J11

Thanks! CDW very nice you have the same kit, I'll be getting a mini band saw to cut the pieces out for it. Seem's to be a really nice older kit. I might start it for my next build or the Wasa. hard choice.

I have one set done, and feel with the scale it's close to proper size for the foot ropes. Have another set to complete and should be done by today as these are taking longer than anticipated. The block and tackle will have to be added to the yards also then when the parts come in from Blue Jacket I'll assemble each mast along with added rigging so final tie down rigging from each mast will go simpler.

Also "Happy Fathers Day " from a non-spoiled Father. 

Yep got my work cutout for me. 

Nice work JPr62. 

Coming along nicely KScadman. Your rib frame work is nice and straight.

Another update as I work on the foot ropes for the yards. Trying to keep in scale and also accent them a little, they are turning out fairly well. I'm going to have to order some yard mounting parts from Bluejacket for mounting them securely to the masts.

Associated parts needed for them:

A couple of images of work in progress:

I'm hoping that I will have the foot ropes done for all of them today and then work on the yard extension pole hardware as I am going to see if I can scratch build them instead of buying the parts. With the BlueJacket parts it should give me the strength I need for rigging purposes and tightening down the lines associated with the yards. The supplied parts with the model just won't work for my application with the historical documentation.

How very true, the H.L. Hunley also comes to mind. Thanks for the appreciation on the build along with the problem solving. Funny because I had racked the old noggin for months trying to come up with that possible historical solution and backed off of it till just recently working with the build blog. Sometimes it's good to just back off of a problem then in time the answer presents itself.

I really appreciate how you are taking archaeological finds from early century ships and incorporating them into your build. We all as model builders strive to do just that with our representations. Who knows when the last time a actual 1025 AD three-sheaved block and single sheaved block were actually used, but now threw your effort they will be used in historical context for many years to come threw your modeling expertise. I do applaud you sir and all the others whom produce these finds into reality once again. Personally ship modeling needs to be incorporated into all of our schools classes as the wealth of learning just from simple builds would be a wonderful teaching tool in many different discipline's.

Hello Louie da fly, sadly he had died from a test run by not closing the first hatch, according to the Author and the gasses killed him.  Glad you like the project.,

41 minutes ago, Salty Dog said:

Hello all,

I just put one of the most difficult, most fidgety things you will ever do with PE.  I had to take a break because I thought I would explode because I have to make another one! The PE is so incredibly fragile that just breathing on it just about bends it! (exaggerating). There is hardly any surface contact at all. Now, back to the next one

Wow! 1mm across is incredible. Nice work.

6 hours ago, CDW said:

Are those F-35's on the carrier deck, and which model is this? Looks super!

Yes they are, the proper designation if I remember right they are F-35 B's. 

1 hour ago, Salty Dog said:

This is really beautiful!  I have thought about what other colors I would use instead of black for the unpainted brass look, and dark blue and dark red are my next ideas.  I love how that looks and you did a fantastic job!

Thank you Salty. With ten thousand curse words I did complete it and man what a tedious rascal it was! Here's the ebay kink for the model. We have a family member on board serving so it was a special family heirloom build.

Well I couldn't put it out of my mind and came up with a simple solution to the problem which would easily be implemented for the design historically. This would be the only working solution to the historical documents found.

1) Pull handle.

2) Pulley bar put across the opening of the access hole.

3) Hook and hook latch.

4) Locking bar for tube hatch plates handle bars. Lock first hatch plate in open position to allow loading.

5) 6) Removal of tube hatch plate handle support bars.

7) Increase hole in oblong shape and seal with cotton and pitch to allow movement of launch tube. Keeping water tight seal.

Problem is solved and can be operated from one man inside the box. This seems the only logically way they could have done it per historical information. So I'll get to work on the phase two model soon and then I will have both "What is it's" test torpedo launchers completed which will be the fist time these have every been modeled. I do encourage anyone else to tackle phase two model using my examples, please feel free to make a working model.

32 minutes ago, CDW said:

Great find on the Kearsarge pieces. Where did you find them?

I had contacted this seller on Ebay and ask for a copy on the build, this is also the original model from the paperwork. he was very receptive to making me a copy and mailing it out for a price which wasn't bad at all. I think if not mistaken it can be found in the THE NAUTICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL IN 1999-2000 but I'm not sure how to find it in those files if they are available.

Here's some of the completed images of phase one along with the phase two problem in assembly which needs to be resolved and I think I have the solution as I have gone back to the torpedo tube launcher doing this build blog. 

Mr. Veits diagrams:

Completed model phase one:

The launch tube problem is loading the tube from above and working out the mechanism to do so without damaging the tubes front water tight seal, then lowering the tube down without smashing the tube frame, seems a set of pulleys at certain locations would do the trick. Alas it's such a small space inside theoretically a two man operation. the torpedo couldn't be loaded from the back of the tube as it sits, it's to long for that per historical dimensions.

Mr. Veits images:

My in progress build for phase two and simple drawing to extend the frame work:

I will update this blog in awhile as I get back to the design on a working model on the tube. Any suggestions or ideas to help is much appreciated as long as it stays as close as possible to Mr. Veits original concept from historical documentation. Up to a little challenge in history?

Admiration for all the PE work also, my attempt was once with 1/700 scale and will never do it again. Myself and PE don't mix. 

I have received the " Reconstructing USS Kearsarge, 1864" and will scan the 34 pages into a pdf doc soon for those interested in the data. I haven't read the whole set yet but the information seems to be a nice research work for the ship and modeling per historical dates.

Here's a few images in the series of articles and will have the scan done soon and will post it. as promised.

The true modeler's treasure hunt!  Congratulations!

@popeye the sailor I can't seem to find the PM switch, so if you can direct me I'll set it up. Sorry about that. Love your USS United States blog and that deck is fine work on her!

Thanks for the appreciation on the Alabama, as we all know research is the key and it's time consuming but worth it.

12 hours ago, CDW said:

I once read that bad luck was in part responsible for the CSS Alabama's loss in the battle with the USS Kearsarge. An unexploded round was found to have lodged between the rudder and hull of the Kearsarge that may have sunk her had it detonated as it should have.

Yes your correct this historically did happen. It did seem the Kearsarge did have lady luck that day.

11 hours ago, ccoyle said:

Interesting subject, but there is some confusion on the scale. 1/4" to the foot is actually 1/48th scale. 1/25th scale is closer to 1/2" to the foot (1/24th). Judging from the size of your construction, I'm guessing the latter scale is the correct one.

Yes and thank you ccoyle I hadn't noticed my typo. 

12 hours ago, CDW said:

I am definitely aboard for this. A very unusual and interesting project. Civil War subjects are fascinating to me, I guess because so many of my long past relatives fought in that terrible conflict.

Glad you like it. It seems a lot of information on both sides was lost and has been recovered. It's a wonderful feeling to bring history to life. 

"The Sea Miner" By Chuck Veit had intrigued me for a American first design during the Civil War of a actual torpedo launcher and how it was developed in secrecy and test fired along with the demise of the Engineer whom had brought the idea to reality. This wasn't the first of Human torpedo designs as there are a few before this one. 

Since no one had made a actual model of the "What is it" as it was named by the public when is was in full view on the docks as it was being built and tested and no one new how advanced of a weapon it was they were looking at. Simply incredible when you think of all the confederate spies whom were also present at that time. I decided to tackle a basic representation of it.

Image of the book:

Images of a few early torpedo's:

The build images for the first design in testing and perfecting the torpedo itself then later developing the launch tube. Also the historical drawings provided by the author which he had discovered in archives.

Build images phase one:

I'll add more images of the finished phase one design next as not to overwhelm the blog system for one day, enjoy and feel free to ask quotations along with the updates for phase two which will be a few months as my CSS Alabama build is taking precedent for awhile.

Jonathan11

Some more progress images of painting the finished yards and mast pieces along with a closeup on the swinging boom setup for future rigging, which I will have to tie a small single square knot to run the line up to the proper place on the yards, I had used white rope for the swinging booms as to accent the rigging which so far from my research no one whom has built the CSS Alabama has added to their model representation and I feel it does add a sense of detail that is needed for proper historical representation. One point on this representation I will add different colors for the rigging to enhance the detailing as this is so very fragile. Tremendous amount of research and thought has gone into the sequence and application of installing all the details. This rascal has turned into a real challenge for a plastic kit.  

Nice painting representation of Her in full sails for ya'll to enjoy also. Notice the white hulls of the other smaller boats. Mine will also present this detail for better contrast with this historical representation build.

Wonderful creative application which I will use in the future. Truly a unique awning, fit for a king. Really appreciate the research done to produce the final product and detailing artistry.

Here's a couple swing booms prepped for the main rigging to them and will get to the other two soon and one set of yards for the main mast with one more to to go for carving and sanding then I'll set them up for blocks and rigging before mast installation.