BLACK VIKING

A lot of work for this update. All of the topmast shrouds are complete with ratlines strung and backstays set. 
 
Next up up will be work on the topmast caps and then setting the topgallant masts as well as topping out the mizzen with its flagstaff.  

As always, thank you all for the likes, comments and following along. This past week was another big milestone in the build. Not only did I finish the lower mast rigging, the build itself rolled over 3 years and 1,900 hours! This has been a long journey and I know some of you have been with me on it since the beginning. I still have a lot to do, but the end is drawing ever closer. Baring some unforeseen interruption, I'm thinking I might just get her finished in 2020.
 
Well, the weather mostly held, bit windier than I would have liked but sunny and beautiful otherwise, so I was able to get some outside pictures of her. Enjoy! Time for me to get back to making topmast stays.

Next  - was to work on the mizzen tops, I started by attaching the hand rail,  then after cleaning up,   I  made my usual  dead eyes  by attaching  fuse wire around the outside and twisting it to trap the eye,  then I attached the  tail of the  wire to the tops, this was repeated  six times,  then a couple of coats of paint  and a bit of dry brush highlighting.
 
OC.

Stunning build   - you should be very proud.
 
OC.

Thanks for the comments and likes 
As promised some more pics taken in better light now the clouds have broken up and we have sunshine 
Martyn

A bit more  work  on the pearl  I have now finished the rats on the lower mizzen,   next stage is  to work on the main  upper yard  attaching the blocks walkway ropes  etc.
 
OC.

Congratulations!
 
Beautiful workmanship!
 
Frank

Cheers OC for the comments and the likes 
I have now finished the Vasa . I can say I have really enjoyed building this model . A few miner admissions but nothing that can't be fixed . 
Thanks for following 
Martyn

Started the painting detail. Now to do the other side.

Thanks Lou.  I'm sorting things out.  I have an eye appointment for new glass eyeballs next week so I've slowed things down a bit and anyway, I have to wait on the guns.
 
Indeed... in hindsight, it was different world maybe even a different universe.  
 
Sam, we had those warning lights come fairly often.  As I recall, Sikorsky replaced all the detectors and problem solved.
 
Actually the did.  Under the right conditions we actually had clouds inside them.
 
Ah... the E-model and beyond.  They have 3 engines instead of 2 adding the extra blade provided more lift. They are a different critter.   There's currently a new model of the 53 in development but haven't seen the specs on it.   That will run something $23 Million per bird.  It is supposed to be somewhat bigger but I don't know the details.
 
Yes, the gunships are really impressive.  My era was Puff and Spooky but the C-130 based is amazing.   There's a video out there where one is doing the "Angle of Death" by firing all it's flares at once.    Here's an image of it: 

 
No comment on the disbursing lad.  We were paid in cash in the 60's and he was armed with a .45 and had 2 guards with him with M-14's and .45s.  

Thanks Eddie, glad my build has helped. That's the great thing about this forum we can always learn from each other's build. 
Rgd Martyn

Thanks for the comments guys. Sorry about that rubbish pictures but it's as gloomy as hell here at the moment.
will try and take some more when the weather becomes brighter.
Thanks again for following 
Martyn

Your workmanship and detailed work has given me a lot of incentive to achieve better for my model 
thanks for posting your work as I will use it as a guide.
eddie

Stunning work.
 
OC.

Congratulations!  Well done!

Cheers OC for the comments and the likes 
I have now finished the Vasa . I can say I have really enjoyed building this model . A few miner admissions but nothing that can't be fixed . 
Thanks for following 
Martyn

Cheers OC for the comments and the likes 
I have now finished the Vasa . I can say I have really enjoyed building this model . A few miner admissions but nothing that can't be fixed . 
Thanks for following 
Martyn

Wow! This was a long, long time ago in a place far, far away. Thanx for everyones service...Moab

Well I have made a little progress (emphasis on little) in the last few days.
 
The rings for the gun rigging attachment points are finally in. Once again using Rob Durant's Excellent pictures of the HMS Victory (there is a link to them in my battle station build) as a reference for the placement and orientation of the rings.
 
First I made a template out of a piece of scrap planking by placing one end on the deck behind one of the gun ports. Then I traced the top and bottom of the gun port on to the template. Then I drilled two holes approximating the location shown in the pictures.

Then it was a simple matter of clamping the template alongside of the gun port and lining up the marks.

Then rolling the hull onto its side I drilled just enough to leave a dimple before removing the template and drilling all the way through.

This is the 30 or so rings I will need for this deck going into a second, 60 second soak in Brass Black.

And ready to install.

I placed one drop of Medium CA onto a bottle cap that I use and dipped the end of the eyelet in before installing them. I literally used less than one drop of Medium CA to install all of these.

Then I tried my hand at making some really small hooks for the gun rigging. The larger ones on the right were the smallest I could make using my round nose pliers and the smallest beading wire I could find.

These were to big so I made a jig by placing four tiny brads in a piece of wood and wrapping the wire around them.

I think if I refine my technique a little I will be able make something usable.

Now I am off to the park with the Admiral and our Grand Daughter.
 
Best Regards

Sorry for not posting for a while but life gets in the way.
Any way on with the build . Lots of painting and fitting of the decorations on the side galleries and Stern and boy some of them are small . The stem was painted and the PE fitted . I have started rigging the guns with one pulled back so I can show how the Outhaul tackle was used to pull the gun inboard. Next job finishing the guns then on with more painting.
Thanks for following 
Martyn

Thanks for all the likes and comments guys 
A bit more done on the Vasa .
The hull has been stained with one coat of natural oak and two coats of mid oak and the nails picked out with black stain. I have replaced the ladders with wooden ones as I didn't like the PE ones you get with the kit . Painting of lots of carvings has now started in earnest, oh my poor old eyes lol.
cheers for looking in 
Martyn 

Very nice!  Wonderful job.
 
Mark