John AA
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A little bit of work achieved, bit cold in workroom and busy elsewhere. Everything bar Oerlikon and shield and some rigging/mooring lines now on the boat, some weathering washes need work and black hull paint demarcation lines need fettling. Not happy with aerial array on mast, tried to use the original part with wire attached on top of moulding, will rebuild.Have seen this and the rescue boat are being re-issued by Airfix and available for repurchase, hope plastic is better quality than the old softish 80s stuff I've been working on with. However, nice to know it was an original kit and was a bit less to buy than reissue.
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- Vosper
- motor torpedo boat
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Thanks All, thanks for sorting title and to likes. Few more pics in focus; smoke generator, bin, for'd deck, awaiting anchor, rub down and airbrush matt varnish; IMG_20250113_222854_MP.mp4
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- Vosper
- motor torpedo boat
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Should be working on my Terror and finishing several other modelling and railway projects, but started this old kit, one I really wanted as a kid because my mate had it. These are work in progress pics, some rough paintwork needs sorting out but build mostly complete now. One torpedo tube off ship at the mo, all of them need some fettling around seams and will probably add some brass wire handles. Mast was rebuilt from wood and brass wire, used the original plastic aerials, might rebuild if I ever get the skills with solder, a little bit more rigging to add and an ensign, also have a spare Jolly Roger. Deck rope is black, it's what I had in the box, trying not to splash out too much on extras, then will add more weathering and staining to paintwork. Oerlikon is nearly ready, scratching new shielding and will add some splinter protection from some thick card. Might diorama this, have an idea for a harbour wall scene. Liked the Gunthwaite gentlemen and ship's cat, so added them. Helped by book references, Osprey and Squadron Signal - Warships in Action, Hichen's excellent Gunboat Command, Reeman's Prayer for the Ship along with some good build logs on other sites.
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- Vosper
- motor torpedo boat
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Ratline thread recommendations 1/75 scale
John AA replied to John AA's topic in Masting, rigging and sails
Many thanks all -
Ratline thread recommendations 1/75 scale
John AA replied to John AA's topic in Masting, rigging and sails
Many thanks Keith, will give it a try, hope to order correct weight, Regards, John -
Morning All, I know this type of thread comes up regularly, but I'm not getting an answer. I am tying ratlines on my Terror, tried household cotton (pinched from sewing basket) passed on beeswax, right diameter for working but it was too hairy. Have Caldercraft 0.25mm thread, but it's too thick and clove hitches are untying before I can set with PVA. Looked for 0.15 mm diameter black but not finding anything. Any advice welcome re-specific thread and source for ratlines please, UK preferred because of shipping, Regards John
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Thanks Keith, plugging away at Terror - sorted out serving machine problem, used a bit more tension on both lines and making sure cotton is held at 90 degrees to the 'rope'. Have had to compromise with this kit, would have liked replacement chainplates and belaying pins, but can't justify spend at the mo, might change later. Not sure why my grating ended up more aft than it should be and I had problems with spacing of deck items around the capstan, had to correct that to fit the pumps in. I also replaced the stern davits, they were as per Occre plans but I kept knocking them and cracking the joints. Finally, Betts shows 5 larger deadeyes on the stern for the mizzen with 2 smaller for the stays on the plan view, but 6 on the plan of the standing rigging. I hadn't noticed and need to sort to avoid a single shroud on each side, although I think it was possible to have odd numbers of deadeyes in reality. Three bad boys for Keith, some painting of details needed and matt varnish to stop shine on guns. Will be added to a diorama, have some figures to paint. Built the classic quad tractor and gun some time back with PE, needs some detailing up to finish. Camera pretty unforgiving as usual.
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Slow progress, grandchildren and travelling diverting me from shipyard hours. Finishing off small deck details and rebuilt a few bits not happy with, some spars (including those for stowage)and dolphin striker more or less complete, started shrouds on mizzen and a few running rigging lines (sail seems to fit Ok!) homemade serving machine not working too well. Rebuilt bowsprit, my measurements and conversion to 1/75 went wrong somewhere, anyway, looks more like Betts plans. Need to finish pumps, rudder deck housing and have some tiny 4mm laser cut cleats to fix. Officer on deck is from Gunthwaite, really nicely proportioned and detailed. Ok he's in WW2 RN uniform, but from a distance looks generic - needs a cap badge (transfer or paint job). Areas to work on - seizing blocks to eyes and spars, have watched the vids but need a lot more practice. Have knotted blocks onto mizzen, but not happy with them yet. Pics of School's and Duchess class for Keith, were eB*y for repairs, Duchess easy fix, Schools class wiring bit of a pain but runs well, seems to be a regular diversion into railways ('inherited' quite a bit of older Hornby running stock, card building and loads of scenery bits, making a freeform layout).
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Hello all, as above, considering this kit, on good discount in a European store at the mo. I like the cutaway idea and the challenge of working at a larger scale than my Terror, but not sure about the accuracy of the kit although would aim to improve where possible and have access to the Anatomy of a Ship book. Have seen a few logs of the AL kit and this thread: Like the build photos with the nicely detailed interior, any advice welcome, Regards John
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Thanks Keith, Settle to Carlisle is one of the best, if you can, go Midland Pullman and have the full experience.
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PS Meant to add, was in Whitby a few weeks ago and the Cook Museum has an exhibition of some Terror and Erebus artefacts. Really interesting place to spend a couple of hours before lunch in the Magpie and a pint or two.
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Thanks Keith, hope you are having a little bit of Summer up there. That came out wrong, not sure how to scale down collars, can see the construction in Peterson but at 1/75 scale, they'll only be a few turns around the bowsprit. Hearts and thimbles arrived from Cornwall so should get going on them today. I don't have the skill with small stuff that you and DanielD have, but keep working at it, nearly done with the deck fittings. Going to make my own elm pumps, thinking about what to use for flywheels for the main mast pumps.
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Evening All, Long time off shipyard duties. Getting back to grips with Terror, made some new bits, revised some old, taking some artistic licence in places due to demands on time. Have plenty to do on deck yet, working on masts and want to get some standing rigging on bowsprit. Any advice from Lees re-hearts and blocks on bowsprit welcome, have Lennarth Petersson to hand, but he's not so clear on the sprit. Also, looked at DanielD, Clearway and Keith S, but can't quite see the detail there, Regards, John
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Hi All, shipyard closed for a while, but I picked up a base last year and wondered what you think. I was going to oil or satin varnish the base and possibly paint the posts black, maybe with a little dry brush of gold? Also, any ideas about attaching posts and Terror - wondered about long screws or maybe brass rods? This would mean some careful woodwork and drilling into Terror which I'm not sure I'm up to.
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Thanks Keith, will do, have been busy with our cold spell - hoping to get a few minutes in the shipyard soon. This area is not very clear in the book, it would have been good to have a larger version of the rigging, or maybe a link to larger scale to bring out the detail. Meyy Xmas all, Regards, John
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Currently reading about Leonidas off Korea and Dawlish being challenged by politics between China, Korea and Japan - a brilliant narrative and would be great if a kit was released.
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Resurrecting this thread, I’m into book 4 now and the first in the series is possibly one of the best I have read since Aubrey-Maturin by Patrick O’Brian. This is a strong claim, I know, but the characters are well drawn, the stories really capture you and it is a chaotic period of European and American history. Supporting characters are believable, there is a good technical level and plenty of politicking with Dawlish caught in the middle. Also, they are not plain sailing, and the hard times are very hard, reflecting advances in the ships and weapons. There are now plenty of square sail series, and some in earlier periods, but I would recommend these. I would love to see some models based on Vanner’s diagrams.
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Thanks Keith, bit more work on the small bits and pieces and new bowsprit in place with some gammoning (I think). Found some 1mm waxed thread online which seems Ok and doesn't fray, rigging line seems to be a bit out of stock, and I would like to see a sample first. Foremast and mainmast nearly complete and first coat of paint on, using the Occre ships boats, adding thwarts and rudder. I'm intending to put glazing bars in the skylights and use some acetate for glazing - fiddly, but better than brass wire IMO. Enjoyed making the masts, one of the worst jobs has been the rudder and stern brasswork, I don't like the overcall effect of pins very much. Rebuilding windlass with some wider diameter dowling and I think I'll use a Vanguard 1/64 capstan I've just built, a bit over scale but it looks the part - and a fantastic quality little kit, thanks Mr Watton. Busy this morning winter prepping bees, a pic if you're interested - have put on winter feed now and you can see my hive heart which connects with a weather station and other monitors to a 4g gateway - I monitor temp, sound frequency and humidity, and the general weather conditions.
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Hi All, Matthew Betts book arrived and isn't it great? I'm rebuilding the bowsprit as per the plan in the book, and would ask for advice regarding stanchions and railings - I can see loads including PE but not doing so well with something suitable for the main top and on deck. Also (and I will look through MSW), have you any nifty techniques for making heart (dead - edit, typo) blocks and for securing the boomkins please?
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Thanks Keith, managed to shape the drum last night, cannons are a bit off piste but I liked the idea of them - these were Occre I think, but Vanguard look really good, and I would love to have a go at one of Chris Watton's kits (prob HMS Speedy).
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Some more work in progress pictures, have worked on stern davits, catheads, building various small bits (loose on deck) and getting metal items painted. Bit happier with overall finish, one of the rear davits looks like it needs a tweak to reposition it and also scratch building the windlass - in it's basic form now, will shape with files. I don't like the jailhouse look for the glazing, planning to add small glazing bars for the skylights. Working on shaping main mast, went for some thicker dowelling, and bowsprit is in its basic form - might replace striker. Thanks all for your advice in your build logs.
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Thanks Keith, tidying up paintwork and rudder; have ordered a few bits from Cornwall Model Boats (no interests) including chain plates, mast rings and some other bits and pieces to make it nice. Finding metalwork a bind, sticking my fingers to Terror more than the pins or brass. Found the bow armour a bit of chore, bot the repetition but the fact that it took ages to get each plate right, more or less. Will weather up the paintwork to take off the shine. Will be starting deck work this week, Regards, John
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Thanks all, hope you are all well. Have been back in the shipyard a bit recently after helping builder with knocking through a couple of rooms and installing a new kitchen. Also, bees have been busy and have been working in different tutors and friends apiaries for experience, and have just removed some honey from one of my hives tonight whilst the bees are asleep. Decided to go with black and white colour scheme port, and a bit different starboard. Test fitting part completed bowsprit and 8mm main mast, and have decided to use some Amati chainplates for a better finish than I can achieve. Some paintwork to touch up and put right yet, but I quite like the two different sides to my Terror. Missing the planking, I enjoyed that bit seeing the shapes emerge from a box of bits. Best wishes all, Regards John
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Up to date pictures of second planking and first varnish. Plan is to paint hull, no varnish on bow where plating will be placed. Will give a light sand to remove any final bumps and blips (can see a couple) to give smooth surface for black. Stained keel just to see what it looked like and to show up any areas for sanding, again, will be painted.
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Thanks DanielD, trying to get hull to a state where I can put it to sleep for the Summer - might work on masts and spars, but have to do outside work now.
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