hamilton

Many thanks for the likes they are most apreciated.
 
Gianni, the main advantage of this extra grating is that it hides some of my poor work around the bow!
 
Well - I am back from an enjoyable trip to the NMM during which time I had no access to the Web. So I will add a slight digression off topic.
 
On arriving I got my first view of the Cutty Sark.
 

 
My wife and I walked around the adjacent old Naval College then in to the nearby NMM building. Much of our time in the museum was spent looking at the paintings in the "Turner and The Sea" exhibition.
 
After some of the comment on MSW I was not expecting to see many of the old models on display. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised that there were about 40 sailing ship models to be seen. A few were in the children's section on the top floor of the west wing, the rest were in two large glass cases in the next room. I took a few photos of them - in particular I was interested in the early 18th century rigging. All the models from this period had lateen rigged mizzen masts - this conforms to the way I wish to go with the Unicorn.
 
The next photo is one of those that I took and which I will use to guide my rigging efforts. It is of one of the models in the children's section. It shews the mizzen mast of a ship dated 1710. In the background is an English galleon of 1588.
 

 
I was trying to see how the running rigging was belayed since there are no belaying pin racks to be seen. I need to understand this better before finishing the deck fittings. In some of the models there were belaying pins fitted in to the top rail of the open bulwarks, others the rope was wrapped around the bulwark rail. In some of the models the rigging appeared to be simplified with, for example, rope passing in to a block with it apparently glued in to the block then cut off at this point - presumably the result of a repair at some time. I will have to consult a copy of Lees.
 
I have added a general view of one of the main glass cases.
 
     

I have been away from the workshop for much of the last 6 weeks so progress has been rather steady. I had intended to start rigging the cannon but discovered I had only ordered sufficient 2mm blocks to do one third of them. So before putting in a fresh order to Cornwall models I decided to get a few other jobs done to see if I needed any other items.
 
My main work was fitting gratings around the bow area of the ship. I had previously ordered some Mantua 1.5mm beech grating for the cluster around the main mast. I had been unable to source the Corel variety. When I received the Mantua gratings I was very pleased with the quality. It is much less fragile than the Corel offering.
 
The question was - did I have enough to do all the gratings including those in the bow? 
 
The gratings took a lot of fitting to get them in to place. I don't think the Corel grating would have stayed in one piece with all the sanding and filing that I did. The bow on my Unicorn is distinctly asymmetric so I had to be careful that the lines of the grating didn't accentuate this. I think I managed reasonably well. 
 
The foremost grating inclines upwards, which it probably shouldn't, but it does now cover some of the horrors in that area.
 

 
After the lousy weather of the last 3 months it was nice to have a day of sunshine. So I took a photo of the old tub out in the fresh air.
 
I have ordered the extra 2mm blocks plus some trim to try to improve the area around the stern.
 
First, though, I am away from the workshop again for another week. I will be in the London area and I am taking the opportunity to make my first visit to the NMM. It has an exhibition of Turner paintings on display at the moment - I will get to see the painting of "The Fighting Temeraire" amongst others.
 
Then on my return I hope to make some serious progress on the Unicorn. 

@ Buck
 
Hi Buck,
Thank you for asking about me, Thank God I am fine.
It's pleasure to be remembered my friend...
I have changed my residence and begun to live in a rented flat. For now, Berlin is staying in my oldie house.
 
 
@ wq3296
 
Thank you wq3296 for your kind words. The ship vocabulary is another and wide world. I have a little knowledge about it. But day by day I am learning. Now it's another word: whipstaff... Thank you again.
For Corel, I love the quality of the wood but have some doubts about scales.
I would be happy if you could show your Berlin at MSW. She will be a source of inspiration.
 
 
@ Keith
  Wish I'll be here...
Thank you Keith for asking how I am. Thank God I am fine. I had thought that it had to be a momentary lapse of building but unfortunately it dragged on...
 
 
@ Augie, Sjors, Popeye,
    (and updated) Mark, Jason, Michael, Doreltomin
 
Thank you for your kind contribution and agreement with Buck and Kieth...

@Nigel - Boy,  I hope I don't sound whiney! Unfortunately seeking perfection is in my character, I know I'll never get there but doesn't seem to stop me banging my head sometimes...of course the challenge is part of the fun 
 
@Scott - you found my secret!
 
@Jim - Think there are a couple of answers, and I'm sure the serving 'masters' out there could provide more tips as well.  For the stays, I created the served eye on one end (per method below which Andy put me on to) and then attached the mouse in what seemed the right spot.  The serving then was done in one go starting at the eye toward the mouse, over the mouse, and then terminated a 'suitable' distance - Lever says this discretionary and who am I to argue.
 
As far as the catharpins go, hopefully the following diagram makes sense.  Either way, you need to know the dimensions of what you looking to achieve beforehand.  One technique that works well is to mock up the element you want to create with light (similar thickness) thread, you can then mark the part that need to be served and go from there.  Unfortunately, however well planned, there is always room for discrepancy and there have been plenty of times where the end result is a little to long or short and its back to the start - probably gets better with practice, but seems to be part of the territory.
 
The approach below can probably be applied to any rigging element, just requires planning and forethought.  The catharpins were made in same way as the burton pendants.  What work for me is to figure out the length I'll need and then use two 'pins' with which to create the eyes the set distance apart to help ensure consistency.  Photo at the bottom are the catharpins in an early stage (I didn't bother serving the eyes for these as it they wouldn't be really visibly, this save quite a bit of time and risk of error).
 

Mort - great tip, I didn't know that about the school glue just being diluted PVA - not sure what I thought it was    Will be great to meet you.
 
Anyway...Catharpin'ing on....
 
Catharpins have been something else I've been pondering.  The Snake plans just seem horribly inconsistent with other materials (Lever, Pederson etc) so decided to follow those.  Lever identifies a number of methods, desperately wanted to go the cross-catharpin route, but Lever seems to indicate that even when this was done, it was in addition to the regular catharpins, not in place of.  So, the bog standard approach it will be.  
 
Mk1 Catharpin.  Of course, catharpins were eye-spliced at either end and served...(has anyone been diagnosed with compulsive 'serving' disorder?   )

 
...and lashed into place temporarily it seems to work just fine.  Although the detail of the eye splice is somewhat lost, it does give a cleaner look (IMHO) than lashing the catharpin around the futtock stave.  I was a little relieved to see that the second shroud can be catharpined in without rubbing against the mast as Lever suggest only the foremost shroud was not catharpined in.  I feel scale is a little bit of an issue, it would be nice to be doing the same on a larger ship so the imperfections are perhaps a little less noticeable.

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks all for the compliments - and thanks Collingwood and Harlequin for the holiday wishes - back to you and all!!
 
Harlequin - it's good to hear from you! I hope to see some progress on the Bellona soon! Mine is still a very long way down the road - initially there was only one model between the Blandford and the Bellona, now there are four!! Anyway, I need to hone my skills a bit more before diving in - and I'll no doubt be stealing a lot of your ideas once I come to it!
 
In the meantime, some progress has been achieved on Blandford - essentially I've constructed and rigged the crossjack yard. It was quite tricky to rig - particularly the sling, which at such a small scale and in such a tight corner was difficult to achieve. But in any case, it is now on and looks not bad...you be the judge!
 
Happy holidays to all, once again!
hamilton
 

 

Looking good Hamilton - I'm glad in your busy life you've found the time to get back at it. Now I can't wait for the next one...
 
Cheers
Alistair

Welcome back Hamilton. BTW: VERY nice job with the rigging.

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice to see an update hamilton, she really is an attractive model, you've done a fine job with her.
 
B.E.

Nice to see her nearing completion.  And thanks on the heads-up for future projects.

Nice rigging work, Hamilton.  You really are on the downhill run at this point... or maybe it's downwind run, to keep things nautical. 

Looking forward to an update.  Family first!!!

Welcome back Hamilton
I remember when we had our second girl, 2 years apart, someone said 1+1=4. If you can work on the Blandford at all you are doing very well! I look forward to whatever your bleary eyes can send by way of updates.
 
Cheers
Alistair

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton
 

 

 

 

 

 

Well hello....it's been another while - I see now that my last update with photos was before Christmas!! Shameful....but there are some photos now. The last shots were of the mizzen crossjack yard. Since then, I've constructed, outfitted and rigged the mizzen topsail yard, the main course and topsail yards and made & outfitted the main topgallant yard - to be rigged soon (Thursday with any luck). The list of things still to be completed is shrinking. And as I've been kept away mostly from building, I've made due with plotting out my next two builds - finishing rigging tables for the Fair Rosamund (OcCre Dos Amigos) and the Yacht America (Mamoli). Both will be made more or less out of the box, I think (after all the modifications and corrections on the Blandford, I'm looking for something more or less straightforward....I may replace some parts on both but no major modifications on these...
 
Anyway, here are the photos documenting the progress to date on Blandford - you'll notice in the first couple perhaps that the mizzen topsail yard is a little jaunty - I fixed this as I hope is visible in the final shots. Hope you're all keeping well and having fun!
hamilton