 

Bowsprit, Jibboom & Flying Jibboom all assembled and glued into place. Figurehead glued on. Could not get a good close-up shot of it like I wanted.
 
This is the part of the build where I have to be extra careful because I always bump, snag and break things that stick out. I actually delayed this step until now for this very reason.
 
Jesse

As La Topaze has no cover for her spars and oars, I had to make them in order to lash them down beside the cutter – so I made the complete set.
 




 
There are still some details missing (pumps, decorations). But the next step will be a simple one: a chimney for Topaze’s galley.
 
I wish you all a happy New Year!
Gregor

Happy new year, everyone! While I wasn't able to make quite as much progress as I was hoping, the Revenue Cutter is still starting to look more like a ship now. I didn't do a good job of taking photos along the way as I got on a good roll but I'll walk through what happened with the photos I have.
 
The first step was trimming the lower deadeyes to match the plans (and not spill over into the copper section of the hull) and assembling the pintles and gudgeons. These were painted black and attached to the hull.

I did have an issue with the alignment on the rudder getting all three pintles/gudgeons flush with the angle of the stern post and the pre-drilled hole in the deck. This is likely driven by the decisions I made earlier on but I decided the best course of action was to break the highest one so that the more visible lower two were good to go. I'll try and force the two pieces a little closer together later on but just leaving it as in the photo for now.

I also had to trim the length of the tiller prior to installing to fit within the space leading up to the cabin. This is because the hole for the rudder on the plans is situated much further back than what was pre-drilled into the hull and the deck.

I then stained and shaped the toe rails with hot water and rather than taping them to the hull, I used the cutout from the deck so that I didn't have to worry about the tape ruining any of the hull painting.

It worked really well. I then attached the toe rails to the deck and that went well. I left a gap at the bow to ensure space for the bowsprit. I may have left this a little wider than necessary but once the bulwark piece is added, it probably won't be noticeable. If it keeps bugging me, I've saved the scrap from the stained wood and I could extended it slightly at that time.

I've also painted and installed the forward hatches and the carronade track. While one direction fit perfectly within the printed template on the deck, the other direction wasn't perfect. I decided to have the slight discrepancy be on the fore/aft portion instead of the sides as the carronade base may cover it up for those looking at a quicker glance.

I'm working through priming and painting all of the blocks and between coats will be starting to create all of the stanchions for the life rail.

On going sail-making. Fore staysail, topsail and topgallant sail complete.
Temporarily fixed.
 

 
 

I have started on sail making.
Using vellum as a material.
Died with tea.
Small steel wires in seams.
Here are preliminary results.
Will post more info about the process shortly.

Slow progress. 
Ratlines finished.
Two yards in place but not quite finished.
One set of braces in place. Note that these start at the main shrouds, and return and run through a block attached to the shrouds. This is how she is rigged in the contemporary print I have published above.
Forecourse lifts.
Topsail sheets.
Lettering on the stern. 
Wooden grating around the binnacle.
Main top rope.
 
Small little pieces falling into place. Each one more satisfying than the last.
 
Tim.

Thanks for comments and likes Pav and Jesse.
T

wow, shes a beauty...

Looking so sweet! I love this ship. Wish mine looked as good as yours!
 
Jesse

On going sail-making. Fore staysail, topsail and topgallant sail complete.
Temporarily fixed.
 

 
 

I have started on sail making.
Using vellum as a material.
Died with tea.
Small steel wires in seams.
Here are preliminary results.
Will post more info about the process shortly.

Slow progress. 
Ratlines finished.
Two yards in place but not quite finished.
One set of braces in place. Note that these start at the main shrouds, and return and run through a block attached to the shrouds. This is how she is rigged in the contemporary print I have published above.
Forecourse lifts.
Topsail sheets.
Lettering on the stern. 
Wooden grating around the binnacle.
Main top rope.
 
Small little pieces falling into place. Each one more satisfying than the last.
 
Tim.

Thanks to all for your kind words. Thoroughly enjoying rigging. It's my favourite bit. Every separate line and block is like a little model of its own!

I have completed topmast shrouds and backstays. Begun the long slow process of adding the ratlines. Spend many happy hours listening to Winston Churchill's history of the second world war on Audible whilst doing it. Utterly relaxing. Most wonderful escapism. Here are the current results.

Here is an update.
I have finished the bowsprit, jib boom, and martingale, along with guys and stays.
I have departed from the kit plans significantly, to match the contemporary print. See below.


As is lower yard, however this is dry fit and needs completing. Just wanted to check that the cranse iron would work.


Top mast is also dry fit. And topmast stay.

Happy New Year to all!
 
Not too much to show for a little bit of extra time in the shipyard, but have put a bookend on the work at the stern and quarter galleries for now.  Basically, all I've done is glue the quarter gallery sections in place together with the various rails (Upper stool, rim and lower stool rails).  This took much longer than expected as  I had so many pieces of rework, either because if breakage when shaping, fitting or by trimming a little too much (despite reciting 'don't take off too much' continually under my breath) and needing to restart.  It was also challenging as the quarter gallery rails needed to match as well as possible to the upper and lower counter rails.  Anyway, don't think the pictures need much additional explanation - other than that some are taken without any touchup, but the extra time afforded by the site outage allowed me to get a little more done.
 
Suffice to say, I'm very pleased with the way the quarter galleries turned out, definitely challenging, but worth the extra time.  The PE lights still require some work and these will not be put in place yet, but I wanted to get a sense for the overall look and the lines.  Of course final judgement is left to others 
 

 
The kit supplied console brackets  proved to be a little oversized, to keep the same feel as the plans I wanted these to fit snuggly between the upper stool and the rim rails.  For comparison, you can see the adjusted starboard side bracket to the not yet adjusted port side on the left.
 

 
Taking a step back to compare to the plans and assessing varied angles I think I've done as much as can be done to bash any provided parts into something a little more consistent.  As always, the human eye is a little more forgiving in person.  The plan profile is enlarged from the AOTS book.  The quarter gallery sculptures now have a definite 'ledge' to visually support them and I'm glad I invested the extra time here.