MrBlueJacket

Slow but steady progress laying bricks.

Looks like you're off to a good start!

Nic

Yes, we do sell just the plans for all our kits. Not on our website, but you can order #2051P for $50 plus S&H. Send an email to info@bluejacketinc.com asking for the plans, and we will send you a PayPal request.

Nic

PS I used to work in the USA for a Swiss company in Frauenfeld (Baumer Electric) and another one in Givisiez (Contrinex.) Always loved visiting there.

And lastly, deadeyes and backing plates are all pinned into place.

I put the deadeye assemblies through the holes, and drilled for the upper attachment pin.

Next step is to figure the angle that the chainplates would take to have them line up with the shrouds. I took a piece of string where the shrouds started, and brought it down through the hole, then marked the line. Not a lot of difference between them, but it will make it look correct.

First step is to elongate the holes for the chainplates. I tried an Xacto knife (tedious) and small files (still too large.) Then I remembered they sell abrasive thread in various sizes. I bought the .030" size, and started to saw away.

In an hour, I had all 24 holes elongated.

That's looking pretty good. Here's a shot of our gallery model:

Shiny spots of glue can be hidden by painting over them with flat clear paint.

Nic

Painted both sides of the deadeyes. Hopefully can start to install them this weekend.

Toe rails go on the deck, the rub rail goes on the upper hull side.

Nic

👍

Al dusts a medium flat green with his airbrush.

So here's all the deadeyes and bullseyes, ready to paint.

I can understand the powerful feelings involved. I once put a partly finished model away fro 10 years, then finally went back to it. I think your father would have been proud of you. If you feel he's looking over your shoulder, it's probably to give you encouragement.

13 hours ago, Rick310 said:

Looks good Nic. Are you going to add the top on the foremast?

No, the kit does not show it.

First order of business is, of course, to mount the deadeyes. The Newsboy did not have chainplates, she had iron rods to attach the deadeyes. I'm simulating that with brass rod. To keep them even, I made a bending jig here:

And here's what one looks like finished:

Only 23 more to go.................Hours of endless enjoyment.

BlueJacket was commissioned to build the MS model Newsboy by a client. We found an old  kit over in Sweden and got it. Model Shipways actually did 2 kits of it, the other was a larger 3/16"=1' scale. The larger one had a foremast top, while this model does not. Our client was impressed by Pete Jacquinth's larger model. As is becoming normal here, Al builds the model but hands it off to me for the rigging. Here's what I received: (yards boom gaff not shown)

After laying the first course of bricks, the 1/64 spacer was glued on.

Then, of course, lay down more bricks. After another row, the spacing looks really good.

And so we start laying bricks. It's easy to follow the shell's pattern. This should bring hours of great fun.

That's a lot of bricks to cut out of the sheet!

So here's the brick floor glued down

Then the front face is attached. That thin CA spill will disappear when the front is sprayed

It's primarily for the interior, the hearth will get re-sprayed when the front bricks are painted.

The next step is to  put the brick floor inside the box. I decided to paint the bricks before gluing the sheet in place. I used automotive red oxide primer as a color.

Then to simulate the mortar, regular wall spackle was smeared on and rubbed off with a wet paper towel.

Next, a box is assembled, with the brick locations marked on the outside. Did I mention there are 800 individual bricks to glue in place?