BassicBill

Popeye, thank you so much for your kind words! I do appreciate them, as I've appreciated your help along the way. I very much want to do the billings St.Roche, however, that will have to wait. What I've done is to get a great deal on a full scale kayak kit (I'm a little nuts about kayaking). Although it's partly finished already, there is more than enough work to be done on it that the remainder of the summer has consequently been fully booked! Probably all next winter as well, for that matter. In the end I'll have myself two wooden kayaks, both of which will be head-turners in the meantime, onward and upwards!!

I know it ain't pretty, but I'm calling this model finished. I'm well aware of most of the flaws and ugly bits but in the end, given my current capabilities, I'm satisfied. I'm especially impressed that I've actually stuck with it as long as I have, considering the many hurdles I've had to work through. With respect to maintaining this ' build log', I'm disappointed in that I believe I should have contributed more posts on my progress. Completion occurred yesterday but already I feel quite lost, having "nothing to do!" If my budget allowed, I would be ordering a new kit now, but such is not currently advisable. Therefore I'll continue just "being retired" a new whine about how we retirees never get a day off! Same thing, every day, "be retired ", over and over.

I caused another coat of white paint to be sprayed on the upper deck, after installing a few details including in part, the stanchions and guard 'rails' on each side (As is the case with a great many vessels, the 'rails' fitted on our destroyers, were in truth, vinyl covered cable which we were forbidden to lean on, lest they be stretched or fail, (thereby creating an inconvenient and awkward). 'man overboard' situation For my guardrails', I used a length of small dia. Piano wire (actually guitar string). On the after ends of these wires, I added a wee 'seed bead' to give them a 'finished' look. I guess the winch reels now need a coat of light grey paint before I go much further. Instructions now direct me to begin construction of the Wheelhouse, which I hope to tackle on the morrow. While I mess with that task, I intend to also begin painting the lower hull with red oxide paint. Happily, the separation between that and the "green "ships side" paint is quite simple, possibly being accomplished without the stress of fooling with masking tape, etc.

My small herd of winches, finished today. Somehow I got it in my head that I needed 5of these things, why is not important. 4of them have .75mm solder wrapped around the spools while the other is wrapped in grey thread to simulate cable. Not pretty but they oughta do the job.

My Cage and "Deck Box" , awaiting glueing and paint. I'll need to level out the Winch Deck (sadly glued in with quite a slant to it). Also need to add pulleys to the davit before I tackle all of the winches.Kind words indeed, Popeye! With significant relief, I Have more or less decided that I'm satisfied that the hull is pretty much finished. Armed with this little bit of arrogance, I have now launched into adding "fittings" to the upper deck, beginning with the larger Davit which hangs off the foredeck extension (is this the 'winch deck?) just now I'm trying to sort out the spacing of stanchions on the foredeck. Not a big deal; I've got enough drawings of the vessel to use as a guide. I "do" fear for the longevity of the Davit, however, given my knowledge of my clumsiness and frequent lack of attention where 'handling is concerned. For that reason, I've also foregone ( for now) the addition of the rudder and screw - As I know very well that both would be broken off in short order should I be so foolish to install them prematurely. I also blew a coat of green paint on the hull last night, for the purposes of perspective. Having done so,I see now that I'll be forced to "brush" on the finishing coats, due in no small part to my refusal to spend the remainder of my retirement in messing about with adequate "masking." In other 'news, after browsing through a LOT of model ship kits online, I find myself strongly drawn to the Billings version of the RCMP St.Roch; a historic vessel indeed (where we Canucks are concerned. Imagine, if you will -The RCMP -A gaggle of Mounties transiting the Northwest Passage with NO horses whatsoever, on which to mount themselves! (No doubt the space saved through not needing additional space for the transport of forage was a great relief! This boat holds special meaning for me, because when she first went on display in Vancouver, B.C. In the very late 50's, at the age of 10, my dad took me down to see her. Her story is quite remarkablet! TheSt.Roch display was declared a National Heritage (site) in 1962. Evidently, that wee visit made a lasting impression on me, and (I have to admit) quite probably helped to fuel my obsession with history! (Who says Canadian history is boring???

Kind words indeed, Popeye! With significant relief, I Have more or less decided that I'm satisfied that the hull is pretty much finished. Armed with this little bit of arrogance, I have now launched into adding "fittings" to the upper deck, beginning with the larger Davit which hangs off the foredeck extension (is this the 'winch deck?) just now I'm trying to sort out the spacing of stanchions on the foredeck. Not a big deal; I've got enough drawings of the vessel to use as a guide. I "do" fear for the longevity of the Davit, however, given my knowledge of my clumsiness and frequent lack of attention where 'handling is concerned. For that reason, I've also foregone ( for now) the addition of the rudder and screw - As I know very well that both would be broken off in short order should I be so foolish to install them prematurely. I also blew a coat of green paint on the hull last night, for the purposes of perspective. Having done so,I see now that I'll be forced to "brush" on the finishing coats, due in no small part to my refusal to spend the remainder of my retirement in messing about with adequate "masking." In other 'news, after browsing through a LOT of model ship kits online, I find myself strongly drawn to the Billings version of the RCMP St.Roch; a historic vessel indeed (where we Canucks are concerned. Imagine, if you will -The RCMP -A gaggle of Mounties transiting the Northwest Passage with NO horses whatsoever, on which to mount themselves! (No doubt the space saved through not needing additional space for the transport of forage was a great relief! This boat holds special meaning for me, because when she first went on display in Vancouver, B.C. In the very late 50's, at the age of 10, my dad took me down to see her. Her story is quite remarkablet! TheSt.Roch display was declared a National Heritage (site) in 1962. Evidently, that wee visit made a lasting impression on me, and (I have to admit) quite probably helped to fuel my obsession with history! (Who says Canadian history is boring???

Hey, the ice machine cratered (according to Hollywood). Your comments are a Long way from criticism!! Really, really helpful stuff and each suggestion is very much appreciated! Most recent shot of my hull, showing the blunt end. I've spent the past two weeks in tweaking the rub rails et al. Tain't pretty and tain't righ' lots of cleanup to do, but still &all, this is what I have; most, the result of a bevy of life challenges (not the least of which includes a serious falling out withAdmiralty (life happens!!). Aside from the necessary cleanup and despite the extra lumber inserted, I'm getting closer and closer to a point where I am personally satisfied.

Thanks again, Popeye! I've seen your build log a iMessage or three, but I am about to go and ingest it once again! Calm seas and quiet watches below

Hey, the ice machine cratered!! (according to Hollywood). Your comments are a Long way from criticism!! Really, really helpful stuff and each suggestion is very much appreciated! Thank you for these photos! Valuable stuff indeed! You must be (deservedly proud of your beautiful work! I want only for my model to look "nice." I have never been one to accomplish much beyond 'acceptable, in those things I pursue (with the possible exception of a few of my artistic pieces. On topic; I'm spending pretty much the entire long weekend in getting these 'fenders remade and installed. Using styrene scrap and pretty much ALL of my limited patience:D

Hey! Thanks for those observations , Popeye! Easily remedied and important corrections to make. I have the rub rails on, but this morning Admiralty pointed out a couple of unacceptable 'features'in their placement that require a few more corrections. Overall, I am greateful for this interest and ensuing intervention. I've also closed the passageway at the stern which I had mistakenly cut (a result of misreading the instructions).

A second coat of flat white, after sanding off the first; finishing off the transom, installing the bulwarks, and foredeck rails. Next up is bending and attaching the rubbing strikes.

But Thank You!!

Yo, Popeye! Another question please! Not surprisingly I discovered that I am missing a couple more parts that I'll need to fabricate myself. #27, the two strips that form the Prow after running up the foredeck then meet at an angle, creating the 'point' of the bow. My question is, how tall are those pieces at their highest? From the photos, I have, I'd guesstimate somewhere between 3/8 and 1/2 inch. They then taper down to about 1/32"high at the after end of the foredeck, right? Thanks in advance for your help!! NEVERMIND!! Immediately after punching the 'submit 'button, walked into my studio/shop, peeked in a kit box for no particular reason and what should appear but the sheet of parts that I've been lamenting the loss of. Bulwarks and foredeck rails plus a few other goodies! This after just today gluing my homemade bulwarks! They aren't nearly as pretty as the proper pieces, so, it's all good!

After careful consideration I've decided that there won't be any new planes in my future. The deciding factor being that, if one glances at my hull Really quickly, it looks quite marvellous! Hey, it's My fantasy, leave me to it, please!" I do thank you all for your advice and guidance!