MrBlueJacket

Hi Mike,

Those issues are Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec 2016. Griff is doing a nice job on these builds.

Nic

Owner, Bluejacket SHipcrafters

Eric,

I thank you for the kind words for BlueJacket. Being a modeler myself, when I answer questions, I always think "what honest answer should I deserve if I asked that question."

I've enjoyed seeing your skills improve and develop from the Revenue Cutter to this. Nice job, good creativity, and a little buccaneer flair! Looking forward to your rigging experience with this.....

Nic

Here, let me help you with the contents:

I had good results by painting the black first, then masking it off and spraying grey above, red below. Here's a link to my newsletter that describes the process.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News--tips--and-happenings-from-BlueJacket-Shipcrafters--Inc-.html?soid=1105166336677&aid=KNHFIaXU6C8

And as mentioned above - stick with one paint chemistry.

 would second the Krystal Kleer idea

I feel compelled to make a comment from the manufacturer's side. Our CSS Alabama kit took about 1,400 hours to develop. That's a BIG chunk of payroll money. Even a "simple" kit like our Revenue Cutter is hundreds of hours of development.

As to deciding which ships to model, I made a survey back in April of 2014 that reached 3,000 people, and I got back 60 or 70 responses. That is BlueJacket's general guide for kit development for the next several years to come.

Without being too commercial, we already offer some kits that were suggested in this thread. We also have a toll-free help line for our kits. We take our reputation very seriously.

I am following this topic with all ears.

Nic

As a modeler myself, I know how I would like to be treated, and make my decisions accordingly.

We have added some meat to the hull master, and I will be glad to send a n/c replacement hull to anyone who has purchased a Revenue Cutter from us.

Guy did email me and I answered him.  I'm surprised he didn't mention my answer here.

We were trying to get the hull form at the bow as close as possible for the novice, and it was overdone, it will be corrected.  Also, the deck holes do line up with the hull, but the print needs to be adjusted.

Your PM has been answered.  

I believe this is an Alabama class Revenue Cutter circa 1819. Blue jacket was pretty vague on the origin. I was first concerned about the hull since it seemed to have very little room to shape. As I began working it, though, it is coming along nicely. The kit has well-drawn plans that accompany a nice instruction manual. I have never attempted a wooden ship model and have already emailed Nic at Blue jacket a couple of dumb questions. He has been great about responding and has sent photos for clarity.

Our Revenue Cutter is based on Howard Chapelle's 31-ton drawings.

Here you go

Here is a picture of our blocks (rope stropped) painted with Testor's "Dark Tan" rattle can after cleaning the blocks in lacquer thinner.

Lay some making tape sticky side up, place the blocks on it, spray, let dry.   Flip the blocks over then repeat.

John, thank you so much for your thoughts on the matter. One problem for me is that at the basic level where I currently reside, the questions become quite basic. It's not "how do you open the box?" but it's close. BlueJacket provides someone connected with the company who will answer questions but in truth it's a bit uncomfortable for me to have to ask extremely basic questions. Plus, I'm afraid at some point he'll stop taking my calls.

My frustration not withstanding, I really appreciate your wise advice. I'm not giving up but it will take a lot longer than I originally thought to complete this.

Jazzchip 

Hi Jazzchip,

BlueJacket's help line is staffed by Charlie Cook, who is the most gentle and patient of people to deal with.  He will never refuse to answer your calls and questions, even if you asked before but forgot the answer. Of course, you can always call me, the BlueJacket Buck stops on my desk!

We have several kits designed specifically for the newbie, with instructions to match. For example, our regular kits may say "strike the waterline" but our first-time kits devote a whole page, plus 3 diagrams and 2 photos on HOW to do the waterline.

Good luck,

Nic Damuck,

owner, blueJacket Shipcrafters

Just a point of clarification - BlueJacket does not sell mm size wood we use inches, and sell real mahogany, not stained wood.

BlueJacket ships all over the world, but the shipping cost is more than domestic of course.

There's a nice Portland build on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152720184325928.1073741831.593315927&type=1&l=8d5b89f0c5

http://www.bluejacketinc.com/fittings/toners.htm

Hi Nic, welcome aboard. I'm assuming from your message that you are Bluejacket? I will PM you in the next few days to discuss something for my website on the Morgan. I'm short time today, so don't have much time to discuss anything. Have you been to my websites?

Yes, I am BlueJacket Shipcrafters. I have not been to your website, but will do so.

Nic

What to do next is something needing some thought. The Morgan is a tough act to follow,and being such an interesting subject with sm many challenges to overcome makes many of the other possible choices sort of ho~hum by comparison. Im mulling over the idea of going in an entirely different direction,and doing something from the pre ww2 Navy. My father served a hitch in the Navy before the war and served on a number of interesting ships including BB35 Texas and an old 4 piper,DD130 Jacob Jones. I wish Iknew something about the Bluejacket outfits 4 stack destroyer kit.Ihate to send off 350 pieces of green paper not knowing whats gonna show up at the ktchen door in return.

Hi,

Please call me up and I will be glad to discuss what's in our kit and even take some photos if you like.

Best regards,

Nic

800-448-5567

Not to toot my corporate horn, but our kit of the Charles P. Notman is 41 inches long, has excellent instructions, and a lot of laser-cut parts.  link here:

http://www.bluejacketinc.com/kits/notman.html

Bluejacket sent me poorly made aluminum deadeyes. I was expecting wood, but since their catalog is black & white drawings so how do you know. I had to drill out many of the holes and file off a lot of flashing and paint them wood color. Go figure?

I am sorry you were inconvenienced and disappointed with our deadeyes. We pride ourselves on the quality of our fittings, but being a casting, there is some minor clean up required.

For your future information, on the cover of our printed price list/fittings and on the fittings web page, we clearly state "unless otherwise noted, all fittings are Britannia metal"

Check out this comparison......

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/7344-uss-constitution-vs-uss-constitution-model-shipways-vs-bluejacket/?hl=bluejacket

Hello Tim,

Thanks for the nice and complete write-up of our kit.  Very well done.

Best,

Nic