olliechristo

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These ships were rarely alongside a wharf, Ollie, but when they were it was a case of using anything solid to secure a mooring line.
 
John

Thinking what I could do for a cover up? Like a cleat over the hole for example... .. Or maybe just leave the holes.. Thanks as always everyone on board... :-)

An extra cleat always works, Ollie!
 
John

The completed backstays look first class, Ollie!  Your call on the swivels, Ollie, but remember that she wasn't commissioned until 1817.
 
John

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That looks proper good Ollie.. would imagine you are well chuffed !
 
Stay Well
 
Eamonn

Ollie ... The old paintings are surprisingly accurate except for minor rigging details.  Swivels were usually movable all along the rail so...move em'  And you can leave the mounting holes there with out filling them..."realistic use" type of thing....you could probably add some holes in other reasonable places for that purpose.  She's looking good there Ollie, keep it up!
 
Tom

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some more rigging done

Ok some pictures..  I have finished backstays now the missing part arrived a few days ago and had it prepared....
 
And of course.......   I did a clean up and the part turned up, i knew that was on the cards!!!!
 
Any way, top sail halliard fitted also, preparing parts for bowsprit guys... 
 
 

Thanks guys..
 
John, I hadn't deviated from the kit much back at the rail stage.. I suppose they are not shown anywhere. I wonder how much detail is left off because it's a painting.. Sketch doesn't show these kinds of details either.. Which does make me wonder how the kit designer came up with it.. So the holes are drilled and don't really want to patch them.. pic shows acceptable angle I think without intruding on culverins.. Hmm decisions.. More posts on their way...

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some more rigging done

Ok some pictures..  I have finished backstays now the missing part arrived a few days ago and had it prepared....
 
And of course.......   I did a clean up and the part turned up, i knew that was on the cards!!!!
 
Any way, top sail halliard fitted also, preparing parts for bowsprit guys... 
 
 

Thanks guys..
 
John, I hadn't deviated from the kit much back at the rail stage.. I suppose they are not shown anywhere. I wonder how much detail is left off because it's a painting.. Sketch doesn't show these kinds of details either.. Which does make me wonder how the kit designer came up with it.. So the holes are drilled and don't really want to patch them.. pic shows acceptable angle I think without intruding on culverins.. Hmm decisions.. More posts on their way...

some more rigging done

...

Ok some pictures..  I have finished backstays now the missing part arrived a few days ago and had it prepared....
 
And of course.......   I did a clean up and the part turned up, i knew that was on the cards!!!!
 
Any way, top sail halliard fitted also, preparing parts for bowsprit guys... 
 
 

some more rigging done

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Some of the kit getting checked over..  length 790 mm, height 620, beam 160

Zeus Cat,
 
This was a very nice post you made and wonderful advice. My hat is off to you and I thank you, kindly. I have since moved on but the holidays have made me lazy. It is back off to school for me so the model making will be much slower. I have the Bireme in the paint facility in my shop and will not give her up...every project I have done does seem to have a way to resurrect itself so letting her sit for a while is surely a great idea.
 
Thanks Zeus!
 
John

John E.
 
I am new to this forum, but I agree with the others here; you are being too hard on yourself.  There are two critical lessons one must learn when doing something artistic.  First, nothing will be perfect and second, when it is time to stop and move on to the next part of the project.  Most people pick up on the first one quickly, but the second one is a lot tougher to learn.   
 
Over the years I have done model and high power rocketry, oil painting, watercolor, scale modeling, wooden ship models, photography, stained glass, woodworking and even some writing.  I am a mathematician/engineer by profession so I can be a little obsessed with getting stuff right, but most of my hobbies have taught me to learn to put the paint brush, pen or glue down at a certain point and declare a project is done.  The same thing applies to individual steps in a project.  I could keep pouring time and effort into a particular part, but I really won't improve it significantly for the time spent.  I have learned to accept that it won't be perfect, but it will be good enough.
 
I have a stained glass project that amazes everyone who sees it.  Most of the mistakes I made in that project I have long since forgotten, but some I notice every time I look at it.  I don't let it bother me; I appreciate it for what it is. 
 
Even if you decide your ship isn't great I urge you to keep it around.  We all learn from our mistakes and keeping your bireme around will help you remember things that didn't go quite as you planned and maybe try something different the next time.  And it will give you a great reference point when you complete your next project.  You can look at your bireme and see how much you have improved.

Ok some pictures..  I have finished backstays now the missing part arrived a few days ago and had it prepared....
 
And of course.......   I did a clean up and the part turned up, i knew that was on the cards!!!!
 
Any way, top sail halliard fitted also, preparing parts for bowsprit guys...