GrandpaPhil

Nicely done!

On 5/30/2022 at 3:24 PM, KeithAug said:

Phil

Every time I look at this build I am struck by the quality and detail of the plans. Given the era of the vessel I think the plans are remarkable.

The detail of the plans are amazing!

I like going from the original plans.  It is a lot of fun for me.

I’m paying very close attention to the construction of my Mercury kit on how I’m going to design the actual building of Magenta.

The outer skin may be very thin with thicker frames/bulkheads.

I may end up covering the hull in a very similar fashion to the Mercury.

The lower hull covering only goes to the main deck.  

I may do likewise and then make the gun deck covering in one sheet to make it easier to align gunports (also like the Mercury).

Chris Watton did that with the Revenge kit he designed for Victory Models, too.

Chris,

  Very nicely done!

Congratulations!  Well done!

Looking good!

Excellent work!  Very nicely done!

You’re welcome!

Working on getting the interior bulkheads ready and installed:

Work is going a little slower than it would because I am laminating the structural card pieces on basswood.

I am having a lot of fun with this model!

Very nicely done!

Just remember, fewer masts are easier than many masts.  And fore and aft rigs are easier than square rigs.

Incidentally, the MS Sultana was my first real ship model.  I really enjoyed it.  I learned a lot!

Congratulations!  Well done!

I primarily use a micro drill, a scalpel (#10 and #11 blades), a coping saw and a razor saw.

I have a good scroll saw (a Delta), but it’s never been out of its box.

The only power tool I really use is an electric drill.

 I will say that a good machinist’s scale and a good set of straight edges are invaluable.

This is the very bare bones version of the kit.

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/mk006-shipyard-hms-mercury.html

It came with 2 others in the Northern European Ships Collection, Part 2:

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/30-anniversary-collection--north-europe-part-2--shipyard-mkj003--paper-model.html

The set ran me $85 after shipping.
 

This one just came with the model printed on paper, thin card, the laser-cut frames, the flags, and the plans.

You are meant to layer the card up from your own card (cereal boxes and poster board work great).

Shipyard makes add-ons, like blocks, masts and sails for this kit.  
 

They also sell a 1/72 version of the kit that looks amazing, with everything in it.

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/hms-mercury-1779-1-72-shipyard-zl006-laser-cardboard-kit.html

The 1/96 kit (that I’m building here) is a kitbasher’s dream.  

The plans are amazing.

Since it’s card, you have to provide your own decorations, sail cloth, masting, cannons and rigging supplies.

But, I typically scratch build my own cannon, decorations and rigging supplies anyway.

It’s one of the better kits I’ve bought.

This is the 1:96 scale kit.  It’s part of the Northern European Sailing Ships Part 2 collection.

Working on the knees:

I’m making them of 1/16” basswood.  

Which has led to a quick reminder on how not to split it out, lol.

Quick note: the two sides don’t line up right so I’m just painting the sides and the edges.

Welcome!

One cradle made from basswood off the templates in the kit:

The cradles are in process:

I’m using a scalpel to do the final shaping.

Good Morning Everyone!

Thanks for all the comments and the likes!

The Mercury’s lower hull is covered with the first layer.  The ridges and the gaps will be filled and sanded before the outer layer goes on (after the upper hull is installed for strength reasons).

The main deck is on.  It is layered on poster board.

The officer’s wardroom tile floor is cut:

Now installed:

Getting ready for the knees.  They will be layered on 1/16 inch basswood for extra strength and the convenience of being at thickness already.

You can cut up to 1/16 inch basswood with a scalpel, just like you would heavy card.

Going to layer the cradle pieces on 1/8 inch basswood and mount it on the base that I bought for the Triton.

I’ll use a coping saw to cut it out.

I really like this kit so far.  It seems very straightforward.  It doesn’t skimp on detail.  The plans are absolutely excellent.  And because the plans are so good, it is very easy to adapt the kit and modify/bash it at will.

I had a lot less to go on for my Prince de Neufchatel and Hannah models.

Plus the masting, rigging and sail plans are going to be re-adapted to at least one, maybe two more British Frigates.

Incredible work!  Very nicely done!

Welcome!

Lol!

Lol, they do have some neat stuff over there.

However, this forum is second to none in terms of the sheer amount of information and skill sets available to model builders.

Model Ship World has literally changed my life.

I would never have have advanced to the skill level I am at now if I hadn’t found this forum.

This forum is the only reason my last few

ship models exist.

The level of craftsmanship here is far beyond what I would have ever believed possible.

The really advanced model builders are incredibly helpful and friendly, which has helped me tremendously.

Here’s the Mercury:

I’m still working on the inner covering, a couple of pieces at a time.

The hull will get spackled and sanded before it gets the outer covering, in the near future.

HMS Mercury’s lower hull is 2/3 covered now.

Making progress, slowly but surely:

Congratulations!  Well done!