jfhealey

I wonder if it is humanly possible to build a finer model than yours. I rather doubt it. Put another way around I guess this is a close to perfection as can be done. Simply breathtaking. Fred

How do you work so fast?? I am beginning to think there may be two of you or maybe Chris Watton is a spoof name for a factory full of tiny elvish boat builders. Its another lovely vessel. Any chance you might one day up your preferred scale to 1/48? Fred

Thank you gentlemen for your very kind remarks which are warmly appreciated. It is very rewarding when model builders, both beginners and those with far more skill than me take the time to look in and post a like or a comment. Thank you. Fred

Super build JJ. I can't see what the colour issue is with the channels. they certainly look the part to me. Good luck with your road/sea trip. I hope you and Winnie make it unscathed! Fred

Hi Rusty. I've been out of the Winnie loop for a while focusing on my Cheerful. With that now complete Im catching up with the Winnie posts and in particular admiring the construction of the head rails. For a relatively small component(s) they make a real eye catching difference to the overall appearance don't they? And yours are beautifully executed. Fred

That is looking lovely. I particularly like the kettle standing handily by for an emergency cup of tea. Fred

David - I have no idea why you are disappointed with the rigging of the guns. They look superb to my eye as does the whole build. Fred

Three topless young ladies in one post Chuck? I guess you are fully recovered from your recent close shave with pneumonia?? Just for balance and while having no wish, on principle, to disagree with a fellow Englishman - I like the one on the left. Very best wishes Fred

Thank you both Pauls, Glenn and Joe for your kind words. I have looked closely at Vanguard models. Both the Sphinx and Indy look as though they make up to wonderful models but I would like to go in the other direction - scratch building as much as I can - whereas Chris's models appear (I've never seen one - only looked in on the build logs) to contain many pre-cut patrs for assembly. I'm sure they still reward the skilled and patient builder but, as I say, I want to reverse the semi-scratch building path that Cheerful takes you down. I'm also sold on 1/48 rather than 1/64. I have placed my order with Seawatch for both volumes of the Antscherl/Herbert Speedwell book. Wish me luck! Fred

Thank you Glenn, JJ and Greg for the advice on achieving a realistic look to the rope hanks. I may yet have a further fiddle around with them but for the time being I think I'm going to call my Cheerful finished. Here she is. I have yet to make a base. That's next up but I'm also thinking about my next project. These are the contenders. 1. Finish the Winnie I started a while ago. I have two issues with that. First some parts I made are just not good enough and will bug me hugely. Secondly I have come to the conclusion after much thought that I prefer fully rigged models. 2. Start over with Winnie, scatch building as much as I can, but make provision for masts and rigging and avoid the mistakes I made on the last Winnie. I think I can make the masts. For the hull I have all Chuck's hard work and expertise though I would like to scatch build as much as I can. 3. Stretch myself and try my hand at a scratch build - I wonder if either Speedwell on bulkheads rather than frames or a Swan class sloop are within my skill range. I have the David Antscherl / Greg Herbert for the latter. I think frames are probably too complex for me however. I don't have their 2 volume Speedwell books which include building Speedwell on bulkheads which may be build-able by me: at least I can have a go. I think I'll get the books and have a think about things. In the meantime: thank you Chuck for Cheerful. I loved building her. All the best everyone Fred

Thanks chaps. I think when all the coils are done I won't be so focused on the ones I presently cannot get to sit as I would like them to sit. I think in any ways these coils are the hardest bit of the model. I will try your weighted dowel trick JJ. I would certainly like the coils to be more "up and down" rather than circular and that might be the answer. At the moment I am experimenting to see what works for me. Fred

I've tried making a few Tom Lauria rope coils. The methodology for making coils seems pretty foolproof though I had poor results with white glue - I used diluted Titebond - and much better results with small amounts of carefully placed CA. The problem I have is getting the coils to lie naturally. I can't see a solution to that at the moment. Still, they don't look to bad. I will certainly settle for them. About another dozen to make and Cheerful will be done!

Perhaps a 1/48 HMS Victory or something equally daft. The deadeyes are brilliant. Speedwell is a triumph. You know all of this Chuck. But get well first.

Remember, Chuck, what happened to Admiral Byng when he failed to follow orders to press home an attack on Minorca with all possible vigour. Orders form those in command are meant to be obeyed to the letter. Dose yourself up with something really powerful probably topped off with a scotch or two and let your creative thoughts run riot. Something very good will come of it.

Reilly - I'm sorry I overloooked your question. I have no idea what the answer is I'm afraid! Fred

I am very nearly done! Here are some pictures of the present state of play. Pretty much all I have left is to make rope coils and hanks so its a Tom Lauria video for me and then give it a go. So, by the end of the week, I might be done. And then I'm going to have to think seriously about Old Winnie an what to do given that I feel a more confident and able modeller (with a better tool kit too) than when I started her 3 or 4 years ago. Thank you for looking in. Fred

Much of what you do looks more realistic than the real thing.

I entirely agree with Matt. Super work. Fred

I'm looking hard to find some fault here Glenn with a view to offering some restrained and constructive criticism but you've got me beat this time. Still there is always your next post. I'm watching. Fred

Wow! I think between all of us following your extraordinary log we have exhausted all the superatives available - so just a simple "wow". Fred

Thank you Tony. That is very useful to know. I had thought the part was only available in Oz. I shall see if I can get hold of it. Coupled with your steady it would I think transform the usefulness of the DB250. Fred

Thank you Tony. That is an interesting addition to a Proxxon DB250. I have one. The principal limitation, from my perspective, is the length of the bed. The hole through the motor section allows for turning longer sections than the bed length but the limitation there is the relatively small diameter of the hole - 11mm or so. I could not, for example, turn the main mast for my Cheerful on the DB250. I ended up sticking it in the chuck of a power drill but precision goes to a degree by the wayside. Have you thought, I wonder, about extending your device so as to extend the bed length? I know that some Australian users of the DB250 can purchase an extra aluminium extrusion (Proxxon?) that presumably bolts on to the Proxxon bed (not authorised by Proxxon!) but the part does not appear to be available in the UK. In the meantime I may have a go at your version of Johann's rest which as you say does not require Johann's ability to machine metal - something way beyond my skill level. All the best Fred

You are doing a wonderful job JJ. I should think you must be very proud of what you have achieved. A fantastic representation of the Winnie. All the best Fred

CaptnBirdseye - I shall follow your build log with interest. By the way - if you have not ordered wood from Vahur (Hobbymill EU) before then you have a treat in store. Its beautiful stuff. Good luck Fred

Thank you gentlemen for your very kind thoughts which I greatly appreciate. Glenn - I have not heard of liquitex until your post above. I see it is available in the UK (unlike wipe on poly which I seems to be the go-to finish on your side of the Atlantic) so I shall give it a try. Does it have adhesive qualities as well as providing a matt finish? At the moment I paint a little matt varnish on to the knots after CA-ing them but it does not completely rescue the mess CA can make.