fnick

I didn't realise how much I hated doing the coppering, until I looked at the date of my last post. Wow is it really 4 years?!! 
 
Well I thought it was about time Pegasus had her bottom completed! I have a bit more time now, but still not as much as I would like.
 
The first pic is where I left off 4 years ago, and now she is done. I still don't like coppering and I think it will be the first and last time I will do it, but I don't think it has turned out too bad.

Update - all lower shrouds done As I continue with the topmast shroud ratlines,I am wondering if the topgallant shrouds should have ratlines.  The plans show ratlines on the topgallant shrouds,but almost every ship I`ve seen do not have ratlines on the topgallant shrouds.  Any opinions are welcome!
 

 

 
Mark

Hi folks.
 
Just a quick update on the progress of Genesis’ RIB tender. Almost finished, apart from some finessing and sanding.
 
I hope you enjoy the following photos.
 
Thanks
 
Patrick

Hi - a little update. Mizzen lower ratlines done.  Fore & main lower ratlines half done(seems to take forever).  I am using just regular sewing thread for them,a bit fiddly to work with,though.     Hard to get them to "hang"just right.  The thread is a little fuzzy,but not noticeable at normal viewing distance.  I am coating them with diluted white glue,which lays down a lot of the fuzz.  I didn`t want them too white,so a medium brown thread was used.
 

 

 

 
Mark 

Can't compare to other products but it is easy and quick to use. Gets my vote!
 
Nick

Can't compare to other products but it is easy and quick to use. Gets my vote!
 
Nick

LOL, Silly me, didn't notice the change in thread title!
 
Have new camera background stuff arriving today, for pics of construction stages...

Happy 2019 everyone!
 
I’ve made some progress over the holidays and last few weeks.  In getting ready for the second planking, I built the stern post and rudder using walnut from Crown Timberyard.  Since I’m not planning on painting the lower hull, I was a bit uncomfortable using the kit wood which had different woods for the rudder and stem versus the keel, leading to a pretty big color difference.  Kit manufacturers really should as a matter of course stock a kit with consistent woods or at least colors/shades.
 
I added brass rod to the stern post to help position it when running the second planking so that it ends up nice and flush.  I built the rudder using in three sections, though the wood is dark and despite marking the edges with pencil, the edges may not show up when the wood is oiled.  I’ll finalize the rudder once the stern post is installed, including adding the bottom sole (the kit rudder is in the right):

I spent some time working on the various hatches for both the gun and main decks.  I originally thought the kit didn’t provide enough grating material so went to buy more but the cost on the Euromodel site was awfully high.  So I went with some gratings from RB Models.  You can see them in the piece on the upper left side of the picture below - really nice quality, but unfortunately the grating openings for the ones I bought ended up being slightly too oversized I thought.

After building the three sets of gratings for the gun deck using the RB Model gratings, I realized that I miscounted the the amount needed relative to what the kit provides.  Stupid me, I double counted the gratings on the gun deck under the opening in the waist, which are also shown in the main deck plans.  Turns out the kit barely gives you enough to complete all the visible gratings, so I went with the kit gratings which are more in scale.  The one piece using the RB Models material is completely hidden so the disparity won’t be noticed.  So, crisis averted but it would be nice if the kit provided more material to be able to construct all gratings (visible and hidden) in the kit, and at least to have some extra in case of mistakes, poor material, etc.
 
In the RB Models piece, you can see the gratings look darker than the kit gratings. I used the brown Age-It from Micromark and really like how it darkened the gratings, which typically seem too light for me.  So, l’ll likely use this to darken the other gratings as well.

I’m still mulling over the ultimate color scheme.  I’m leaning towards keeping the colors simple in browns and black, but have thought about adding reds and/or blues (blue seems to have been used in Swedish ships) for more color.  I’m already using reds and blues on my Pegasus, so I might just stick with browns and black.  Since I’m painting with wood, that would enable me to use the kit cannons and not have to scratch them in redheart, etc.
 
Thanks for looking in!

Hi,
 
Thank you for all of the very kind comments, they are very much appreciated help me realise that perhaps I am not as mad as a hatter for doing this. 
 
Been a while, but I have been working away and trying to sort everything out that I need.
 
I have just had the laser cut files and photo etch arrive for me to start building the prototype for the cutter Alert (64th scale) - I have attached a pic of the very first dry fitting of parts (about 5 minutes after receiving the parcel..)
 
I originally turned the 6 pounder cannon and half pound swivel gun on the lath, for the masters. Then, I started researching further 3-d printing and better 3-d software packages. The cannon barrels are now 3-d printed (complete with motif). All other fittings which are usually 'off the shelf' types are also drawn in 3-d and then 3-d printed for the masters. I love this method, as it gives me complete control so that every fitting to each model can be bespoke, and match exactly what was on the real thing, rather than an approximation. Also, the octagonal drum winch was initially designed using many parts from both laser cut wood and photo etch, but was worried it would be a little too fiddly for some beginners, so I re-drawn the assembly as one piece and had it 3-d printed. I have drawn all hull, mast and rigging plans for Alert, including sail plans for those who with to rig her with sails.
 
I am not yet skilled enough to draw figureheads and other decoration in 3-d CAD, so have to sub-contract that work out. I did sell my beloved car (last weekend, in fact), so I now have some money to invest in the development and release of the first few kits (I hope). I can say that the next model will be a lot more ambitious than Alert, being roughly the same size as something like Vanguard.
 
As soon as kits are ready, they will be released.
 
Cheers,
 
Chris

Small update Jan 16 2019
 
Working on the Spars.
 
Here they are, painted in black and displayed over their respective place on the drawing.
Detailing will follow. Hope its seen in the photos.

 
Here I add the loop wires where the stirrups will run through.

 
A very light touch of aluminum color applied with dry brush, to make look those part "metallic"

 
And some "rust"

 
 
 
Finally a light dry brush with a lighter color to make them look more "woody"
 

 
Not sure if these effects are captured by the camera, but anyway, the thing with "weathering" is that it should be very subtle.
 
 
I am very happy because finally I sat down at my computer and organized all of my build's photos. I have 853 photos which were scattered through 2 computers. Now they are properly organized.
 
Bye, best regards and thanks for coming!!!
 
 
 
 

Thank you dear friends, I appreciate your feedback a lot. I am pleased you enjoy the pics and shots from process.
 
To Bob Cleek: Well, I have some offers of cooperation from model producers, so it is possible that my sculptures and various accessories will be also available for modellers. Meanwhile, there are two main problems - all my sculptures and ornaments are adapted on the specific model and a scale I make. And it is also time-consuming a lot and nobody in our country is able to pay adequately for such hand work. For example I spent 15 hours creating this pedestal. 
 
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The surface was covered with velvet at the points of contact with the model to prevent abrasion and achieve better stabilize. The model is already stable enough on this single rear pedestal so it was safe to throw out the auxiliary supports from the center.
 

 
Best regards

Dear friends,
I am very grateful for your comments and support and do appreciate it a lot. 
 
Your praise means a lot for me, dear Albert, thank you very much.
You are welcome.
And BTW, will you also take part in that Swimsuit Edition on MSW?😎
 
You are right, this kind of modeling clay does not change when baked at all. This is one of its advantages I like.
 
I am very honored and pleased you find inspiration in my work. I am also looking forward to your gorgeous work and great craftsmanship.
 
 
In fact it was quite difficult to achieve a good symmetry. Some parts I had to make again or correct.
 
Thank you dear Michael, and also the best to you and your family.  
That was a small tourist boat on which we sailed to watch dolphins and sunset on vacation.
Here are some pics:
https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=110763&start=570#p2136552
 
Thank you Rob, I am pleased you like my work.
Well, I do not have experience with "Sculptamold" so cannot compare. The clay I use is made in our country. It is called "modelit"or "modurit".
 
https://www.top-obaly.cz/produkt/modelovaci-hmota?gclid=Cj0KCQiAg_HhBRDNARIsAGHLV517ab3Wioqn5FWVfMxuxvfWpfaSwCPDVPIN0tXJS25g0FQBGNBfCZYaAl6_EALw_wcB#product-modelit-500-gramu
 
The clay does not change during hardening at all. Only its white colour gets tan  - depending on temperature and length of baking.
All my sculptures are created individually, I prefer unique results. In addition, the front and rear pedestals are different in the shape. The front one is lower.
 
*********************************************
 
I have already finished rear pedestal and here are some pics from process and final result. So enjoy them.
 
Making back side, reinforcement added:

 
Before hardening:

 
 
After baking in the oven (temperature 120-130°C, baked about 40 minutes):

The pedestal (still warm) during final shaping according to the hull planking:

 
 
The final result after gilding - I used TS-21 Gold Tamiya spray.
 

The rear or main mast section

TITANIC IS FINALLY FINISHED!
 
I have posted completion pictures in the Gallery of completed kit ships, but I couldn't resist this one that shows the "place of honor" for this model in my office.  Ensures that I will look at it multiple times each day.  😁
 
A few final construction notes.  Some of these you'll see better in the Gallery pictures:
The kit instructions use a plain wood dowel painted brown for the masts.  Couldn't stand that idea so I found a walnut dowel of the same size and used that. I bought a finished walnut base.  The kit includes a MDF base, but I've never figured out how to make one of those look like wood, and I didn't want a black base under this one. You'll see a yellow stripe down the side between the white and black parts of the structure.  This is in the box picture, but not in the instructions.  I did it by using the planking strips, which were perfectly sized, and pre-painting them. Even conserving the supplied rigging thread, I ran out after rigging the Marconi antenna and didn't have enough for the leads down to the ship, so I used some spare from another kit. I wanted to get this done this week as we are headed off for 5-6 weeks for a long Asia trip.  When back and time adjusted, I'm going to do the Dumas Chris Craft Commuter next.  Should be a different challenge to get the finish right.
 
Thanks to all who have followed this build -- for your encouragement and help.
 
Regards,
David

Hello dear friends, 
thank you very much for your care and wishes, it is already better. I even managed to modify gunports on the stern yesterday to be at the right position and I made them closed. My hands still pain, but soon I may be able to do fine work as well.
 

 
 
Best regards

Finished the lifeboats on the starboard side.  I'm pushing to finish the boat, because I go away at the end of this week for 5 weeks and want to have it done before I go.
 
Regards,
David

Happy New Year, folks!
 
Thanks for all of your Likes and comments on Genesis’ progress.
 
A quick update.  I’ve been working on Genesis’ bridge over the past few days.  So far, I’ve managed to make the four chairs for the skipper and other crew members that man the bridge.  Off to one side there’s another chair and chart table for the Navigator.  Immediately opposite on the other side, there’s a small L-Shaped settee and a table.  
 
Still lots of work to go.
 
Have fun!
 
Cyeers
 
Patrick

Hi everyone - a little more progress.  All the shrouds are now done.  The hooks on the futtock shrouds were leftovers from a previous build.  Now on to the ratlines.
 

 

 

 
Mark

Before going into mass production on the lifeboat davits, I wanted to make sure I understood how it all comes together, so I did two davits and one lifeboat and mounted them.  Result below.
 
The stern lifeboats (like this one) hang partly out from the deck.  The bow lifeboats mount flush to the edge of the deck.
 
Regards,
David

You are welcome, Mark. It is not a problem to make tiny details and ornaments from this clay although in my opinion the photo etched parts will look better and more professional.
 
Some current pics from the great cabin - furniture is almost finished:

 
 
Now I will make accessories and new panel with weapons.

I've installed the stanchions on the upper decks -- a couple of pics here.
 
A sequence issue:  I had to install two small lifeboats now (see pics), because the funnel stays would be in the way if I did those first,  But then I have to do the stays next, because the davits for the rest of the lifeboats would make deck attachment really difficult.  Then I'll install the lifeboats.
 
Speaking of the lifeboats -- I think way back in this log someone commented that they thought the use of plastic boats was inappropriate for a kit of this quality -- but as I have painted them I've found that they look nicer than some metal boats I've painted, and hold very fine detail as you can see.
 
Regards,
David

Thank you Nils, Amalio, Richmond and Rob, your praise and comments mean a lot for me. 

Thank you all for likes and support as well.
 
I have just finished the panel with swords and other weapons from that period and also tried to make other hand guns according to real replicas.
Here is the result, enjoy it:
 

 

You are welcome, Richmond.
 
Hello Mark,
I am pleased reading your words, thank you very much. I enjoy making realistic models of various things - sailing ships and sport cars are my favourite objects.
 
 
That is so nice, I am glad I can bring people pleasure and joy. Thank you for your kind words, Richard, they are much appreciated.
 
************
 
I've finished the chairs (also made an improvement with their design) and other accessories for the great cabin, they are still without paint  - I am going to paint them after finishing all pieces of furniture.
 

 
Best regards

Thanks for the likes and the comments.
 
I love the smell of sawdust in the morning because it smells like something getting done.... Not quite the famous line, but it works for me.   Just realized I needed to order more Yellow Cedar from Chuck.  My stash of other species is a bit light in the small thickness so it's either mill what I have from somewhat bulk pieces or order.  I think I'm just going to need the cedar for now as I have the stock to finish the hull including the two weather decks.
 
Pat, I do love the laser.  I really wish I had more to cut on the at this point.  But it looks like odds and ends from hear on out.   Next ship it'll get a workout.
 
 No need to look at their website, Roger.  I'm well stocked with their books.  Yes, very distinctive features.  I have the plans for the Belle Poules boats and using them as a baseline.  Since this one is the low boat on the stack at midships, I'm having to sort through what I will be leaving off besides the thwarts and what I have to include like the 4 cannon posts, the rear roller, and the stern seat.  Some of these fittings will have to wait until the next boat is built to ensure proper fit of the "rack" inside to stack the next one up. With all 3 being stacked midships, the uppermost (the cutter) will get the full interior treatment.  
 
So, I'm trying stay a few steps ahead on things.     
 
 
I just realized I've messed up the terminology.  The largest is the "longboat", next size down is the "barge" and then the "cutter".   All similar too but not quite the same as other countries boats.  Even the best laid plans of mice and men run afoul of Mr. Murphy.   
 
Damn,  I forgot how much fun and work this is.  The fun and satisfaction make up for the work.
 
 
 

Bow detail finished.
 
It's New Year's Eve here, but Happy New Year to all and especially to our Australia/New Zealand friends who are already into 2019.
 
Regards,
David