aliluke

Hi Mick

Just taking in your log for the first time. Sjors is right you are heading for some stormy seas on the second planking with that base and set out. For one, I'd be seriously worried about the big step at the stern that you have created and it is not too late to sand it off - very heavily. Put a plank on about three planks down from where you are now and you should see the difficulty that is about to arise. The Endeavour is a really tough planking proposition - bluff bow and stern. Have a look at other Endeavour logs but I'd recommend some major background adjustments before continuing with the second layer of planks.

Just my thoughts. Keep it up!

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

No trouble to send and best of luck with the decorations - a good challenge. I look forward to seeing how it goes.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi

I have no experience with this kit or manufacturer. Photos might help others to understand your predicament too.

What I would say is that "fairing" seems to often be used or heard as a term for just removing material from the bulkheads whereas - my experience with the Armed Virginia Sloop - was that the term should also include adding material - shims. For that kit it was probably half of one - removing and half of the other - adding. With some kits you have to balance both to get the right planking flow across all the "faired" bulkheads. That said a 5mm gap would alarm me and might need some more study to figure out what is going on or perhaps going wrong...

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

The stern looks great - like the windows very much. Keep it coming.

Cheers

Alistair

That is a beautiful looking ship. I'm sure I remember admiring this build on the old MSW - it has clinker planking? A great build.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

I'm with Ferit on this. Adding random decoration is going to be difficult and could end up looking just like really strange bling. Leave it plain or get realistic decorations by buying a Pegasus PE set (these are separately available from the kit but the scale is 1/64), or something similar. That way you get all the additions that are right for the era.

If that doesn't fit - budget or otherwise, I reckon, straight up, plain is better.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Daveor

I have all 4 volumes - bought them some time ago. Your best bet for upgrading the Amati kit is Volume 2. I'd also recommend Volume 4 which covers the rigging. All 4 volumes add up to a stunning series of books and I'm pleased to have them. Volume 1 and Volume 3 are much more aimed at a POF build and although they are fascinating they are less helpful for the kit build. Volume 3 - although a great build log - will not assist with the kit very much.

If you can afford it - get them all, they are beautifully produced and very instructive. If you can afford less, at least get Volume 2 and then later get Volume 4 for rigging as well.

Cheers

Alistair

P.S.

Where are you shipping to? Your signature has no location.

Hi

Looks good. Although I have yet to start on my Fly hull I'd suggest that the stern bulkheads should be faired to the extent that you can see no laser cutting burn marks . That is the entire outside edge of the bulkhead should have a taper from its fore face to its aft face - as your bow bulkheads have. Just a thought based on my last model.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Ken

I missed your latest post. Your AVS is looking mighty fine! I found that the model really starts to take off from here on - acquires a whole other dimension with the masts and spars. I hand sanded all of those parts and aside from the choking dust and the hard labour involved, it worked out just fine. I look forward to seeing your progress as your AVS comes to life!!

Cheers

Alistair

Stunning work. Having lurked on your log and others and having now just started my Fly model - I begin to realise why your work is so impressive. Are you planning to expose through the decks or somewhere else all of those internal details? They are amazing.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

This is really coming together. It looks great! Good on you for pushing to make it right as "HMS Blandford" rather than the kit version. I'll keep following.

Cheers

Alistair

Andy

Although its a few pages back now - I love those outdoor shots of your Pegasus and have to agree with Mike - a very nice stern on your ship. I particularly like the way the planking joints are visible - I presume intentionally. Fantastic work!

Cheers

Alistair

Cheers Hamilton - Look forward to seeing the resolution of your next challenge.

Fun!? 200 kph (130 mph) winds last Thursday and 9 metre (27 feet) waves in Cook Strait (my new avatar gives an idea of what that's like)!!

Enjoy the summer.

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

just catching up with your Blandford log. Great work and great tenacity on your part to work through problems and make significant improvements. I'm going to get going on Fly very soon - watching you and others has got the modelling juice needs flowing again. Inspiring.

Look forward to your updates.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Ken

Great work on the cannons - your AVS looks really good - the deck is fantastic. Don't fret about the rigging. If you can do the bouys you'll fly through it. Look forward to your progress and updates.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Timmo

Nice to find a fellow kiwi tucking into some Monteiths and doing a very modelling job on the Caroline. Great work in every aspect. I'll keep my eye on it and have a brew too!

Cheers from (not) windy Wellington.

Alistair

Great to see you here Jim and great to see your magnificent Conny again further down the track. Wonderful work and I'll continue to follow.

Cheers,

Alistair

Hi Jay and Hi JIM

Good to see you here Jim (sorry Jay, not trying to hijack your log...)...this is the right place to be!

Cheers

Alistair

Very nice work thanks for sharing - the cabin is amazing a shame to cover it up???. I plan to dive into my Fly soon so will be looking here regularly. Don't expect to see me in the rearview mirror though - I'm slow.

Cheers

Alistair

Absolutely magnificent Bob. A trully inspirational log and a great source for Swan class builders - one of which I will soon be.

Thanks

Alistair

Hi

Thanks for the further feedback.

Ken - I wrapped the ropes tightly around spaced steel pins and the painted with diluted white glue. Tied them off with a couple of coils perpendicular to the main coil and then draped and shaped them around the belay point. See attached image.

Kyjack - Thanks. It was my first build too except for a strange attempt at a Dutch Whaler by Sergal many years ago. There are many other AVS builders here. I am sure they, like I, will help if you have any questions. It builds into a beautiful model and the scale is relatively easy to handle. Good luck and, most importantly, enjoy it. I look forward to seeing your build log!

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Hamilton

It is almost impossible to keep up with your building pace....but I'll try better in future. Nice work here and very considered.

I thought about buying that book on the Blandford on ebay but the shipping cost exceeded the buy now price - a position I cannot accept.

I'll keep up with your "Blandford" from now on but more as a watcher than adviser. You're way ahead of me for the latter qualification!

Great stuff.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Jason

That is turning into a wee beauty. I'll have to have a closer look at this kit - never much noticed it before. It's always good to see the builders hand in a photo - shows how delicate and small the work actually is.

Great work and nothing "clunky" that I can see.

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Jay

I'm still boggled by what you are taking on...This is not a facetious question: When you mount a ship under full sail in the wind do you list it towards the leeward side as it would in such a state? Or is it set to just run with the wind and not on a tack with a list? (To be honest I'm not even sure how much a square rigged ship would list on a tack...a few degrees only or more?).

Cheers

Alistair

Hi Jay

You are a courageous man. Or crazy... All of that rigging plus sails too! It is looking amazing and your persistence and perfectionism is certainly paying off.

Cheers

Alistair