Kurt Johnson

Your such a tease!

Kurt

I think it’s always somewhat of a gamble. The available information is almost always uncertain. And you can bet all your money the minute you complete your project some conflicting in formation will suddenly become available to you. Plans where just a guideline that the craftsmen building the ship would change because of the reality of the materials they had on hand, and how they accomplished there job. The plans themselves probably evolved into something different over the ships construction time. Ships and their rigging changed probably on a daily basis, due to advancements, personal preferences, etc. As a model builder you can never actually reproduce something in perfect scale due physical properties of your materials, skill, finances and life ( if I had time to, or if I could see better, or had the dexterity to I would’ve had done it differently.)

   I personally go with what was generally the practice at the time and does it physically or mechanically make sense to do it a certain way.  After that it’s how I see the subject.

   After all that ramble, there are still some hermaphrodite brigs existing as replicas or pleasure craft.  We don’t really know what Nacioffi is looking for and how strict his requirements are. 

Kurt

Sorry I was wrong about the Niagara. I looked her up and she has 3 masts. So she is supposedly a snow brig. There is a separate mast right behind the main mast for her gaff sail. I should have looked her up first. 

You didn't mention a time frame, but the ship I’m working with now Newsboy, 1854 is really a hermaphrodite brig, but it is often referred to as a brigantine.  You can’t go wrong with Chapelle as Roger says. And he’s right, I’ve gotten a number of used books at great prices and you wouldn’t even know they were used. If they say they were a former library book, they’re been read a lot more times than a private owner would have and I avoid those.

Kurt

I believe the Model Shipways Niagara is a hermaphrodite brig. The plans should be available.

Kurt

Beautiful!

Kurt

Too late on that one. The sheet is stained and varnished already. That might be a slight deterrent to it curling though.

Kurt

I had always thought that contact cement will break down after a period of time. I guess I wouldn’t be around when it does so I guess that shouldn’t matter.

Kurt

I want to try Bluejacket’s glued up decking sheets on a project. It is 3/64” in thickness.  It is going to have the stress of the deck camber and the sheer of the deck which sort of oppose each other. What is the general view of the best adhesive to use for a situation like this?

Kurt

BE, 

A truly sterling masterpiece. It visually draws you to the period of the original Cheerful and must be a source of deep satisfaction to you ( once again ). 

Kudos,

Kurt

Chris, I’m a mere 6000 miles closer, that’s all. I’ll bet that will effect the shipping cost a tiny bit also.

Kurt

Hey, no jumping to the head of the line. 😉

Chris, How closely does your Alert compair with Peter Goodwin’s AOS version?

Kurt

Ed, 

I hope there is more on the horizon. This is a true masterpiece.

Kurt

We’ll do our very best to be patient. Looking forward to the new arrival.

Kurt

Chris, Is there a way to preorder or reserve a Alert kit?

Kurt

Chris, Keep us updated on the Alert. I definitely want one of those! 

Kurt 

Alert has always been one of my all time favorites!

I wonder about the use of a ponce wheel on the decking as a detail. It seems as many times as not the marks made don’t line up with the deck planks at all. To my opinion ( which is just that, mine probably alone) takes away from the model, more than if it was not done at all. All I notice is that it doesn’t match up. If it wasn’t there, I wouldn’t even think about it.

Kurt

That's my idea of heaven. I better start behaving a little better, if it's not already too late.

Kurt

The shoemaker’s stain is supposed to be particularly effective in staining the wood to look like ebony. I believe it is supposed to penetrate the wood better. 

Kurt

I have the treenail maker and to me it just okay. It can make beautiful tree nails but often they break in the cutter. That is a royal pain because it involves a considerable amount of work to clear the cutter. You can drill the center clear, but the wood caught between the cutting blades just has to be picked at with a knife blade to remove and it really gets stuck in there tightly. If I use bamboo for the treenail which is supposed to offer the most strength it will often twist unlike wood and I end up with a miniature twizzler. For bamboo I use my draw  plate and soak the bamboo in water first.

Kurt

Mike, Forgive me If you already know this but Ebony dust can really be a strong eye and skin irritant. I see the protective eyeware so your good on that issue. 

Kurt

That was the coolest video I’ve ever seen! Really makes you appreciate the complexity of the subject. I thought the way the prop was made was so simple but so obvious when you see it, but I would have never thought to do it that way. And when the manikins sit down to watch the film was priceless. I’ve got to see more of those.

Kurt

Steve, 

Coming along nicely. I’ve seen a few of these kits finished into truly beautiful models. And your’s definitely looks like it will set the standard for that group. My only problem with the kit is it’s dog size. It would be so nice in 3/16 or 1/48. On the other hand hand the smaller scale makes it somewhat jewel like. I will be following your build closely.

Kurt

I know, I know ... I can always enlarge the plans....maybe I will.

Must be a kind of bittersweet moment. Beautiful, beautiful example of true master craftsmanship.

Kurt