ScottRC

Spent another hour today amongs work.  I finished the starboard side...short of the keel cap plates.  those will go on after the port side is finished.
 
I think it looks pretty good...for rebels attempt.
 
Here is a pile of the prepped tape. and some finished pictures.

Your idea using cardboard and making a cover is making me wonder why I didn't think of that.  I have a 1/96 Constitution on my workshop shelf that is 98% complete and waiting for funds to build a case for it.  I will put our idea to work this weekend.  

Your idea using cardboard and making a cover is making me wonder why I didn't think of that.  I have a 1/96 Constitution on my workshop shelf that is 98% complete and waiting for funds to build a case for it.  I will put our idea to work this weekend.  

Thanks Steve. I really enjoyed documenting the build with this log, as it made me really think critically about what I was doing. I think the model came out better because of that, as well as the great advice I received along the way.
 
A couple of final pictures for now. This is the dust cover I made from corrugated cardboard poster boards.


That front cover can be opened as it is hinged at the top so I still have access to the model if I need to take measurements or show it off (ha ha).
 
The ship will stay in here until the actual case is made in the Spring. In the mean time I am in the process of designing the case and will start a new model soon - the Panart Santa Lucia Sicilian barge. I'll start a build log for that shortly.
 

This is an interesting subject you are building.  I will want to follow along.  Ironically, I grew up near Fort Benton MT and now live south of Kansas City. I someday would like to pursue building a model of a Missouri river packet someday.
 
Scott

thanks OC and those who hit the like button   welcome.........your hopefully going to enjoy what I'm gonna do to this kit     icky mae.....   I just went through some technical difficulties........I just got back on.   dunno what happened?!?!?!?!   
 
we start off with the usual kit contents........this won't take very long    as mentioned,  the kit was produced in 1959........the molds haven't seen any tooling,  since there is a good amount of flash.   the edges and corners are not that crisp either,  so some attention will be paid to that.  when I bought the kit,  I thought that the kit may have been retooled....I was wrong.   the box art remained the same throughout it entire release.......here is the box art fresh out off the starting line.

they put out another scale as well.....1:720,  back in 1969.   a second box update occurred in 2009..........here is the latest one that stole my heart 💘

not too much of a change.......no blueprint seal of approval and they moved the logo.   still inaccurate stuff here......they show a single fixed wing plane,  but in the box,  they supply biplanes.   likely the art.......nothing more.  opening the box.......we see good 'ole gray   

the hull halves have the molded railings.........they will be coming off.   drill out the port holes........maybe the hawse holes for the paravanes as well.

the model measures 17 inches long,  so it's a fairly decent size model.   next are the main deck parts.  paravanes are molded to the #2 barbette top, located on the second level deck.   wish I could do something about them.   I could try and replace them with some from a 1:350 scale kit,  but I think they would be too big scale wise.   I might not be able to get them off intact.   the ten 5" guns that are encased in the superstructure are somewhat inaccurate......not much I can do about it,  so they will have to be as they are.   in quite a few pictures I've seen,  these openings are supposed to look like a pill box,  with the gun sticking out of them.   I believe Trumpeter molded them in this fashion.

...then the superstructure parts........again......molded railings.  I've seen other kits with PE railings,  and I like how they look.   I need to remove flash and pin marks as well.  there is one small structure that is not present on the second level deck {pictures above}.......it locates between the two standing structures on the deck......I will try to add it.   I haven't looked to see how visible it is.....I'll get into that later.   the sea planes are here too....... on the box,  it states that they are Vought O2U biplanes.   I haven't read anything to clarify this........unless they are referring to the SO3C Seamew,  but they were short lived because they were too slow.  the first plane to leave her deck,  was a Nieuport 28C fighter,  back in 1920........she only had one catapult back then........the second catapult added at Norfork, 1933.   this varies because the catapult atop turret #3  had never been fully installed.  

then,  the armament sprue............the single stack in here as well.

the ship's boats and fighting tops {slices} are on the next sprue.   this is another example of the assembly issue.........when they are put together,  you may see what I mean {if I don't figure out something first  

oh dear........much more to cover........and the admiral wants supper.   grill time for me     well.....not much more to show,  except a decal sheet that I will need to add decals for the planes {they are lacking}.....and of course,  the instructions.

here are the cranes and mast parts....as well as the big guns.  the catapults were on the first sprue,  I think.   I have PE for them......the cranes,  and some other detail.   what I see she needs,  I will add from the Hood PE.    should be a hoot!   

no insignias - early American Navy.    I've also been taking notes....... 

OK......well supper time beckons.   there is more.........I will be back in a jiffy   
 
 

Hello Everyone, and my thanks to all who clicked the like button.
 
I was not successful finding smaller corner molding to I'll have to work with what I have in stock.
I proceeded to cut all the pieces to size and temporarily taped them to the "glass" case.  Next will be to remove about 1/8 inch from the sides and sand them smooth so I can apply the stain. Once the stain is dry enough to handle I'll cement them to the "glass."  
I think that I should make 4 corner pieces from copper or brass sheet to kinda dress it op a bit. After everything is done and looking good it's time to put the name plates on and place the finished diorama of Hr. Ms. Java on the shelf.
I have also rearranged the gun smoke a little and thinned out the funnel smoke.
 
Here is the diorama as of this afternoon.
 

 
Cheers,
 

Thank you piet,   I draw these when I was a teenager, when I was first starting to be hooked on ships  - 
 
OC.
 
 
 

Very nice work OC.!
 
Thank you Frank, good to see you here.
 
Hi Carl, yeah, I'll try to be careful.  I had a nice chat with the fellow at the plexyglass store where he gave me a few pointers. That and with my personal experiences from my previous life in aircraft repair, I should be able do okay. I'll need Gwen to help me support the end that overhang's saw table.
Tomorrow I'll be off to the store to buy the proper saw blade.
This morning I cut the jig for holding the glass square and true for gluing. If it doesn't look good I can always put the corner pieces on.
 
Hey OC, here are a few of my artwork. The first one is colored pencil drawing of a ghost crab her at one of our beaches. The second one is a tempera painting of a sycamore branch and the third one is a pen and ink with dry-brush of Amsterdam bridges.  Sorry for the deviation in subject matter, nothing about ships, although the crab lives on the beach, near the sea

 
 

 
Hope youns like it.
 
Cheers,

Thanks very much gentlemen for your kind comments and suggestions, I'll try to remember them for the future. Thanks also to all who clicked the like button.
Yeah, Dennis but I'll wait making a new one when the ship is securely in the sea, that way I won't accidentally brush against again.
 
Well, I have completed the model and am about to start with the diorama base. This will take a little while because it's all new to me.
For now I like to post a few pics as "Java" looks like as of today.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

I would have to admit, that looks like it would be an impressive builders model.  I also liked the history of this type of ship and was surprised how many are still in service.  

Hi Julie,
I just came across your build and also visited your website and wanted to say that you are a very talented and experienced woodworker. You fit right in with the other extremely talented craftsmen here at MSW and we are glad you have joined us.  This place is great in that no matter what level of builder or what medium you build in, we seem to treat each other as equal.  I really am enjoying this build log and how you are dealing with working without the comfort of your professional workshop. Keith and the others are a wealth of information. We hope all goes well with getting into the new "digs" and trying to get your new studio set up.
As far as finish, I agree, it needs to be natural. A built up frame is such a beauty to look at in its natural state that at times I hate to move on and finish it.  If I was to build a J class and paint it, then I would have built a plug and made it out of fiberglass.
The subject of tools, we progress with the quality of tool as we progress with experience and drive to perfect our trade.  As you have obtained  a higher level of proficiency in wood working, you have honed your skills and your hands expect the feel and accuracy of a good quality tool. S.Coleman is correct, its from the hands of a skilled user of a quality tool that produces fine work, not the tool.  
Scott

I had to go back and shorten every one of the middle and toe links so that They did not end beyond the wales.  Used a temporary shroud line to line all the chainplate assemblies to the proper angles.. Got them all done and touched up with paint.
 
Jesse

The masts are set. Hard to get a good shot of them because they are so tall.
 
Jesse

Many years ago, I took a class in fly tying and acquired the tools. To this day, I have tied maybe six flies, but the vise, thread bobbin, and head cement has been excellent for seizing and threading on small parts.  The bobbin is a must to keep the thread manageable.  
 

Many years ago, I took a class in fly tying and acquired the tools. To this day, I have tied maybe six flies, but the vise, thread bobbin, and head cement has been excellent for seizing and threading on small parts.  The bobbin is a must to keep the thread manageable.  
 

Many years ago, I took a class in fly tying and acquired the tools. To this day, I have tied maybe six flies, but the vise, thread bobbin, and head cement has been excellent for seizing and threading on small parts.  The bobbin is a must to keep the thread manageable.  
 

Many years ago, I took a class in fly tying and acquired the tools. To this day, I have tied maybe six flies, but the vise, thread bobbin, and head cement has been excellent for seizing and threading on small parts.  The bobbin is a must to keep the thread manageable.  
 

...and a Happy New Year!
 
Ed

Those boats look much better, very scale.  Great work!
Scott

Nice tutorial on how you did your netting Jesse.  

Nice tutorial on how you did your netting Jesse.  

Nice tutorial on how you did your netting Jesse.  

Nice tutorial on how you did your netting Jesse.  

Nice tutorial on how you did your netting Jesse.