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ClipperFan

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Everything posted by ClipperFan

  1. Rob, one consistent feature I've seen with ship's figureheads is that the subject's head is tilted in such a way that their face is looking straight out. Invariably when a figure is mounted at a sharp angle, this put their head at a tilted back position too.
  2. Rob, at the risk of sounding seriously redundant, I just want to once again acknowledge how meticulously accurate your scratch built model is to "GLORY of the SEAS" herself. It's remarkable how even the bowsprit's angle matches the one in the picture behind. Well done, sir. Well done indeed.
  3. Rob, not having either of these beautiful figurehead images, how on earth did you come so close to them? I'm even more impressed with your capabilities now!
  4. Rob, actually besides the lower tilt of his head and lower position of your figurehead's left arm, the rest of him is very accurate, including authentic paint job. I read that the McKay's original figurehead was lost at sea. This replica was carved by the Ship's Carpenter as a replacement at sea. Knowing how complex a project it is to create a 7' likeness, it's a fair bet that the original artwork, especially if sculpted by Mason was far more refined.
  5. Rob, nobody's going to confuse your "Wee Scottish Laddie" for Davey Crockett!
  6. Rob, your latest series of Starboard and Port Bow headgear rigging photos really demonstrate how beautiful and accurate your model is. It also reveals how meticulously our combined research really has been. I'm looking forward to seeing the completion of this portion of your build, especially bobstay and spreader.
  7. Vladimir, since your model is 1:72nd scale, a 90" figurehead at scale is 1&1/4", just slightly larger than 7/8".
  8. Rob, from all the photographic evidence we have, none show any belaying pins inserted into any of Glory's rails. To the contrary, all images available so far, including this latest broadside prove that all rails even on her large rear house were solely used as rails and nothing else. Your idea of creating internal shroud mounted belaying pins must be the logical workable alternative.
  9. Rob, In this latest beautiful broadside of Glory I was surprised to discover almost all her yards have tightly furled sails like yours. I am struck by the professionalism of these sailors in their ability to so tightly compress these massive fabrics. When you consider rolling up these thick canvas sails, it's an amazing accomplishment. I remember having to compress older real canvas tents when we struck camp in Boy Scouts of the 60s. Since I was participating in US Armed Services Units, our camping gear was surplus World War II military style tough canvas duct. Believe me, it is an art to get gear like that to be as tightly furled as those sails used to be.
  10. Vladimir, I couldn't agree more about this fantastic discovery. Everytime I think I've seen the last image of "Glory of the Seas" another never before seen picture emerges. Each time I am once again reminded what a substantial vessel she was too. To give an idea of how far back she is in this 1910 photo, look at the size of "Dora's" passengers in the fore image. Now knowing the size of the ship's rails, project the scale of those same folks into the background. Knowing her dimensions from Stern to Bowsprit tip, I realize that the real estate Glory covers is the equivalent of two goalposts of an American football field!.
  11. Rob, while it can add upwards as twice as much time to properly outfit a square rigged ship, I can say that it is precisely that almost mystifying labyrinth of lines, with their various chains, gin blocks and tackles that I appreciate the most. It gives me great joy to follow rigging and trace each line to its logical conclusion at its belaying location. I imagine that with judicious pre-conception and a well laid out plan, the amount of time to accomplish this very challenging but highly rewarding facet of your build can be well managed.
  12. Rob, Vladimir courtesy of Richard Alan Wood, Administrator of the Facebook page "The Clipper Ship Era" comes this very rare postcard of an Oct 3rd, 1910 Port Broadside view of Ship "Glory of the Seas" unloading BC coal at Unalaska, Alaska. Photographer was John E Thwaites.
  13. Rob, as usual, just a very high level of professionalism in the construction and detailed rigging of the Mizzenmast. Seeing it mounted in Glory, it's impressive how tall this so called shortest mast it. It will be stunning to see how her Mainmast will look in comparison.
  14. Vladimir, nice work on the dual skylights. I'm also impressed with how substantial your lower Mizzenmast is. It's easy to miss how big these lower spars were when the entire height of these lofty masts are done. They must have been an imposing sight to behold in person.
  15. Jared, that's 100% better! They actually look like they're made of wood now. Not knowing the actual size of these lovely, authentic looking craft, my only other suggestion would to be to paint the top trim a contrasting dark color, possibly dark green or blue to offset the white. That's how they appear on "Cutty Sark".
  16. Rob, it's a tribute to your attention to detail in the utilization of different colors and thicknesses of lines, as well as the use of chain where warranted. I also must admit I've never in my life seen a larger dime before, which highlights how relatively small your scratch built Jin blocks really are. Your magnification devices must indeed be very powerful.
  17. Jared, you're quite welcome! Anytime I can contribute and be of assistance it will be my honor to do so. I just don't ever want to be intrusive.
  18. Jared, I applaud your initial efforts. The attempt to scribe lines does give an impression of a clinker built craft. To aid in your attempts, attached is an image of a similar lifeboat from a Cutty Sark model. Notice how each plank conforms to the general shape of the boat. You might want to try scribing your boats with a light pencil first to capture this look.
  19. Ian Grant I wouldn't trouble myself too much about your inability to replicate Rob's sheet blocks. After all, at 1:150th scale your blocks have to be almost half the size of Rob's to be in scale. His would appear "ginormous" in comparison! 😉
  20. Vladimir, since drew inspiration from the Model Shipways "Flying Fish" keel and bulkhead plans to pattern "Glory of the Seas" I felt having those instructions might help you with your rigging decisions. Here's the link to an online pdf file: 88045-model-shipways-flying-fish-instructions.pdf
  21. Rob, while it will be months of tedium for you, for guys like me it will be an illuminating experience to see how you creatively develop your progress. Realizing that ultimately practically every single line must of necessity be belayed either at the fife rails at the base of each mast or along the many mounting points along the hull, the trick is to get the innermost lines out of the way first, as they eventually will become almost inaccessible later on. Since you're starting with the mizzenmast, it appears like you're plan of attack is to begin at the stern and move forward to the bow, culminating eventually at the bowsprit. Documenting your progress at this painstaking pace should greatly benefit Vladimir and others who ultimately want to follow in your brave footsteps.
  22. Rob, thanks to your specific step by step updates of your rigging progress it impresses me how much of a painstaking process it is. The resulting finished product is one of the most beautiful on earth, especially when it's a massive American Clipper. Each line has it's own special purpose and it's own particular destination for usefulness. By the time you're done, the spider's web of myriad lines would be a maze of confusion to anyone unfamiliar with the unique purpose of complex rigging on sailing vessels. This part of your model build will be thrilling to follow.
  23. Vladimir, "Iron men on wooden ships"..... you're welcome by the way.
  24. Rob, what blows my mind is that somehow in the midst of the sea, the Captain and ship's crew managed to completely re-rig the entire vessel in 12 days!
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