Michael Scarborough

On 2/10/2022 at 1:56 AM, Thanasis said:

This is "My way of seizing."

This is really helpful! Many thanks!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

23 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

These are so easy to make too.

Thanks, Rob...this all makes sense.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

Hello, Peter, Chris, Bob, Roger and Rob,

Thanks very much for this info, gents. Much appreciated.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

14 hours ago, Peter6172 said:

Michael there is a section in the forum on tools:

Wow, talk about timing!! LOL.

Thanks very much, Peter!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

I've moved to the rigging stage of my Medway Longboat and, for a first time ship model builder, there are lots of new processes to learn.

Does anyone have suggestions for videos or websites/books that describe the process for making eyes and loops such as these made by Chuck? 

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

Thanks, Mark!!

Hello, all,

I've started to rig the Medway long boat and this is my first model ship project. From my days in 1/1 scale sailing, I'm familiar with a lot of the terms Chuck uses in the monographs but I need some guidance in how to proceed in miniature.

Can anyone recommend videos or books that cover the wide ranging subject of model ship rigging??

Thanks.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael 

Just catching up here. Truly gorgeous and crisp work, Ryland and a real source of both information and inspiration for me, as I'm just getting into mine. 

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

Finally an update.

I have built a lot of models, and I have worked with a lot of wood, but this is my first all wood model building project. That it is a ship, with its inherent curves, makes it quite a challenge for a rookie. And working with CA on a whole project is a new experience, as well. I have learned so much from the mistakes I've made that I'm tempted to get another kit from Chuck to apply the knowledge gained. I may yet do something with the extra keel parts.

I know that the bulk of modelers in this group prefer to leave their models unpainted but I'm an odd bird. As opposed to making a duplicate of one of the models that might be seen at Greenwich, I'm going to try and make my mine look as much like an historical, miniature ship as possible. Certainly, if and when I work with boxwood, I will leave things as pristine as possible. But, for this Longboat project, it will be painted and have the look of hard use. Let's just say that the captain of this particular ship was not a tyrant about spit n' polish. 

Thanks for having a look.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

Here's where she stands now:

16 hours ago, Louie da fly said:

By the way, even the name is a joke.

That is HILARIOUS!! Truly gut busting! And thanks for the translations! 

"and I now it. LOL!"  

I'd sound like more of a snob if I spelled knoW properly.

21 hours ago, Nirvana said:

Mozart Reqium at Carnegie Hall under direction of John Rutter.

Oh my!! What a joyous occasion that I know that was for you! The work, the conductor, the venue! It was my privilege to cap off my career as the baritone soloist in the Schubert Mass in D in that hallowed hall. Pure joy. Yes,  I think there is something about wooden model ship building that attracts a much more erudite crowd, than say the armor modelers. Yes, I'm a bit of a snob....and I now it. LOL!

10 hours ago, Louie da fly said:

Welcome to MSW, mate!

 

Love Kurt Weil - "Mack the Knife", "Surabaya Johnny" . . .

 

Though I have to say my great love is classical (currently sitting with the earphones on, listening to Butterfly's aria - sublime!)

 

Looking forward to your first ship model.

 

Steven

Thanks, Steven, 

You and I share a love of the more Operatic and Classical repertoire. Kurt Weill worked his way into my oeuvre near the end and I was happy to welcome his amazing music. But, truth be told, give me Mozart or Richard Strauss any day!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

6 hours ago, catopower said:

But, if you want to see everying in one shot, you can find them here:

Wow!! Totemo ii desu ya!! Kirena fune desu!! Gorgeous models. Bravo. At some point this year I will dig through the slides we brought back from Iwakuni. I fear many may have faded but, hopefully not. Lots of boat pictures, I think!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

18 hours ago, catopower said:

So, was your dad at the Marine Corps Air Station there by any chance?

Indeed, but in those days, 1959-61, it was still Marine Corps Air Facility. He was XO of FAW-6, the Navy contingent. There were still a lot of old vessels in that part of the Inland Sea, similar to some on the website your model is from. I can remember watching men scull their boats and every now and then we'd come across a Chinese Junk. IT was an amazing time and place to be a kid!

18 hours ago, mtaylor said:

I think he meant "sessions" as these are actually stages as such.  You can buy either all at once or separately.

Thanks, Mark. I kinda figured that was what it meant. On one model it was "sessions", on another, "seasons".

Rabbit Hole, indeed! I started the Hahn schooner in 1987 and bought every book I could find on ship model building. Just got started and then had to move to LA. I ended up traveling so much that I thought I'd never build that model and sold all the books. Every side tunnel I take in this rabbit hole seems to remind me of yet another book I wish I'd kept!  

The Triton does indeed look like a great project. I'm going to finish up this Medway Longboat and see where I stand. 

I appreciate the feedback, Mark.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

13 hours ago, GrandpaPhil said:

The Triton Group Build on this forum gets you access to a full set of drawings for a British 28 gun frigate in both POB and POF.

 

GrandpaPhil, thank you for this valuable bit of info. For one thing, you and the other gents are certainly helping me find my way around the website. It's also clear that there are many options available for someone wading into the deeper water of model ship building. And help and guidance seem readily available, as well. All much appreciated.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

14 hours ago, Jaager said:

you will kick yourself if you had a 14" bandsaw and sold it.

I did...a nice Laguna. I had a full shop including a Powermatic 3 hp table saw and Oneway 1640 lathe. But building furniture and an altar that was 14' high, or the frame for the HUGE Quilt that is now at Arlington in a shop that is 13' X 15' is no fun. I do not regret my decision to sell everything off. I know it will cost to buy dimensioned lumber but, to me, at least, it will be worth it. 

Thanks for the heads up on the Boutique kit manufacturers.  The guidance is much appreciated.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

13 hours ago, grsjax said:

The CAF model of Bellona is about as good as it gets for a kit.  Expensive at $1500+ including shipping but CAF models are worth what they cost.  Also very big at nearly 5ft long for the finished model.  Going to need a dedicated space and set aside a few years for this one.

That is quite a model! Space and time, indeed! Thanks for introducing me to CAF....although some aspects of their website are a tad confusing. Seasons? Do I take it that with these kits not all the parts come at one time? 

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

1 hour ago, mtaylor said:

I paused, made a call...

Mark, I really appreciate your doing this for me and anyone else who might be interested. Thanks! As I've said, if this were to happen it would be way down the line but it's nice to know it's doable.

Cheers from NYC (Where lots of people are happy to take a guy's money for laser cutting and all sorts of other mania),

Michael

I'm getting balled up in my responses here...apologies if I missed someone's reply or am repeating myself.

I tried using the analogy of the "kits" Chuck Passaro produces but I seem to have missed the mark. Perhaps I should rephrase and simply ask, "if I want to build a French 74 in 1:48 scale, is there someone set up to laser cut the frames and keel parts for me...the rest I will scratch build".  As I said, this is just a long held idea that surfaced during lunch. 

Thomas, I commend you on the amount of work you've accomplished. Bravo. As I mentioned in my self-introduction last week, I've just retired from 21 years of making furniture and memorials on commission. I've sold off all my machinery and will slowly reacquire smaller tools as I need them. What was my shop is now becoming my art studio/shop/den, besides which I have a smaller space solely for model building. I'm going to complete several of Chuck Passaro's "kits". If I still have the urge to tackle this mammoth project of a model, you'll be hearing from me.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

3 minutes ago, Jaager said:

  To be successful it almost always requires starting small and simple and progressing up with the accretion  of skills and knowledge.  Then one day you wake up and know you can do any of it.

 

Thanks for these very helpful words of wisdom. 

As I said, this post started as a lunch time "I wonder if.." whim. I'm just thinking way ahead. 

I will do nothing else until I've finished Chuck's Medway Longboat. I suspect I will do his Cheerful after that, and maybe also the Barge. I intend to develop my skills with each, increasingly difficult, project. If, once all those projects are completed I am having as much fun as I think I will have, and if the urge is still there, then, maybe, I'd jump into the large projects of a 74 Gun Frigate. If someone has not made laser cut frames and keel parts available by then, then I'd probably buy a scroll saw and jump in.  My machinery all went out of here in one fell swoop in August and, for the moment, at least, I am really enjoying the lack of saw dust and morphing what was my shop/studio into a working den. I will definitely be getting s Byrnes table saw and a Sherline lathe, as I have a number of additional, fully furnished box dioramas planned. I still be a woodworker...just not in 1/1 scale.

I appreciate the input and ideas.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

Just came across this review of a plan set. Clearly, someone has built this ship in scale. Let me say again, I'm new here and am not aware of what has been and what has NOT been done so apologies if this is all old news.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, mtaylor said:

A 74 gun ship and not the ship's boats, correct?   Looking for French or English? Also, what scale? 

As (in my fantasy world) I'm looking to recreate the actual ship presented in Boudriot's 4 volume books, I'd be looking for a French 74 Gun ship in a "large" scale. This query began as a lunch time whim so I've not done the math. How large a model would a French 74 be in 1:48 scale? LARGE, I assume. 

3 hours ago, Jaager said:

Michael,

Even if you find one - and there is a "kit" of a Sane 74 @ 1:75  - you don't really want it!  Given your skill level - think emoji of pinched nose/bad smell.

Well, I appreciate the kind reference to my skill level but I am otherwise confused. Remember, this is all new to me so I'm not sure what would stink but please let me know so I can avoid stepping in it! LOL!

I mentioned a "kit", like those that Chuck produces, as I have sold all my woodworking machinery and have said goodbye to large amounts of saw dust making.  I know many guys are not fans of kits, per se, likening them to plastic models with all the parts already there for you.  Frankly, at this point in life, that really appeals to me. I know it's not what the majority of modelers want but it works for me. In 21 years of woodworking, I've had 85 hours weeks, huge amounts of saw dust to dispose of  and three trips to the hand surgeon. The joy I felt last weekend when all I needed to do was open a box and start assembling extremely well engineered and well made parts is something I look forward to repeating. I've had all four volumes of Boudriot's books on my shelf since they were released and have fantasized about building that ship. If someone makes some of the basic parts, as well as Chuck makes the parts for the Medway Longboat, that is what I'm looking for. 

As I said, I'm new to all this so don't yet know what's available, so maybe this will remain a fantasy. 

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael