Keith Black

Ken Beautiful work, have you ever thought about doing an interurban car? .........KB

Lantern hung more simply than I first intended. The height is too low my original over designed system. The lantern can be positioned fore or aft depending on where light is most needed. The lantern line can also serve as a clothes line. The block that the lantern hangs from are the blocks that AL supplied with their kit. They seem too small except for light use like the lantern or the flag. I'm going to use larger blocks for the rigging, I hung one on the lantern line to show difference in size.

Welcome to the rabbit hole, this is how it starts. I'll just restore this ole ship, how hard can it be? Well, that old rigging is rotten, need to remove and replace that. Oh geez, a couple of the blocks disintegrated when I removed the rigging, need to order some of those. That fitting is broken, can't find one, gonna have to make that. Gotta strip everything away from the model where I can get to every little place with that saliva coated Q-Tip (I'm going to disagree here with my more learned colleagues. As dirty as your vessels are, unless you can spit like a camel, I suggest you use paint thinner sparingly applied with Q-Tips. Do a small test area first that's not seen unless standing on your head. I've used paint thinner with no ill effects.) As you progress you'll find you need to know how to do certain things so you'll be searching NRG's site and get caught up in build logs that had absolutely nothing to do with your original search but, wow what beautiful work! Then you start thinking, I'd like to build a ship (my current state) and here you are, "mezzanine, watch your step" Avnips, go for it! Honor your Grandfather's memory and have something you're proud of that was his. You'll not be sorry if you have an interest in ship models which you obviously do. There is a wealth of information within the NRG site, in fact so much so, that like a great book, it's hard to put down. Ship modeling is a great hobby, it'll teach you patience, give you a sense of pride, and take you down roads you never knew existed. Welcome aboard...........Keith

Gabe How very kind, thank you. Regarding the construction of the lantern see the following. As far as positioning I'm going to hang it on a running a line between the two mast. I'm currently in the process of making all the necessary items, I'll post pics as soon as the lantern is in the air. Thank you again.........Keith

Pat Thank you, that means a lot to me and thank you to all for the thumbs up. Keith

I made this lantern from .250 inch dowel turned using a drill, jeweler's file, and X-Acto knife. The cage is 24 gauge brass wire, the bail is 22 gauge brass wire. I painted before adding the wire and completed the lantern before parting. The real tricky part was cutting the cage wire the correct length to press into the the top and bottom purchase points then used SG to secure. From base to top of bail is .650 inches, with bail collapsed the height is .500 inches.

Making progress, just about ready for rigging. Made a ship's lantern, not sure of final placement, I may run a line between the mast and hang it? Got the cowl vents made and galley stove smoke stack added. Still need to purchase two anchors and the water barrel/cask.

Very nice touch with the removable chain between the stanchions Rob. I was wondering how the flukes were going to clear and then saw that you had made provision for that very fact! The GR is so believable, in all the pictures you have posted in this build log, when I've reduce my size to scale I'm convinced I'm on the real Great Republic. Thank you for the journey.

Welcome fellow Michigander. Keith

Thankfully Paul, having had a stroke you're now in relative good health and have the manual dexterity to continue with the hobby. Both you and I are very fortunate compared to a whole lot of stroke victims. It's a fine looking ship and you should be proud!

Gabe was so very kind as to send me the kit drawing for the Swift which I received today. The NRG is a beautiful tapestry whose threads are woven by the hands of it's many wonderful members. Gabe, thank you..........Keith

Michael, quote is from the first post of this build log. The man's work is phenomenal but if he was that quick I would swear he had help from a host of wood fairies!

Knowing a little of what I speak, once metal has pitted, the only way to remove pitting is to sand to a level surface with whatever grit is required to get the job done. This WILL change the shape of the metal. My thought is to clean the surface by whatever means works, lightly oil, and leave/live with the pitting. I have antique firearms (small caliber) that have pitting, do I wish it wasn't there, of course but I'm not about to try to sand them out. I look at pitting as being a part of the history of an object. If it's a body panel or some such, that's why God made Bondo.

This is no longer available, thank you to all who viewed..........Keith

Chris It's not mid to late 19th century sail/steam combination, I wouldn't be the one to love it, I was thinking that Mark Taylor might be a match for various reasons. Shipping cost could be shared or wholly covered by someone here in the US if it was their cuppa. KB

Chris Tried PMing you and got a note stating you can't receive messages? ........KB

Grant But, do you have this one! No rabbit hole's decor is complete without at least one, possibly two, of each version offered by the manufacture. Such tiny little screws, drop one and it's a goner. You could pick up this kit to build or use for parts. The sirens from within the rabbit hole are calling, pull the wax from your ears and listen.................KB 🐇

No doubt but then one can get caught up and disappear if common sense isn't applied to any hobby. Unfortunately I seem to lack common sense when it comes to hobbies. God bless my wife's heart, it's she that drags me away from the edge when I get too close. Only recently have I started to listen to her, I dang near ruined us when antique cars was my drug of choice.

I have a Pocher Alfa Romeo Spider Touring Gran Sport 1932 Kit K 1/8 Scale Model I purchased from an estate sale that has had about 5% to 10% of the work done, kit is complete. I would like to trade for ship model as cars are no longer a part of my life. If there is any interest I'll post complete pictures so you'll know EXACTLY what you're getting..........Keith

This looks like might be useable and as are some of the others. https://www.etsy.com/listing/559404811/brass-gallery-bezel-wire-ribbon-45mm-24?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-craft_supplies_and_tools-string_cord_and_wire-wire&utm_custom1=fb7d1c1f-90d5-4496-9fef-fe1be4726bfd&utm_content=go_270947795_42253719300_190780227835_aud-318110574626:pla-295943621946_c__559404811&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlLvh2rTT4AIVRP_jBx3UFAJLEAkYDSABEgLFvvD_BwE

Progress to date, still need to make two cowl vents and other fiddly details to do to get her ready for rigging. I would never have taken the paint brush to her had her original build gone better but, instead of a model showcasing the builders talent, it looks more like a working ship, IMHO.

Incredible work Rob and incredibly beautiful.

The beautiful beastie has her wings.

Me thinks being daft is not optional, it's a prerequisite. 🤔

Hull painted, jury is out on this color scheme. IMHO the bowsprit needs to be longer or a jibboom added, as is, it's rather stubby looking.