vvvjames

Is this the build you're doing with your son? It looks so amazing, I appreciate all the work you're putting into the details.

Just wanted to pop in and say your planking looks great, good job fixing up the first layer, that must've been difficult. Can't imagine planking a hull with that severe of a curve yet. Looking amazing!

Hello from Colorado! I started my first kit, the Albatross by Occre, a few weeks ago, and have loved every bit of the process since. I am brand new to model making and I have been stalking the r/modelships subreddit and this forum constantly since starting. I love the community and I'm looking forward to being a part of it. I also wanted to share why I got into this hobby because it feels worth sharing. Sorry in advanced if it's long. My dad passed in October of last year, he was a great man, kind and wholesome. He used to be a sail maker in Maine, and he would make model ships before I was born. I never really took the time to examine or appreciate them, and I regret that so much now. I remember them being extremely well made. While he was in the middle stages of Alzheimer's, my mom threw out or sold the models, along with much of his possessions without telling me or anyone. It makes me angrier than any other thing that shes done. Especially now, trying to hold on to what little items are left in an attempt to grieve. Luckily there was a bag of old ship model pieces/ scraps (there was a sail that said Mamoli M35 Hunter, I would love to do that ship next) Regardless, lacking in physical connection to my dad, I decided to try to connect with him by making a model ship like he used to do, and maybe incorporate some of his old wood scraps. I had no idea how intricate and complicated ship modeling could get. The planking was so difficult and finicky, especially the second layer which felt higher stakes since it wouldn't be hidden. And this is a beginner kit! I've been absolutely loving it. It feels like the part of dad in me is elated at reconnecting with the hobby, as weird as that sounds. I'm nowhere near as skilled as he was but this is an amazing hobby and I want to do more once I'm finished with the Albatross. I wish I had gotten into this hobby sooner, while he was alive and before the Alzheimer's. We could've done one together, he could've told me to taper the damn planks, he could've taught me boat terminology. Lotta regrets but I'm doing it now and that makes me happy. This is a better means of grieving than anything else I've tried in the last year. I've posted my build log already and am looking forward to updating it as progress gets made! Here's a link: Feedback and friends are welcome:)

Hello all! I have been trying to get a lay of the land here for a few days before posting and think I am starting to get it (92 % sure I'm posting this in the correct place)! I will post more about my story and why I got into modeling in a new member introduction post, but I wanted to get this build log started for the OcCre Albatros first. I am a good way into the assembly of the hull, I made a few early mistakes that are pretty laughable and ai can't wait to show you. I am brand new to modeling in general, but still feel proud of where it's at, despite the flaws! Fair warning I venture off the instructions at one point to add a different type of wood from my dad's leftover model scraps, he passed last year and this is my way of honoring him, it feels very good (more on this will be posted in the introduction forum). ANYWAY let's get to the ship! I'll post everything I've done so far in this post, then start updating it regularly. Feedback and friends more than welcome, you all seem so nice. Assembly of the hull structure This was relatively straightforward, I will say at the time I wasn't super concerned with achieving a perfect 90° angle, BUT thankfully I used the deck piece to align the frames, and I believe that worked to get the angle. There are some mistakes I made early on in the build that are simply due to me not researching and understanding the process beforehand, I am better now(mostly). Deck planks were also glued with no mishaps woohoo! (Dad's urn in the back, it has Albatross birds engraved in the metal, very poetic) Bulwarks Ok, this is the biggest mistake I've made on this ship, it has caused a lot of other issues but solving them as they come up has been a big part of the fun:) Lot of creativity to be had with mistakes and it feels amazing. Ahhh I snapped a bulwark, and also glued them in place not completely flush with the deck slots. I don't have any pictures here because I wasn't very proud of this blunder. I, being ignorant to modeling in general, saw the bend at the bow and assumed, "Well the instructions say to put it here, so surely the wood will survive the bend". The wood said, "Don't call me Shirley" and broke. This was when I learned I was an idiot and should probably be researching more. Anyway I glued it the best I could and lined it over with planks, and it looked passable for now. I also lined the rest of the deck. First Planking Alright, on to the fun stuff, man did I brute force the planks, giving me tiny nails was a mistake. LUCKILY I did wet the wood, however I did NOT taper the ends and without the nails, glueing these would've been impossible. After seeing other builds here, this looks pretty rough, but I'm not going to lie to you, I'm still proud of it. It's flawed but I did it and took great satisfaction from the work. Will do better next time but THIS time, I'm enjoying the process and learning my lessons. Wood filler and sandpaper will be my salvation. I also lined the outside of the bulwarks and the stern of the ship, mostly covering the break in the port side bulwark but they are both still bent poorly. The one segment of off color wood in this next picture (towards the stern of the bulwark) is a piece from my dad's old kit scraps! It's off the book but still looks great there, a little piece of him. I used Minwax wood filler, and good lord this stuff stinks, got a headache and made my partner appropriately mad for making the whole house smell like chemical for a day. An appropriate penance for imperfection. I served my sentence stoically. Keel After much sanding I planked the stern, again the bulwarks aren't completely flush and the link is imperfect. I decided to put in the keel early to help with aligning the second layer of planks Oooh wouldn't you know it, the bulwark mistake haunting me again, when the keel is flush with the false keel (sorry if these are incorrect terms) it goes up too high on the bow, and covers the premade hole in the bulwarks meant for the foremast. Problem for later. Second planking Alright, this is the real deal, no covering these with a third layer of planks. I was much more careful and even started tapering the ends, though I didn't do it as soon as I should've. Still, ended up looking pretty good and again, I'm happy with it for a first attempt. Perfect? No. But I love it. There's a little piece here, right behind the stern keel, that I put in straight, rather than bending the planks around to meet behind where the rudder will be attached. I have to ask, is this taboo? It made it easier to cover everything. Please let me know! Aaaand my favorite part ... STAIN I used a dark walnut stain after sanding the planks with a fine sandpaper. Dang doesn't that wood look amazing? I know I should focus on the flaws but agh I can't help but admire it. It feels so good to just stare at something YOU CREATED and look on it with admiration, I'm sure many of you enjoy this feeling with greater works. This hobby is so fun. I regret not getting into it sooner to discuss it with my dad, or to build one with him. He'd be proud of this one I think, he always was generous with his pride. Rubbing Strakes and Lining Anyway, on to some finer details. I invested in some proper clamps, I only had one good one before now, here are some fun (delusional) clamping setups I had to do: Laugh all you want they worked! Rubbing Strakes and rail (stained)- And here is where I currently am! Rudder is next, I'm looking forward to it. Sorry for the extra long post but there was a lot to get through! I will post more updates as I continue work on this and I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Again advice and friends are welcome. Best, James