BANYAN

Great idea; another keeper. Thanks for sharing Pat

She's looking great Glen, some lovely detail there. You never know when you need such materials, nor where you might scavenge them. I have stocks of all sorts of stuff squirreled away, to the point I have to start 'culling' the stockpile - But what to keep and what to throw away, that is the question. I think I need another bundy while I try to prioritise (well maybe 2) cheers Pat

Coming on nicely Rob, the hull shape is starting to emerge. From the last camera angle, she has a lot of 'fish body' shape to her, with her after ends tapering away to a narrow end. cheers Pat

She's really coming to life now John. Some really nicely executed rigging there. cheers Pat

Hi all, I have been following this discussion with great interest and learning a lot in the process. While not an American design, I offer (in the interest of further discussion) a design by one of the pre-eminent RN naval architects (for steam vessels - Master Shipwright HM Dockyard Pembroke) at the time, Oliver W Lang, in 1854. Lang designed the hull for HMCSS Victoria (1855) straight off the drawing board - No half hull model. Now the builder (Young, son and Magnay of Limehouse, London) may have built one later, but in the copious correspondence around the build of this vessel, a half hull is not mentioned at all, not even inferred. I am very confident about this as Lang, and the ship build superintendent, Commander Lockyer, RN, were in constant communication, and there is definitely no mention of a half model. In support of this, the design changed a couple of times (the vessel grew bigger) to accommodate all of the roles, and latest equipment, she was intended to perform for the Colony of Victoria. Unfortunately, I cannot post a copy of the plan here due to restrictions placed on me by the owner of the only surviving plan (Sheer Drawing) of the vessel. The design was based on, and is very similar to, the Gun Dispatch Vessel (Arrow and Vigilant Classes) of the time, but had completely different proportions, and encompassed a clipper like (Aberdeen) bow, much different to the other RN designs. She was also significantly different to RN vessels in being built on the diagonal planking system (Not the Sepping's diagonal bracing) which was generally not used in the RN (due to cost). The very few vessels that were built on this principle, were renowned for their quality and hull strength. A quick scan of my (stalled) build log will provide and idea of her design. She was built as an armed vessel using combined merchant and RN standards, but outfitted to Vice-Regal standards internally, and was minimum manned. The real point being, she was a 'paper' only deign. She proved to be a very sound and fast vessel, her hull being reported as sound as the day she was built when she was dismantled in the 1880s. Her top speed is reported as 13+ knots , and she is also reported to have been a very good sea keeper, and a relatively dry vessel (her bulwarks were only 2' 9" high). She held the trans-Tasman (Sydney to NZ) record for some time, and that crossing can be treacherous. Let the cannon balls fly cheers Pat

Progress is progress Dave, not matter how slow. She is coming on well. cheers Pat

All things considered, and in relative terms, this sounds like a good outcome for you Keith. Thoughts are with you on this journey mate. cheers Pat

That looks so good Glen; I think you should celebrate this one with a nip or two of SAKI (well Bundy will do too) cheers Pat

Not posting much here Rob, and Co. as I have nothing I could add to this interesting and thoughtful discussion. Following with much interest. cheers Pat

Hope all is well Keith, I have everything crossed and my best thoughts for a positive result. Not long now. cheers Pat

Wow, a lot of bling there Greg. This will be a very nicely and fine detailed version. cheers Pat

Those oars are looking great Richard, well worth the time invested. cheers Pat

Nice work on those guns Dave, they look nicely detailed without the banding created in filament printing. Not surprising she carried additional guns in the hold; they were probably intended for defence of the new colony once landed. Endeavour carried extra (in the hold) also for protection of the observation camp (Venus Transit) in Hawaii. cheers Pat

A belated Happy Easter Glen; looks like you have been busy. That is looking really good mate. cheers Pat

That's quite a change-up in detail on those funnels Greg; they look great. cheers Pat