ASAT

Ron, meticulous craftsmanship as always, it’s been so long since we have seen Oneida, could you take a full shot of her and post it just to refresh the memory please? Really amazing build!!

Hi E.J., I have this kit laying around collecting dust, I like your use of dummy cannon blocks vs frames - how far back did you inset the blocks on each deck (how far will the barrels protrude from the planking?) and are you leveling them to the decks or the Hull shape? Will you use a square tube for the framing or try to fill in the individual pieces? Nice work so far....

Jason - wow, haven’t checked in at MSW for awhile but your build, and the pics on these last two pages just reflect so much passion and artistry, you are one outstandingly gifted craftsman - it’s builds like these that keep us all pursuing that next level. Thank you for your amazing efforts! You gotta rig it man, we can all benefit from your attention to detail and pursuit of authenticity. And it would just add that level of realism that sets some so far apart. Lou

Mike, I noticed no filler blocks on V3, is that due to the larger scale or do you feel that was a contributing factor in V2’s twist? Very nice work btw, I admire your tenacity! I’m looking forward to more updates. I’ve been waiting for this project to become “mere mortal’s obtanium” for some time, even putting off starting a Diana or Confederacy build in lieu of the reality of this Winnie.... I am glad it’s grown to 1/4 scale - I remember voting for that several years ago! 😎 Lou

Hey! A POF model of Prince!! Nobody wants to plank that bluff bow below the wales anyway! 😁

Hi Chris, welcome back to MSW and I assume you are back home in the UK as well? I am sure that your new venture will be a success for all us modelers and I for one feel like you have a unique gift for what subjects will attract the attention of a large portion of the wooden ship model community. It must be refreshing to be able to finally have not only the creative control but the production and distribution control as well. (I hope I am not assuming too much!). How do you feel about developing a POF kit that can produce consistent, repeatable results? It seems to me with the advances in technology there could be a laser cut jig system that would allow most modelers a high level of success? Something that might give modelers a legitimate source for a POF kit of high quality without having to support the unscrupulous vendors in China? Perhaps even produce it there to keep it affordable? Is there even a way to produce a kit there and still protect your investment? I feel like they are producing some cutting edge stuff (some of which look like your designs!!??) that makes the current market look like they are still in the dark ages with their ages old kits and techniques and are definately competing in the marketplace. The only other innovative options are the recent crop of your designs, which may or may not ever see the real market. Well till you get going that is.... Anyway, it’s great to see you throwing your hat into the ring and I can’t wait to support your endeavors!! Best wishes for much success!! Lou

Mike, I think you are familiar with Chris L Bren's Confederacy? I seem to remember a post where he stopped dyeing his pear wood black with fiebing shoe dye in favor of the tamiya flat black paint with a top coat of watco's danish oil - said it was much less trouble? Seems like it would be easier to apply and control results as well? Just for your consideration as I think the contrast of his color scheme utilizing pear with various treatments looks so awesome..... Lou

Rod, nice build going here, it's amazing how plain some things look until you add all the PE details and then they really add so much visual intrigue.... I really like the diversity in your subject matter(s) as well. Definitely a refreshing change from the status quo..... Well done! Lou

Do Doing well, made up some deck furniture and added pin rails - Still need to add a few bits, there is a difference between the LSS and MS plans.... need to update my log! Lou

Very well done Bob, looks like it could be an AOTS subject, your wood choices really work well together. Just a really well executed effort..... Lou

Beautiful build Mike, I am looking for something different to do, never considered this one until now, just a very nice build.... Lou

Dave, this little guy is looking great! I did the same thing with the AL Harvey, just like you mentioned in the first post, it's nice to know that with some nice wood and a Byrnes saw and thickness sander you can turn just about anything into a great model! I had a lot of fun "re building" the deck stuff and upgrading the authenticity and while I am not a real stickler, it was a believable effort of the type. Just like this little schooner is turning out to be.... Amazing combination of wood color, I really like using red heart and holly together, such a great contrast but you are taking it to another level! I admire your tenacity with the yellow heart, I used some of that for a Syren model and I didn't like its brittleness and resistance to bending, tried my patience and lots of re do's, sure does look great as the yellow stripe that is prevalent on so many color schemes though, and once done it sands well and looks great! Couple of questions on your technique, what kind of rosewood are your Wales done in and how do you keep the pencil dust from "dirtying" up the planking when you sand it? I use a graphite pencil on one side of the planks but I have a hard time keeping the planking crisp and clean like yours. Scraping seems to work better but I can't seem to get as level results scraping. Sorry for the long windedness, but she is really looking great.... I will go back and read the entire thread, hope I didn't ask something you already explained..... Lou

It's looking great Glenn, very precise paintwork and nice, crisp lines..... Amazing how expansive the deck looks without the masting and rigging.... Sure you aren't up for six months more work on her? Lou

Nah, I bet if you sent chuck the AOTS scan he could do the conversion as it is a matter of straight / angled lines, or maybe he could alter the Confed lights, but I wouldn't want to speak for him. Also do you have a blueprint company in your location? I know I have a place that can take a PDF scan and convert it to a dxf file, might check your area for a printing place that does construction or industrial / machining type printing? Lou

Have you asked Chuck (SyrenShipModel) if he can do the laser Windows? Or is it still prohibitive? I know he made some (or had them made) for his early Confederacy projects.... Lou

Bold moves Jason, at first I though the differences were pretty subtle, but the more I look at it the more glaring the shortcomings of the kit become. Especially the window alignment and overall shape. As usual you are executing the changes well and I am certain that you would not have been satisfied if you had left them stock, have you determined if these changes will affect the side galleries? At any rate, awesome work ...... Lou

Holly, Aspen for a less whiteish look but will mar due to softness, Anigre - kinda like boxwood but slightly more grain, Castello boxwood if I am planking the hull with Pear, just a great looking combo! Lou

I think some kits do, I think I remember some bluff bow kits back in the day with blocks, and there are still some (Victory models and Caldercraft I think) that provide a shaping bulkhead (a ply piece) that the planks terminate in to. I would say it's a question of cost and necessity, lots of different ways to skin that cat so the manufacturers leave it up to the builder, kind of like adding a rabbit or bearding line Lou

Bob, awesome clean work, how about a more recent "full shot" before you start rigging her, just to see how all those upgrades work together? Bet she's looking good! Lou

Thanks every one for looking in, and for the likes! Lou

You must have a gifted 16 year old, if mine knew there was math involved in modeling I would never get them to take an interest in it! Lou

Dang Bill just blow the stinkin plans up and take the measurements off them to the nearest 1/64 make some sawdust dude - even do overs are better than doing the math Just kiddin.... Looking forward to your BUILD!! Lou

Brian, I know.... It was like a epihiny when I saw his model, just sets it "that much" above and beyond the stock kit.... Hope I can execute it like I envision it..... Lou

Made the quarterdeck railings today, the supplied stanchions were only 5/16" and with the amount that they are recessed into the railings there was only about a 3/16" height difference between the top rail and the upper rail so I made some some 5/8" stanchions and that raised the railing to 3/8" which looks closer to the MS plans and at least gives some realistic fall protection to a sailor on the quarterdeck.... I also did not like the end grain of the walnut stanchions poking through the railing so I "capped" the upper rail with some bubinga stripwood that I had in my stash, also the top railings in this kit just "end" and the other renditions I have seen have a angled piece going forward and ends in some scrollwork - I did the angle but I am hoping that one of you can point me to the best way to make that scrolled end piece - don't have permission from anyone to post their pic of it but maybe look at rafine's ms FA and you will see what I mean... Anyway here is some pics.....

Were they easier or better ? I edited my post above with the same question, price vs performance?