Kusawa2000

Hi Mike,

 

I have become very interested in the painting of British warships of late since I am building the HMS Snake, the Diana next followed by the Victory. At least that is the plan. I was very impressed with the painting of British frigates in Rob Gardners latest book. I had never noticed red skids before - only black and natural - not that I should be surprised. In retrospect it does make perfect sense. I hope one day to build a 74 - are you listening Caldercraft - Thanks for the quick reply and please the posts coming.

 

Your build is very impressive,

Mort

Hey Mort: My building of the Agamemnon has got me interested in the painting schemes of the British ships during that time which resulted in me using a more ochre colour in my Agamemnon. I was always fascinated in how some of the Agamemnons out there were using a more bring yellow colour while everything I found indicated using ochre. In any case I was happy with the results when the paint dried.. as far as the colour of the skids, I was looking at models from the Preble collection and was emulating the look they had (thus the red colour) but when I looked at it and decided it was a little too much I decided to fall back on the black colour which definitely toned down the overall look and now in hindsight is probably more accurate.

 

As far as progress shots... now that winter is well under way here I will be making more progress that can be noticed (the rigging of the guns was a long haul). And again.. thanks for the comments

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Hi Mike,

 

Welcome back. The old girl looks great. One question, why did you repaint the lifeboat skids black?  

 

Thanks,

Mort

Mort: Im impressed that you noticed. The reason I repainted the lifeboat skids black was that looking at the overall look of the ship there seem to be too much red. I did some researching (eg. looking at pics of models from Preble collection) and figured out there were 3 colours for the skids.. natural wood, black or red.. So.. I wasn't interested in getting the skids back to a natural wood tone, and the red was too much soo.. what was left was black. I do like the look now with the black skids but red would have worked as well.

 

Now.. don't ask me if I have decided what colour Im going to paint the boats that are going to sit on the skids

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Mike:

The guns look good. Nice work on the quarter deck fittings.

 

Russ

Hey Russ: Thanks... they were what seem to take the most time to complete. I am sure glad that is the last of the guns to rig...

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Everyone: Its been a few months since I have posted some progress shots but with the firewood piled and the temps outside around -30c I have been making amazing progress on my Agamemnon.  I have managed to finish most of the work on the spar deck (still need to add some stairs) but before I add the rear poop deck I thought I would take a few quick pics. The work was a bit slow as I fully rigged the guns as well as treenailed the hull. I am glad to see this work finally done. I will get the stairs in that run from the spar deck to the lower gun deck but I really would like to get the work done on the rear poop deck so expect some planking pics soon!

 

Sorry for taking so long but life seem to keep me out of trouble these days...

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

There may be some news regarding Bellona soon - in the meantime, I have to start work and research on a 32nd scale Roman war galley....

 

Roma Victor!

Hey Chris: Any news is good news.. looking forward to those updates when then happen!

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Mick,

 I sewed it on, not great at sewing but once I got going it wasn't to bad.

 

George.

George: Figured as much.. thanks for letting me know.. I glued on netting on my last project Model Shipways Constitution and it was a bugger to get it taut.. looks like you got the look just right on your aggy...

 

Thanks

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Cheers Mike for the kind comments. The netting is called Tulle I believe, my niece gave it to me but I don't

think its hard to get hold of.

I soaked it I tea for a while to get a better colour, the original colour was too white. Although black is as good

took me a while to decide which colour to use. the photo's seem to have washed it out but it does look 

quite good in natural light.

 

George

George: thanks for the response. I never have heard of Tulle but I will have to look around and see what I can find about it. Did you sew it on or glue it to the brackets?

 

Again.. a great job at your Agamemnon. a lot of work to get where you are at.

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

George: Great job on the Agamemnon. Im working on the kit as well and just finishing up the deck furniture on the gun deck. I noticed you used netting for the storage rails along the edges of the deck. What did you use as I was planning to do the same thing and I haven't found anything that gets the look that I want

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

I also forgot to mention that I noticed you fully rigged your guns.. good on ya.. I think it always adds that extra level of detail that is often overlooked.

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Here's  where I'm up to at the moment. Can't think of much else that needs

doing on the decks. I might put a couple of carronades on the forecastle.

Not made my mind up yet.

George: Great job on the Agamemnon. Im working on the kit as well and just finishing up the deck furniture on the gun deck. I noticed you used netting for the storage rails along the edges of the deck. What did you use as I was planning to do the same thing and I haven't found anything that gets the look that I want

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

I am not sure what other company's kit scales have to do with the choices I make - I simply concentrate on the developments I am asked to do and have never really been interested in what other's do (although I know the kits you mention quite intimately..)

 

What would have been the point of another 70-ish scale model of Victory? This new one is meant to be the 'Flagship' of the range, so it had to be special and set apart from the sea of other Victory's out there - worrying about whether or not it would suit other manufacturers scales never once entered my head!

 

Chris: Thanks for posting those pics.. your Vic is a impressive warhorse when sitting beside the Vanguard. Been reading your posts and I have been dying to ask.. any discussion with Amati about the Bellona? I know.. I know.. Im a nag but your really got me hooked on your prototype :-)

 

Mike Draper

Cheers, Rusty

 

The part I am dreading the most is carrying it down a flight of concrete steps to our driveway, to place it in the van - been having nightmares about tripping up halfway down and the model going flying!

Chris: Make sure you let your friends at Amati that there is a "Please release the Bellona as a kit" club and that they would be very interested in seeing the prototype released as a kit in the near future. Have a safe trip.

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

It is definitely a treat to see the pics of the conference. Wish I could have got down there but its good to see what amazing models were on display

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

This conference was in my sights as well but personal commitments prevented me from going so make sure there are a lot of pics available as I would be keen on seeing them. Hope the weather is good down there! :-)

 

Mike Draper

Ok Chris.. now Im really impressed.. are we into having to resort to a blatant bribe in getting this kit released?

Hi Mike,

 

As far as I am concerned, the scroll work is fine as is. I know the frieze work should really be painted on, so a colour paper template would be more in keeping - but the very thin brass is more 'resilient', whereas paper, no matter how good the quality, isn't. One small scratch can ruin it. (I know this from experience)

 

I was referring to the actual hull design, the bulkheads and deck beams - it is this area which needs 'beefing up' - it may be too delicate for some, so it will need re-designing as per the Victory method (which is a progression from the Bellona designs anyway)

 

The stern main decoration is cast resin - it is way too 'frothy' to work well using multi-layered photo etch. The resin is great though, as it is much more pliable than metal.

 

Laser cut decoration I am not so keen on. It is too easy for the parts to crumble to  nothing, if not 100% careful, and edges have to be carefully rounded off if it's to look like the real thing. There's nothing worse than having the tiny part break just as you finish an hours work on it..

Chris: Thanks for clarifying that for me. I never considered that the bulkheads and deck beams would need to be beefed up. I thought they looked ok but  I could understand they could be a bit delicate.

 

If you and Amati are using cast resin for the main decorations that is stellar.. as you said its a very user friendly material. And I do agree laser parts can be a bit tender.. and its a hassle to get paint to adhere to it.

 

By the way..the last pics you had posted of the Bellona was without a full rigging of her.. did you ever get her fully rigged or did she go to Amati without "sticks and strings"?

 

Again.. thanks for hearing us out and again if needed let us know if you need any commitment or support on moving the Bellona kit ahead into production

 

Have a good one

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Hi Mike,

 

I made the designs way too 'delicate' - if it came out in kit form without change, many modellers would have problems (although I am stone cold sure you and many others on here would have no problem)

 

If I get the go-ahead to buff the designs to general retail standard, I will be very happy - but it will be quite a lot of work. Would be worth it though as, looking at the pictures I had taken (I haven't seen it since shipping it over to Amati), it is a very nice looking model and would do well, sales-wise I think. It's like a Fly/Pegasus kit but on steroids, decoration-wise.

Chris: I appreciate you are willing to have a discussion on this.. I assume when you are talking about the designs you are referring to the scroll work on the port and starboard sides along the aft part of the ship. Could you do a self adhesive transfer as part of the stock kit but offer the more detailed designs as a after market? I have noticed they are doing this with plastic kits these days for armour and airplanes. Just a thought.

 

However, it would be good to have that original scroll work that you did on the prototype.. it definitely gives that added detail to the hull. I found your deck furniture was also a eye catcher.

 

I don't know if you used a brass etched pieces for the ornamentation, but I think they could be a easy option (I don't know the cost of production for those pieces). I have also seen companies like Model Shipways use pre laser cut pieces as well that were not too hard to use. But, again I would suspect that the reality of the design and production floor is different from us lads talking about it on a forum.

 

But as I said before.... Im keen on the seeing the Bellona kit come into reality.

 

Thanks again for listening

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Chris: If you could convince the decision makers at Amati to release the Bellona I would definitely be one of the first to buy the kit. Judging from your prototype there is no question on the quality of the kit. If there is anything I could do to assist at my end let me know as this is a definite high quality build...

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Gary: Its been a while (I know.. long time, no hear) since I have posted but I have to let you know that I have been followed your steady progress. The work you are doing is amazing -especially the recent work on the stern. Keep at it... your Alfred is just getting better and better.

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Chris, my ten pence worth,

how about HMS Sussex 1693. for an Amati subject.?   Not a period that's well covered, and it's a beautiful ship.

 

Dan.

Chris: While I do remember you letting us know the Bellona kit was a prototype and that there was no plans to making it available to the Public, if we mustered a few more supporters for its release, could we consider Amati to reconsider?

 

Would it help if I say I would stand out in a snowstorm as well as a rain storm to purchase the kit?

 

Mike Draper

If we are throwing ideas out there for the next kit Im still a ole vanguard on the Bellona project Chris had worked on earlier... it is a kit that I would line up in the rain for!  Im still holding out in hope of seeing that one released sometime down the road

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Chris: Congrats on a fine "prototype" :-) When I heard there was going to be another Victory developed I was a bit cynical that it would be different from the other "Victorys" out there.. I was wrong. She is definitely a unique model from the other kits out there and it will definitely be a "must buy" on a lot of modelers lists.. Congrats again. 

 

And Im impressed on how quickly you got her completed! wow....

 

Mike Draper

Whitehorse, Yukon

Canada

Bob: You can count on me to order a copy when they become available.

 

Mike Draper

Bob: I assume there will be a opportunity to purchase the books through your website?

 

Mike Draper

Keith Julier is my friend and we still keep in contact - although I have heard nothing since Christmas. He is a great guy, and is getting on a bit now and unfortunately, cannot really model any longer. It was his review of Euro Model's Royal William that inspired me to try the Sovereign of the Seas - and before that, it was his reviews that got me started with wooden ship kits - it is fair to say that Keith has been my biggest inspiration, and the nicest man you are ever likely to meet.

 

@Mike Draper - Bellona was used as a 'test bed' for new design techniques, of which Victory is the result. Bellona will certainly become a kit, but I do need to implement substantial re designs after the further lessons learned from Victory. Bellona will be like HMS Fly on super-steroids!

Chris: Thanks for the update. While I am keen to see the Bellonas release sometime soon, I do have enough projects to tie me over for a while. If the release date does firm up please keep us updated. Your Victory kit is impressive and incredible level of detail but I do have the Jotika kit of the Victory in the sidelines -couldn't fit 2 Victorys in my building schedule. But Im still keen on seeing more pics on your development process.

 

Keep up the good work

 

Mike Draper

I think you have me confused with another company.

Chris: While the subject has come up, is there any updates on the release of the Bellona kit through Victory kits? I was impressed with your prototype and have been waiting for news on its release. I know the Revenge kit and this Victory has been on centre stage but I was wondering if there is any idea of the Bellona being released.

 

Thanks for any info you can give

 

Mike Draper