AJohnson

Hello, an update for progress over the last week or so. The following pictures are all of small assemblies and little projects I have been doing whilst wrangling the stern into something I'm happy with; this is still not right, but that will form an update for another day. So on with the bits and bobs I have done. After spending some time looking at the NMM plans (specifically ZAZ6418 & ZAZ6422) I have decided to go ahead and add the additional fore hatch shown in those plans. ZAZ6418 is of the series ZAZ6418-ZAZ6424 plans, but has a date that puts it contemporary with Trial actually having been built; if I'm reading the text properly it says Draft of Cutter "built" 9th September 1790, the other plans are variously described of plans of "proposed vessel with sliding keels" or plans "draught for building by contract" if anything. So on that flimsy basis only, I'm going by this plan... just flagging that up so I can be shot down for my variations! Got the sliding keels ready and also added little deck reinforcement pieces to match those shown on the plans and sections; fashioned from the leftover 0.8mm wood. Gratings, as I was making an additional one I had to go with some from Caldercraft so they all look alike, Chris's look crisper, but to compensate I did try to construct the Head ledges and side combings as best I could to match the details supplied in various posts here on MSW. The other minor detail I have gone for is to have the anchor cables enter via the main hatch. The centreline fore hatch is in front of the galley and the additional one I have added goes to the compartment that leads to the Boatswain's, Gunner's & Carpenter's store rooms. On ZAZ6422 the plan shows what look like at least five transverse bulkheads that have no doors or openings in them to allow crew/stores movement from stem to stern; perhaps a strengthening addition for the sliding keels, or additional compartments as the sliding keels were a bit "leaky" 😱 - don't know pure speculation on my part. The Mainmast and Bowsprit bitts are not fixed permanently yet. Thanks for all the likes and comments, next time I might be brave enough to share what I've done to the stern...🤫 - not all of it planned...

Very nicely painted figure. I have bought the same and some sailors, marines and gun crew for my Trial, so thanks for sharing your techniques.

I think the Japanese have a word for this “Bakkushan” , I’ll get my coat whilst looking for more shelf space 😆

Another really interesting design Chris, certainly better than the endless usual suspects from other manufacturers. I love those names, like a “evil” version of Snow White’s little friends! 🤣.

Excellent progress Simon, I like the ship’s boat, is that a Vanguard one?

Looking good David, hope you had a good Christmas break, see you have been busy. Thanks for the tips on the order of doing some of the rigging.

Brilliant build Rick.

That's a very tidy paint job there Dan! More than "acceptable" I'd say.

This is really looking good Alan! Cats have no loyalty, give Salmon to my Dogs and they follow you around forever! 🐶

Hello All and belated Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024. The festive period did not allow for much model building, but that is not a complaint as we did enjoy meeting up with family and friends and indulging in too much good food and drink. What I have got done on the Trial has been very enjoyable. Not much building as such, just added the side mouldings and wales, but these have made the model suddenly look very different. Most of my time was spent variously painting, varnishing and washing parts and using Danish oil to seal and bring out the wood of the deck and Bulwarks. After painting, I gloss varnished all the parts of the model I wanted to add washes to and then used dark washes on the inner bulwarks and light washes on the wales, to bring out all Chris's lovely details. I did briefly toy with painting the sides in yellow ochre but in the end was so pleased with how the wood looked after a few coats of Danish oil I am glad I didn't! The addition of the black upper edge to the bulwarks in addition to the black wales looks like two "go faster" stripes! 😁 Hope everyone had a good holiday period and also got some modelling done. Thanks for looking in.

That new helm looks really good Keith!

Welcome to MSW! Your Pinnace looks very good, so I think your Flirt will also be a great model, will follow your log with interest.

Well done Andy, really neat lettering.

Bad doggy! 🐶 Hopefully a fix or replacement will not be too difficult. I’ve done as much to my own models through dropping them off the workbench (Trial has suffered in this way 🤐) I do have a badly chewed pair of binoculars from a long time gone pooch called Mac, annoying as hell at the time, but I look on them fondly now with a chuckle. Post frustration and fix this too will become part of your doggies litany of misdeeds to look back on! 🤣

Welcome to MSW Ian!

Welcome to MSW Dave.

A lovely look Pup Chris! Envious you managed to get nearly a whole day to yourself, all my model stuff packed away for the festive holidays to make way for extra chairs and so on.

Welcome to MSW Andrew from another in North Yorkshire.

Merry Christmas Keith 🎄

Have Happy Christmas OC! 🎄

Hi Keith, really good to see you back working on your Tennessee. She is looking very fine on that base, good luck for the shrouds. Happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family.

Hi Lyle, sorry to hear about your wife and hope she is better soon. All the very best for 2024!

Sorry I should have specified which one, I was on about “R09” the Audacious class one through the 1970’s, Buccs/ Phantoms and so on. 😃

Looking good Simon, those fish look happy in their new home! 🤣 Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and yours. 🎄

Glad you home safe and hope you are well soon. That Hermes tribute looks great! 👍. Wish someone would do a good 1/350 of her or Ark Royal. There are 3D printed ones around, but not great detail and quite pricey.