Balclutha75

Discovered this excellent build log the other day. Thanks Jack, excellent work and description of the build. Too bad I didn’t discover it a few days earlier! I am building the Amati 1:50 Drakkar as my first ever model. Your post #26 would have saved me some trouble because I skewed one of the frames. It was fixed with a little saw work, but your method would prevented the problem in the first place. If I ever do a build log I will include a link to yours at that step, so hopefully others may benefit. Nelson

Sure Rod, here you go. It's been in a box for quite a few years, but when I set up my workbench to get into this hobby recently I finally hung it on the wall. Now I'm planning to print that picture of the Chuck on prop and put it in there. As mentioned above, I'm not sure where on the wreck this came from. Actually my wife recovered it. It's possible, even likely, it came from near a room we called "The Captain's Quarters" due to the nice table now hanging from the floor. I'll throw that photo in as well. I had a really nice porthole from one of the Japanese wrecks in the Kwaj lagoon, but I donated it to the Pacific War Museum in Texas. Really amazing work you are doing on this model. Thanks. Nelson

No, that's my friend Chuck. I was driving the dive boat. The woman in the second photo went on to become my wife, I guess known as The Admiral around here. Great collection of books you came up with.

I've read through this with fascination. For one thing your model skills are fantastic and the ship looks incredible. I worked on Kwajalein in 1973-74, did a lot of scuba diving during that time, including on the wreck of the Eugen. It was one of our favorite dive locations. I'm hoping you won't mind a couple of photos. The first one was taken before the prop on the right was returned to Germany, and the second shows one of the portholes that came up in your discussion. This one must be near the stern on the port side. On the wall at my workbench I have a small brass porthole from the Eugen, but unfortunately don't recall the location it was from, possibly an interior wall. As I recall the large external portholes were aluminum (?) not brass, were corroded and not coveted by divers. I have more photos if you are interested, but you can probably find better ones online. Hope you don't mind this intrusion. Nelson

Thanks Matt, much appreciated and everything made sense. I don't have Legos but have some small square wood blocks that could work. Hopefully I don't glue them in place. I have the similar clamp issue, which could be an excuse to buy a clamp that works! Look forward to seeing the rest of your build. Nelson

Matt, Thanks much for this build log. I am just starting this as my first ever kit, so every step of the way is something brand new. I’m currently in the afraid to apply glue for the first time stage. On other MSW logs of this kit some folks have said the bulkheads were snug and others were loose. Mine are the latter, very loose fitting so I’m coming up with a plan to try to keep them square. I like the detail work you did on your shields. You too, snowy. And I’ll check out Steven’s link. How did you blacken your nails? Something like Birchwood Casey Brass Black? Thanks, Nelson

I contacted Amati out of curiousity, I'll see what happens. Thanks Chuck. Hopefully the repair will be successful. I was considering a darkish oak stain. I was a bit concerned about structural issues when bending the planks, since the board is thinner there. No doubt the kit will suffer far worse indignities at my hand before it's done. - Nelson

Thanks much Chris. Of course you are correct and that was the backside. But the line is also visible on the front.but not as much of a depression. See photo: I'll probably contact Amati just to see how that goes. But I could chalk it up to damage from a sea battle with those pesky Saxons. - Nelson

I am starting my first ever build, an Amati 1:50 Drakkar. I was planning to start a build log and ask questions there, but maybe this stands alone as a point of general interest. In looking at my kit, the starboard side planking has what could be interpreted as a manufacturing defect. I think the photos below will show it. When I run my figure over that obvious line I can feel a slight depression along the length of it. The wood is 0.6mm thick. Is this normal looking, should I be concerned about it? Since it's my first kit I have no real point of reference. Thanks. - Nelson

Toni, Thanks much for the detailed explanations, really appreciate it. When I read the post either there was a typo or I was misunderstanding something, the latter being a distinct possibility. Now it all makes sense. I just researched the power tools you mentioned and that fills in all the gaps. This page on the drawplate by Byrnes was informative and entertaining, "one of the very few hand tools to be in continuous use for a span of years measured in centuries" https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/drawplate5.html Not anything I have to aspire to immediately, but nice to know it's out there. Thanks again, Nelson

This is my first post outside the new member intro forum. I have never made a ship model. Now I’m (possibly) about to make a correction on this thread. 😳 In post 55 should the #75 drill bit be 0.021 diameter instead of 0.21? I don’t understand how you used bamboo to make the trunnels, but no matter, it looks fantastic to me. Thanks.

Back at ya - welcome from another newbie, at age 70 with no glue under my fingernails, yet. I like your models - they do bring out the kid in us!

Thanks again guys. The package with my kit arrived today. The journey begins.

Thanks much guys, very nice to be welcomed aboard. I was expecting solid, accurate, and honest advice here, and I'm gettin' it! 😆 Thanks for that link, I had a similar one to the museum, but yours is better. That 3D view was fun to play with. I also found a couple basic books on Viking ships that get nice reviews. I've ordered one and will probably get the second, both to learn about the history of these craft, and to get visuals to help in build decisions.. Excited about the new hobby! Thanks again. - Nelson

Greetings from Colorado, USA I am a new member, a retired software nerd, who has always been fascinated by model ships. So at age 70 I’ve finally decided to try my hand at building one. Having recently binged on “The Vikings” and “The Last Kingdom” I chose the Amati Drakkar as my first attempt. I've read some excellent builds logs here with a mixture of inspiration and intimidation. But I’ll give it my best shot. I purchased a nice workbench from amazon and a few initial tools (although I'll no doubt need more), so I'm set up. With luck the kit will arrive this week from Ages of Sail. Currently FedEx has sent it on a long journey across the country. My screen name is because of a 1974-75 job I had working for the San Francisco Maritime Museum as a rigger aboard the square-rigged ship Balclutha, then docked at Pier 39. We did lots of maintenance, including lowering the yards to the deck for restorative work. I still have some of the tools I acquired or made including my serving board for wrapping tarred marline around standing rigging. I learned to splice wire rope, among other arcane tasks that I have since forgotten. Here's a photo, the rope rug is one I made from instructions in Ashley's book. It was a great job with a fantastic crew, and lots of Guinness downed at the old Eagle Cafe across the street. Most likely I’ll be asking some rank beginner questions here as I get into this, though most are probably already answered with a bit of searching. Thanks.