Knocklouder

ÇMore progress on the Astrolabe, the decision about the chain plates has been made, and some assembly has been done. I am letting things dry but the chains are made up. Let's go paint the cannons. I had to put one on for a peek, which lead to another. Soon I had a boat load. They need to be rigged, and no instructions. But I got pictures. . Well waiting for the paint to dry let's look at the platforms. This is the first I look at them in the manual, I have no idea how Rodney got to this point. He has put 7 mm Deadeyes on instead of 5 mm eazy fix now I have to drill some holes for the crowsfeet lines. It's-30 out in the shed so I brought it to the shipyard, it will be a great addition to the tools. I am ok with the shrouds positions, I am letting the chains dry really well before tacking them on. I have all the cannons to rig, so they should be cured when I return to them. But I have to let the cannons dry over night as well. To the platforms it is. The build will be a great time, I reliesed that I have no direction on a lot of things and get to make it they way I want, not the plans, which gives me two ways to do it. Wrong and wronger. The kit is fantastic, great wood lots of add on. Not bad for a barge. But again the instructions need work. Again my apologies for letting my frustration lose, 🫤 I can only claim insanity, I tryed to do it my way not what I have been taught by MSW/NRG. So I gave myself a slap and said gitty up.. Thanks my freinds, may the fun never stop. Bob M.

Congratulations, it looks Amazing. Bob M.

Well all the tracing of the shrouds and ratlines. For Nothing, garbage, worthless 🙃. It seems that the measurement in the manual don't line up with the instructions All my tracing for Nothing lol. So Donkey and I looked at each other and said,....... money for the Surprise, lol. It seems that I can't make any headway. Oh well I think I worked it out.. we continue. Patching the holes, repainted the white and black strips and let it dry. I moved on to the deadeyes. What a mess? I can't really figure out what he got going here. Some peices are soderd some have chain links and a small pile of copper strops. I think. The plans shows nothing. The manual says build them this way but if I do they are way to long. At this point I was about to say, 50 cents for the jar, but this is what modeling is all about. Let's model on. Rodney has lots of fitting and things ,two different plies of belaying pins , rings, pins of all kinds and chains. I tryed a few ideas out, nothing really looked right. As much as I tryed the chain plates were hard to get at least some accuracy to them. Then it hit me, if the manufacturer doesn't care about detail neither will I. Chain plates, so I made them out of chain. This is what I came up with.It may not be right, but it gets the deadeyes on and I still the lower masts to drill the crowfeet lines and start the shrouds. I had to figure out what size of deadeyes and where they go. 7 mm and 5mm are needed for the lower masts. I figure out what's need for the upper later.bI have lots to do before then 🤔. I might even get some rat lines in lol. This is what I am going to do for the chain plates, chain. Lol. The plan is to attach the deadeye to the chain , position it and nail it on to the whaler with some big headed nails. It will do. I was beginning to think that I might have taken on to much, I could not understand most of the instruction and all the parts are in containers and I have no idea what they are. Lol. The First Mate could tell I was getting anxious about things , she can tell it was getting to me. She came down to the ship yard and I told her what I really need is better pictures of what I was attempting to do. Some computer lessons were needed.well what do you know we found some pictures and now I got it. The build will go ahead, it just won't be like the plans or the instructions lol. This is what I will do, the chains will be placed in the right place then Nailed to the whaler. Done deal. I like it, once they are on and the shrouds tied on , it will do. And once the yards and rigging is done the chains will be a distant memory lol. Thanks for put up with my frustration, but I think it will be smooth sailing from here on. We got plans and pictures and the will. Talk soon my friend's Bob M.

I need an assistant. He he is, 😂 Donkey. I think he is the perfect A .. to be my Assistant lol. I reach a point in Rodney's notes, oh my. Apparently mistakes have been made. He followed the instructions, the plan is different from the instructions. We need 8 gun ports we only got 7. The way the plan tell you to put the deadeyes the cannons will blow the shrouds off. I think it was at this point that he stoped, there is a lot of torn pages in his book , and references to a web site that I have to go to latter. I found some notes it possible that he started this model in 2014 / 5, hard to say. But in his notes the guy he was following abandon the plan at this point as well and build it his way. And it looks good. Mine will be different but it will work. Now I just got to put it all together. At least I don't have to stop, I be rigging and adding to my Surprise jar in no time. Lol Donkey let's me know what he thinks of the plans and instructions 😉. I would hate to spend this kind of money on a model to have such bad information wow. But where the is a will there is a way I guess. We are goingto leave the lids alone, shifting the lines slightly to avoid the gun ports we will be fine. So now I going to fix the white, then attach the chains for the deadeyes. The instructions says to attach the chains to the upper whaler. Rodney has them in between the whalers mine will be at the bottom whaler like the plan says lol. Ok, with that roller-coaster day I am very glad I have a plan and going forward 😀. MSW/NRG will have its first Astrolabe 1812 log marked finished, just a matter of time. But the instructions are so bad you may not see another lol. Good night my friends, I hear mooing comeing from the hold. Lol 😆 🤣 Bob M.

Looks like the main railing is lower on the top and at the bottom what ever that is in front of the boat blocks the veiw of railing. Making it look all one peice. Maybe. .Bob M.

Yes great instructions @popeye2sea I was fix 'n to tell him just tie the lose end to what ever belay pln it supposed to go to. Lol. looking good partner. Bob M.

@Glen McGuire there are 1,200 glove hitchs, 600 per side. Yyeehhaa!!!.. The cannons are in the paint shop so I am making a list of things I need to study. This is a big ship, after looking at Chris beautiful Duchess of Kingston , by Vanguard Models , now I got to look at this huge horse barge. Up first is drilling holes for the crowsfeet on all masts. Many more notes have to be looked at into, the list continues. I have to find all the parts and try to figure it out. Rodney has got gunport llids made of wood in the box , but has the kit lids installed on the ship. I t looks like there is errors in the plan an instructions 🙃 😕 😅. And he had to move some of them didn't like it so he put the kit lids on. I have to see why latter. It would be a lot easier if I could talk to Rodney, but he can't remember anything about ships. It so sad to see my friend this way. That's why I got to do a good job, "For Rodney " . Also for the next few days I will be tracing the plans, and making diagrams for the ratlines. . This morning I hit my first roadblock, whether to attempt this. I was looking at Bugs Pegasus log, to is awesome, and almost decided to change ships lol. I need to do this one. I need practice on my ratlines. Because The next model I buy will be the one that I will try to do the best. There is so much to do its like I first joined the excitement of starting a build. I have found much useful information from Rodney's notes, and what I can find on the net. The Frist Mate just this morning showed me how to put pictures in my files so I can study them closer up. It's a life saver. Lol So giddy up partner's, lol I just thought we might even see Texas long horns soon LOL. Hang tight @Glen McGuire I got to go round them up lol Just Bob M. for now.

Very nice Glen., as always !! Bob M .

With time on my hands, and a grin on my face, you can't wipe off, I decide to look at my next build to see what is what as they say. Rodney has two binders of information and the manual, for the Astrolabe. I decided to change the look of his cannons to one I found on line . A bit of black paint here, red paint there, I will paint the wheels, then tomorrow clear coat them. Lol. I had to see what they would look like 👍🏾. I have to study his notes to see what he was thinking about how far to go rigging the cannons. I am good with just the breach rope and a tie down at the back. But, if he has something already rigged up I will see. Lol. Time to put it on the bench. WOW it is huge. I took a few extra pictures to show off Rodney's work. It does look impressive. There is no other logs for The Astrolabe, so I am in uncharted waters. I know with MSW/NRG on my side, I will pull off another one . Wait till Pile gets back, he will be Gobsmacked . It is a beautiful ship, but she's big wow! Knocklouder. PS. I will @Keith Black I will. .

Glad to see you, nice work Andy. Bob M.

@Moonbug you are so right lol, I am going to mark this log finished, right after this post, because now I am just playing with my little figures and telling story's in my head lol. So I finished up the ship's boat, and had a few oars, but I think they are a bit too big. The Duchess says "off with they feet" lol. Sawing the base off was stressful for Neanderthals but luck was on my side. That and my good friend @Gabek helping me out today. So now that the boat is finished , I will tie it later as I have a couple of figures I have to paint so they actually look like they are lashing the boat down. Play stuff lol. So I took some pictures and put it in the case It has been an incredible journey, and a really great experience for me. I hope I have not offended anyone along the way with my confusion plus typos. Lol But I am a confused person who finds it hard to spell. Lol. But I love building ships and getting to know people. Ok I am going to mark this finished now, but will post one more time in the future when I take the Duchess of Kingston out of the display case for a photo shoot for the Gallery, and some last minute touch ups and figure changes. Thank all of you for your likes and wows. Plus a special thanks for all who helped. Thank you @chris watton and @Gabek two gentlemen that I deadacated this build to at the beginning. One will be a friend and I will be his customer for life the other a friend for life, not a customer he put a 100% tariff on all his figures. Lol Fairwell to this log, but I have another lol THANK YOU ALL. Bob M. PFCGP. Goober AND of course The Duchess of Kingston.

Bob M.

Good luck on your journey!! Bob M.

Ahhh the end of another day . And was it eventful. When we got a chance to look things over I had the boat to high. That's were Keith Black and Gabe came to the rescue. I am no good with numbers and things like that. But Gabe finally got the point across and after lowering it Three times it's is in its final destination The sailor couldn't even reach this boat. Finally I got the side of the ship and the sailors waste and the bottom of the boat all lined up and this will do lol. Not moving no more . The crew wants a picture to show their friends back home. They are going on a vacation, Pile says give him a call when I start my next ship, and if you need a hand He will come back. Goober is still tight lip about his plans. I miss those guys. Man I am hard on ship inspectors , is it something that I said lol. Got both anchors assembled and ready to tie on. So that just leaves painting the inside of the boat. It a perfect fit. And these boats are available at Vanguard Models, for the Duchess of Kingston I used this 12 foot yawl , made to order. Also Chris W. has thrown in a few figures for me to place on the ship Thanks so much , really appreciate it. I think after I paint and tie the boat down, it will be time to mark this build Finished. I know that I will be starting up my Astrolabe log but I was looking @Moonbug log for his Pegasus today , wow is all I can say go check it out , you won't be disappointed. . All right my friends my be one last post, lol or two. Sea ya yawl..later Knocklouder

There are just too many to list, but one that gave me a lot of enjoyment and how to bend wood was The Sea of Galilee Boat by Scott Miller . Check out those logs , just maybe what your looking for. But the Duchess gets my vote every time lol BobM. King of the Mississippi ✅️

The Ship's Boat: Optional When I first saw @DocRob ships boat it was amazing and I said I have to make one. So a plan was conceived and away I went. I used some 3mm pear wood from kit left overs. And tryed to come up with something that looks good. First, all the parts were primed, then measurements were made.. For those who know me , I have a hard time with numbers and the printed word lol. And called on a few members to help me out. Thanks @Gabek and @Keith Black , for your assistance. The stand was put together and I realized it looked a little high. Information that I found says that ships boats were 9 and a half feet from the ships deck to the deck of the ship's boat. So the wood for the stand was put together and pined together. And temporarily placed on the ship. Yes you guessed it, some how I made it to high. Sanding and molding the top down about a half inch should do the trick.. I do that this afternoon, then start painting the boat as well. Leaving only the anchors left. I am very very happy with the Duchess. Much progress has been made in my understanding of how things are done. I see improvements in my work and I also see where I need to improve as well lol. It won't be long for the Duchess of Kingston to be finished, a few more figures to paint and place but the ship it self is just about ready for the Gallery. Thanks my friends. Knocklouder

The stand is finished, the lettering shows up nicely, but been a Neanderthal lol.The manual says a drop of white glue my be added if lose. Well no glue was required it was super tight , the long sides and the ends went together tight. I was afraid that I would brake it. The first side I put the sign on I filed the edges a bit and gently tap it on. Aww dang, I broke the last one to tap on. I put a dab of CA on and it is really hard to see the brake, it is on the wall side of the display case Thankfully. So I know my friend @Gabek is really anxious for me to start the ship's boat, so today I will prime it all, then put the anchors together, and start finishing the final coat of paint on the boat ....tomorrow Lol. The grin gets bigger and bigger, two anchors one boat left , if all go according to plan, which it seldom does lol, I should be able to mark it finished next week or so 😉 just to be sure lol Forever greatful that MSW/NRG have given me the opportunity to learn how to build ship's. Thank you all. Bob M. PFCGP. Goober .

I used this glue for my coppering, no fumes and it sticks very good.And it washs off with water. When it was coppered. I sprayed two coats of flat clear 2x, by Rustolim. Have a look at @Glen McGuire log for his Mamoli's CSS Alabama, his has been finished for 4years, my copper on the Pegasus is only 16 months old. At least you don't have to ware a mask well coppering its super Phatic glue. Bob M.

I think I am just as excited as you to see the sails on this ship Magnificent , Bob M.

I agree with @BANYAN this is really great to follow, amazing work, you atention to detail amazes me ever time you post. Bob M.

Today is one of those days we're you just it just feels great to just take a pause and look at a build, I have been looking at my Duchess for awhile listening to tunes , and in no rush to clean up the shipyard lol. But will start some time later lol. No rush, not a care in the world because the rigging is finished. . The crew and I pulled a couple of long days, plus I threw my back out a couple of days ago 🙃. But who cares she is rigged and looking so amazing. We had or hands full that's for sure, the swear jar got used quite often I am ashamed to say. Pile made sure everything was good to go.then finally on to the Mizzen mast, once again Pile points out missing eye hooks for the lines. Down to the Mizzen mast this morning, again Pile points out missing blocks and lines for the yards 😳 😅. We finally got it all finished ,the rigging not finished of the build. Many many thanks to my friend @Gabek who supplied the ship's boat, I still have to paint it and put it together, in a day or two lol. Today with the rigging finished I have put the Duchess in the case for safe keeping. Only going to bring her back out when the anchors and stand are finished. @Keith Black the Mizzen mast on and I am mist definitely going to be building a nose guard for the next build . Thanks for the plans. It won't be long before I finish and there is just so many people I need to thank. @chris watton your ships are amazing I can't express my appreciation for allowing me this fabulous opportunity and adventure. I was so impressed with it. So happy. The First Mate Love it too and a moment of weakness she has agreed that, I get to buy one more model. No Surprise here one which one it will be. Lol. If I could I would buy a few more as well . I do regret not following @Kevin advice two years ago when I went on a buying spree and bought 6 models now I can't buy the ones I want lol until I finish the ones I have . I also am telling @Glenn-UK Thank you again I could not done this with out your help. So people please look at his for the right way lol as much as I tried there are mistakes 😅 many mistakes but she is beautiful and I just love her. Thanks Glen. @Glen McGuire thank you too. I got thinking about you lately I think it is because I am using the rigging tool that I have from the Hannah-SIB that we made. As soon as I put that tool in my hand all the advice about rigging little lines popped into my head. Thanks my friend. By the way Glen check out how many ratlines there are on an Astrolabe. Lol I am in sane that's my next build lol. Just beautiful, I am over the moon with joy about this ship , the memories are precious and priceless to me. ❤️ Going to crank up the tunes and sit back and enjoy the Duchess. Until the First Mate gets home anyway lol. After all tomorrow is another day, on cruise control for the rest of the day ,then back at it lol. Bob M. PFCGP. Goober . Apologies for my excitement.

Great work my freind, rigging is certainly one of the intense part of ship modeling, , that's one beautiful ship you have there , sir. Bob M.

Bob M.

Very nice sir, looking really good Bob M

Nice work my friend, love the ropes, lol. I was thinking about your gun deck, I have close to 75 spare cannons , of different sizes ,from Rodney's stach. Then I remembered that you are a master of the resin thread, you will just print your own,lol. But your more than welcome to take a look, anything I can do to help, Bob M. Giv'er