Gabek

Anytime you need the plans, Keith, just let me know. And thanks for the kind words about my build! 😳 Kind regards, Gabe

Hello Keith, There are a whole lot of Swift logs on this site that can help you. This was my first model and first build log, too. I still have the plans and ‘instructions'(you'll understand why I put the scare quotes when you read the logs 🤣). I could mail them to you if you’re interested. Clear skies and sharp tools! - Gabe

Speak for yourself! I have a white moustache, no beard and no hair! So there! Stereotype busted wide open.

Although I am still in the early stages of my Triton cross-section, I am going to have to make some decisions soon. My overall plan is to paint one half of the model and show off the wood plus cutaways on the other half. My big question is about painting the hold... Photos of the HMS Trincomalee's hold show that everything: planks, pillars, beams, etc, were painted white. However, photos of the Victory's hold show unpainted sides and pillars. Any advice? Regards, Gabe

Great topic...and one I am going to address on my Triton cross-section. At 1/96 scale I am not even going to attempt a nail pattern! I am using a book and photos of HMS Trincomalee a lot as reference. Here's a decent shot of the copper showing different colours and the visibility of the nails. Clear skies, Gabe

The Nonsuch, 17th Century Ketch replica For a couple of years now I have been wanting to post these pictures of a replica ship sitting almost in the centre of North America. I finally got my chance when I took my class on a field trip last week. In the Manitoba Museum sits the Nonsuch, the first vessel sent by The Hudson Bay Company (HBC) to open up a fur trade with the interior of what is now Canada. The replica was commissioned, built and sailed in honour of the 300th anniversary of the HBC and eventually shipped (sorry...unintended pun) by truck to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - where the headquarters of the modern company were. The ketch was donated to the province and placed beside the museum where a permanent structure was built around it. Today, the exhibit is one of the attractions of this excellent museum and the gallery has been transformed to look like an English port. People can climb aboard, stroll around the "dock" and even walk down to the sea bed and check out the hull . For more info.... https://manitobamuseum.ca/main/visit/museum-galleries/nonsuch-gallery/ First view of the ship Windlass and bowsprit A view of 'Deptford' from on board 4 pounders (?) on the dock The hull seen from the seabed (More pictures will come after I give them a spin) Regards, Gabe

Thanks, Ken and rschissler! Great advice, folks! I had checked out Moonbug's blog (say that five times real quick!) and I really like some of the mods he made...he's gone with the highrise fo'c's'le. So I am putting that down as a +1 vote. I checked out that book on amazon.ca...cheapest was $107, up to $505! I checked out our libraries and no luck...besides, if I do get that book I won't finish this model for at least 5 years! But, if Pastor leans toward the big fo'c's'le then that will be another +1 vote for. I am going to head down to my cave and build me a high fo'c's'le caravel! Stay tuned for the next decision... Regards and thanks again, Gabe

Happy to oblige you, Crackers! I modified the poll. FYI - I saw the little line in the editor about making a poll so I'm giving it a try. I'm still a little shaky on how to use the poll...it looks it always shows up first in your topic. Editing it is a little strange. We'll see how this works. Clear skies! Gabe

Here's a test of the polling feature in this content editor. Checking to see if I can get your votes on how to build my Santa Maria. Thanks for you input!

In the, "I can't believe I'm doing this" category... Ok...on so many levels I have really put my foot in it this time. For a few years now I had it in mind to build models for my sons when they graduate from university. For my oldest, Christopher, I want to give him the Santa Maria. For my youngest, I intend to build the Matthew. (His name is William...no, just kidding. His name is Matthew.) I also thought I would scratch build them at a standard scale or, at the very least, I would make nice ships in bottles. I've got a book on the Matthew and found some online plans. I bought some plans for the S. Maria on eBay - fairly old, Italian plans (funny - I just saw someone post a picture of the boat from this plan for someone who wanted to bash his AL Santa Maria!) However, about a year ago I spotted a good deal and picked up this kit. I'm not very knowledgeable about the ships in this period and I'm not terribly interested in them, so I was going to just follow the instructions on this model when the time comes. Well, I came to a big realization this week: My son is just a few months away from graduating! [gulp] Trouble! Where had all the time gone?! I pulled the box out from my pile (I haven't bothered to list my "on the shelf" models - it would take too long!), took a good look at it and said, "I think I can do this...but I will DEFINITELY NOT BASH THIS KIT!" [sigh] So, I decided to start this kit. I put away my Harvey (haven't started the log on this one, yet...I began building it before I found MSW), stopped the work I was doing on my HMS Titan and opened up the Maria. I've been looking at the model and the instructions...checked out a couple of logs here...Ok...I can do this...but I will DEFINITELY NOT BASH THIS KIT!" [sigh] What am I doing!? Well, my son is celebrating his 22 birthday today so I thought, "Today's the perfect day to start the Santa Maria" This is the first laser-cut kit I have encountered and I am impressed with how easy it was to cut away the parts from the sheets. Nice tight fits for the bulkheads. I only had to work on two slots to get the bulkheads to fit flush with the top of the false keel. It took me a very short time to glue up the bulkheads. All except one were square when I pushed them into their slots on the keel. Ok...good start. Except...I was studying the photos and the plans in this kit some more and I just didn't like the look of the ship. The forecastle looks odd to me...there doesn't seem to be enough ladders to get up and down the decks...some of the rigging looks wonky. I kept thinking of the modeler who was looking for authentic boat plans...so...I pulled out those old plans I had bought. [Grrr!] Big mistake. I like the look of the Santa Maria in the older plans! I don't know which is more accurate - but accuracy is not bothering me. Well, not too much. So,...I...might...bash...this...kit. [sigh] But, I have an idea... I'm going to ask the wonderful people here at MSW to help me decide. I'm going to put some of the changes I'd like to make and you let me know what you think. [Oh...I think this model will now be a house warming gift for my son ] [big breath] Here goes: Biggest decision right now... High, Railed Forecastle - keep it or drop it? Looking forward to your input. Several more decisions to come as needed. Kind regards, Gabe

What did I do in my garden today... ...a picture says a thousand words. Can't even open the gate. Lots of frozen, unripened raspberries.

Hmmm...time to invest in lotto tickets, I think. (On top of the floggings, etc, my admiral would probably cut off my grog as well!)

Well, my wife picked about a pint of raspberries last night! I should have taken a picture, but they didn't last long! Clear skies! - Gabe

We often joke, "but, it's a dry cold." You can get a rough idea of what it feels like if you put your hand into your freezer and hold against the side for 10 minutes. My brother-in-law is an Aussie. The first time he visited was about -28. His first words stepping into it from the airport were, "whooooaaaa". Most of us don't really look forward to winter but we still don't let it stop us. You'd be amazed how you get used to it. First frost hit...haven't looked at what it did to the raspberries but it was fun while it lasted. Take care...clear skies!