samueljr

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Jax - where I'm at Hell DID freeze over and then some................ Rusty, the sails are actually paper. It's a type of sketch pad that is readily available at any office supply store. The process is a hybred of a method I've used in the past and a technique David Antsrchal showed me at a club meeting. That sounds like a wonderful project to do - build a model with your Grandson. I did what I could with the kit - let's be honest - Chuck's kits need all the help they can get!!!! LOL!!!!! (just kidding - he's going to kill me for that) The anchor is on it's way from Expo. Once I've got it modified I'll post completed pics and specs. Thanks guys!!! Sam

Druxey Thanks and never too late for good wishes! Same to you! Sam

Wes, You're off to a great start! Take a look at the following, they may be of help or inspiration or just a waste of time.......... The Sailing Navy 1775 - 1854 by Paul Silverstone. There are two images of ESSEX later in her career. One a painting by E. Tufnell from the US Naval Historical Society that shows her rounding Cape Horn c.1812 The other is a drawing by her Captain, William Bainbridge that shows her with quarter davits. It's also in the Naval Center. You might want to contact them for a better look at the images. I have seen a very nicely executed model of her (I think by someone from the CONSTITUITION Modeller's Guild) with quarter davits. Also, although not a great publication, Osprey Publishing has a small volume titled American Light and Medium Frigates 1794 -1836. It has a color drawing /image representing ESSEX in her later life when she more closely resembled CONSTITUTION's black/white/green color scheme. Cant hurt to look........ Keep in touch and good luck Sam

Max The PHANTOM looks great! Glad to see you're back at it (even if for a short periord of time). Take a semester off from school and work on the PHANTOM - I skip work all the time!............LOL! Sam

Mark, Here's the link and info: The Nautical Mind Bookstore Marine Booksellers & Chart Agents www.nauticalmind.com/‎ The Nautical Mind stocks more than 3000 current book titles, boating videos, marine charts, and nautical software. 249 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2N5, Canada (800) 463-9951 Sam

For those of you who are still a bit worried about ordering directly from Ancre you might want to try the Nautical Mind Bookstore in Toronto, Canada. They carry most of not all of the Ancre books. Their pricing is very competative and their service is great. You can actually speak with someone on the phone too. Sam

I almost forgot the flag

Well getting closer to completion......... Shrouds, anchor and touch-up left Sam

Bob, really nice work on the whole project Sam

"Wind Textiles"? - How painfully poetic...................LOL! Happy New Year Jax!

I've decided on a blue ensign that will be flown from the flag halyards not at the stern. Updated pics.......... Needs touch up and the jib sail is next. I am waiting on a new anchor from Model Expo as I will be modifying it to have five arms not four. Sam

I've decided on a blue ensign that will be flown from the flag halyards not at the stern. Updated pics.......... Needs touch up and the jib sail is next. I am waiting on a new anchor from Model expo as i will be modifying it to have five arms not four. Sam

I know that I've got a build log going but I think that will possibly help anyone building the LONGBOAT I'm considering showing my LONGBOAT(LB) with an ensign staff at the Stern. The time period is c.1750 (or there about) and there are several questions to answer. None of my research has answered all and with one answer it often conflicts another so here goes......... Q: What color? White is the easy answer but I'd like to show a blue (if possible) Q: What configuration (ie, version) regardless of color Q: Size for the craft? I can't find any source (I'm certain it exists) that specifies the size for a LB of 26ft. Q: What side of the Stern to mount? I'll be displaying the LB to Starboard so that would be "money shot" but is it correct? Q: What size staff? Thanks!

One of these days I may actually learn how to spell - WORKING! geez!...........LOL!

Thank you Charles. It continues to be a delighful little project............... I am enjoying wiorking with your blocks and line. Samuel

Jay, Happy Holidays to you! Thanks for the compliments. I'm working as I type on the Fore Sail and then the Jib. Chuck designed a great little kit. It's been a long time since I've built anything for myself and this is just reminding me how much I enjoy building. Talk soon, hope all is well in Denver. The Broncos aren't making the Super Bowl by the way........... Sam

Some extremely quick update pics I'll post better and with description(s) next week Happy New Year everyone! Sam

More changes!!! After talking with Chuck, I decided to attempt to include a detail shown on an 18th century long boat that is pictures in the amazing book 17th and 18th Century Ship Models from the Kreigstein Collection. In it a long boat is shown with a roller to starboard of the stem. This would have been used when working anchors. A temporary one of the stern would have been on a davit that was removable (see Lavery). This feature would include me relocating the boawsprit assembly to the port side of the stem. I decided to keep the inboard brace for the bowsprit running to the floor as opposed to the one pictured that rests on the thwart. Sam KRIEGSTEIN LONG BOAT.pdf

Ed, Just a different take on the stiffening/straightening strip - Flip your carcass over and take a rigid strip at least as long as your keel. Temporarily tack the strip at the bow of your keel. Continue aft along this strip straightening and tacking the warped keel as you move towards the stern. This will keep it straight and not impede any planking. Once you've got the strip on you can also add some blocking between bulk heads to take some of the stress off the assembly. Sam

Bob, Really nice touch on the windows. I lost count of how many of those little buggers I broke durring my build........... Sam

Hi Every One Thought I'd update you on the correction process After talking with Eric at Expo a while back it was decided that not only would I address any individual bulk head issues (which have been identified) that I would also widen the slots on all the bulk heads. This will / should account for the heavier stock which is now being used. I'll also be drawing a second former that will present the drop down decks already cut-out. I'll also be reducing the tab sizes for easier release. Subsequently I find myself re-drawing ALL the bulkheads and the new stuff. This has to be incorrorated into the plans (not a lot of room left on the sheets) and the manual. Also some other initial parts that are dependant related to the bulk head assembly. Suffice it to say this is beyond the simple re-work and is taking a bit longer. On a positive note I have almost completed going through the laser cut parts and have not found any issues of note against those parts that were used on the proto-type/ I'll have to finish matching drawings and manual but hopefully (God willing) the issues were contained to the bulk head assemblies and some minor misprints on the plans. The manual will follow along. A "friendly" reminder - remember that dislike of design or process, parts, plans or componants is not an erorr - just a personal opinion and this isn't an open design. I expect some test parts back from Expo in a couple of weeks. I'll update at that time. To those who have been assisting me off forum - we'll talk very soon. Sam

Terry, Sorry I didn't finish my post exactly.......... I've not finished going through the entire kit yet so if you get past the intial bulkhead issues you may be Ok - I dont know yet. Although there are a few builders moving further along on ESSEX. Their opinions of what is right or wrong are subjective and soley their's as not everyone likes how any one kit is designed/presented. Becuase they dont like something dosen't necessarily make it incorrect. I've been contacted by a couple of builders that have noted what they believed was an issue and it turns out they either measured or marked wrong, misinterpreted the directions (or didn't read them at all) or just didn't like something and didn't want to hear any different............ The kit will be corrected - only you can decide what you want to do. Feel free to PM me at any time or contact me out here. Sam

Terry Sorry for the delay in repsonding ( I have to go to a paying job once in a while) my answer to your question(s) are stop right where you're at or go forward and I'm certain you'll work through it as others have. Sam

Progress (I think?) The ensign staff on the bowsprit is per Lavery. The darn cap is off center a bit. Sorry about that I'll have to reset it for the hundreth time! It's so samll!!

try wood bleach. it's a powder mix available at most any home improvement big box (Home Depot / Lowes)