Bishophobbies

I have an update!!!  I just got sick and tired of this unfinished model mocking me every-time I looked at it in the display case.  About 6 weeks ago I decided to finally finish it.  Here are some photos of where I'm at today:

Here are a few more pics...

Masts finished and stained with Minwax Natural.  After carefully studying the plans it seems that the masts are raked 4 deg. aft - so the mast holes were modified to allow that - then masts were glued in.  I had some rope that I had made up on my Domahoff rope walk and I'm using that so far.

Latest update...

I've done a little more on the masts and bow...and yes I realize the top is on backwards.  It's now fixed.  More pics soon.

Yesterday I built a keel clamp out of hardwood.

Ok - I'm back on the job.  I'm going to finish this thing.  The first thing I've done is hang up some of the ship plans then sort the various dowels in the kit according to their callout on the plans. 

I've also included some pics of my small work area.

Thanks for the kind comments.  Yes I did use the boats supplied in the Heller kit.

I did finish the Heller model of the Victory on June 14, 2017.  I just didn't update my much abbreviated log here.  You can find the full build log on my website...

www.bishophobbies.com. 

Here are the links on my website for the build pages:

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Below are the final pics taken in October of 2019

Cheers - Paul

Greenstone - to answer your question - no further progress.  The finished hull still sits in the display case and yells at my to finish it every time I pass by.  I will get back to it.

John - really an amazing job.  I will soon start my Surprise by AL and will use your log as a guide.  Do you recall what size of Coats & Clark thread you used and the colors?  I have a rope walk I purchased from Domanoff and will be using that.

It's been 3 months, so here is an update on my build of the Brigantine Phoenix with the cannons installed and rigged.

The hull is now finished as well as the ships boat.  Next up are the cannon.

Here is another update of my wood ship model - Brigantine Phoenix. I've added a few more deck items and finished the bow area. I've used almost no paint on this - it's all Minwax natural, ebony, dark walnut and golden oak.

Another update - I've redone the deck color and added some deck furniture and the rudder hinges.

I've done a bit more - added trim pieces inside and outside and stained the deck (Minwax Golden Oak) and the rest of the hull (Minwax Natural).  I'm not to happy with the deck as it a little splotchy due to the variation in the wood.

The second set of hull planks have been installed, also the decking and internal hull sheeting.  The wood here is untreated, I plan on staining the wood with MinWax stain, and I hope that I've gotten all of the wood glue removed (sanded off) or the stain will have another color.  I can see in these pictures that there are areas that need attention.  Any suggestions on glue removal?  I've tried to be really careful, but evidently not careful enough.

I bought this a few months ago to go with my 1/100 Heller HMS Victory as this is a model of the carronade located on the foredeck of the Victory.  This monster fired a 68 pound shot that must have been just devastating.  The kit is all wood except the cast cannon and a few other small bits that are metal.  It went together quite easily, you will notice the white liquid in the fire bucket.  That's a water based sealer called Mod Podge; when it dries it will be clear and look like water.  I was gonna wait till it dried, but I'm bored - so I took the pictures - here they are...

A short update - I've finished the basic inner bulwarks, cut out the gun ports.

I had the display case custom built for my office.  Yea - I do have a lot of hobbies - astrophotography, sports cars, pretty much any kind of model building too.  I have a 9 foot shelf HO layout with 7 steam engines.  I guess I like steam engines too.

Yes - that would be great!  I can't help but think though that the effort you have to make to properly shape the hull planks is part of what makes this hobby what it is.  If it's made too easy then it takes away some of the craftsmanship that is needed.  That said - I would love to see more pre cut planks.

Ok - here is my work area - the first 3 photos are my office area and the others are in the adjacent room - storage room and shipyard.

The kit makes it pretty easy - all hull planks are pre cut to the right shape.  That really helps - I'll find out when I build the AL Surprise.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I've recently upgraded my tools in the shipyard, do you think I have enough paint?

The last three are photos of my office outside of my shipyard (storage room).

Life is good when you're retired.

I've finished the first layer of hull planking, then sanded with 60, 150 then 220 grit sandpaper.  I feel that it went pretty well for my first hull planking effort, and I learned a few things along the way.

Bulkheads faired - thanks Scott!

More photos: