Rick310

ClipperFan, I found the article in the NRG journal written by Ben Lankford about how he developed the plans for the Flying Fish. It’s September, 1980, #3. It is a fascinating read! Not much is said about the WC/companionway, but he deliberately chose an older style windlass as more appropriate. This is the same style seen on the model of Webb’s clipper Challenge at the Smithsonian in DC.

Just reread your blog, you are doing a really nice job!! I especially like the way the planking on the forecastle came out, the nibs look great, really stands out! Keep up the great work!! Rick

Keith, that would s one beautiful hull! earlier, I believe you use sawdust and white glue to repair defects. Does varnish work better? Rick

Well done!! Rick

Rich, I purchased the painting from a very good friend of mine who had been a marine antique dealer for 55 years. He purchased the painting at an auction in Maine (Julia’s, no longer in business) It was as originally mid-identified as a York. Rick

Rich, interestingly the Golden Rule was built in Newcastle Maine which is separated from Damariscotta by a short bridge over the Damariscotta river. There is a harbor in Damariscotta and you can look across the harbor to a small peninsula of land on the Newcastle side which is the site of the Hitchcock shipyard. There is also a display commemorating Fitz Hugh Lane’s painting of the Golden Rule. Rick

Thank you for your excellent explanation on how you made the raised panels! I would never have thought of that and yours came out beautifully! Rick

Rob, that is an excellent point! Did not think of that! In one of the NRG journals, 1980 I think, Ben Langford gives an explanation for why he and Erik Romberg choose to design the WC/companionway the way they did. As I recall, it was more of a guess than any thing else, I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that they were somewhat mystified themselves. I have that copy and will look it up. Rich, if I had to do it over, I would have extended the stem even more per your suggestion. I previously believed that the bow in the Buttersworth’s painting was a bit of exaggerated. Now convinced that it is probably accurate! Rick

Just a magnificent model Keith!! What a fun project!! Incredibly well done!! Rick

Rich, The captain of the Flying Fish was Edward Nockels until she was wrecked leaving Foochow. She was subsequently repaired/rebuilt at whampoa(?), sold to Manila firm and lost in the South China Sea. Thwre is another shi, a brig? Also named the Flying Fish. This rail probably came from this other ship. Rick

Rich, there is a beautiful painting of the Golden Rule by Fitz Hugh Lane. This is the info I could find on the Golden Rule. Rick

Rich, the Golden Rule was built in Newcastle - Damariscotta, Maine, by Col. Hitchcock in 1854. The painting is attributed to Charles Ogily, a Liverpool artist, known for his paintings of pilot boats.

Rob, ClipperFan, Jared, Thank you for your kind words! Still trying to get over the jet lag and get caught up with the yard work ect. The water closet is in front of the companionway entry on the FF plans, both contained in one structure. Water closets on either side of the forecastle seems to be a common place to locate them per Cutty Sark and other contemporary paintings.( see photo of painting of the clipper ship Golden Rule). Ben Langford chose to make the water closet larger with the companionway steps leading below on the aft side . This seems to meet the description by Duncan Mc Lean although it is all conjecture. Interestingly, the Buttersworth painting shows no evidence of them. Omitted or hidden by the rail? Or a forecastle similar to your beautiful design? The anchor windlass you have for Stag Hound seems to me to be a latter and more modern version. Do you have any information when this specific design was produced? ClipperFan, the larger lubber hole on a he CS was all metal, this would be stronger than wood. I don’t see how you could cut the middle cross tree and retain the strength on just 2 full length cross trees. Clipperfan and Rob, thanks for your input. I would love to be able to talk to Donald McKay and see if this model and the plans are accurate to the actual vessel. Both of you have brought up interesting points and another way to interpret the written description! Keep up the great work! Rick Rob, I knew you had a long career in Dentistry, which helps to explain your remarkable modeling skills! Rick

Jared, nice recovery on repairing your mast. I too had to repair the top of my mizzen mast , which I snapped off while drilling the holes for the skysail halyard. This seems to be a common theme among us model ship builders! I can only imagine what’s going to happen with the spanker boom and jib boom! I’m already thinking about affixing some kind of a guard for both booms, otherwise it is a certainty that I will snap them off as well!! You continue to do a great job and you are progressing nicely! Rick

Well, September was quite a month. Finally retired after 40 years as an Endodontist (root canal specialist) and 45 years as a dentist! The admiral and I celebrated by taking a Viking Meditation cruise in between clearing out the office and preparing for our daughter’s wedding in 2 weeks. I was able to get a little time in the shop, and finished the trestle trees and cross trees with the curved rims for both the main and fore masts. These were made same as for the mizzen in an earlier post per EdT, modified for my convenience. They still need to be painted, planked and fitted out. Both the main and fore topmast were also made prior to the cross trees to insure an accurate fit and proper spacing. Note that none of the mast are permanent installed yet. My intent is to shim them and not glue them in place to make it easier should repairs ever need to be made.

Incredible work!! Rick

Tremendous Keith!! Rick

I’ve scratch built probably 98% of my Flying Fish. Takes much longer, but a great way to develop modeling skills and you will be much happier with the results, even if not perfect! There is just something about a scratch built model that stands out! Rick

Beautiful! Rick

How did you make the raised panels? Rick

Beautiful job planking! Rick

Rob, ClipperFan, The Buttersworth’s painting of the Flying Fish shows the boats white, while the China Trade painting shows them black. Does not make sense for boats to be painted black as they would be difficult to see in the ocean. I chalk up the China Trade painting to artistic license. Rick

Wry nice!! Rick

Beautiful!! Love the technique! Rick

Rob, these are my gin blocks and yes, the 42 links per inch chain are always binding in the block.