RickyGene

Howdy again Jonathan, sorry it took so long for me to answer you back.  No sir I do not have any photos of that CSS Alabama.  This was built while I was stationed @ Ft Stewart Ga. which is located in a little place called Hinesville Ga.  That in turn is a hop from Savannah Ga.  The best Stateside assignment I had while in the service.  One could go down to the wharf where the shrimp boats came in @Savannah and on the front street was a wonderful little ship museum.  They had numerous types of vessels. There also was a small hobby shop just down the road from here and that is where I purchased the CSS Alabama, at what I remember f/$26.00.  I also purchased scribed wood for the decking and dowels for the masts.  I made the gun rails from black card, no PE back in those days, wood blocks and deadeyes.  A cooper tube f/smoke stack, scale chain and I did paint and use the figures that were in the kit.  The model took 1st place at several hobby shows.  Sadly it did not make the ship from Ga. to the FRG.  I remember I did not want to just paint the copper plating, never looked right to me after building the USS Constitution.  I found some Christmas wrap that was a copper looking foil and applied w/contact cement.  Korny I know, but to tell the truth after a wash of vert green/white streaked from top to bottom, it turned out really cool for the day.  Remember, these were the days when a modeler spent a great deal of time looking for materials to use in the hobby, not like now when one can find resin made/3d printed and PE.  Oh the good ole days!  I have been eyeballing the Bluejacket offer, but that $ keeps me from pulling the trigger on it.  I do however have on the shelf a USS Susquehanna.  But that is a ways off, my current project is just getting started, a French Chebec Indiscrete.  Look forward to more of your build.

Rick 

I have this same kit as well as a few other of Bluejackets kits.  You have done a wonderful job on this little beauty.  Do not know what your next project might be after this one.  But after your slam dunk job plating the hull, give the Pilot Boat a look.  Look forward to the finish.

Rick

On 10/8/2019 at 1:52 PM, BlackSeraph said:

Next is to ensure that frames are symmetrical. In theory I should align outside top edges and see where the middle is, but it seems that frames are way off. So I will perform this operation only when I'll have cut the notches in the keel, so I can check them against it

 

After seeing you do this I checked mine and they are the same as yours!

I have this same kit and am so glad to see someone put up a build thread.  I too was stumped by the keel not lining up w/the drawings.  I know plans can shrink but the wood/pattern is what is off.  This was a buy off eBay from a fella in TX who bought back in 1995, still had the order sheet in the box.  Like what you have done so far.  I agree, power tools make for fast removal, but I am old school and use elbow grease for that work.  Will follow your build closely.  Funny, I also have the smaller kit (Bluejacket) as well as a Marine Models version of the America (solid hull).  Has been in the back of my head to do the Cup version, the Union version and the later painted white hull version.  We will see, that a long time build of the same subject matter.  A side note...inside my kit was 2 sets of cut ribs,  Seems when the fella ordered his kit, the ribs for the Jefferson Davis were sent instead.  There is a letter explaining the mix up and the correct set was set.  Just curious, will you go for the painted finish or the Admiral build?

Rick

I am a fan of French Ships and your build shows why.  I am currently starting a Aeropiccola INDISCRET Xebec and have not had a great deal of time to work on.  I am hoping the wify will get my hints for a Dusek Le Reale.  Looking forward to more of this tutorial on how to build this vessel.

Rick 

I am a fan of Bluejacket kits, I have 4 un-built to include their Big POF America.  You have one heck of a job on this build and I look forward to the finish,

Rick

Amazing, simply amazing.  Hope to see more of you work.

Rick

I'm not worthy, famous Butt Head and Bevis saying.  The little details make the rest sing.  You sir know how to make your builds work.

Rick 

You have done a heck of a job with this kit.  I remember building one while stationed in Savannah Ga. back in the 70's.  Though I did build SOB, it still made for a nice display piece.  I was curious and trolled the Web to see what one would go for today!!!!!  I saw one listed for $900.00?  None at all on eBay when I looked.  Did see the wood deck and a Cottage Industry cannon set, but alas no kit.  However I did come across a interesting fact, one of the USS Kearsarge guns was on display at a Park until WWII, but sadly it was melted down for the War.  Thanks for sharing a build that shows a plastic kit can be built to the same standards as a wood one.

Rick 

Looking forward to your build and happens to be what I believe the most popular ship project around.  Just count the number of builds for this vessel.  As for unbuildable, let me say this.  No kit is unbuildable!  Though some are way more complex and daunting because the builder bit off more than they can chew.  Yes seems the more time spent drawing/laser cutting complex shapes that we from the ole school remember as blocks of wood you shaped yourself.  The biggest thing I see in todays kits is the wow factor and fast way to get it done.  If you can not figure it out, set to side and go back too when you are ready.  If that does not work, improvise.  One should approach a kit as a box of parts that you make it work to build whatever the subject is.  Does not look right, do again.  The problem with a mind set unbuildable is you have become a perfectionist that thinks the kit should look like it belongs in a museum and or just do not know how the thing goes together. Just my 2 cents worth, have I ever stopped working on a kit, yep.  Not because I was unable to finish, but because it was beyond my skill to accomplish, again that does not render it unbuildable.  I have seen guys take what another says is unbuildable, put their spin on it and turn out a show stopper.  Have fun and enjoy the hobby.  I will be watching your progress.

Rick

Nice start to the Terror.  Look forward to more.

Rick

Oh yea, nice kit.  I saw the same kit you are talking about as well.  Also seen another on the web and that was the one I was referring to f/$600.00

I believe I was mistaken on my comment about building the Winston from Billing Boats.  I believe I was referring to a Bluenose build!  How about some what's in the box shots if not too much trouble.  Thanks for sharing this.

Rick

To anyone wishing to build a USS Susquehanna, you can still do so.  Woody Joe produces this kit in 1/120th scale.  Is as the norm for them, everything about the kit is of the highest quality.  Their version is of the refit that shelled Costal Forts off the North Carolina cost and other Civil War Engagement's.  When I checked on the Web Page f/Woody Joe I found the kit for around $430.00 USD.  The Imai version is of the early version as used to take Cmdr Perry to Japan to get a treaty signed to open trade/commerce with Japan.  That in itself is a very interesting story.  I am sure many here have seen the Movie "The Last Samurai", the results of the treaty!

A Footnote:  Tamiya produces a small gear box that can be installed in the Woody Joe kit that makes the stern wheels rotate.

12 minutes ago, CDW said:

Awesome kit! I have the IMAI version of the Winston Churchill. I believe it's now produced by Woody Joe as the look very similar/identical maybe.

I remember this kit as well, I always have liked the hull lines of the Last Lion.  I never had the Imai version, but I did the Billings Boat one.  That was a un-usual build.  You build 2 sides and then join the two to make the complete hull.  But all in all, builds into a fine desk piece.  The Woody Joe version does remind me of the Imai kit.  What scale is yours and do you plan to build.  If so, rest assured, I will most definitely follow.

Rick 

35 minutes ago, catopower said:

Imai is Woody Joe's predecessor. They generally made kits in larger scales and sizes than Woody Joe does now (except for the Shin Nippon Maru kit, which is slightly longer than this Susquehanna kit). I wish there were still this and the 1/50-scale Kanrin Maru kits available.

 

Woody Joe makes great kits, but nothing is more impressive to display than a large scale ship model!

 

I am honored to have you to reply to the thread.  I have followed your blog and enjoyed many of your past projects.  It was you who turned me onto Woody Joe kits.  I have only built one of their small day boat kits and did order one of those outstanding little saws.  I was surprised to learn that Imai was Woody Joe's predecessor.  I remember some of their kits with great fondness.  I am afraid we shall never see plastic kits like those again.  Then I discovered they also produced wood kits.  I was just getting started building in wood at that time and could only afford the smaller kits.  But I did so want one of those huge boxes that contained all that goodness called a scale ship.  One never knows, the 1/50th Kanrin Maru may will turn up somewhere.  I have not seen the USS Susquehanna for many years, and then one day, there it was on eBay!

Rick

10 hours ago, James H said:

Wow, I've never seen that kit before!

 

Maybe one day you'll build it here?

I remember this kit from back in the day and others.  Of course, back then my pay grade would not allow such a purchase.  I did however purchase one of their smaller Cutty Sarks.  I did come across another of Imai's Big Kits,again a Cutty Sark.  But I elected to purchase the Susquehanna instead.

And of course the price of the Cutty Sark was $600.00 and I paid $280.00 f/the Susquehanna.  It is my plan to build this monster and I promise I will post a build thread here when I do.

Rick

Imai is no longer producing kits.  But you can luck up and find now and again.  Here is one such kit.  Imai of Japan 1/80 scale.  That works out to a hull over 51" long.  The kit is made up of wood, plastic, brass and white metal.  The instructions are in Japanese but the drawings are easy to follow and one can spend the time to translate.  This is the largest wood kit Imai produced in this series of kits.

I am a Big Fan of Dusek Kits.  I really like these types of vessels.  I have built the Heller kit and see this as a future build.  I have also built Dusek Kits as well.  I have no problem w/resin parts and there can be used to great effect.  But for the cost of a Dusek kit here in the US, one is felt let down for having resin parts.  I purchased the French Cutter and it was almost $300.00 and then had to pay another $79.00 plus ship for brass cannon barrels.  I really like this kit and thanks for sharing.

Rick

Oh and the length @1309mm = over 51"...………...😲

I have built a Woody Joe Ship.  I love their kits.  I was wondering have you seen one of these.  It too was kitted from Japan.

Imai 1/80 Susquehanna.  I purchased off of eBay for $280.00.  Years ago I built their smaller plastic version.

Have enjoyed your thread very much.  I have been eyeballing one of these from a local dealer here in the US.  I am very impressed with the quality.  I too enjoyed your tutorial about melting PVA w/a iron.  Does work with thin wood.  I use a iron, I used to apply Mono-kote to RC planes.  Works great for the applying glued planks and adjustments.  Looking forward to more of the build.  

Rick 

PS:  I have noticed several times, individuals talking about contact cement.  This also works after you get the piece just where you want and lightly run a iron down the plank, warms the material and flattens the plank for a tight lay with no edge curl.  Burnishing also works well.  I am no big fan of contact cement, in my past working life, I applied Formica to counter tops!  Can not stand the smell of the stuff anymore.

Great project and you look to be off to a great start.  What mfg. is this one.  I have a 1/200 scale Moly.  But it is just so huge at that scale, I have tucked away.  Looking forward to more of your build.  I too am a Kartonist.

Rick

I am impressed by the ambitious project you have taken on.  I have used Shape Ways parts many times.  A tip, clean well.  If not, the part will frost up after painting.

Rick 

Great book for references.  At one time I had a good collection of them.  I still have a few.  I last year bought a copy for the HMS Victory, paid a high price for it from eBay.  The book was folded in 1/2 and looked like it had been dragged behind a dump truck!  The older books are a hard back/card and the newer ones are paper back!  Looking forward to your build.

Rick

Somehow I have missed placed my down load cord for the camera.  However, I plan to go buy a el cheapo camera today from Wally World and as soon as I do, I will show what I got as you have asked.  Thank you for the interest.

Rick