augie

She's a true beauty, Mobbsie.  Can't wait to see her under glass.

Nice idea on the natural finish redheart!

Nice work, Sal.  Glad you pinned them.

How about filling in the oversized holes with something like JB Weld and then drilling a proper one?  You might then want to paint each stanchion.

Skylight is first rate!

Lantern adds a nice touch........may need to get one (two) from Chuck.

Welcome back, Sjors and Anja.  I'm smiling again!!!!

Nice work ---- getting a little crowded back there, isn't it.  Love the compass.

Guns and bowsprit are bringing her to life!

Aye, mate .... carriages and trucks.

Welcome home, John.  She sure is filling out.  Can't think of anything on the scratch....except maybe that is now the 'wall side'.  My models generally have two of those.

Brian saved me a lot of typing !!

Good to have you back, Andy.  Nice start!

Blacken them a little more than you think you need as the final product.  Then let them sit a few days before you install them so you know exactly what the finished color will be.  Keep in mind that you can always paint them after you blacken them if you're not happy.  The etching caused by the blackening agent acts as a pretty good primer and gives the paint something to 'bite' into.

I've blackened mine up to now, Vic.  Not a dark black but just enough to look 'used'.

Deservedly so, mate !!!!!

He'll always be with us so long as he's remembered,  Our deepest condolences to you and yours.

The Morope is interesting to work with, Kier.  It has a great appearance to it, particularly in the beige color.  The one problem is that it will 'unwind' quickly if you cut it without treating the area to be cut first with a small droplet of thin CA.  These days, I would probably consider using the line supplied by Chuck's Syren Model Company (advertised here on MSW) in place of the Morope.

I did NOT use Morope for the actual ratlines.  That was ordinary cotton sewing thread.  Once the shrouds are in position, it's fairly straightforward to tie the clove hitches as you attach the ratlines.  The ratlines are not as tight as they appear and therefore do not cause the shrouds to pull together.  It does take a little practice to get it just right.  Also, after each ratline is run across the shrouds, the smallest amount of diluted PVA (about a 50% dilution) is applied to each knot and allowed to dry before starting the next ratline.

CHRIS -  There are many here on MSW who can assist on Syren.  I'll be pleased to offer up any help I can as you proceed on your voyage.

First  rate work on the caps.  Those carraiges look super as well  ----- are you leaving them natural finish ??

OK, mates.  You've all been so nice that I feel I need to explain my recent absence.  I've been hit with a series of physical problems (some old, some new) that have kept me completely out of the shipyard for the last 6 weeks.  Nothing life-threatening but they have combined to make it impossible to concentrate or do anything constructive.  Can't say for sure how much longer we'll be hove to.  Thanks to MSW, I'm able to 'keep my hand in' by following all of your wonderful builds.

So stay the course.  I'll be BACK !

Way to go, mate.  Those tools will become a part of your hand in time.

Tight quarters, Cap'n!

Like the others, the blue is becoming nice!  I like the idea of walnut or just natural color for the carraiges.

She looks good, John.  And congrats on your starting the sail work.  

Make that 4 thumbs up, mate,