Giorgos

Hi all and thank you for your kind comments. Anja. I will go with the version with the oars since it was more common in use, besides I think a sail would "dominate" and would cover the model and that's what I wouldn't like it. Well, I have started with the stem and the stern post, which details have been transferred from plan to a sketch and then I shaped them partially by walnut wood. ................................................ ...............................................................

Although I had the plans of the vessel, I preferred to proceed by redrawing the model, a practice I use to follow for all my models. .................... By redrawing a model, I think I can understand better the lines of its shape and maybe feel some of the first idea of its construction… Watching many old and new photos, I made quite a few drawings (3-4) I must say, before I eventually choose the final. … .................... The model will be in 1:20 scale, in a length of 720 mm and 135 mm width. It will be an open model with 44 frames and will be built by the use of a construction jig. What follows promises much sawdust… Thank you

Hello everyone. As a school teacher I have a good relationship with books, so I read a lot and all kinds of them. However my feelings are particular for folklore books. Recently dropped in my hands, one of those folklore books, titled as "Proti-Antigone" which is referring to Princes' Islands circa the end of 1880. The book especially is focused to the Island with the early Greek name "Antigone" - or «Burgazada» now in Turkish. The author describes the way of life at that time, and in a part of the book, stands in the main occupation of the inhabitants, the fishing. He refers to a special way of fishing, the "gripos" (traine (?) and the particular boats that they were used for this purpose. ........................... According to the book, "gripos" is the way of fishing where two boats in cooperation, were throwing a net to a side of a herd fish and then, paddling (at that time) in coordination, they were leading the herd to a coast with sand, where they were completing the collection of the catch. For this way of fishing, were used special, light and narrow vessels, called as "Gripo-kaika" (gripos-kaiki (or Caique)) because of the special use. ........................... Standing at the section of presentation of these boats, I was surprised as in front of my eyes I had a very detailed description of their construction and decoration. I immediately realized that I had found the motivation and what would be my next model... In my followed research, I found that this type of vessel, apart from the Princes' Islands, were also used in Marmara Sea and therefore by all the surrounding nations. Greeks as (Αλαμάνα-gripos)-Turks as (Alamana) and Bulgarians as (Аламана). ....................................... So I searched and found information by crossing the Aegean Sea. And through these lines, I would like to thank our Turkish modeler mates from the forum “modelteknikleri.com”, for the help they provided me and as a result of collaboration with naftotopos.gr. (For those friends who haven't read my self-presentation, I am an active member of this site.) It was a well shaped and beautiful vessel, with elaborate decoration and it was often used at various events. Sometimes it was rigged with a simple lateen sail, although it was mostly handled by oars. ........................... Next I will present you the construction of a model equipped with oars. Thank you