rwiederrich

The lower masts will be made, then strapped..this takes a bit of time.  I will use raw dummy masts so I can properly locate the fife rails.  The McKay didn't carry stun sails so those can be omitted.  I have lots of railing to add and unlike the Lightning the McKay had turned wood stanchions instead of iron ones...so I have that to work on as well.

I think the effect will be convincing and dramatic...you have the model...then you have her in her element......in a big way.

Thanks for looking in.

Rob

And climbing out of a trough at the crest. the impression is that the ship is cresting a huge wave and the trough is just ahead as smaller waves break along her sides......

The Holidays are slowing me down a bit so postings will be sparse. Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

Rob

Another open ocean

I'll post a few more images thus far.......here are some from the other side of the diorama.

Plowing out of the wave.

We're both model building but I'm not even close to that calibre. I'm not in the ballpark, I'm not even playing the same sport... Beautiful work. I love clippers and really look forward to seeing what she looks like once you've got a hull there. Keep up the awesome work.

I concur Sailor. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even on the same subject as Ed and others. His attention to detail and process is amazing to say the least...I feel I'm a near beginner compared to his ability.....or maybe I'm just lazier.

Merry Christmas.

Rob

Great production Ed and beautiful lines....top notch modeling...for sure.

Merry Christmas to you as well.....

Rob

It seams the smaller the easier for me....I tried larger carving and they always end up in the trash. More detail, requires more skill at the human figure.....

Onto the deck furniture, railings and such.

Rob

Another mounted view......

It happens with friends who are not into your stuff......it's happened to me too. Glad things are well...

Rob

Thanks Piet,,,,,,I'm just saying I'm doing the best I can,,,with eroding abilities.  Dang you aging..dang you all to heck.

I touched up the figurehead and some black paint....and painted the yellow medal bottom.

Onto the deck furniture.

Again..thanks.

Rob

And I mounted it...still need to clean things up a bit.

Then my 3/4" tall creation.....After looking up close...my painting is awful. My eyes are going I guess. Best these old eyes and hands can create.

I'm not a very good people carver....never have been.

Rob

Well today was, *Make the figurehead day*...so I got the picture I needed...a block of basswood...surgical knife, high speed handpiece, sand paper, paint and.......Here is the picture first.

Thanks kind sirs....

Thanks kindly good sirs..

In my experience I either do OK or down right nasty.  Water must be felt and almost emotionalized IMHO.

I test fit the hull back into the water......I'm thinking it's looking pretty good.

Thanks Michael...once the hull got painted it looks more together.   I have lots of mahogany sky lights to make and access hatches.

So I'll begin to make the 6 capstans and the fife rails.  This ship carried 6 boats....but I think I'll only place 3 to keep the clutter down.

Thanks for viewing.

Rob

I then masked off the monkey rail and deck and painted the hull black.....here are several pics.

I worked the bowsprit and banded it and added some scrolling on the cheek plates.

And the finished monkey rail...

Worked on the McKay today first I';ll show the images of finishing up the deck and monkey rail..note the gangway...the supports and railing will be added later.

Indeed.  Since I am always thinking in those terms(as far as modeling is concerned), I hope to get the McKay hull finished up today then painted black.

I figure it will take 3 CS hulls to make the Great Republic(the largest clipper ship built),  I chose the clipper Donald McKay because of its magnificent features.....such as being the second largest clipper ever built and for all of its unique deck features.

Onward and upward.........

Rob

Looking ahead in the build...I will be fashioning *Made* masts for the McKay.  The lower masts were varnished, Iron banded sap pine...no paint ...and all the access hatches and skylights were varnished Mahogany.  I have fine grade Mahogany veneer and the pine stock for the lower masts which will then be turned on the lathe to form the *built* masts.

Also the stanchions were all carved oak.

I have all these supplies..for making the build.

Now onto the final hull additions.

Rob

Thanks sailor..... I enjoy myself the builds I can make from such pre-cast hulls.  The McKay is easier then the Glory of the Seas..because I didn't have to make any below water line mods...cuz they will be hidden beneath the waves of her open ocean diorama.

As far as the Great Republic is concerned.....I still need to acquire the CS hulls.....but it will get built...some time after the McKay.

Rob

I'll finish off the aft rail and sand and then paint black......probably will add Howes holes first.

Thanks for looking in.

Rob