CaptainSteve

Nice work, JS. The bulwark steps look especially good (as does the rest).

KITCHEN SCOURER The following is from MSW member, Thanasis, where he has used a kitchen scourer to make baggiwrinkles on his ship. This will work in any scale whatsoever. Over to you, Thanasis …. Baggiwrinkes in 5 minutes I think you all know of those green kitchen sponges ... 1. Take an unused one. Usually they are in green colour, but you might find some in the colour you like. 2.  Cut a small piece close to the dimensions you want your baggiwrinkle to be. 3. Gently twist the ends between your fingers and your workbench (or between the palm of one hand and two fingers of the other hand) to trim down the corners, and you are almost ready. 4. If you cannot find the scourers in any other colour than the standard green, then you can use some paint to show the threads on the surface (I used a gray in spray form). Finally, place it on your model, using a needle at the edge of a strand of your standing rigging before you fasten both edges permanently. If you don’t glue it, it will slide up and down the rigging line.

Same from me, Nenad. I really do not know the answer to your question. I can only guess that they couldn't make the triple-sheave in a round post.

Ahh ... modelling BEFORE work. I am pleased to note that you have your priorities correct, Denis.

Awesome !! What a fun build. Please make sure you upload some photos of when you present it to your nephew.

On the plus-side, at least you discovered all four problems at the one time. Rather than fixing one, then discovering the next etc etc. If it helps at all, before I abandoned my Connie, I was actually planning on NOT cutting the two chase-ports. This might help with scaling your stern cap-rail somewhat. From reading Theodore Roosevelt's book "The Naval War of 1812", I learned that these two ports were actually cut by Cpt Hull (well, maybe not him personally, but under his instruction) during the Great Chase. Since you have gone with the 5 window arrangement, I think it would be perfectly logical for you to argue that the chase ports did not exist at the time of your Connie.

Put a couple of rope coils hanging from it, and it will look perfect, Nenad.

Exquisite work, Slog ... as always !! (Also, I note that you are buying the new maxi-sized Tic-Tacs, these days)

Very nice, Nenad ... you'll LOVE it !!

POPPY SEEDS – Trying to represent the bolt-heads on the stem-plates, pintles and gudgeons for my Queen Anne Barge (1:24), I stumbled on a cheap and easy alternative ... Each seed is approximately 0.5mm wide, and much smaller than any nail-heads that I had. I soaked a small pile of the poppy-seeds in a black wood-stain, allowed them to dry … … and then affixed them into pre-drilled holes with CA glue. Give them a light coat with a thin varnish afterwards to hold them in place … Here are a few examples as used on my Barge build … ... the copper keel-plate. ... on the stem-plate. ... on the pintles and gudgeons.

With but merely an few details that doth remain-eth to completeth his Barge, CaptainSteve must apologize-eth. “I be-eth most rueful, Charles,” he didst commence-eth, most regretfully, “but I be a-doin’ it, yet again.” ‘Twouldst seem-eth that Our Hero hath found-eth one further kit-bash that he can inflict-eth upon Chuck’s fine kit. A-first, he didst follow the instructions to make-eth his rudder and tiller arrangement most particularly ... Taper-ething the blade … … drill-ething an tiny hole for the tiller … … a-fore turn-ething an toothpick to become-eth the tiller piece, and then colourating ... Thereupon, he were to be create-ething the lower pin and affix-ething it unto the slot which he didst saw-eth unto the lower tabulation … “But then I be a-noticin’,” CaptainSteve didst try-eth to justify-eth his actionings, “that the Word doth state-eth ‘ ... and the rudder will not move.’” At this point, Our Hero be ask-ething his ownself, “But why-eth ?? Surely, rivers and waterways be-eth not inherently straight !! How wouldst they ever get-eth home again ?!?!” And, so, he didst set-eth about devise-ething an cunning plan; creating, a-first, an pin for the upper pintle … “The lower gudgeon,” CaptainSteve explain-ethed, “were to be easy. But-eth, the upper gudgeon didst prove-eth to be an bear !!” To fitteth it, Our Hero didst needeth to concoct an former, to shape-eth it around the keel-post … “Get-ething it unto its’ final positioning,” he moaned, “didst take-eth me many an try !!” But, in the end, all were to be-eth most goodly, as Our Hero doth explain-eth … “I be most satisfied,” CaptainSteve didst gloat-eth. “For me rudder doth, as these lithographs do-est show, have-eth most full lateral movement, indeed-eth !!” Regrettably, it may be-eth some time a-fore Our Hero can post-eth an further update, for he now must tackle-eth the scrollwork carvings to be adorn-ething his Barge … “Me father,” he didst sigh-eth most sadly, “be return-ething them undone.”

Kevin, You forgot the sign which will read: "NOT actually the real HMS Victory". I think you are going to need that.

Be that the grate Bard's version of TL:DR, Cathead ??

Forty-five billion, 300 gazillion, two 'unerd and seveneth ... forty-five billion, 300 gazillion, two 'unerd and eighteth .... forty-five billion, 300 gazillion, two 'unerd and nineth ... I be a-getting there, Samson.

What-eth !! Huh ??? Are ye most sure, Samson ?!?! Very well ... One-eth ... two-eth ... three-eth ...

Cut-ething the dowels, and shape-ething the beadage to make-eth his flag-poles were to be Our Hero’s next task. “The beads doth be an right PITA to shape-eth,” he grumbled, “for the laserings be-eth most tiny and minute.” In the end, CaptainSteve were to find-eth that he couldst poke-eth an small file unto each, to assist-eth with the sanding and shape-ething process … Some hollowing-out o’ the beads were also to be-eth an requirement, but, with the beading done, he didst finish-eth up the poles by fit-ething the cappage unto them, a-fore applying an black colouration … “I be a-trying,” he stated, trying to justify-eth his decision, “to be a-break-ething up the redness somewhat.” For his next trick, Our Hero didst turn-eth his attentions unto the decorative moulding strippage to be affixed along the outboard edging … “To cut-eth the groovings,” CaptainSteve began-eth, “a-first, I be trial-ething an dental tool that I didst find-eth in the bottom o’ me tool-box …” … but that didst prove-eth to be an most spectacular failure, so, thusly, Our Hero thereupon didst throw-eth his hands up in defeat, a-fore turn-ething his attentions unto the build-logs o’ other Barge-builders. “I didst find-eth,” he blustered, “that Jean-Paul (JpR62) didst, yet again, have-eth the solution to me woes …” … and, so, CaptainSteve were to construct-eth an scraper to scrape-eth out his mouldings, borrowing most heavily from JP’s work (“I thank-eth thee muchly, Jean-Paul !!!”). With that little problem hence resolve-ethed, Our Hero were able to build-eth up an stockage of groove-ethed strips, some of which didst actually pass-eth through Quality Control … “In keep-ething with the Word according to Charles,” he flubbered, “I be first a-fixing the ear pieces (which I didst also groove-eth) foremost, a-fore attach-ething the decorative strips …” Most please-ethed with his work, and with his ownself, Our Hero didst stand-eth back to admire his Barge …. To bring-eth this entry unto an close, CaptainSteve were next to take-eth the card stem-plate piece that be included in his kit, and shape-eth it unto the stem-post … “Do you recall-eth,” he didst beseech-eth, “the jar of poppy seeds that I be purchase-ething for me copper keel-plates ??” Well, most fortuitously, there still be-eth some left over. “Precisely 73 billion, 456 gazillion, five ‘unerd and three,” Our Hero were to maintain-eth. “Verily, I didst count-eth them !!!” Thusly, in what couldst only be an self-serving attempt to be awarded this week’s OCD Award For Unnecessary Detailage, CaptainSteve didst take but a few and stain-eth them with the Black Japan wood colouration … “If ye doth squint-eth most closely,” he postulated, in closing, “ye can see-eth them. Just.”

Another seven-day hath pass-ethed by, and Our Hero didst continue to work-eth on the detailage for his Barge. First-eth up, CaptainSteve didst install-eth the framing for his boxwood panels … “The frames they be-eth most thin and fragile,” he didst commentateth. Our Hero didst thence take-eth up his knife and were to cut-eth out the artwork to be a-lining the inboard planking … To ensure-eth that the designs were to sit-eth most properly unto the panels, Our Hero didst re-inserteth the centres after glue-ething the designing into the panels. “I be a-saving the centres,” he didst explain-eth, “to be help-ething me fit-eth the artwork most properly.” Next, CaptainSteve didst affix-eth the flying transom cap-piece … … and thence, just because-eth he couldst, Our Hero didst decide-eth to add an cap-rail to the Queen’s seat-rest. “I be a-using,” he bleat-ethed, “an spare piece of boxwood that I didst have-eth left-over from me failed USS Constitution build.” Next-eth, the parts to make-eth up the supporting pedesti were colourated an most deep black … … whereupon, after apply-ething an couple of coats, the pieces were fitted together … Since-eth these pieces shalt not be-eth required for some time, they currently be sit-ething most patiently in storage until they be-est needed ... “I be a-using,” CaptainSteve didst explain-eth, most unnecessarily, “me Bomb Vessel fer storage, for the time being. The stands be-eth in there, as well as the ear-pieces, and me rudder, as well-eth.” Move-ething ever onwards, Our Hero were next to tackle-eth the sweeps for his Barge. “Some shape-age be required,” he grumbled, having spent-eth some hours a-sand-ething the four pieces for each of the ten oars. Those wi’ an keen eye may-est be a-wondering just why it be that CaptainSteve were to paint-eth the sweep pieces a’fore shape-ething them. Shouldst anyone know the answer, please feel-eth most free to contact-eth management to inform-eth them o’ Our Hero’s reasoning. “After much sand-age didst occur-eth,” he professed, “I were to affix-eth the handles unto the stock pieces. That be-eth them top-left, wi’ the shafts aside-eth ‘em, and the blades below.” With his oar pieces finally shaped unto Our Hero’s contentment, he didst use-eth his curling iron to form-eth an curvature unto the blade faces, a-fore bring-ething everything together … “Thence,” he went on, as always, “I didst apply-eth colouration.” Yet again !!! Next up, Our Hero were to, again, take-eth up his trusty knife and carefully hack-eth out the dolphin images to be affix-ethed there unto. “If they be dolphins,” CaptainSteve posited, “then the rivers whereupon Queen Anne didst sail-eth be irradiated unto an level far beyond-eth that o’ most medieval waterways !!” Move-ething onwards, Our Hero were next to colour-eth some strips o’ masking-tape with an wood-stain, to make-eth the leather bindings … “Then, I be a-wrapping me oars with the bindings,” he explain-ethed, “a-fore affix-ething the deformed dolphins.” An light lacquering were to bring-eth them unto life most spectacularly … "Verily, I do-est like-eth greatly," he pontificated, "the artwork of Charles. The dark patches a-neath the irradiated dolphins doth give-eth them an most goodly degree of depth and dimensionality."

I heard that someone was playing Bowie over here .. Po.pcorn, anyone ??

They are also useful for removing 14' splinters. Nice work on the boat, Mark.

Well, at the least you haven't given up on her entirely, Jeff. Good to see you back.

Forsooth, and for-eth a change, Our Hero didst accomplish much o’er this past seven-day. Mov-ething on from the benches, CaptainSteve didst plan-eth upon installing the stretchers. “But, first-eth,” he didst begin, “I be a-noticin’ that the flag-stop shouldst be done-eth a-fore it doth be not feasible to do-eth so.” “I were to e’en,” Our Hero boasted, “add-eth some nailage around the edging o’ me flag-stop.” Moving in an upwards direction, CaptainSteve didst employ-eth the depth gauge to check-eth and mark-eth the locality o’ the stretchers. “These be-eth the cross-timbers,” he postulated, “use-ethed by the rowers for resting thine footsies upon-eth whence ambulating the Barge.” A-first, Our Hero were to pin-neth out the timberings that be-eth supporting the stretchers … “I be attempting,” he tried to explain-eth, “to form-eth an curvature unto the timberings by soak-ething them in water, and pin-ething them unto the plans.” But, as with most of the endeavours of Our Hero, this didst prove-eth futile and most unnecessary. “They had some curvature, but were not-eth able to hold the forming.” Thusly, CaptainSteve, didst hack-eth out notchings for his timbers to be seated unto … “I didst colourate the notchings wi’ a dab o’ me Oak staining.” With the longitudinal timbers duly affix-ethed in place, according to the Plans, Our Hero didst next fit-eth the stretchers, a-fore coat-ething them with an low-gloss lacquering … For his next trick, CaptainSteve didst fit-eth the forward platform, a-fore, again, take-ething up his depth gauge and turn-ething his attentions amidships, unto the riser boards … “It be-eth most important,” he blustered, “to make-eth sure that the risers meet-eth level with the forward platform.” “I be a-tryin’ to turn-eth down the redness for ye, K,” Our Hero did try-eth to explain, most apologetically. Indeed, he were to give-eth much thought to re-hueing everything in a nice bright purple (“Or an fluorescent lime green colouration.”), until realizing that the PhotoShop didst not exist-eth circa 1700AD. “Thus, for the present, alas, the Redness must continue. At the least,” CaptainSteve enthused, “Ye can be going back to the soothing black and whiteness o’ your USS Constitution build (surely, ye intend-eth not to paint-eth the stripe in yellow ?!?!). I be dropping by to check-eth on your progress again most soon.” Then, whilst a-waiting for the glue to be-eth goodly and set, Our Hero didst decide-eth to apply an final coat o’ red unto his Thwarts. “They be-eth,” he blathered, “an most prominent feature, overall.” But by-eth the time CaptainSteve hadst cut-teth them back with an fine grit, and applicated the final painting, the glue on his risers had long ago dried … and he had to wait for the thwarts to be also dry, a-fore he couldst be proceed-ething. “I be a-pinning out the thwarts an’ pieces onto me plans,” he said, “to be a-checkin’ the size and the fit o’ the jointings.” To check-eth that his thwarts didst not sit-eth too highly, Our Hero didst employ-eth an spare thwart to ascertain that they be seated most adequately unto the risers … Most surprisingly to those familiar with CaptainSteve’s previous works, the process didst proceed-eth most smoothly henceforth … … until … 'Twouldst seem-eth that CaptainSteve’s patented method o’ ‘Measure-eth Once, Cut-teth Thrice’ didst leave-eth, umm, little room for error. “It be-eth an close call,” he bombasted. “But all shall be most goodly once the inboard dress-plankage be affixed-eth unto its’ positioning.” But, with the thwarts complete-ethed to his satisfaction (mostly), Our Hero didst thence, essentially, use-eth Chuck’s well-written instruction manual as merely an suggestion. “Verily, I be-eth a-following”, he prosthelytized, “the Word according to Charles most meticulously, thus far.” But, henceforth, Our Hero didst pick-eth and choose-eth the sections that he didst wish-eth to do. Next, he didst attend-eth unto the step … … construct-ething it, mostly, in concordance with Chuck’s plans and instructings … With this detail now put behind-eth him, CaptainSteve moved onwards with the inboard plankage … “There be-eth,” CaptainSteve confabulated, “some minor gappage …” But Our Hero were to be a-taking care o’ that wi’ a little sawdust and diluted PVA commixture … … and, in the end, all be-eth most goodly … “I be e’en getting the rebate,” he prattled on, “along-eth the top o’ the plankage …” Good for you, CaptainSteve. Good for you. To round-eth out this posting, Our Hero didst next construct-eth the oar-locks and tholes … “I be,” he declared, “recall-ething an post by me colleague an’ fellow Barge-builder, JpR62, whereby-eth he didst use-eth an spare piece o’ the laserings as an spacer whence fitting his keelson.” “It be an simple and most goodly method o’ a-fixing the 1/32” tholes centrally unto the 3/32” oar-lock pieces.” But ‘twas then that CaptainSteve didst do-eth something stupid. “Hey-eth !!”, he retorted. “It’s not like it be the first time !!” Or the last … For reasons that be knownst only to his ownself, Our Hero were next to affix the oarlock pieces unto to the cap-rail extension pieces … Fortuitously, Our Hero were to realize-eth his mistake most quickly. With an liberal dosage of Isopropyl, he didst separate-eth the pieces again, a-fore affixing the extension pieces correctly unto their rightful positions … “Wi’ that little misstep out of the way,” he said, “I be a-fitting the oar-locks unto the cap-rails …” The last oar-lock on the port-side didst call-eth for an minor modification unto the cap-rail, so CaptainSteve were to take-eth up his knife … … and didst hack-eth out an seating for the final thole … “I be a-giving that last thole an lick o’ paint on the ‘morrow.” That be-eth the totality o' Our Hero's progress this week. So, CaptainSteve has some final words .... “Thank ye one ‘n’ all fer the likes and messagings o’ support,” he didst blubber, in closing. “Verily, they be a-helping me greatly in me endeavours.”

A very fitting home for a very beautiful model. Well done, Tom !!

Verily, this doth be most true, K (may-eth I call you K ??). It be somewhat over-exposed in the lithographs, for, alas, mine be-eth but an cheap Canon one shot daguerreotype. Redness doth feature most heavily in the decor o' this Barge, however, for it doth be an Royale Barge. I must give-eth thee faire warning that more redness is to come-eth, with the addition o' the thwarts.

That be-eth an good question, Samson. Mayhaps you should take-eth that one up with Charles. Forsooth, he doth not include-eth them.

Good thinking, Jo. It might also help to use a spirit level along that wooden strip to check that everything is nice 'n' even as you go ...