Nunnehi (Don)

Brian,

This is a really cool project and you’re doing a first rate job with it - most enjoyable!

Don

What a delightful model, and beautifully done!

Don

Rachel,

Thanks, I know how you feel! My parents were avid subscribers of National Geographic and I grew up with Costeau’s adventures so when Billings came out with the Calypso, I just had to build it!

Thanks again,

Don

Miles,

You’re most welcome - I’m looking forward to seeing more of your build!

Don

Fuji,

Thanks again for the kind words, I really appreciate it and am following your build with interest.

The Billings Calypso is a bit of a challenge as it is crude by today's standards, the instructions aren't great, and it requires a bit of artistic license at times. For example, I really couldn't figure out the configuration of the winch/boom rigging forward of the deck house even after spending a bit of time looking at pictures published in National Geographic and available on the web, so what I built is a "best guess". My goal was to build a nice looking static display model of a historic ship that looks good on my fireplace mantel, and that most people would recognize, not 100% accuracy.

I got this model about 20 years ago and am not familiar with today's offering so things may be different, but my hull was molded in such a way that it required a LOT of trimming to get it to the right initial dimensions. This left the really ugly deck joint the you are describing. When I started attaching the deck I decided to cover it up with trim and used a couple of different sizes of Evergreen plastic strip. I probably could have used left over abs scraps (there was a lot!) but it would have been difficult to get it trimmed anywhere near as neat and consistent as the Evergreen strips.

I started by planking the deck, sanding the edge to be flush with the hull and then added a thin strip on the edge of the deck around the entire perimeter on top of the planking. I then added a second strip glued to the hull and overlapping the strip glued to the deck to create a nice clean looking joint. While perhaps not historically accurate, it is pleasing to the eye and hides the joint described in the instructions nicely.

Hope this helps............

Don

Great work, Glenn, beautifully done! Your description of the build process is wonderful and a permanent go-to reference!

Don

Rusty, great build beautifully done! I think I see this in my future!

Don

Very nicely done, Matt - great job!

Don

4 hours ago, scrubbyj427 said:

Looking good Don! I’m jealous of all that room!

JJ

Thanks, JJ, I appreciate it. I’m lucky to have a finished basement that I don’t have to share so I can spread out a bit. Of course my Wife says it just allows me to make a bigger mess! One of my kids did a stint as an apprentice cabinet maker and made a desk that fits me that I’ve really enjoyed.

Don

6 hours ago, BobG said:

My wife has been saying that to me about many of the things I get enamored with for many years. I just got another guitar and she reminded me that I now have 6!

 

Will the Winnie take over the place on the mantel that is currently occupied by the Calypso at your house?

Congratulations on the guitar - been trying to get a new sax for a while but no luck!

The Winnie could replace the Calypso, they’re about the same size, but I’d really like to figure out a way to display both..............

Thanks, Rusty! Your build is my go-to when I run into a wall - I’m really impressed with what you’ve done with it and refer back to it on a regular basis!

Don

Thanks, Bob! And thanks for the likes!

I showed it to my wife the other day and her comment was: “that’s pretty, and where exactly do you intend to put it?”

LOL,

Don

Not sure why, but am having problems adding photos............

I’ve been making steady progress and have finished planking the deck. I was initially a bit confused about the pattern, but with lots of references back to Rusty’s and Bob’s builds, I figured it out and am very much looking forward to moving on to making the gunport doors. As I also build in plastic, I have quite a stash of left over photoetch brass bits and pieces and have picked out several pieces that are the right dimensions to make the hinges. 

Merry Christmas,

Don

Very nice work, Grant - looks great!

Don

My favorites.........

JJ,

Very nicely done - beautiful work!

Don

Bob,

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues and wish you the best. The covid nastiness is scary and, hopefully, we’ll have a resolution soon that will see us getting back to some semblance of normalcy. It’s good to hear you getting back to your guitar. As we’ve talked before, music is a big part of my life too and the groups that my wife and I play with haven’t rehearsed since March - I’ve found some online play alongs but it’s not the same. 

I read a quote somewhere that said that “the wood is patient”,  your Pen  Duick will be there when the time is right. 

Don

JJ, looks great, really nicely done!

Don

Thanks, Chuck! Thanks also for the replacement parts, I really appreciate it! Moving along nicely with Chapter 4. 

Don

Bob,

Thanks! I was a cartographer in a previous life and have had the dividers probably 45 years. You can find several different versions on Amazon but not sure which ones are best. The ones I have are K&E and Felsenthal.

Don

Two of my favorite tools- the equal space divider is perfect for finding an exact center line. 

Don

Thanks for the kind words, Rusty, I appreciate it! I’ve been following your build and am deeply impressed both with its precision and your choice of woods - it’s beautiful! If mine turns out half as nice, I’ll be happy. 

Don

Thanks, Bob. I’m about a month behind you and following your progress closely! You’re moving along nicely and it looks really good!

Don

Am making some progress and have finished Chapter 3. Thanks to Chuck for replacing broken window frames due to ham-handed handling. Will be starting Chapter 4 in the morning and eager to move on.