popeye the sailor

thank you Robert and Kevin......this model made me think quite a bit concerning the extra detail. I have always said that even Billing's beginner kits, has enough challenge, for experienced modelers {not that I hold that distinction} to me...any model kit that offers so many possibilities, is a good kit indeed. I still haven't taken any pictures yet, but I will. I appreciate everyone who followed along, I'm glad you enjoyed watching the project. thanks for all the likes as well

as I mentioned earlier...congratz my friend! you put so much into this model.....amazes me how you can pull out each level, each displaying a world of it's own such a super looking model....may your next endeavor be equally as detailed as this one

thanks Bob for the kind word yes, this will definitely put the finish on this project....I haven't had the chance to post pictures on her yet. I want to put the Thermopylae back on the table, but I've been having thoughts on one of the other projects. flipp'in a coin

I do Carl........I'll take a look at his log as well. I did look at Dave's log......he hit on some of the conclusions I have been thinking of. the curve of the decks is one of the problems. I added one more curved steps to the top, and even though I can get it to align to the second level, I see it's not even to the first level. it will probably need a straight step at the bottom, and it may need to be trimmed. one set is still intact.......while separating the other set, it didn't come apart too good, so I will need to make another whole set of stairs. I didn't get anything done yesterday.......ended up working on the car, getting it ready for state inspection. thanks for reminding me about Adrieke's build....I'll look at his as well

I bookmarked it thanks for the link. this site wasn't up for too long before I came here..........been here since 2009

looks like a very interesting kit Jim..........a four master! is this kit still around? look'in forward in tagg'in along

I hear ya Sam..........working on it as we speak! so I see Chris........I will have to look at Don's log...haven't done that yet. I'm going to try a different approach.......these darn instructions don't show very much. I should be used to it.......being a Billing Boats builder. I will have an update .....did a little yesterday. wrong in the assumption that I didn't go too far.....I did... now it's damage control time and it may include some scratch building anyway. so be it!

thanks gents......I really appreciate the feedback. I've seen a few of these types of ship models.......trawlers and such, that use a net to portray a sense of realism, and this is kind of a first for me. like I did on the Nordkap, I have it stowed along the starboard side of the ship, and not in any working capacity. I though that with a winch like this, I might want to try and do something to show how it worked. after all the testing on the other nets, I kept looking back at that old ratty hairnet.......it had the look I was after. I didn't forsake the holes either, knowing that after repeated use, it would have gotten damaged, needing repair. thank you Tom thank you Pat......it's alright, I've never worked on one either the hard part doing something like this, is at what point is the model to portray. Just as I've seen folks agonize on what period they want their model to portray, it's just as critical here with fishing vessels.........all aspects stowed, heading out to their fishing spot, or during the process, in the heat of action. as John Allen stated, the net is made of mono filament and impervious to water.....it won't lay limp on the deck. thanks John Allen....yea, what I chose here to portray, is the run is over, the net's in, and the fish are in the trays. they are about to move to another spot, plenty of time to reset the net, to be run our again when they get there. the net is bunched, but I didn't want it to pile too high and look out of scale. you summed it up quite well...I appreciate that thanks Sam, Piet and Lawrence! cutting the fish out from that square they were molded {printed} on was a good thing to do. it isolates the individual fish and allows the tray bottom to show around them.......not some plastic that I would have had to paint around. they are seen as they are....body, depth, and mass.....it's kinda like a 3d effect, rather than looking like they are on a card of sorts. I had these 'plates' on another Billing's model I did......I think it was the Mary Ann.....I threw them out. I wish I had thought of this back then. how they were painted......I'm not a weathering genius.......I sometimes wish I had 1/10th of the experience that I've seen some folks display....I guess I'm doomed to be old school. it is nice though, to go on the internet and look stuff like this up I got 'em close, and I'm happy with that I looked it over a couple of times since yesterday, seeing if I could adjust the netting to show the fish trays a bit better. it's not really possible......it's a 'detail layering' and as we all know, too much and it's overkill. I left it as it was there a re no more parts to be added........the model is finished I'll get the model out of this poor lighting and take some final pictures, for here and the gallery. thanks to all of you for look'in in and your kind coments!

they came out well......yepper....tough carving to be sure the stern is looking better and better! the two end ones look especially nice.......jee, if you did all four like that, it would have looked just as good {just an observation}. it's not a crazy though either.......there are many models I've done in the past, that I wouldn't mind doing again. I'm hoping to start one in the near future.

August of 2017..........not a lot of time since you did it. bathroom calking.......yup, that's silicone

did you use a silicone calking for the water {not having looked back in the log}? it's age.........over time, it will turn color and attract major dust. it is also separating from the board along the edges too I've even seen some types gather mold. where I work on trailers, I've seen some really hideous repair work done on the outside walls.....peeling and separated as well. I clean them up, reseal them, smooth out the sealant I used {which is not silicone}, and then paint over it. silicone has oils in it that dust can stick to over time. sorry to see your having this problem....hope you can get it resolved without too much upheaval. I m gonna look back in the log to see what you used, perhaps something can be done.

I think he means...are you going to clear coat the stand. never though to use shoe polish for stain.........pine done in Angus beef........very original your minimalist approach is quite maximal.........you must be on the verge of calling it finished. for that, I say congratz on a super interesting project. you very well could put this one in the book of world's records, for the most stuff jammed into a small scale model. she displays nicely too....very well done!

always amazed with the modeling you do.... your sculpting is so perfect!

great looking ship........very well done!

good to see her out of the cage! the planking party will be starting soon very nice looking frame......well done!

railings look so good Frank.....seemed to go rather quick for you very nice progress........sweet looking boat!

I remember my days with two boys.......enjoy while it lasts

the gun deck looks very good Mark.......so good to see you've been able to devote quite a bit of time to her that means Janet is doing better....glad to hear it! you and Janet deserve to enjoy some good days I forget which one......but one of my projects has some 2 mm blocks,,,,never done them that small {should be a hoot}! sounds like you have other things to make.........take a break from them for the moment. you rigged the breech ropes on all the gun deck cannons so far...consider it phase 1

if that is to be a permanent bulkhead, a bead of cement will seal it up and fill the gap. it's not a lot so good to see you making progress with this project!

hull and rudder coming along great Kees......real nice!

interesting how the yards alternate like that....must have a lot to do with how they are handled to capture the wind. very nice progress since I last looked in......really long yards! such a superb job on the rigging....impressive! note on past post! jog should have been spelt jig Nils........I have trouble with the keys sometimes {chubby fingers}

thanks Pat......the color is close........just couldn't get the speckles in there I did the next to the last step.......putting them in place in the trays. I got the effect I was looking for I put the scissors to the hair net........trimming here......trimming there...... I still need to make it a little smaller, but this is fairly close to the shape of the net. as I'm cutting it, the net is sticking to me.........rough hands getting caught in the frays. after cutting it down a bit more.........it was laid in place. I can't really glue it, so if this doesn't look right, I can change it. be honest now.....and let me know what you think.......

looking good Dave yea.......that's one of the problems with modifying....the project takes longer. it all depends how much is done and whether everything goes well. I'd really like to put both the Connie and the United States on the table........but there I go....off on a commitment that might take the rest of my life to do don't give up on the spar deck idea though........that's gonna look awesome!

looks great!.......very well done!

I believe they have a cover for the hatch when the capstan is in use anyway. good thinking