rwiederrich

Rich...I concur with Ed. Research...research. flying Fish was constructed in 1851...and by then large *sticks* were not as available on the East coast. Glory of the Seas was built with, *built* lower masts....on all three masts in 1869. However, by the mid 1880's she had several masts refit with large single *sticks*, while she was on the West Coast...where such large trees where abundant. Research the time frame of the said paintings....you may discover that if Flying fish was painted with bands on her mizzen...that was probably how she was rigged...during her construction...since most times good quality paintings were commissioned shortly after the ship was launched.....or after a new captain had made significant alterations. Ed's YA was built with a banded mizzen Rob

Glad to see you posting again Rich. Life can be a struggle at times. I would love to see an articles emphasis on the differences of Glory, as presented over time. A good photographic comparison would be fascinating. Very few ships, (let alone clippers) can be represented with two separate models, that accurately depict the same vessel at different times of their evolution. Someone who stumbles on just one or the other representations (Models) of Glory , (without any back story), might conclude, that one of them is incorrect. I'm truly looking forward to the article. Rob

And none of this...NONE of it, would have been remotely possible if not for the help and aid of Michael Mjelde and the generous use of his extensive photographic collection. Not to mention years previous...I and Rich Jones, had already concluded we needed to correct the errors falsely identified as Glory's hull design. Previous models were wrong...even Mike's own drawings were wrong (and he came to know it). The entire adventure...began so many years ago......on opposite coasts of America. With Rich and myself wanting and concluding the same things. He found me and we, along with yourself, made it come to fruition. Thanks a lot Vlad. Now... what is your next move for your Glory? And beyond? Rob

Vlad.....I'm very glad you opted to finish her...and not leave her as a hull model. Funny thing is...you and I tackled our first versions of her with the same idea...to keep her as she was originally designed and built by Donald McKay. As we traveled this road...you kept on track..where I took another direction. My version being my second attempt...I went full bore...to see her as she was at her panicle. You've captured her wonderfully. *Keeping her decks clear*. One BIG identifying observation made at her completion....by Duncan McClean. You've stopper rigging her at a good point....not withholding any MAJOR rigging structure...but releasing you from the tedium of rigging her stunsails and all those bunt lines and blocks associated with them. I'm very impressed. There were times, as in my own experience, we had to make about faces and redo some incorrect work. It's fascinating to notice that you and I used some similar and many different means and techniques to accomplish the tasks at hand...and to enjoy the outcome. I am very proud of your accomplishment. I feel as if I almost *Talked* you into building her, as I tried to convince you that American clippers were far larger and more exciting and faster then their British counterparts. I feel I *Lured* you in. you did not disappoint. Thank you for helping me along with my own build...by extending your skills at CAD work and provide me with my own POB frames. A corroboration that crossed miles and cultures. I am indebted to you as well my friend. I hope this finds you well and this new year will provide greater opportunities for you. I can tell you...I am richly blessed because of our association. Rob

Great to see you back in the yard Keith I know the shroud rat line struggle very well. I build only clippers. Happy new Year and I’m looking forward to seeing you move ahead. Great work. It’s been a long haul since we first talked about scaling your masts. Rob

ratlines are generally present on most big rigg ocean going carriers and clippers. Notice them here. Rob

I put no faith in the little ones...accomplishing any real work un beknownst to me. Thus far, they have been a dismal disappointment. I've left my Clipper Donald McKay build sitting, clearly exposed, on my work bench...and not one attempt has been made to progress its construction. I even left treats. I'm looking forward to your completion images. Rob

She is looking very nice Vlad. What have you considered to do with her when she is complete? build a case..? Put her in a place of honor in your home? Rob

Using the correct tools you can create the *belly* of a sail. I used the steal ball rounding tool...that fondant flowers are made with....a tool used by cake bakers to make cake flowers. Drawn across and rolled, I was able to form the billowing belly of my sails. With paper. Not all the sails are treated this way to provide a natural inconsistency in sail activity. Rob

Paper sails have a wonderful translucency to them...and they're very easy to make.... Rob

Glory of the Seas is a perfect example of a McKay bow. He used the Naval Hood extensively on all his clippers. The cutwater is the structure below the figurehead and forward the Hood. This design was unique to McKay clippers and was probably his well kept secret. Notice how the figurehead rest nicely and securely on the head of the cutwater and under the Naval Hood. Not simply stuck to the edge of the cutwater...like so many models depict.

Acid etched stuff is cool...but less like hand crafted....when you are stiving to hand craft details. Reminds me of the printing folks who can design and print what items they need for their models on their 3D printers. I'm impressed with your application of AE...and as usual....you will create stunning realistic structures. More power to ya......Pat. She looks great. Rob

Well Vlad. Several paintings show several different insertion and block points for both the fore topgallant and the fore royal braces. Dependent on her modification year. I think in your case...the fore topgallant inserted and had a downhaul block located at the crosstree base of the topgallant mast on the main, and the royal inserted and downhaul block was located under the main topgallant yard....where the shrouds affixed to the topgallant/royal mast stepping. I inserted and ran both fore topgallant/royal braces back to their downhaul blocks at the main mast topgallant crosstree base. These then ran back and down to their respective purchase blocks on opposite sides of the bulwarks to a return block and then to their pin on the rail. Hope this helps. Rob

Yep...the finish line is in sight. By adding all the bunt lines I nearly ran out of fairleads to run them through to the pins. All the fairleads were full. I was afraid I would run out of pins to belay them too. A good working knowledge, led me to know that some pins were doubled up. Is that Beautiful giant...going in a custom case Vlad? Rob

Great job George. Great new addition to your collection........😅. I felt a great releasee when I finished Glory of the Seas. I slept like a baby..... What a feeling after years of labor. Rob

When I was doing some research after I read the book about her. A friend of mine actually visited her site in the Falklands, It was He get me interested . I simply found them on the web. Not sure actually where. Sorry. Rob

Working from the inside out is faster and less obstructive. Rob

Great job Rob. I remember making the *Hanks* for the sails for my Great Republic. I made them by wrapping wire around a 2mm OD piece of stainless steal wire. Then I cut them along one side...creating hundreds of tiny rings. Like yourself I afixed them to the bolt ropes. I, however, then thread the stay through the row of hanks and fixed it to the mast....holding the sail permanently on the stay. Love your progress..... Rob

I'm sure this has been asked.....are you building a case for her yourself? Rob

Clipperfan drew it....and he did so with aquired knowledge gained through tedious research of Donald McKay's patented *secret* Naval hood. One distinctive feature McKay put on all his clippers.....that most replicators fail to include. Rob

Just refound some images of the model of the Snow Squall. This little clipper would be a fun one to build.

I concur. Rob

Rob...she's looking amazing. Clean and precise. Rob

Thanks , rshoker. I make it my habit to mount all my models on a unique mounting. With Great Republic I wanted to cantilever the beautiful maple knot on another maple base....so the model looks like she is floating out over the case base. All the maple is taken and milled from a large 100 year old maple I had cut down in my yard, that had died. The shelf that my latest model...Glory of the seas...is mounted on, also made from that maple tree. Her base is utilizing a large cleat mounted on a wood plaque that was used on a schooner that sailed NW waters. Thanks for commenting. Rob

You did a fantastic job...for sure. I am very impressed. I am further excited that you want to continue with your clipper theme and want to build an American clipper. Your choice of Sir Lancelot was very exciting to me, because few people actually build a model of less modeled clippers. My own personal challenge was to build a clipper that rarely gets modeled. These builds requite great research on the part of the builder. I would like to see something other then the *Typical* fair of clippers. Something like the Big ships..... like the Games Baines...or possibly the Comet, Snow Squall or Davy Crocket. Sucha request will require a great enthusiasm on your part. You did ask what I thought. Rob