Tim Curtis

Boat 2, 26' pinnace
 
This boat has now been completed, only 3 to go, 2 x 25' cutters and the 18' jolly boat.
 
I think the pinnace and the launch have been the easiest to make as they are carvall construction. Planking of these 2 was started at the gunwale and proceeded down to the keel. With a small amount of filler the smooth hull was OK to build. The other 3 are clinker built. On the real things I assume that the planks would be laid from the keel up to achieve the overlaps. I'm not sure how to do this on the 1:75 versions, some thought required.
 
I used 2 different methods for the construction of the sacrificial balsa templates for the launch and the pinnace. The launch was a solid block shaped using cut out negative profiles to achieve the overall shape. The pinnace template was made from individual 5mm thick sections cut out using the profiles and then faired to get the right shape. I think the second method resulted in a better template and I will use this again for the other 3 boats.  
 
The launch and the pinnace are probably the most different of the 5 ship's boats. The launch is big and beamy and capable of heavy duty tasks such as anchor transportation for warping and carrying of stores. My understanding is that the the pinnace is basically for transporting officers between ships or to shore and other light duties so is more built for speed as evidenced by it's comparatively narrow design and the small compartment at the stern for the boatswain. Additional gunwale height at the stern also makes for dryer ride. It wouldn't do to get Captain Jack wet!
 
Building the ship's boats has been a nice change from the main construction. Unfortunately I have run out of the 4 x 0.5mm planking used for construction and will need to source more before the other 3 boats can be built. I might do some more work on the main hull.
 
Cheers,
 
David.
 

 

 

Ship's Boats.
 
After a bit of a break I have got back into construction and have completed the first of the 5 ship's boats, the 28'launch.
 
I shaped a solid balsa block template rather than the previous method i had used for the Bounty boats when I made up the template from individual balsa strips spaced to the rib pattern.
 
Cheers,
 
David.
 
     
 
                                               
 
 

Deadeyes take 2.
 
I visited an interesting exhibition of model ships a couple of weekends ago. Some of the models are outstanding, they remind me that I am a relative newcomer to the hobby.
 
Looking at some of the models of ships from the same period as Surprise, and more carefully checking out the drawings and some images online, I realised that the deadeyes that I have used are too big. So some more work was needed on chains and deadeyes. The next size down that I could source from my friendly supplier was 4mm diameter instead of the 5mm used initially. All the chains were removed, the old deadeyes popped out and the top part of the chains reshaped to take the 4mm items. Fortunately the process didn't take too long and I am much happier with the result.
 
Live and learn!
 
Cheers,
 
David.
 
                               
 
                                
 
                              

I have made a new bell and am much happier with it.  It is in better proportion and I was able to get a smoother finish as well.  Like the first one it is gold leafed.  The first three pictures show the assembly before a finish was applied.  The last two show things after a coat of Watco's.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

One of the things I really need to do is to raise the height of my work table to around 44". Sitting while bending over creates too many back issues for me. Once that's done, hopefully later this week, I will start on the bobstay rigging and tackle. Meanwhile I did manage to finish up most of the mast work.
 
Cheeks where made as described in TFFM Vol. 4 pg. 16

 
Scrap boxwood was glued to a dowel for shaping

 

 

 

 

Thank you, druxey! Spreading it out over a four day period made it easier to digest.
 
Oh, I almost forgot. .
 
I used the same striping tape here as I did on the rudder. It was cut to a width of 3/32". The eyebolts are made from 24 gauge black annealed wire. I still need to darken the inside of the sheave and Poly the bowsprit.
 

Scare Bleu, yes i know starting another one. As stated I my Endeavour log
I am very time poor at the moment, but I need to do something.
Something, I can just sit down and model with, and not spend time sorting out what and how to do.
A couple of pics


 
it will be done as the kit is, except after looking around it appears, a binnacle needs to be added.
Cheers Chris

Thanks Chris.
 
I am also trying to serve rope for the shrouds. Have not done this before and don't have Syren's wonderful Servomatic machine or equivalent. But managed to do these by hand.
 

Mucking around with making hooks and blocks....here are the results.

So here are a few pictures in better light.

So here are a few pictures of where I am up to. Taken in very bad light....
As you can see, I am going with an unhistorical colour scheme, but I like it.
I am pleased with the patina on the copper plates...used drybrush.
 
I would welcome historical info about how to rig it more accurately than the AL instructions. I am using Petersson's book on Rigging Fore and Aft Period craft, but this uses an 1815 ship the Experiment as it's example. I am assuming the Maid would have used quite different rigging. Any ideas?
 
 
 

This is my second ever build so I am a learner. I am busy working hard and have three kids so build progress will also be slow. I chose the Maid because it seemed like a pretty simple cheap kit to cut my teeth on. I am going with a slightly unhistorical colour scheme, inspired by Clayton Osterling's Experiment
(See here: http://www.shipmodel.com/models/experiment-full-hull-nav).
 
I would welcome feedback, encouragement and advice. Thanks!
 
But despite being new to this, I am totally hooked.

Thanks Chris.
 
I am also trying to serve rope for the shrouds. Have not done this before and don't have Syren's wonderful Servomatic machine or equivalent. But managed to do these by hand.
 

So here are a few pictures of where I am up to. Taken in very bad light....
As you can see, I am going with an unhistorical colour scheme, but I like it.
I am pleased with the patina on the copper plates...used drybrush.
 
I would welcome historical info about how to rig it more accurately than the AL instructions. I am using Petersson's book on Rigging Fore and Aft Period craft, but this uses an 1815 ship the Experiment as it's example. I am assuming the Maid would have used quite different rigging. Any ideas?
 
 
 

So here are a few pictures in better light.

Mucking around with making hooks and blocks....here are the results.

This is my second ever build so I am a learner. I am busy working hard and have three kids so build progress will also be slow. I chose the Maid because it seemed like a pretty simple cheap kit to cut my teeth on. I am going with a slightly unhistorical colour scheme, inspired by Clayton Osterling's Experiment
(See here: http://www.shipmodel.com/models/experiment-full-hull-nav).
 
I would welcome feedback, encouragement and advice. Thanks!
 
But despite being new to this, I am totally hooked.

Good Morning Tim
For a 2nd time builder you are very neat and precise. 
Finely detailed work on the hooks.
Sorry can't help with the history side, I am new
to old ships and model building myself.
Cheers Chris
And PS welcome to MSW

Mucking around with making hooks and blocks....here are the results.

Mucking around with making hooks and blocks....here are the results.

So here are a few pictures in better light.

So here are a few pictures of where I am up to. Taken in very bad light....
As you can see, I am going with an unhistorical colour scheme, but I like it.
I am pleased with the patina on the copper plates...used drybrush.
 
I would welcome historical info about how to rig it more accurately than the AL instructions. I am using Petersson's book on Rigging Fore and Aft Period craft, but this uses an 1815 ship the Experiment as it's example. I am assuming the Maid would have used quite different rigging. Any ideas?
 
 
 

This is my second ever build so I am a learner. I am busy working hard and have three kids so build progress will also be slow. I chose the Maid because it seemed like a pretty simple cheap kit to cut my teeth on. I am going with a slightly unhistorical colour scheme, inspired by Clayton Osterling's Experiment
(See here: http://www.shipmodel.com/models/experiment-full-hull-nav).
 
I would welcome feedback, encouragement and advice. Thanks!
 
But despite being new to this, I am totally hooked.

Mucking around with making hooks and blocks....here are the results.

So here are a few pictures in better light.