Kurt Johnson

Amalio,
 
Your work is impeccable.
 
What a fantastic idea, attaching sandpaper to palette knives. I would have never have thought of it, but I can see how useful a tool it would be. Simple, elegant and now that I’ve seen it so obvious. Are you hiding any other gems you’ve come up with?
 
Kurt

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

Amalio,  I love the subtlety and softness of the painting of the figure head, it's just perfect. Often they look like a piece of candy. You are an amazing artist.
 
Kurt

Tain’t natural, says I. Some wizardry here, says I. No human could do this without the help of some powers that should be left alone. I says we should go there and take care of this before its to late!!!!!!
 
 
 
Please don’t stop. I search every time I log on for updates! Very inspiring, though very humbling.
 
Kurt

I would love to see this in real life.  Do you think you could post some of your other completed models? You are an artist.
 
Kurt

She’s coming along great. Your stuff always looks so darn neat and clean, even under close ups ( or are you photoshoping everything). It’s interesting to see the subtle differences evolving in your builds like the supports by the transom and stem on the build board. It’s gonna be fun when it’s ready for us.
 
Kurt

Enjoying Vanner's books very much.
His battles are never quickly done and dusted.
I would enjoy building his HMS Leonidas from Britannia's Spartan.
To read in time order (not publication order) consult www.dawlishchronicles.com for clarity.
.

I recently found a fiction series that seems a little different from the majority that is available. The first book, which I'm reading right now is Britannia's Wolf, The Dawlish Chronicals, September 1877, written by Antoine Vanner. It reads pretty well. The first book is about a British naval officer on loan to the Ottoman Navy and it's conflict with the Russians in the late Victorian era. Kind of a change from the wooden walls, but not what would be considered a modern navy yet.
 
Kurt

I recently found a fiction series that seems a little different from the majority that is available. The first book, which I'm reading right now is Britannia's Wolf, The Dawlish Chronicals, September 1877, written by Antoine Vanner. It reads pretty well. The first book is about a British naval officer on loan to the Ottoman Navy and it's conflict with the Russians in the late Victorian era. Kind of a change from the wooden walls, but not what would be considered a modern navy yet.
 
Kurt

Olha,
 
I remember back when I was following your build, I thought how insane is cutting all those bulkhead notches!! I never realized they were laser cut. Maybe you are a mere mortal and one of us! LOL. I never understood the picture you show were you are cutting through your planking with the rotary tool. Now I do.
 
Kurt
 
 

Hi.
 I really like Le Cerf and particularly the clinker hull. Your craftswomanship is of an exceptionally high standard. This will definitely be a build I will follow. I remember seeing your build at the beginning several years ago on an eastern European modeling site. It was a little difficult to follow using a translator app back then and frustrating. Here will be a lot easier and more enjoyable by far.
 
Welcome to your new country and wecome to MSW. You will make a lot of new friends here.
 
Kurt

No, as of now I don't have a build. When I start reading builds I find them almost addictive waiting for the next installment. That is the case with your builds. I really find it a disappointment when a build you are following closely suddenly stops and leaves you hanging. I started this model almost 2 years ago and it sat for a year and a half untouched ( I have no idea why), and that's when it decided to warp. I have started many model projects that just abruptly stopped for no valid reason other than I became interested in something else. One of my challenges with this beautiful model is to see it through to completion. I have worked on hundreds of models over the years and finished one or two, and I feel this is one of the finest I have ever seen. After reading Longridge's Victory, and Underhill's Leon 2 or 3 times over the years, I have always wanted to create something like that. My personal dream would be a 74. Hopefully, I'll complete this. That is my goal. One regret I have with this project is that I didn't get all the wood before hand. All my old sources are no more, and it is getting harder to obtain decent wood. I'm presently waiting on some from Wood Project Source so we'll see how that works out. I only have a small amount of 3/64 inch for planking. I have a few pieces of 1/16 inch, but I'm very reluctant to reduce it and then really need 1/16 inch. So that's my story.
 
Regards,
Kurt
 

Coming along very nicely. We’re pretty much at the same place. I’m planning to put a bamboo treenail in the first wale layer at each bulkhead since I had to spend so much time with the warping. Probably won’t do anything other than make me feel better. 
 
Kurt
 
 
I can’t figure out how to place images where I want them with regards to text.

It doesn’t clear up concerning those ports. The forward most ports have regular guns, but I can’t imagine how you could fight them either, they’re shoe horned in there.
 
I was very leary of thinning those frames, I have a very fine fret saw blade that should do the trick. Thanks.
 

Very nicely done, in typical B.E. fashion.
 
Kurt 

Looking good! 
 
Kurt

Moving right along. 
 
 
Kurt

V 

The Cheerful has a very nice shape to her, which I think you begin to see very early due to the extra bulkheads compared to other kits. Those stern frames aren’t that far in the future.
 
Kurt

Snapping a bulkhead extension is no problem at all. Just mate it to a brace that bridges the extension and body of the bulkhead. Placed on the side away from the gun port. Everything will be pretty much removed prior to inboard planking. Have two on mine, quite proud of them really. The bulkheads and profiles set on the shelf for 1 1/2 years and the entire thing developed a twist at the bow and stern. Deviateing 1/16” to the right at the bow and to the left at the stern 1/16”. Took some work, but she’s pretty much dead straight again. Snapping a stern frame is different, they remain exposed and have quite a bit of leverage just begging and pleading to be snapped until planked. Mine laid in wait and pounced on my shirt sleeve, they’re very devious.
 
Enjoy,
Kurt

Looking good. I am just a little bit ahead of you. The fairing itself isn’t too bad since the bulkheads are so close together. A suggestion if I may. If I were to do it over again, when It comes to installing the stern frames. Create some sort of jig so everything ends up where it is supposed to be in regards to alignment. I ended up ripping out the first set and replacing them. I still did it depending upon eyesight and a million measurements. I’m still fussing and tweaking things. I also placed sacrificial supports between the frames to be removed at a later point. This helps keeping things were they belong when fitting the gun ports. It also strengthens the area while fairing. Snapping one will break your heart. Been there. I actually discussed this with Chuck and he agrees. Hope this will lessen some anxiety when you reach that point.
 
Regards, 
Kurt

I don’t know what I was doing wrong, but thanks to you my order has been placed. Do you have any special B.E. embellishments in mind for your Cheerful?
 
Kurt

This is sure to be a treat for us, between your modeling talents and Chuck’s great kit. Like sitting down with a great novel. Can’t wait!
 
Kurt

I’m sure you’ll have a really enjoyable time with this build. There do not seem to be any quirks to be worked around in it’s design or concessions due to production constraints. Chuck always uses original source materials for his research so it’s accurate.  A bonus you have the designers brain to pick, so there will never be a what the devil was he thinking moment. I’ve been fortunate to see Chuck’s model and it is beautiful. So I’m sure you will create another masterpiece. Now get to work! !
 
Kurt

It does go together nicely, doesn’t it?
 
Kurt