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hollowneck

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Everything posted by hollowneck

  1. hollowneck
    Well said, Glenn. For my ship modeling colleagues who also have access to a DSLR for taking high-quality photos of their models, here's a suggestion: Consider renting a Tilt-Shift Lens for a week, Nikon or Canon. Full disclosure: I'm a Nikon shooter. Rent a "T/S lens" and experiment with it. Most of the available lenses of this type will stop down to f32 (important for broad depth-of-field) and since you're shooting a fixed object (your ship model), you can dial-up long exposures (as long as you've got adequate, controlled lighting, either continuous or strobe). These specialty lenses can give you beautiful photos in a single shot; no fiddly, time-consuming, computer post-production focus-stacking necessary. In addition to great full ship portraits, the TS lenses will also help you achieve really crisp, interesting macro shots (close-ups), especially on a full-frame sensor DSLR, whether Nikon or Canon. The lens photo here is one I've used (Nikon PC-E Micro-NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D Tilt-Shift Lens) - but more full-disclosure: I now shoot many of my ship model pics with an iPhone 14Pro, trading up to a 15. Here's one lens rental company to check out: www.borrowlenses.com .
  2. hollowneck
    Very nice work, Glenn. I showed your latest posts to a granddaughter who commented that your model is looking like peppermint candy. Eye candy, for sure! Yummy.
  3. hollowneck
    Good little fettlin’, B.E. The price us kit hacker/bashers pay...it's part of the pleasure, is it not?🤔
  4. hollowneck
    She's a thing of beauty, B.E. "Roll On!"
  5. hollowneck
    I stand corrected, the larger portion of the block is, indeed, a sheet block and not for a tack! So perhaps only half my advice may be helpful to Bill (sourcing violin blocks), the other half - not so much. Thanks for the correction Alan and Henry. I'm obviously still learning the ropes.🤭 I love the photo of the blockmakers workshop sign: there's so much information in that beautifully-carved tableau!
  6. hollowneck
    Bill, To my knowledge there are only three (small) sizes of these properly-shaped "violin blocks" (double blocks) available from Syren Ship Models. There may be others available but I have yet to discover other quality sources. Here's a link: (https://syrenshipmodelcompany.com/boxwood-rigging-blocks.php#!/New-improved-9-32-7mm-Boxwood-Fiddle-block-Laser-Cut-Kit-Build-it-yourself/p/39688217/category=5764703 If the scale you need can't be found among these three options, then I believe you'll need to scratch them, which could be a Big Pain with lots of delicate carving involved. In the photo below my arrow points to the Syren Fiddle Blocks I used on a recent model. These accurately fashioned blocks are made from boxwood; I stain them a reddish hue to simulate Chestnut, a typical wood used for rigging blocks for centuries. As you can see, all the other blocks in the photo are the same color (excepting the upper deadeyes). In this photo, located near the tip of a main course yardarm, the violin block works to lift the yardarm (inner, small part) and the larger part (outer) guides a main topsail's tack control rope. Hope this helps! (but humbled apologies if you know all this info already).
  7. hollowneck
    Me too. The darker field emphasizes the delicate frieze painting and echoes the black of the unique wales.
  8. hollowneck
    In my experience, Chris' provisions for comprehensive rigging plans started with hand drafted ones with Caldercraft kits of decades past and continued on with the Amati/Victory range. Every Vanguard kit I've tackled (three, thus far) have superlative, clearly-delineated, large-scale plans. What a pleasure for those who go the "whole nine yards" (and possibly, then some!). P.S. I really like the blue/grey hue you created for the Captain's quarters... and, nice move to paint the cabin's beam facia in nicely reflective white too.
  9. hollowneck
    This is where us model builders need to think like Age of Sail bosuns, a term I think essentially connotes a "ship's onboard engineer." I continue to encounter (and, hopefully, successfully resolve) the problem of where running rigging lines get terminated, particularly working sail lines since I add these to most of my models. Very few kits provide sail plans; trying to figure out where these additional lines terminated can be a challenge - even after doing research in available references like Lee's, etc. I've typically solved these termination issues with a the addition of a knowledge of physics, plane geometry, and mostly, common sense. I have also sailed a bit and this helps resolve the occasional conundrum. My approach confirms a truth that in addition to being the captain's of our own modeling decisions; The Devil Remains In the Details. Good deciphering, B.E. Your Indy is looking good, very good indeed. May the skylight be moved, the bitts be shifted and The Force Be With You.
  10. hollowneck
    Very stately environs it must be said. Have you thought about adding to the Captain's tabletop the "lesser of two weevils?"
  11. hollowneck
    To my eyes, the crease marks remain quite visible even with all the other elements to look at: tiny touches of flat black acrylic paint applied with a small brush to touch-up the squares will work a treat.
  12. hollowneck
    Rob, My procedure is to completely fabricate all the masts, main to topgallants and then start the rigging. Carefully evaluate what rigging hardware needs to be attached to the mast components; for example, all the blocks under the tops, on the crosstrees, the blocks for the stays and preventers to the main & mizzen, etc. Vanguard plans for this phase are excellent and you will have plenty of details to follow. This process can be a complicated one (understatement). I use a red marker to check off each item on the plans once completed. Nice job on your Hornblower & Pellew. Removing the base on them is a tricky business; a combo of hand cutters and sanding. Proceed very slowly. It's all too easy for either (or both) of them to end up with a prosthetic leg in this process. To fully rig this model will take you approximately as long as it took for you to build her hull; that's a rule-of-thumb I advise beginning modelers of square rigs. Great job!
  13. hollowneck
    Here! Here!
  14. hollowneck
    B.E., I’m sure you’ve considered planking one side only on the Q’deck (and on the foc’sle when you head to the bows). For an admiralty-styled presentation, I’d find this “half-planked” solution credible - and an interesting view.
  15. hollowneck
    I suspect cell-phone wide angle lens distortion. Is this a credible supposition, B.E? Nice stanchion metalwork. She’s coming together beautifully.
  16. hollowneck
    Nope, it disappeared in the early 21st century here in the Wild West... We now have Amazon Prime: express, same-day delivery - as long as you order in the AM...
  17. hollowneck
    I'm also envisioning more than one hundred pressed sailors (not including the "powder monkeys"), scurrying about on that deck to handle the guns! Whilst peering thro' various gunports on close inspection with my high-intensity LED mini flashlight, it will be quite impressive to see all these well-crafted smashers, that I may completely overlook that none have their breeching ropes or tackle...
  18. hollowneck
    Poor fellows, CW & BE: two days expected delivery in the U.K. In the American colonies it could be two WEEKS.
  19. hollowneck
    The increased height of the coamings look good. With more seawater and rain washing over the deck this makes very good sense. The gratings look nice too with the increased camber.
  20. hollowneck
    B.E. Your choice of stain for the boxwood looks good to my eye: the "ochre" scheme you've chosen appears spot-on. There can be a wide variance of hue with the principal fruitwoods that we use for our models. Even when all the wood is cut from the same billet, there can be color variances ranging from subtle to dramatic; I typically sort planking strips into similar hues whether furnished in a kit or bashed with replacement hardwoods.
  21. hollowneck
    A-ha! I saw the planking pattern and assumed it was the one piece approach. Superb work on making your own Top & Butt planking, a very nice touch.
  22. hollowneck
    Very nice second planking job, B.E. An especially good job on conforming the one-piece wale. She's looks just about ready for her ball evening gown (stain & WOP finish)...
  23. hollowneck
    Your small flotilla of Moby Dick chasing whaleboats look great, Good Job! Don't forget the tholes on the boats (oarlocks).
  24. hollowneck
    Хорошая жена,товарищ (Khoroshaya zhena, tovarishch) Good wife, Comrade!
  25. hollowneck
    Glenn. If interested, I can show you how to put her in an invisible seascape.

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