rwiederrich

Wonderful Ed...just stunning. Balancing tension on stays and braces is a tricky business. Well done. Rob(Right behind you)

Amazing...just amazing. Rob

Magnificent work..... Rob

It boggles the mind to think much of this extremely fine work gets covered up or at least completely unnoticed by overlapping extremely detailed joinery that gets covered up by even more overlapping extremely well crafted joinery. If this model ever gets a mast head or any kind of rigging it will surely be a wonder to behold. Rob

Coming along nicely for sure. Love the attention to detail in the hull construction. Love clippers..nice to see yours progressing so well. I'll be following. Rob

Thanks everyone...I appreciate the concern. My DR does not want to administer a cortisone shot at this time because the pain is not localized and therefore we are going to proceed with my chiropractic care as prescribed. I have far less pain in my back and shoulder, but the remnant pain is persistent. Not having full strength and control in my left arm I still am not seriously working on the GR. I did, however, drill out more holes for the rail pins and set the belay pins..and located and drilled out eyebolt locations for the mainsail brace blocks. Took some pics of the general state of the build thus far. Rob

fascinating exchange of opinions. One can only draw from their experiences, and my 47 years of building models afforded me the pleasure of adding to my experiences, cars, trains, tanks modern war vessels, plains(fixed winged and rotary), motorcycles, houses and ships. I've built in nearly every era.. and have set every *Kind* in dioramas. (static and animated). As a modeler, when trying to exhibit a particular theme or technique, I give it special attention and venue of exposure. If I were attenuating an emphasis on minuet accurate details, such as treenails, and all manner of specific joinery, I would expose these details and provide the greatest exposure(which emphasizes and reveals my true skill and knowledge)(IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXPOSE THESE ASPECTS). Therefore, I use the most accurate grains and shades of wooden material to *emphasize* this. If my goal is to represent accuracy in rigging....I do the same. IMV so many things must be taken into account, by the builder, as to what they intend to emphasize...if anything. Un painted vessels intend to emphasize the construction of a vessel being modeled...is it accurate...so far as the construction is concerned, because that is the emphasis. Carvers of wood to create reliefs generally do not paint them.....again...for the same reasons. A well planked hull of respectable wood selection will be planked tightly and cleanly...oiled or varnished to show off the craftsman's skill...but is that *Accurate*? Most hulls on real vessels were planked with steamed planks of sizable means(4~6" thick), treenailed and most assuredly with gaps between the planks. Would that be acceptable for a modeler? Probably not...but then again the vessel would then be caulked with various hemp materials and then tar/pitch filled for a sealant. Topped off by a generous viscus coat of preservative paint. All applied to make the vessel sound and *Leak proof* Sea worthy. Copious amounts of paint were applied to protect the vessel from the harsh salt water and air. Accuracy of paint hue is less historical then the application of it. IMV. With all this being said...if I built my historically accurate model from scrap coffee can lids, and left it unpainted, I would surely get some criticism. However, if I painted it, covering all the plastic and glue residue, one might think nothing of the models construction material and focus on the models skillfully executed accuracy(a shameful self promoting pun). Coming to the close of my self bloviating point. I enjoy all ship models..for I see within them the builders intent. I personally paint all my models...my line of reasoning, is because ships sailed in water...water is caustic and thus ships were painted to protect them from this element. In the cases where vessels were not painted...they lasted long enough for the owner to build another....and if he valued his time and money...he painted the next one. I deeply respect all my fellow modelers, for they are a discriminating bunch of awesome folks. Rob

Not sure of this arrangement. Do the lazyjacks raise the jib up to the outer stay? You have the jib furled to the bowsprit via the downhaul....? Very peculiar rigging...... Rob

Glad...the transitional form has found root and *Steamer Rig* is firmly acceptable. My own research, though limited, points to an evolutionary transition from standard sail *types* to what will become standard *steam* types. Smooth sailing. Rob

Pat...well researched. I for one appreciate your time and attention to the matter. In my library I have a book called, The Lore Of Ships, edited by Sam Svensson 1966, reprinted in 1998. And it is a wealth of sail rigging plans and lists a significant list of vessel types. Your vessel mimics a two topsail schooner sail plan. Or what is called a modified *Jackass Bark*. It also has a drawing of your exact winch you made. Pretty exhaustive valuum on the subject of rigging and nearly every aspect of ship fittings. Rob

Exactly. I'm not finished with them..I still need to add the inner bumper(Yard) and finalize the oars and secure them and the boats properly. Rob

Yes Bob...Briefly, back on post #403 or page 14. Almost an after thought...I was gearing up for masting details(Finish them). Thanks for the fine compliment. I really just throw stuff together...but the recognition is very appreciated. Rob

I sure hope so...I've had to take 4 days off work and near daily DR appointments. I'm hopeful for sure......but I need all my fingers working to do the fine rigging that is needed coming up. Thanks for the fine condolences and encouragement. Rob

Pulling back to see the three masts stepped and finally getting to look more like a clipper. Just couldn't do any more work..with an extremely painful left arm and numb hand. Hope to get back at full speed ahead soon. Rob

Well it has been 2 weeks and I am just as miserable. My left arm is painful and my left hand is numb. The DR's say we are making progress. and I should be experiencing some relief. Waiting for that day...... I just couldn't just sit around and whimpering in pain, so I opted to finish up the last additions to the mizzen prior to stepping it in the model. The lower topsail and main course are left off for ease of addition of the shrouds and ratlines...as I've done for the other masts. Here are some pics of todays meager doings.

Dan......just finished reviewing your log... and boy oh boy, what a beautiful ship...great job dividing her too. Makes for a great history lesson as well. Rob

Well executed. Rob

Fantastic work.. Rob

Sorry I haven't replied...I hurt my back last week and I'm in serious pain. Been to the Med Doctor and the Chiropractor every other day. I really messed things up. Be back at the DR's again on Monday. I hope to get back to the GR very soon....Just don't have any mobility in my left arm or neck. Clear sailing, everyone and thanks for the likes. Rob

Tom....what is ship that in your avatar? Looks like a clipper. Rob

Absolutely wonderful work...nice and clean. Will she be fully rigged as well? Rob

Beautiful little vessel...and a most wonderful job in presenting her....nice and cleanly done. Rob

painstaking detail in the extreme.....words cannot describe the emotions induced by your work.... Breathless...…. Rob

Interesting jig to make those straps. Lots of prep work and tooling. Fun. Rob

Still have buntlines and their blocks to instal and plenty more stuff to add...but I posted the mizzen on the model.....she's looking like a clipper all right. Rob