ClipperFan
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Vladimir, Your attention to detail is second to none. I particularly appreciate your scratch built apparently brass parrell which matches the Underhill illustration identically. The same goes for your safety line, as well as the professionally rigged stirrups, footropes, and blocks. All very impressive work. -
Vladimir, It's been a while since I've been able to visit this site. Our son was recently rear ended while sitting at a stop light. He's fine but our family car's been totaled and as usual, the other guy's insurance settlement isn't near enough to get us another comparable car. It's been a huge distraction. Anyhow, your deck work is simply amazing. It actually looks like the planks have all been caulked as well. Very impressive!
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Vladimir, I really appreciate your deck and plank laying treatise. It's another tribute to your relentless devotion to accuracy. I'm looking forward to her final appearance after everything's laid down "shipshape and Bristol fashion" with her protective varnish.
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Rob, As I first mentioned, in a tribute to McKay's long lost final Medium Clipper, I believe what would really draw viewers in would be an inspirational display with your magnificent model as the centerpiece but not the sole piece. Mike has a lifetime collection of ultra rare images. How exciting would it be to see enlargements of the most crystal clear ones? Imagine if we could display her original 14' name board. How dramatic an overall backdrop that would make? Then think if we could gather some of the finest paintings done of her as well. I believe the best displays tell a story, they pull in the viewers with a compelling narrative. We have more than enough actual artifacts, as well as the fascinating two year collaboration to ascertain the authentic appearance of Glory of the Seas which has proven to be radically different, far more advanced than the rather dumpy image of her we started out with. I will relocate my Librarian's contact info, share some of your incredible images and see if I can get her to catch fire with this compelling idea.
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GeorgeK, I applaud your concern and attention to detail. Little items like the foremast tip not being in parallel alignment with the other masts is noticeable to people who pay attention and does mar an otherwise beautifully crafted model.
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GeorgeK, Impressive rigging treatise. I appreciate your explanation of using bowsprit rigging to actually pull forward the top of the skysail foremast in order to accomodate the stress being place on it by the mainmast rigging which will be applied later on. All in all, very beautiful, clean work.
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Rob, I had a great email contact with the Librarian Curator of the San Francisco Maritime Museum which Mike provided. She's the reason we were able to get those beautiful full color images of Glory's nameboard. In addition she supplied a nice color photo of the framed Samuel Walters oil, which I still consider to be the most beautiful work, as well as the best representation of Glory of the Seas. I'm sure she would be thrilled to see the stunning results of your two year effort. Since McKay's clipper was a popular visitor in San Francisco, they might be more receptive to your offer. However, maybe we should consult Mike first, to get his feedback.
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Vladimir, Wanting to emulate artisan level cabinetry expertise of a master modeler like Ray Langdon's impressive New Hampshire Clipper Witch of the Wave is admirable indeed. I look forward to completion of your current museum quality Glory of the Seas model, which I anticipate will be a wonder to behold and then to follow your next build!
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Vladimir, Your revised figurehead looks really beautiful! Considering your working dimensions of 1 & 1/4" it appears that you've really captured quite a few important details of her unique pose. I particularly appreciate your clever use of a toothpick to apply tiny gold highlights to her garb. Realizing how challenging this process has been, my sole concern is that she seems to have lost her right foot. If your figurehead isn't permanently mounted yet, there's room enough to move her up just enough to fit her foot in. If not, she's a very nice compliment to your vessel's bow as she sits right now. Overall, she's night and day difference and a wondrous improvement over your initial attempt. Fine work indeed!
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Rob, Did Tacoma give you any time-line as to when their model display renovation will be completed? Meanwhile, maybe Mike might have some other ideas?
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Rob, Basing your reconstruction on Glory of the Seas in her later years when there is far more available photographic documentation to faithfully rely on makes eminent sense. As I've been saying going on two years now, I firmly believe that your marvelous model is the very finest museum quality replica in the world. In a similar vein, I see Vlad on pace to accomplish the same, with the only difference, besides scale size, is his brave choice to model the same vessel as she was first launched. Sould we ever write a book on this fascinating journey, I believe her change in appearance, her evolution over decades wiil be of particular interest to everybody.
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Vladimir, Rob will agree that right now, as she sits, your replica is the world's most accurate representation of Donald McKay's final Medium Clipper Glory of the Seas as she originally appeared when launched in November 1869. He can lay claim to fame for having the most scale accurate vessel as she appeared in 1880 after many intriguing modifications but not as she was originally conceived by McKay himself. That honor now belongs exclusively to you. I hope this thought encourages you through the many hours of tedium and drudgery it takes to fully realize your dream.
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Vladimir, I'm glad you appreciate my positive observations. In fairness, they're all well deserved by the hard work you're doing. As can be seen by the tedious shackle manufacturing process you're currently engaged in, scratch building is an artisan event which requires incredible patience and perseverance.
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Vladimir, Nice work revising your main fife rail, it now looks true to scale. Great job!
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Vladimir, I applaud yourr insight in catching the subtle, nearly unnoticeable curvature of the deck house roofs. As Rob pointed out, the boat skids have slight cut outs on each side to clear the moulding which surrounds both the main house and rear coach house. Great work on your fore deck house! It is truly an impressive size and you have captured it vey nicely.
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Rob, I asked Mike for sharper images of these particular scenes. He didn't have anything better but said if he does come across them, he'll gladly share them. I agree that, as originally designed, Glory of the Seas had a much simpler deck scheme with far more open spaces. It will be fascinating to see how the two compare once both are completed.
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Vladimir, That's very elegant work on the boot. If you don't mind my asking, why cut this in half? Since the masts aren't already permanently mounted yet, couldn't you just slide them in one piece and just glue them down once masts are installed? Just wondering.
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Vladimir, Most observers won't notice undersized rigging as quickly as they would oversized blocks and tackles. I agree with your evaluation to stick to scale with block sizes. As an allternative to thread, would fishing line or possibly thin guage wire work as an alternative? Rob or other veteran modelers might have some helpful insights.
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Vladimir, Don't be so hard on yourself. You, my friend are not mediocre or by any means a lousy apprentice. If it hadn't been for your brilliant cgi bulkhead input, who know where Rob would be at? The minutia you're dealing with has a lot to do with paying close attention to numerous details. Details like those stern bumpkins extend out much further beyond the deck than your picture seems to display. To answer your other question, when these vessels were out to sea for months, it was common practice to erect small houses, like chicken coops over their hatches, so your small kitchen house would be correct. I particularly appreciate your excellent reworking of the stern rails and you did a very clean job of relocating that annoying 3rd fairlead. In addition, you're doing an excellent job on that longhouse behind the foremast. From Rob's observance, the main fife rail needs to be shortened to end just after the main pump wheels. My only other issue is that the rear coach house companion height be adjusted so that the turned stanchion rail comfortably intersects it, as demonstrated in my rear coach house elevation. Don't be discouraged, I'm sure Rob would agree, you're doing excellent work!
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Rob, From this image of Steve Priske's beautifully crafted Western Shore model, she's very reminiscent of the McKay hulls of his extreme Clippers Lightning and Flying Cloud at least from viewing her bow and particularly the extreme rake of her underwater prow. I remember viewing many lovely scenes of Steve's build about a decade ago which apparently are no longer available. Your mention of the fellow Mike Preske's research intrigues me, as until I read about him in your post, I never heard his of name before. Do you think Steve's pending book will include more particulars about his own model build or put a bigger emphasis on the sadly all too brief history of "The Oregon Clipper?" I ask because, depending on interest level, I could possibly use it as a guideline for our own possible publication on your recently completed beauty Glory of the Seas.
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Rob, you might want to invest in one of those fancy permanent silver pens. You know, the type celebrities use to sign their autographs? I'm sure Mike would be honored to sign your masterpiece, maybe on the stand where it would be visible but not detract from your model's beauty.
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Rob, Thanks for the encouraging words. It will now seem like an eternity til then. I also broached the subject with Mike about getting museums to loan artifacts to support your model's loan. I'll let you know his response.
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Rob, Vladimir, Druxey, I finally received a reply from the Nautical Research Journal editor. He explained that due to serious family issues he had to delay production of the magazine for months and then had to produce two issues in a short timeframe. As a result, my article was inadvertently delayed. Bottom line: the article is now scheduled to appear in the first 2023 publication. That should appear in February.
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MikeR, excellent detail work on your deck pieces. I particularly appreciate the brass center of your ship's wheel. It lends even more convincing authenticity to the structure.
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