Keith Black

I think it's our eyes playing tricks because the planking isn't completed.

Eric, she's becoming a dandy little model. Looks every bit like the photos, ya can't beat that.

Thank you. Spraying of any product either paint or finish is out of the question because of the droplet sizes. These figures are so small they can only be painted/sealed with a brush, IMHO and I don't have a airbrush. The Minwax Polyurethane does a great job of sealing the figures before painting. At normal viewing distance one can hardly tell they have a head let alone a face. Tom, the photo where they're wearing leggings/gaiters is staged and not daily attire. Thank you, mcb. I never tire of looking at the Tennessee photos and I've looked at them thousands of times. Thank you, Rob. Henceforth they'll be referred to as leggings. Thank you, Eberhard. Let me share an idea that's a bit ambitious and attempted only when the Tennessee is completed. When I came up with the idea of painting the figures with leggings the next thought is where/how do I stage them. I thought, wouldn't it a cool vignette to recreate the photo, Equipped For Landing. It would be an extremely ambitious project because...... 1) I'd have to make a camera and at scale it'ed be tricky but I have ideas. I've already picked a figure for the cameraman. 2) Creating the leather backpacks and belts (masking tape) canteens and rifles. I think the rifles would be the hardest part of the exercise. Speaking of rifles. While exploring the above idea and thinking of ways to make rifles to scale, I started looking at the rifles closely for the first time. Goes back to that looking at photos a thousand times then seeing something new. In the Equipped For Landing photo the rifles appear to be https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_model_1870_Remington—Navy# In the below photo, Color Guard, the rifles appear to be be the rare Remington-Keene 45-70 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington–Keene_rifle https://www.coltforum.com/threads/photo-of-the-day-remington-keene-remington’s-first-bolt-action-rifle.391974/ If in fact the rifles are the Remington-Keene, the above photo would have to be taken after 1880 and at least ten years later than the Equipped For Landing photo. It's amazing the little discoveries one makes along the way. Thank you to all of you for the comments, the likes, and for following along.

These are off FaceBook Marketplace in my area in south central Michigan. I'm pretty sure Oklahoma isn't any different. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/993818965478295/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2140359686316851/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1230156594617249/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/365432469393214/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/974032777463164/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7619945838122075/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/25441252688851731/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Aed7b888c-1557-4702-ba9c-ddf5466d2e29 The above is a mere sampling.

Pat, it's so good to see you back working on Victoria. I'm really looking forward to this part of your build.

Welcome to MSW. It's an admirable first attempt, mistakes are part of the process. Glad to have you aboard.

I'm down the rabbit hole lost like Alice. I mentioned one of the Shapeways figures drawbacks was they didn't have bellbottom trousers. Well, they ones I originally ordered didn't because I ordered the wrong figures, Danged old people. These do. https://www.shapeways.com/product/4C7Q8NVES/1-125-royal-navy-seamen-set-102?optionId=301259175&li=marketplace https://www.shapeways.com/product/5623PZANY/1-125-royal-navy-seamen-set-101?optionId=301259178&li=marketplace So how do I make lemonade out of lemons. I remembered this photo and thought maybe I could paint gaiters. So that's what I did. Sorry for the photo quality, I'm desperately trying to come up a solution. The three figures in my previous post went into the tank to have their paint removed. I am in early testing trying to develop techniques that will produce the best results. I can do better. Regarding the three figures from the earlier post...... 1) The resin is very porous and needs to be sealed before painting. All the 'wrong' figures have been sealed with polyurethane and once the correct figures arrive Tuesday they likewise will be sealed. 2) I have used FolkArt craft paint (matte finish) for years with good results. When I bought paint last week I bought FolkArt satin. Big mistake, it's doesn't flow like the matte finish plus it made the figures look too shiny. So I went back and bought matte finish paint. Danged old people! 3) I've been wanting to try Minwax Polycrylic so I bought a half pint of MATTE finish to seal the figures once finished. Matte finish my backside, shiny finish. Obviously I need to try something other than Minwax products, I'm open to suggestions. How/where to stage the 'wrong' figures eludes me at this time but both my little wheels are turning. As lovely as this rabbit hole is, it is after all, just a rabbit hole. I'll play a little bit with the the 'right' figures when they arrive but I need to get back to that which brung me and get on with making my grids for weaving ratlines. Again, thank you for following along. Keith

Eric, I like the position in last photo, it seems right. And by the by, they look great.

Only if I'm rigidly braced to the worktable. Thank you, Keith. Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Rick. No they won't unless they're viewing with a magnifying glass but I will. Thank you, Glen. I think your penguins are better left there with the cows. Thank you, Bob. I'm kinda stuck in my ways and at this scale, just thinking "speed paint" makes me makes my eyes cross. Thank you, Rob. I realize I was making more of the deadeyes unevenness than I needed to, once they were all in place it was a nonissue. Thankfully I won't have to reposition any of the figures appendages because that would drive me over the edge if I'm not there already. Thank you, Gary. Unfortunately I can't remember who I got the Shapeways tip from. You talking my head or paint brushes? I went through every paint brush the craft store offered picking the smallest of the lot. I couldn't even begin to paint the figures if it wasn't for those 6X glasses. Because I have to use them so close to the work I don't know that I'll be able to use them for anything else. Thank you to everyone for the comments and the likes and for following along.

Wow Chris, that looks really nice.

Those vent slots look spiffy, Glen. Everything is looking very nice.

Impressive work, Keith.

Robert, firstly, condolences to you and your family for the passing of your father. Secondly, welcome to MSW. Hopefully you find someone to repair and finish your dad's USS Constitution. He did fine work and it's a grand thing that you want to hang on to it. My best wishes to you and yours.

George, I work at 1:120 and have ordered 1:125 naval figures from Shapeways, they're a good company. They make a 18th century cannon in 1:125, 0.096" (1:144, 0.083") this is .013 inches greater than your 144. They're a bit spendy and the size isn't quite right but it's the closest I could come up with. https://www.shapeways.com/product/B4G38YSST/18th-century-6-cannon-naval-carriage-1-125?optionId=300722641&li=marketplace Drawing I found while looking about, didn't know if you had it.

George, you do such a wonderful job on the other bits and pieces I'm surprised you don't turn your own barrels. I don't have have a lathe so I use my drill for turning. It's pretty simple and works well with small bits like barrels and such.

Welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

Oh, I forgot, you always do microsurgery going in through the vein.

She looks good thus far but she's gonna be a tight fit once the wheels and stacks are in place. You need to order one of those bottle neck stretchers from Amazon.

Glen, without a size comparison the hull looks huge. I'm thinking, no way is that gonna fit down inside a bottle.

The build is going well, Bob. Great progress.

I like it, I like it a lot.

Check 'Facebook Marketplace' for display cases in your area. I was surprised at the variations and numbers available when I was searching for a display case a couple of years ago.

Eberhard, I laughed at your comment because it's all too true. All one can do is laugh at our frailties.

I can't use a OptiVisor but I've really been needing something to help me ole eyes so a few days ago I purchased these cheap 6X glasses from Amazon. Work distance from my face is about eight inches, I like them a lot. They also make a 10X version and in a couple of years I'll be getting those. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CFWSN6P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Chuck, welcome back. Ditto what Mark said.