edmay

Welome back and see u soon ,great progress of high quality will follow .Edwin

Thanks to the many PM's here and on FB ON MY 74th birthday.
Great news from my dear son and daughter who called this morning to wish Dad a happy BD, and inform me that they were treating the old man to a trip to Boston and three days to take in all of the details of the Constitution first hand. Not only that, but my son is going to join me there in Boston. That will be a DOUBLE treat!
 
Meantime, back in the ship yard.....
Reason for the lul in progress is due to a ton of off-ship work.... mostly related to the realization that I will eventually run into a s....t-pot load of cannons and carronades including carriages and rigging material for each. All being a scale I had no idea what I will need.... etc.
 
I hate the thought of completing her gun deck and then beginning the arduous task of building and installing all those cannons. I would much rather, and hope to build and install her cannons as the gun deck bulwarks and deck planks are developed.
 
So, the entire last several days has been focused on building prototypes for her long guns and carronades.
 
Hopefully, I will be able to post a few progress shots tomorrow.

thanks for the head's up John.   the fore castle deck is not cemented in place just yet.   I still need to plank the main deck and close off the poop deck....to think of it,  I still haven't seen where and when to do that even.   I have the rigging sheet nearby......that's where I found the parts that have no name,  are used for.    the two parts under the top......what are they called?  top brace........brackets?   there may even be holes of sheaves for the tack lines.  I still need to do the hawse holes for the anchors too.  thanks for the good word!  
 
there's no rush spyglass........no rush at all.   I was merely curious.   when I hear that a kit hits the circular file {trash can......fireplace......bin of no return},  I imagine the whole thing going bye bye.   folks who have 'hoard ah-la pack rat'.....well,  it sounds like you got it too      I guess I can't rightly say that it's from by gone kits........I haven't filed any kits,  and I have quite an inventory {I buy a lot of stuff}.   if you do though,  let me know what you find  
 
this could get interesting folks    thanks for the likes  

Looking good, Popeye!
 
Just a word of warning.  It's about time to study your rigging plan very carefully (if you haven't done so already) to make sure that there are no rigging points you need to include early.  For instance, some ships of the period had the forestay secured on the main deck under the forecastle!
 
John

thanks for the kind comments and the likes.   I got good news .......the life boats are in transit to me as we speak!   I paid a whopping $6.26 for four of them  {shipping included}.  fingers crossed that they are the correct scale.....or very close to it.  next will be the railings and stuff  
 
thanks Bob.......believe me....I wished the same.  I was looking on E-bay and old model kits .com for a larger scale Cutty kit that I could bash,  but in the back of my mind,  I knew the admiral wouldn't go for it      I also got an eye opener........I saw what looked like a Billing's Cux 87.....and the Mary Ann.....put out there by a manufacturer from China!  I'd scratch build one,  before I'd buy those pieces of crap!  but......yea,  I would have liked a larger kit,  but the admiral got it for me,  so I will build it............or face the 'woman's scorn'  
 
thanks spyglass.......I'm not used to this scale either..........and no......these fingers 'o mine are gett'in  chubby as I get older.   that's why I practice the bass.......I could never master the guitar        but you are correct.......these metal parts are quite tiny.   most gents use a coin to show scale........I might do well with a grain of rice!   do you still have the kit?   just covering my bases,  in case I lose a piece or two       another gentleman on the site built one....after seeing all I've seen so far with this kit,  I'm amazed that his came out as well as it did.  he did a very nice job.   I hope you follow along...the more the merrier
 
thanks John and Dr. Per       no problems with pictures on my end either.......I'm even getting extras popping in every once in a while        I'll try and stay on the yellow brick road John,  but as long as your seeing some of them and able to stop me from making a mistake,  then I'm good with that  
      thinking back.........you know John........we've known each other since day 1 of my joining.    .........and man!.........was I a greenie,  or what?!?!?   I'd about bump into a wall.......and you'd be there to steer me away and on the right track.   I'd be lonely if you weren't look'in in     I've admired your work Dr. Per........I'm quite confident,  that should you see something amiss........please,  feel free to point it out or suggest.  I don't mind  
 
if anyone says that they don't think they can scratch build.........buy this kit.  you will get all the 'scratch build 101' you will ever need.   as mentioned,  the box,  besides the square and round stock,  is almost empty of parts.   I did find out what those six parts were for.....they are for the masts tops.  every- thing else has to be scratch made.  I mentioned that I did find a larger scale Cutty kit in my search........old model kits .com has wooden kits  too......as well as model train and balsa flying models for sale.  some of them are quite old....i've never heard of some of the companies.   it would be very easy to modify a Cutty into the Thermopylae..........the hull and {most of the rigging} is done to the traditional clipper ship.......the deck layout is what sets the different ships apart.   I will save this for something in the future 
 
not wanting to get too long winded with this update............yes,  there's more      the six posts that were left have been cut out.   if the deck was planked,  it would look loads better.
 

 
I even did the ones on the fore deck.   after I though to do it........it sounded good to me.
 

 
cutting them from the poop deck,  creates more room for the galley.  it does make me wonder why they made the cutout for the galley........it doesn't fit into it,  nor are there any provisions for it.   the skylight is not hollow,  so there is no way to look in {at the moment anyway}.
 

 
I need to look into the ship's wheel box too.....as mentioned,  everything else is scratch built.  the box is no exception.
 

 
I haven't done much more than cut out the posts and make more observations.   I'll probably make some of the deck furnishings and dry fits,  to see when I'll be able to plank the deck.  the structures will be lined with the light mahogany, to simulate the teak,  and planked with a lighter shade of deck planking.......should be a nice contrast.
 
more on her soon  
 
 

Obviously the pictures don't want to get wet on their way over to Oz!  
 
John

Denis, you are a braver man than I am, doing such a complex ship in such a small scale. You're off to a nice start.
 
Bob

how in the heck did that happen..........the second photo of the stand!!?!?!?!?!   the world may never know  
 
I have a feeling that this kit is going to be  one giant experiment.......you know.......like a trip through Alice in wonderland....so many questions.   I kinda hoped it would be like the Wizard of OZ,  where all I had to do,  was follow the yellow brick road       hey......I'm laughing........it won't be the first time,  I've walked away fro a set of instructions.
 
it took a while to remove all the structure parts from the metal etch.......then to insure that they lay flat.
 

 
then I made a second fore structure from 1/32 flat stock.   1/16 square strip was put in the four corners to strengthen it.
 

 
the roof was made larger than the first one.......I will try and salvage the other one later,  depending on...........    the outer plates were added to both structures........each with their own less than desirable results.
 

 
the wood structure is obvious........the roof is too small.  the plates ate up the outcropping I gave it.   now if I had done this with some mahogany {similar to Nenad's superb work},  it might not have been so drastic or thick.  I even gave it some though.....perhaps with the use of a paper punch     I wasn't thrilled with the corners........but in this case,  it's an easy fix with some 1/32 square stock.   the windows can be drilled out,  and window maker can be used to fill in the glass......or some sort of cello.   it's too bad that this is a small model.......I could have used some of those eyelets that I have.  not all of the parts are added to it at this time.
 

 
the one clad in the metal plates is a little jazzier...........again the windows can be drilled out and given the same treatment.      I made the roof larger than the first one,  so I didn't loose the outcroppings.   I even tried to make up for the botched corners,  but I didn't do well enough....it still occurred.   they were touched up with gold paint to hide the wood.....I'm thinking that I might be able to make up some brass angles....or perhaps some round stock,  to fill them in.   
 

 
I tried again to get some pictures of the finished hull.  there are few spots that need some love,  but I'm not done sanding and prepping the hull for paint yet.  the rails need to be added as well.
 

 

 
as for the aft deck bulwarks.........the other side filler plank was added.   it will be sanded down to an even height all around the stern.   I saw the way they want me to make the cap rail around the stern bulwarks........no thanks,  I think I can come up with a better way...one that doesn't involve piecing together ten or so pieces of flat stock.
 

 
dummy me again...........forgetting to draw a center line down the deck!   bad enough that I forgot to do the plank stagger lines.   harder to do with the deck platform in place.   the fore deck in place {dry fit}.
 

 
the bulwarks were hard to protect.........I had to repair them here and there,  throughout the planking process.  even though I had left some of them,  they were still prone to cracking.   the bulkheads were beveled inward slightly......even if I had left them all,  it likely wouldn't have stopped it from happening.   I can remove the rest of them now,  and sand them flush to the deck.   I may even remove the ones on the fore deck.
 

 
looking in the box,  there are only a few wood parts left.   just about everything on the deck needs to be scratch built from strip stock contained in the kit.   I do have six parts though,  that I have no idea what they are for.  I have not seen them in the instructions so far........and I have flipped over the sheet on the wall.   I will have to review the first side,  to make sure I've done everything on that side of the sheet..........what there is of it,  is pretty much textbook to me  

the timeline that I left on the Syborn log is true...........I spent my days planking the hull.   some of the pictures didn't come out as well as I would have liked........but it's OK,  I guess.   all the less of my shoddy planking,  that you'll need to endure.
      the port side looks scary,  but it sanded out reasonably well.   I opted to concentrate most of the tapering within the belly of the beast.   this benefited the bow more than the stern,  which still needed a stealer or two.
 

 
this side finished off reasonably well.......and then it was on to the starboard side.   while I was planking the starboard side,  I added the filler plank I wanted to do to fill in the aft bulwarks.   once set up.....there were periodical checks to insure that there were no gaps {like the one shown here}........I kept pressing the piece back down,  since there wasn't much to clamp to.   I will need to add a little filler here later on to smooth it out,  before painting.   at this time though,  I'll fill the gaps with cement,  in the hopes that it will make the bond stronger.
 

 
I did the same here,  with regards to the tapering,  only changing it up a little,  to use up the short pieces of planking that were beginning to multiply.
 

 
to break up the manotany,  I made the stand.  I will need it soon  
 

 
the end came.........the last plank.   this side didn't work out as well as the other side.......the garboard plank was done in three sections.   the line was still a bit uneven at this point.   sanding will hide it best.......good that it's down under,  and not in a visible area.   I did some sanding as well.........the thicker planking worked well for this........I was able to sand out most of the non-conformaties. 
 

 
the next couple of pictures didn't come out as well,  so I deleted them.   I'll show the hull results later.......there are some repairs to do,  but the sanding isn't done either.   I did it at my desk...........sand a bit........tap the keel on my garbage can to release the dust........and then blow and wipe.   I spent time looking for life boats........I've pulled the trigger on four that Amati offers....I hope they are right.   I signed on with Eduwards........they have the railings that I will need.  yes......I am going to do a bit of bashing..........and from the looks of what I've done since the hull,  there will be a lot of it.  the fore structure was assembled.........not too keen on the process.   I found the parts out of sync with each other.......sides too big and roof too small.   I wasn't going to have any of that.....so,  I made a roof for the structure,  with outcroppings all around.   
 

 
the photo etch stuck in my mind.........this isn't like ordinary photo etch.   the plate is thick at the parts,  but thin all around them.   they are not cleanly cut either.......I used a razor blade to score around them,  so I could remove them from the plate.   the edges needed to be filed,  to remove the jagged feel.
 

 
the galley structure was even worse........the parts didn't even follow the roof outline,  which {it too} was too small for the structure.   I wondered about the other gentleman who built this model........I wondered if he made allowances for these problems,  or if he settled for how it went together,  thinking that the instructions must be right.   it's enough to make a person want to go rogue   
 

thanks Patrick........I have been trying to do a little planking over the week end....but I haven't  been able to.   that's OK........tomorrow is my 'Friday'.......playtime is coming!   I was confused at first to your post.......then I realized what you meant.   I still have to level out the aft bulwarks,  and then I can sand it to the proper height.    then she'll look nice 'n trim.   thanks for the good word  
 
thanks for the likes too!  

Hey Denis

She's looking good! It's amazing what a haircut can do to one's appearance      . Onwards and upwards.

Nice.

Cheers

Patrick

Denis,
I couldn't find a couch to bring along, but I think the chaise lounge would be good. Hmm therapy, well the office is always open even though I may not be in

welcome Dr. Per.........I consider it an honor      I hope you brought your couch with you     I may need therapy     I hope you enjoy.

I saw the popcorn are they gone or stale now?I like this build so I am joining the spectator group.

I've put together an update for 'ole Thermie.........still in a kind of rough state.   I've done a bit of sanding......not a lot...just a nervous twitch I got.  it bothers me if I don't see glimmers of hope,  while I'm progressing  along.   so,  from my last update,  I was at this point with the planking.
 

 
equal on both sides,  the counter area was pretty much planked,  making way for the planking of the transom.   this is to be done with vertical planking.   the planking at the counter did not go as well,  as I would have liked,  so the transom planking was beveled slightly at the root,  so they would fit better in the recess left all around.   there are a couple of chiggers,  where the planking cracked and broke,  but with a bit of filler,  they will be gone.  it looked like a pick-ed fence.
 

 

 
some sanding made it look a bit better.   I was critical with the deck line inside.......I have one picture,  where this area looks like it was carved....and not very defined either.   I have what I want to do here in my head.....if it works out,  I'll be a happy camper.
 

 
a little more sanding was done,  before I gave it a haircut.   it was left with a rise,  so I can add to the bulwarks and level them off to the poop deck.
 

 
from here,  I settled on the starboard side,  and began planking to the keel.   I'll get one side done....and then the other.
 

 
after a while,  the starboard showed a noticeable difference to the port side....best seen in this view.
 

 
so now,  it's focus on this side and close 'er up.   then I;ll have a good idea of what to do for the other side.
 

 
still planking away........making sawdust  
 
 

Thrilled you are and so you should be ,the wheel ,stairs are spectacular, well done, All the best for the season ,god bless and merry christmas to all the family,Edwin

I am selling my Proxxon DB 250 lathe.  The 4-Jaw Chuck and tool set have been sold.  I used it a few times and I got upgraded to Sherline for Christmas.   Send me a PM for a "member's price"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proxxon-MICRO-Woodturning-Lathe-DB-250-37020-Lathe-Machine-/262856616351?hash=item3d3379a99f:g:UFQAAOSwopRYfnbkhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Proxxon-MICRO-Woodturning-Lathe-DB-250-37020-Lathe-Machine-/262856616351?hash=item3d3379a99f:g:UFQAAOSwopRYfnbk
 

 
 
 
You can have it in the original box or mounted on the special board.  (You should mount it on a board anyhow).    Offered on eBay
Best price on Amazon for everything is about $280  I'll take $190 and I pay for shipping.  Send me a PM if interested.
Maury

Hello Max,Trying to catch up ,your progress and quailty of planking,decking is superb,very neat .Edwin

Hi Norman,
 

Hi, You are not that far away from me (about 50 miles) and I completed an Artesania Bluenose around thirty years ago- a bit too long ago to comment on the current kit!
Welcome aboard.
Ken

Hello Sabre and welcome aboard,
 
Can you please tell us your name?
 
You will find that we share a lot of information on our builds. So feel free to look around and enjoy all the possibilities this forum has to offer you.
 
I wish you smooth sailing and happy modelling.
 
Regards,
Anja

Hello, Sabre,
You're a bit north of me, perhaps 450 miles from darkest Essex (GB), and I'm a very new member, too. I have a Billings
Bluenose waiting in the cupboard for me to finish Thermopylae which deserves better craftsmanship than I have given it so far - - - I've reached the point where it should be dismantled right back to the point where the cackhandedness started or continue in the hope I can cover up the clumsiness. I'm veering towards dismantling; I don't think I can live with the shame of
dishonest work.
I'd like to see your Bluenose progress.
Aye, 
Tumbleweed

Good day people, after many years away from building  (planes and boats) a Bluenose kit from Artesiana is tempting me to part with some cash and I am curious as to the quality of the kits.  The last kit was a Billing Cutty Sark but it met an untimely end in a house move before I could complete the rigging.
 
 

Denis thanks for kind remarks, Urmilla coming along slowly but okay  ,be back soon ,Edwin.

Hello Denis ,A kit with a few starting challenges will keep you aware of maybe more to come, which in itself is not a bad thing more or less of what you've been doing for a long time, a nice looking ship ,an admiral pick ??, the best of the season to you ,family and your followers ,Edwin