Keith Black

BB, that's a very nice looking boat. You set a fast pace, in just a couple of weeks you're almost done, that's amazing. Look forward to seeing her rigged for action.

Magnificent job, absolutely beautiful.

Vince, great idea.

It still is in some segments of the government.

Helge, the size difference is noticeable, more noticeable than I thought it would be. You need to try coming up with the correct 1:48 scale wheel either by purchasing one or repairing the broken one.

I don't think the scale police will be knocking at your door if you use the 1:64 scale wheel. Pictures would help if you can provide.

Tear out repaired, before and after shown.

Paul, nice to hear from you. A lovely bit of writing about the model and your family history. Don't be a stranger, please drop by every now and then. Better yet, start another project!

Mark, nice to see you back on this build. She's going to be a lovely ship.

Steven, thank you for your comments, it's very much appreciated and a thank you to all for the likes. I've reached a decision on lantern style, I'll go with something like the attached. I don't think this model was made by the same manufacturer but i think it's close to what would have originally been there. I first need to repair the vertical tear out.

Phil, the hull is really amazing considering that bit of nonsense you started with. Hats off!

BB, thank you for the compliment, your thoughts, and insight. That's a dimple in the hull as result from battle with Father Time. I was aware of possibly two others, the Mayflower and the Santa Maria. The model that Cast Your Anchor Hobbies restored is new to me, thank you for bringing it to my attention. Do you have a photo of the fifth you're able to share?

On the stern castle the cabin has a vertical tear at the rear. I think that once upon a time that's where a lantern was installed. That's my next task, research period lanterns and replicate.

Mark, thank you for the comment and the likes. As far as I can tell this model is held together almost entirely with nails. When the hull is thumped it rings hollow, it is not a solid hull. I'd love to know how the internal structure is constructed. Hopefully someday I'll come across one of these that's a total wreck and dirt cheap where I can tear it apart to satisfy my curiosity. The decks are grooved to look like planks.

The anchors of the Great Harry that COS is restoring are lead, these are wood. Also there is a difference in the tops and on this model they're flat, the GH is bowl shaped. On one of anchors, one of the flukes was broken off and lost to time. The other anchor, one of the flukes edges were broken off. Carved replacement pieces, attached, and painted to match. This is only place where I have added paint. I've found that in restoring adding paint is a slippery slope. In the past when restoring a piece I'll say to myself, I'll just touch this up a bit and before I know it, I've repainted the whole piece. Not this time.

The heraldic shields, sails, and flags. There are two shields with a standing lion and the main mast flag is a standing lion. Several countries used standing lions but as these were painted free hand you can't tell whose. I don't think I'll be able to save the sails and flags.

The first task was to remove all the rigging and a thorough cleaning with paint thinner. I know using paint thinner is not an accepted practice but I've used PT to clean countless pieces of furniture and a few models. It's not aggressive and evaporates readily. I tried ten minutes worth of spit and Q-Tips but I'm 73, I don't have that much spit and time left to me. Once cleaned I gave it two coats of satin polyurethane. Even satin is too glossy, before rigging I need to tone down the gloss. The model had been rigged at least once since new. The only blocks on the model are the single hole deadeyes. There may have been blocks once upon a time and left off when rigged the second/third time. I think I see blocks on the Great Harry as presented to SCO for restoration. When it comes time to rig I'll need to make a decision about blocks. There are no eyes, only tacks on the cap rails to attach lines to. I've added no paint or taken any away. If it has a blob or over paint, I've left it. If the paint is wore or gone, so be it.

Last week I had the opportunity to acquire a model made in Germany in the 1920's. My interest in this particular maker/makers/guild models came from the Shipwrights of Central Ohio (further referred to as SCO) club's restoration of the Great Harry. I think the Great Harry is a neat model even though it's a decorative model. The model I acquired was a wreck but very reasonable priced. I told both my wife and son that I was off to buy a plastic pink flamingo as decorative ships have about the same amount of respect and appreciation and have very little value even when restored. I have a modest amount of respect for this model as it's almost a hundred years old and it does hold a historical footnote in model ship history. This is a fanciful, caricature model of a Carrack warship. Because it may not truly represent any particular ship I leave her unnamed at this time. I can't determine what country's navy this model is supposed to represent from the heraldic shields and painted sails. If someone can provide any input, please do! To me she looks a lot like the Mary Rose per the attached period painting because of the heraldic shields she carries amidships. The maker/makers only had pictures from books to work with and buyers would only have had vague mental images of those same pictures, this would have given the makers a lot of latitude. These decorative ships came home with tourist from overseas as souvenirs. It's not hard to imagine that friends and neighbors liked "that ship" they saw on their well traveled neighbors mantel and the stories that went with it. They may not have been able to afford a trip abroad but dad and son wanted a model ship and they could afford to buy a kit. This model sat on the mantel of a well used fireplace. The sails were/are covered with creosote and the original paint and wood have been penetrated. What the heck, it gives it character. The photos are of the model as acquired.

Jon, she turned out really swell. It's always nice to see a model saved from the waste bin.

Raising the panel is the job of that steward (Arnold) who's constantly bringing coffee up from the galley.

All that and not a coffee pot in sight.

Looks very nice for having to work in such close quarters.

Keith, I've yet to be disappointed by anything you've made and I bet a dollar to donuts this next time won't be any different.

The journey from sloppy wet cardboard to this is amazing. Great job, Phil.

This is gonna be special.