popeye the sailor

that's the best part of the hobby. experiment to see what will work for you.

if you have the later production instructions......you can see what the stern rabbits look like. I still think you'd fair better scratch making these parts. gemmaJF has a good point. you'll develop the knowledge, but it does take time. these kits make you think.......how to be creative. as you encounter obstacles, you'll find that there are other ways to solve them. interested to see how your idea works

oh....no! we can't have that! still more to go Carl........thanks for the good word

she looks awesome sitting right side up well done Mark! glad to hear Janet's getting better

I imagine your using the original planking? seeing how far you've gone down the hull, it will be hard to fit in the planking. the logs may give you an idea, but the best thing would be to soak the planking in hot water for a short period of time, and then bend them around a drinking glass or a bottle, whatever will give you the curvature you'll need. did you cut the planking flush with the last bulkhead? if you did, then you can create some rabbits, to the shape of the bulkhead. this will give you a sill to pin the plank to as it dries {glue}. there are rabbits for the stern stem {or there should be...you'll see then in the log}. the planking terminates at the stern stem, cemented to the rabbits. it won't be pretty.......filler and sanding will be your friends, to arrive at the contour you need. when I got the Nordkap, I went off looking for the fitting for it {did you get the fittings with yours?} it's a long story, but I got to know the fellow who owned Billing USA. a couple of years ago, he sold it to Ages of sail in California. a very sad day indeed! that's how I got the Cux........he sent it to me to build for him. I personally like the kits......I use the instructions merely as a reference. they assemble fairly well and the fit of the parts isn't to bad. laser cutting was a big step for them.......made their kits a lot better to work with. I like fishing vessels, but I also want to get into the sailing vessels as well {I have a couple in my que}.

thanks for the kind comments and looking in. when John mentioned this earlier, I was working on the front side of the initial plans, and couldn't review the rigging diagram. now that I can look at them.......I see what he means. can't believe that they would show it like this....eeeowzza! I'll try and put in as much as I can into this build, Dr. Per. hopefully, you'll be able to use the log to some degree Hi there Sam! just hitting the like button is good enough.......glad to see your look'in in I agree about the model Rob......it will need some rework. scratch building isn't new to me, so I'll be right at home....it's the scale that will test me. that's why I added the extra bit of filler planking to the stern.......I'll be sanding that down level later. I'm sure there will be plenty of Q&A.......feel free to jump in anytime the admiral looked for the book today.........one hefty price tag! I don't have a library card, but she does.......she's going to find it, and with any luck, I'll get a look at this book

welcome back Andy! looking super

hello doug........sorry I'm late. man!........do you have an old kit or what?!?!?! don't feel bad........my very first build was a 40 year old Nordkap. it had been in an attic for 30 of them. I remember cutting out every part.......what I goofed up on, I made scratch. I've built the Cux 87 as well....although it was a later production........there's really not much difference, other than the fact that it was laser cut. here is the build log for it and the Nordkap as well: http://www.blogger.com/profile/17452257054561544627 I didn't use the R/C parts....I did it as a static model. your planking looks pretty good so far. how are you going to plank the stern? the logs will show how I did mine.......it looked like crap too. but, with a bit of work, it will come out fine {you may need to soak some planking and bend to shape}. I've built a few Billing's kits...I've actually become accustomed to the instructions {if that's possible}. they are vague......even for an advanced beginner's kit. I've also built the Mary Ann, which is a copy of the same hull.......there are a couple more kits like this too. I've even replicated a couple of hulls from the parts panels and built them as I saw fit.......the M&M fun Ship is in the scratch build gallery. an elongated version of this hull is my trawler Syborn......I have a log on her in the scratch build forum. this is a super model to build.....I will enjoy following along

I will do that John. thank you very much http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=211834&search=thermopylae&images=&c=1&s= here is the link Dr. Per that John is referring to. I just took another look at it......the controls are really cool now.......if I can only get that first picture as my desktop display, on my computer...........

thanks for the kind comments every one...........and thanks to all who hit the like button. ohhhhhhh noooooo..........she's still far from being finished no laments just yet. I haven't even made the decals yet.......gotta get some fresh ink for the printer. it will be a very happy day though when I get 'er done. for those who would like to see more on fishing boats.......I have two others in the que. the Boulogne Etaples........and the mystery rigger {not sure what she'll turn out to be} not to worry John......we still have the Thermopylae I did good..........I did Pat

this kit does not show the bumkins..........shows the studding sail booms. do most clipper ships have these bumkins? I believe they do.........right I am? thanks for the proper names for those parts........trestle trees

the rigging is wrong Dr. Per. better to get this sorted out now

you mentioned this before. yea....the rigging diagram is on the wall. I tried to take a picture of it to post here, but I think the lighting is bad. the fore mast braces {pulley assemblies} are rigged to the bow spirit........the main mast braces {pulley assemblies} are rigged to the main stays, just aft of the fore mast. the mizzen braces are rigged pretty much in the same fashion as the main mast braces.....rigged just aft of the main mast, on the mizzen stays. I still have the rigging diagram for the Revell Cutty Sark.........they are opposite fore mast braces {pulley assembly} are rigged to the fore bumkins and terminated to pinrail. the main mast braces {pulley assembly} are rigged to the aft bumkins and terminated at pin rail. mizzen braces {rigged single block} are rigged to blocks tied to the back of the main mast and terminated at a fife rail at the base of the main mast. I wonder if I can feel safe to use these rigging diagrams. that's what I always liked about Revell........they break up the different groups of lines and are very easy to understand. I can post pictures of the rigging diagrams, if you like me to. thanks again John...let me know what you think

thanks for the head's up John. the fore castle deck is not cemented in place just yet. I still need to plank the main deck and close off the poop deck....to think of it, I still haven't seen where and when to do that even. I have the rigging sheet nearby......that's where I found the parts that have no name, are used for. the two parts under the top......what are they called? top brace........brackets? there may even be holes of sheaves for the tack lines. I still need to do the hawse holes for the anchors too. thanks for the good word! there's no rush spyglass........no rush at all. I was merely curious. when I hear that a kit hits the circular file {trash can......fireplace......bin of no return}, I imagine the whole thing going bye bye. folks who have 'hoard ah-la pack rat'.....well, it sounds like you got it too I guess I can't rightly say that it's from by gone kits........I haven't filed any kits, and I have quite an inventory {I buy a lot of stuff}. if you do though, let me know what you find this could get interesting folks thanks for the likes

so good to see her again the hull planking will take care of some of the small gaps, won't it? the transom and windows.....that's another story. I wish you well in catching up to the hull and continuing

thanks for the likes..........and thanks for the kind comment Pat. gee.....if that were the case, all the muffled shouting from within my closet, would have the door vibrating! Horton heard who?!?!?! well then........I think I should answer her calls for affection, eh? yesterday was her lucky day! the outcome of this session had one small problem......but I doesn't pose too much of a bother, and won't impact the model. it's time to make the net rigs....I need two of them. that means that I need to make four end brackets. the cross bars were cut down by 10 mm, in relation to the nets. I have the four end caps, that will be the basis for the brackets. holes were drilled and brass rod was fitted and bent. while these were drying, the rope coils were added to the haul line terminations along with their installation, the spreader bars were added to the shrouds. this can be considered my first attempt in making the brackets......it might have been better to do these in plastic......... metal I think would have issues with heat sink, making them tougher to make. if these don't work out.....there are other options. anyway.......rub boards were added to the assembly. they offer protection from the rig, should it make contact with the hull sides {I think that's the purpose for them}. they will be trimmed to length, when they are complete. I mentioned the tool that I used to make the rigs for the Cux 87 build. how many folks remember it? to have the rig lying on the table during the assembly, is not fun. when the chain is added to the rig, it can be hung up, making it a lot easier to rig the rest of the chain lengths. you'll get a better view later on. at this point, I thought it better to assemble the brackets on the bars........should the holes I need to drill get too deep, the hole will be filled with the bar {dowel}, and drill into it as well. splitting might not be an issue either {fingers crossed}. each end will need about three eye bolts. the first of them will double as a brace. these will connect the outer lip of the net.......another pair will connect the inner lip of the net, and the third pair will be used to connect the chain. it's also reached the point where the fish box and the conveyors can be cemented in place. due to the position of the companionway, the starboard gallows were set back a bit further.......this also affected the position of the shrouds. the port side was not affected by this at all. this had consequences for the starboard dump ramp....too far forward, and the ramp will hit the shrouds. I forgot about that. I can still have the port side in the down position. it's not too big a deal. I just don't want to risk damaging anything........and I want to complete the build......and I still feel good about what I've done with the model. I had another thought.....I had it earlier as well. I need some light brackets......so some were roughed out. I found another light that I didn't fill the lense with window maker....I did that too. the latest aspects added to the build, are these beads.....later to be painted and used as flotation buoys on the nets. this build is like the energizer bunny.........it just keeps going .......and going...........and going.................

look'in good E.J.

he....he....hee! I just posted in that thread! .......I dunno......I couldn't help it!

thanks for the kind comments and the likes. I got good news .......the life boats are in transit to me as we speak! I paid a whopping $6.26 for four of them {shipping included}. fingers crossed that they are the correct scale.....or very close to it. next will be the railings and stuff thanks Bob.......believe me....I wished the same. I was looking on E-bay and old model kits .com for a larger scale Cutty kit that I could bash, but in the back of my mind, I knew the admiral wouldn't go for it I also got an eye opener........I saw what looked like a Billing's Cux 87.....and the Mary Ann.....put out there by a manufacturer from China! I'd scratch build one, before I'd buy those pieces of crap! but......yea, I would have liked a larger kit, but the admiral got it for me, so I will build it............or face the 'woman's scorn' thanks spyglass.......I'm not used to this scale either..........and no......these fingers 'o mine are gett'in chubby as I get older. that's why I practice the bass.......I could never master the guitar but you are correct.......these metal parts are quite tiny. most gents use a coin to show scale........I might do well with a grain of rice! do you still have the kit? just covering my bases, in case I lose a piece or two another gentleman on the site built one....after seeing all I've seen so far with this kit, I'm amazed that his came out as well as it did. he did a very nice job. I hope you follow along...the more the merrier thanks John and Dr. Per no problems with pictures on my end either.......I'm even getting extras popping in every once in a while I'll try and stay on the yellow brick road John, but as long as your seeing some of them and able to stop me from making a mistake, then I'm good with that thinking back.........you know John........we've known each other since day 1 of my joining. .........and man!.........was I a greenie, or what?!?!? I'd about bump into a wall.......and you'd be there to steer me away and on the right track. I'd be lonely if you weren't look'in in I've admired your work Dr. Per........I'm quite confident, that should you see something amiss........please, feel free to point it out or suggest. I don't mind if anyone says that they don't think they can scratch build.........buy this kit. you will get all the 'scratch build 101' you will ever need. as mentioned, the box, besides the square and round stock, is almost empty of parts. I did find out what those six parts were for.....they are for the masts tops. every- thing else has to be scratch made. I mentioned that I did find a larger scale Cutty kit in my search........old model kits .com has wooden kits too......as well as model train and balsa flying models for sale. some of them are quite old....i've never heard of some of the companies. it would be very easy to modify a Cutty into the Thermopylae..........the hull and {most of the rigging} is done to the traditional clipper ship.......the deck layout is what sets the different ships apart. I will save this for something in the future not wanting to get too long winded with this update............yes, there's more the six posts that were left have been cut out. if the deck was planked, it would look loads better. I even did the ones on the fore deck. after I though to do it........it sounded good to me. cutting them from the poop deck, creates more room for the galley. it does make me wonder why they made the cutout for the galley........it doesn't fit into it, nor are there any provisions for it. the skylight is not hollow, so there is no way to look in {at the moment anyway}. I need to look into the ship's wheel box too.....as mentioned, everything else is scratch built. the box is no exception. I haven't done much more than cut out the posts and make more observations. I'll probably make some of the deck furnishings and dry fits, to see when I'll be able to plank the deck. the structures will be lined with the light mahogany, to simulate the teak, and planked with a lighter shade of deck planking.......should be a nice contrast. more on her soon

then the extra Wow was for resourcefulness I never throw stuff away either......you never know when it might be useful. look'in good Bob

every little bit Patrick..........look'in sweeter!

I bought the basic kit at Hobby Lobby........it comes with a can of bonder. I sent away for the standard edition. you can also look in on the Testor's site to find it as well.

your in my thoughts jesse.....hope you get better soon

how in the heck did that happen..........the second photo of the stand!!?!?!?!?! the world may never know I have a feeling that this kit is going to be one giant experiment.......you know.......like a trip through Alice in wonderland....so many questions. I kinda hoped it would be like the Wizard of OZ, where all I had to do, was follow the yellow brick road hey......I'm laughing........it won't be the first time, I've walked away fro a set of instructions. it took a while to remove all the structure parts from the metal etch.......then to insure that they lay flat. then I made a second fore structure from 1/32 flat stock. 1/16 square strip was put in the four corners to strengthen it. the roof was made larger than the first one.......I will try and salvage the other one later, depending on........... the outer plates were added to both structures........each with their own less than desirable results. the wood structure is obvious........the roof is too small. the plates ate up the outcropping I gave it. now if I had done this with some mahogany {similar to Nenad's superb work}, it might not have been so drastic or thick. I even gave it some though.....perhaps with the use of a paper punch I wasn't thrilled with the corners........but in this case, it's an easy fix with some 1/32 square stock. the windows can be drilled out, and window maker can be used to fill in the glass......or some sort of cello. it's too bad that this is a small model.......I could have used some of those eyelets that I have. not all of the parts are added to it at this time. the one clad in the metal plates is a little jazzier...........again the windows can be drilled out and given the same treatment. I made the roof larger than the first one, so I didn't loose the outcroppings. I even tried to make up for the botched corners, but I didn't do well enough....it still occurred. they were touched up with gold paint to hide the wood.....I'm thinking that I might be able to make up some brass angles....or perhaps some round stock, to fill them in. I tried again to get some pictures of the finished hull. there are few spots that need some love, but I'm not done sanding and prepping the hull for paint yet. the rails need to be added as well. as for the aft deck bulwarks.........the other side filler plank was added. it will be sanded down to an even height all around the stern. I saw the way they want me to make the cap rail around the stern bulwarks........no thanks, I think I can come up with a better way...one that doesn't involve piecing together ten or so pieces of flat stock. dummy me again...........forgetting to draw a center line down the deck! bad enough that I forgot to do the plank stagger lines. harder to do with the deck platform in place. the fore deck in place {dry fit}. the bulwarks were hard to protect.........I had to repair them here and there, throughout the planking process. even though I had left some of them, they were still prone to cracking. the bulkheads were beveled inward slightly......even if I had left them all, it likely wouldn't have stopped it from happening. I can remove the rest of them now, and sand them flush to the deck. I may even remove the ones on the fore deck. looking in the box, there are only a few wood parts left. just about everything on the deck needs to be scratch built from strip stock contained in the kit. I do have six parts though, that I have no idea what they are for. I have not seen them in the instructions so far........and I have flipped over the sheet on the wall. I will have to review the first side, to make sure I've done everything on that side of the sheet..........what there is of it, is pretty much textbook to me

the timeline that I left on the Syborn log is true...........I spent my days planking the hull. some of the pictures didn't come out as well as I would have liked........but it's OK, I guess. all the less of my shoddy planking, that you'll need to endure. the port side looks scary, but it sanded out reasonably well. I opted to concentrate most of the tapering within the belly of the beast. this benefited the bow more than the stern, which still needed a stealer or two. this side finished off reasonably well.......and then it was on to the starboard side. while I was planking the starboard side, I added the filler plank I wanted to do to fill in the aft bulwarks. once set up.....there were periodical checks to insure that there were no gaps {like the one shown here}........I kept pressing the piece back down, since there wasn't much to clamp to. I will need to add a little filler here later on to smooth it out, before painting. at this time though, I'll fill the gaps with cement, in the hopes that it will make the bond stronger. I did the same here, with regards to the tapering, only changing it up a little, to use up the short pieces of planking that were beginning to multiply. to break up the manotany, I made the stand. I will need it soon the end came.........the last plank. this side didn't work out as well as the other side.......the garboard plank was done in three sections. the line was still a bit uneven at this point. sanding will hide it best.......good that it's down under, and not in a visible area. I did some sanding as well.........the thicker planking worked well for this........I was able to sand out most of the non-conformaties. the next couple of pictures didn't come out as well, so I deleted them. I'll show the hull results later.......there are some repairs to do, but the sanding isn't done either. I did it at my desk...........sand a bit........tap the keel on my garbage can to release the dust........and then blow and wipe. I spent time looking for life boats........I've pulled the trigger on four that Amati offers....I hope they are right. I signed on with Eduwards........they have the railings that I will need. yes......I am going to do a bit of bashing..........and from the looks of what I've done since the hull, there will be a lot of it. the fore structure was assembled.........not too keen on the process. I found the parts out of sync with each other.......sides too big and roof too small. I wasn't going to have any of that.....so, I made a roof for the structure, with outcroppings all around. the photo etch stuck in my mind.........this isn't like ordinary photo etch. the plate is thick at the parts, but thin all around them. they are not cleanly cut either.......I used a razor blade to score around them, so I could remove them from the plate. the edges needed to be filed, to remove the jagged feel. the galley structure was even worse........the parts didn't even follow the roof outline, which {it too} was too small for the structure. I wondered about the other gentleman who built this model........I wondered if he made allowances for these problems, or if he settled for how it went together, thinking that the instructions must be right. it's enough to make a person want to go rogue