Ferrus Manus

The first pair of shrouds is tied and the lanyards are set. 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

There are three.

What!? How! 

Definitely a hellerism. They should be tied above the yard or at the actual last top, once again above the yard. 

This is my start on the fore topmast shrouds. 

I have cannibalized more than enough deadeyes from my Victory. I will update you soon. 

I have an idea that involves me stealing deadeyes from a different kit. I believe i have enough for this. Are round deadeyes okay? I figure it doesn't take much expertise, just a bunch of clove hitches. I will test this on the topmasts first. 

Okay, how am i supposed to go about doing that? I am terrified to start.

I finished the lower masts' standing rigging. 

And on the main: 

I have now completed the foremast tackles and the bowsprit gammoning. 

I admit, i expected to use a lot more gold on this ship. The only gilded part of the ship is the swirly decorations on the lower part of the beakhead. If you look closely, you can see it in this image. 

The lower masts, bowsprit, fighting tops, and aft boom are painted and temporarily fitted into place on the ship. 

I went to the hobby shop and got some less-than-stellar cleats, as well as some wire that will become hooks once we start rigging the lower mast fish tackles. 

Next on the list is to finalize whatever hull work has yet to be done, with the exception of the ladders as they come last, and then glue the masts in. 

What Ian said! 

I would put the sheave hole just aft and up of the eyebolt to which the brace is tied. Maybe at the very aft end of the cap rail, and right beneath it. Belay it on a cleat, or better yet, a kevel. 

Untie immediately. 

Rig the standing end of the braces to eyebolts positioned on the outside of the hull. Check my Galleon for now i did it.

It's DONE!!! 

Looks more like the Vasa than the actual Vasa!! 

I have even started gluing and fitting the lower masts. These will need to be painted before i can show them. 

If you want, you could also check out my Mayflower build! You might like it. 

The poop deck, bulkhead, mizzen lateen knighthead, belaying rails and kevels are in place. 

Next is the main brace sheaves and eyebolts. 

The quarterdeck is painted and glued into place. 

This is the Revenge. Shouldn't the letters be E R? 

These are the unassembled parts of the ship's boat, ready to be assembled. 

Let's build it!! 

The main bitts, mainyard halyard knighthead and tackle, the capstan, and the whipstaff are all put in place. The whipstaff did not come with the kit, but there was clearly a hole and a place for it. There is a hole in the quarterdeck that allows the captain to communicate with the helmsman. 

I also put in several eyebolts and double blocks that will accept the parrel tackles and the top rope tackle. 

Ah! That seems to be your M.O. with theoretical reconstructions, isn't it? 

I have never been able to rig a galleon and keep the stays perfectly straight, and even some museum models have bent stays. So, don't feel bad.