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Keith Black
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Everything posted by Keith Black
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jon, she turned out really swell. It's always nice to see a model saved from the waste bin.
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Raising the panel is the job of that steward (Arnold) who's constantly bringing coffee up from the galley.
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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.
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hyw,sir. You are a driven man who obviously settles for nothing short of perfection. Your tools are beautiful, the quality and quantity (clamps in particular) is amazing. Your work space is to die for, gleaming industrial functionality. But what really impresses me is your tool management. If I had that many tools, I'd be spending half my day muttering "now where did I put that" It's an honor to watch a master at work, thank you for sharing. Keith
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BB, was there a trick to removing the original mast?
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BB, it's more of a caricature. BTW, I reached down to pet it and it followed me home.
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Rob makes his sails out of paper and does an amazing job. You can go through his build log on the Great Republic, see link
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BB, will the replacement pieces be painted/patinaed to match the model?
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And the masts appear to not be stepped. Not trying to beat a dead horse, just saying. I respect the decision but I'd love to know the history and see photos of the MAAS model. It may have been nothing more than a cottage industry making souvenirs for tourist. My searching thus far has come up dry.
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Was the argument made to keep the model original as possible including keeping the original mast? In the final one does have to bow to the wishes of the owner/owners but.....
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Wow, wonderful work as usual, Gary. Your post made my day, happy to see your work again and happy 4th to you and yours.....
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Here are a couple off eBay that probably also need to be saved.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-30-CIRCA-1800s-HAND-CRAFTED-WOODEN-LARGE-SHIPS-MODEL-IN-ORIGINAL-PAINT/324097417586?hash=item4b75b62172:g:II4AAOSwyWheWC2S https://www.ebay.com/itm/TERRIFIC-TALL-OLD-WOOD-SHIP-MODEL-WITH-LEATHER-SAILS/133415642880?hash=item1f10312700:g:cXEAAOSw-1texKS0#shpCntId
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If the model had been on eBay the description would have read, " Needs a good cleaning and some of the lines need to be replaced. Easy fix for someone who is handy" Thank goodness is was saved from that fate.
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