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mandolinut
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Mark Wilder reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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king derelict reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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Nunnehi (Don) reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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sheepsail reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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sheepsail reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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yvesvidal reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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robert952 reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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Nirvana reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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Scott Crouse reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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A little more progress. Added blocks and bases to the foredeck booms. Will now raise the starboard boom using the blocks. Added the loud speaker. Added the lifting system on the starboard side which I plan will hoist the shark cage. Still enjoying this journey after 12 months.
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Forester 1900 by sheepsail - Model Shipways - 1:128
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Mark Wilder reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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Found this old photo showing a high number of floats on the upper deck. These will be in addition to the fenders hanging off the side.
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Happily, busy with Thanksgiving and family the last two weeks. Got to spend a little time today on Calypso. Added the safety chains on the forward deck with a thin coat of white paint. I then mixed some orange paint for the tossable life rings. I left the white areas that suggest where the ring is lashed down and later decided to paint over the white and wrap it later with white thread for a bit more realism. Found a bag of wood beads at Michaels in assorted sizes so I can make a variety of sizes of floats and fenders. Still need to add the booms on the forward deck and a number of other deck details. Also some aging and rust staining at the anchors and scuppers will be nice. Does anybody know of a good source for 1:45 scale people that would look natural at sea on a ship? I have seen many Lionel train people of the correct size but not the correct positions or clothing. Here is where Calypso is at this time.
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Lowell Grand Banks Dory by LoydB - Model Shipways - 1:24 - First Build
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Lowell Grand Banks Dory by LoydB - Model Shipways - 1:24 - First Build
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I had the time to do a few small detail projects this week. I received an aftermarket bronze bell and antiqued its shiny surface and installed. Painted the cradles for the runabout boat and constructed the wood slat storage bins and painted them gray. Then made a hanging firehose detail. Still need to add a valve. I believe my next step will be painting these beautiful brass barrels and making cradles to hold them. I have added an aftermarket handpump to one of the fuel barrels. .
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Chris "You're dating yourself! I loved those shows, too. " Yes, I guess that does date me, but trying to fool somebody about your age is like lying about your gas mileage. I am an old sailor that still loves life, the ocean and building ship models. Good to have you following. Regards.
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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I worked on some smaller details this week. Started by making a "triple tank". I remember first seeing these iconic bright yellow tanks in the 60's on the Underwater World of Jaques Cousteau. Then antiqued the shiny copper anchor chains and temporarily led them into the deck. Added a bow cleat and some line for the runabout along with a forward seat and mounted the outboard engine. And made up a few control handles for the large stern crane by applying a drop of glue to the end of some wire to create the ball handle. I hope to get more time next week to add more details.
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
African Queen by gjdale (Grant) - Billing Boats (modified) - Scale 1:12 - RADIO - Live Steam
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
African Queen by gjdale (Grant) - Billing Boats (modified) - Scale 1:12 - RADIO - Live Steam
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
African Queen by gjdale (Grant) - Billing Boats (modified) - Scale 1:12 - RADIO - Live Steam
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
HMS Sphinx 1775 by Ronald-V - Vanguard Models - 1:64
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A few more small details today. Attached the spotlight, binnacle and compass above the pilot house and a wall mounted fire extinguisher. Also supports from the wheelhouse to the two masts.
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I worked on my workbench a bit more today. Added a drawer front and some "tools" on top and painted the base gray. I received my Model Shipways grate and cut it out to match the solid laser cut dive platform. Mounted to the stern of the ship along with the ladder, support chains and handrails. Happy with the overall look of the grate. So many small details on this addicting build. Loving the process.
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Thankyou Alan. You are absolutely right regarding the large amount of deck features and ornamentations on this model. It seems like there is no limit to be creative and add to the numerous deck projects already supplied with the Billing kit. For example, I saw in old photos of Calypso where there was a work bench behind the lower deck cabin on the port side. I came up with this today and added a vice. I also began working on the dive platform. The part supplied by Billing is a solid piece of laser cut wood. I see that other Calypso builders have planked over this. As a lifetime diver, this would be problematic as the wave action would lift and lower the solid platform in rough seas. Dive platforms are almost always grated to allow water to rise up and through and then immediately drain off. Calypso was no exception. I ordered this grate today from Model Expo. which I will shape to match the original Calypso grate that had an opening for the divers access ladder to pass through. Once again, one more little detail to look at.
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Thankyou Don. I am taking my time and really enjoying the build of this special ship.
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Working on the binnacle and other fixture and spotlight which will go above the wheelhouse. More deck jewelry. Once again, the pins below the port and starboard magnetic balls would not fit into the predrilled holes. No problem to redrill. I added a grab handle for the spotlight to add a bit more detail. I will stain the sides of the binnacle to look like mahogany and leave the base and top natural brass. Also attached the bollards and fairleads to the deck. As I was leaving, the Sun shined brightly through the window for a nice photo op.
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I worked today on the bollards. Some nice deck candy. There are eight total. Should have been easy but then it would not be memorable The pins on the brass vertical pieces would not fit through the predrilled holes in the brass base plates. Used my vise to hold the bases and redrilled them. First problem solved. The next problem is the brass pins are too long to allow me to have a flush mounting surface to glue to the deck. I will grind off these nubs with my grindstone and then reluctantly paint them for mounting to the deck.
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mandolinut reacted to a post in a topic:
Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45
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The planking will stabilize the transom. Keep up the good work.
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I had a little more time to spend on the dinghy today by adding 5 small wire eyebolts to each side. Then taped off to paint the border on top and the two stern extensions black. The grab lines on each side will eventually pass through these eyebolts as in the original photo. Also painted the underwater scooter yellow.
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I did a little more work on the transom today. Added and painted a rail cap and painted the rollers and deck hardware. Feeling good about the progress. Just for fun and inspired by the old Cousteau TV series, decided to build an underwater scooter. Cousteau's documentaries were the first time most of us had ever seen such a thing and they looked to be fun and practical. I used and old plumbing compression grommet, some wire and the cut off end of an art paintbrush for the build. Yet to be painted. The scooter will end up living in the Avon dinghy along with a dive flag and dive tanks and floats and a gas tank for the outboard. Here is a screen shot from a Cousteau video.
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