rvchima

Yards
I've got all the yards, flagpoles, and booms shaped. Thanks to Pat Banyan I ordered a jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant from Cornwall Model Boats. The main yard and main topsail yard are rigged.

Oh s**t - I forgot the stunsail booms on the main yard! I've seen how Pat Banyan and Dave Row both made their fittings out of brass tubes and wire soldered together, and had visions of deconstructing the yard to slide the bands on. Then I looked at the Caldercraft plans.

The rings are pot metal, almost no cleanup required. The bands are photo etched brass that just go 2/3 of the way around the yard. I looked back (longingly) at Chuck Passaro's thoroughly detailed 132 page plans for the Syren that I built 5 years ago. Chuck said that there is no need to solder the fittings because there is absolutely no load on them. No way to solder the pot metal anyway, so after a little metal work, a drop of CA, and a little paint, the stunsail booms were done. I put the booms on the fore yard before I rigged it ;^)

Yards
I've got all the yards, flagpoles, and booms shaped. Thanks to Pat Banyan I ordered a jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant from Cornwall Model Boats. The main yard and main topsail yard are rigged.

Oh s**t - I forgot the stunsail booms on the main yard! I've seen how Pat Banyan and Dave Row both made their fittings out of brass tubes and wire soldered together, and had visions of deconstructing the yard to slide the bands on. Then I looked at the Caldercraft plans.

The rings are pot metal, almost no cleanup required. The bands are photo etched brass that just go 2/3 of the way around the yard. I looked back (longingly) at Chuck Passaro's thoroughly detailed 132 page plans for the Syren that I built 5 years ago. Chuck said that there is no need to solder the fittings because there is absolutely no load on them. No way to solder the pot metal anyway, so after a little metal work, a drop of CA, and a little paint, the stunsail booms were done. I put the booms on the fore yard before I rigged it ;^)

Shipyard Update:
Main & Fore Main Yards
Been a little while for a post.
I made the Main and Fore yards, what seems a long time ago.

I added the studdingsail booms and game each a coat of clear varnish. 
Set each up with the Parrel.  
 

Also added the Outer Tricing Line now, to cut down the "tweezer in the air" duel.
 
 

Hoisting the Fore Yard up into position.
 
 

Used a electrical clip to hold the Parrel rope ends tight while the glue dries. 
 
 

Added the Lifts in this Pic.
 

Back of the Parrels (Main ones in this shot/Pic)
 
 

Fore Mast Yard: Bit tricky, but I got the Jeer halyard through the Sheeve in the Bit. The hole and sheeve I had allowed some years ago, was just big enough. I ended up using CA on the end 10mm of the halyard, let it dry then tapered it so I could feed it in through the bit shaft. Was then able to pull the halyard though.
 

Main Mast Yard: Jeer halyard through the Sheeve in the Bit.
 
 
 
 
 

Dave,
Thank you for all the advice on rigging the blocks. Your photos really help explain the process, which is not too complicated after you see it.
 
And I'll echo Fernando in complimenting your rigging tools. I've been working with a spring clamp held in a vise and two old fingers. It's time for me to get a little more sophisticated.
 
Rod

Dave,
Thank you for all the advice on rigging the blocks. Your photos really help explain the process, which is not too complicated after you see it.
 
And I'll echo Fernando in complimenting your rigging tools. I've been working with a spring clamp held in a vise and two old fingers. It's time for me to get a little more sophisticated.
 
Rod

Shipyard Update:
SpiritSail Yards
Recently been working on preparing the SpiritTop and SpiritTopSail Yards to attached and fit-off to the Bowsprit.
 
The following of the SpiritSail Yard
 

Made all the blocks off the yard. Started to attache each to their respective positions. My markup page from the AoTS underneath with my scratchings(what goes where and sizes).
 

This mess, I've attached all the blocks, now setting up the horse stirrups with a brass rod 15mm(900mm full size) below the centre of the yard with weights to set each stirrup straight. Just realized the picture angle, all 6 are behind the clamps drying. I'm sure you get the idea. !
 

Threaded the horse rope through the stirrups, ready to tie the ends to the yard.
 

This is the SpiritTopSail Yard fitted out with blocks and horse.
 

Above the Spirit Yards are fitted to the Bowsprit and JibBoom.
 
Next to run the various ropes to and off these yards.
 
 

I debated back and forth whether I should put a flag on the ensign staff.  Although few models of this style are shown with flags, I decided to make one.  My reasons were that the model needed a pop of color and I had never made a flag before and wanted to see if I could do a good job.
 
The technique that follows is exactly what was demonstrated by Gus Augustin at an NRG Conference a few years ago.  I determined that the correct flag for 1775 was the red ensign.  I drew the outline onto both sides of a piece of plain copy paper with pencil.  Next, I cut the flag out, leaving extra paper inboards to make straps to secure the flag to the staff.  The flag was shaped by crushing it in my hand, being careful to leave the inboard edge flat. 
 

 
The flag was gently wet in a bowl of water and the crinkled shape was formed after laying the wet flag on a piece of glass.  I did not touch it again for a few days but Gus states that one should wait at least 24 hours.  The flag is then (sort-of) flattened and painted.  Start with the light colors and gradually go darker.  I used Poly-S and Model Master acrylic paints full strength. 
 

 

 

 

 
Once the flag was dry I air-brushed it very lightly with gray to soften the colors.  Finally, I reformed the flag and secured it to the staff.  Overall, I am pleased with the appearance.
 

 

 

 
 

Oars
 
The kit came with a lot of photo-etched brass oars in 2 lengths. There is no mention of oars in the instructions or plans, but they obviously go with the ship's boats. The p-e brass parts in this kit are beautiful, but flat oars just didn't look right because they stack up flat. I briefly considered carving 24 oars out of basswood, but only briefly. Instead I decided on composite oars with brass blades and wooden handles.
 
The handles on the brass pieces were 1.2 mm across. I thought about buying a draw plate to make the handles, but our friends at Bluejacket Shipcrafters had 1.2 mm dowels sold as treenails. Besides, the 10 mm dowel supplied with the kit for the mainmast was misshapen and Bluejacket had that too. I ordered 2 of each and had them in 2 days.
 
I cut the 1.2 mm dowels to length, spun them in a rotary tool and shape the handles, and split the other end. I cut the blades off the p-e brass oars, glued them to the handles, painted my composite oars, and tied them into little bundles for the boats. You can see them in the previous post.

 
 

Ships Boats Completed
 
The instructions said that the ship's boats should take a couple of weeks. That was a little optimistic - they took about 60 hours over 19 days, but I build fast. The only problem with the plank-on-frame construction is that the floor ends up too close to the side rails. The poor sailors would have to sit with their knees to their chins. The clinker-built construction of the yawl and skiff came out better than I expected.

Bowsprit, Fore Mast, Fore Topgallant, Main Mast, and Main Topgallant Complete. 1 year, 9 days, 411 hours

I actually completed the bowsprit and jibboom before my holiday but didn't have time to post. I did the rest over the last 2 weeks. Here are some detail shots.
I
 
I really like this drawing in Parkin's book of the Endeavour with only the main masts and standing rigging. I am toying with the idea of stopping my build at that point. This would make for a much more compact display case and probably save me 6 months. What do you think?
 
Then I could get to these other projects waiting on my shelf sooner. That would be an Aeronaut kit of the Prinz Eugen heavy cruiser, a vintage Sterling kit of a P-61 Black Widow night fighter, and a Bomarc missile kit by Madcow rocketry. So many projects, so little time ;^)

 
 

IMG_E7060.MOV  
I've been back from my holiday for a couple of weeks and promised to post a few photos. Here's a view from the stern of our ship. The wheel is just spinning freely in the water but it sure looks cool.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon has the Columbia light ship anchored outside. Our ship docked right next to it.

The museum was packed with ship models like this model of the Columbia Rediviva, the first ship to "cross the bar" into the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest in 1792.

They also had a second edition of the logs of Captain Cook, who explored the Northwest coast on his third voyage in 1778.

I'll skip the photos of Portland, Oregon, Mt. Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park, and end with this photo of the harbor in Victoria, BC. The domed building is the capitol building of British Columbia. The Royal BC museum is just off the photo to the left, and our hotel was the building on the right with the pointy tower and flag. What a beautiful city.
 
I've been busy building masts. Give me a couple of hours to take photos and I'll be back.

Bowsprit, Fore Mast, Fore Topgallant, Main Mast, and Main Topgallant Complete. 1 year, 9 days, 411 hours

I actually completed the bowsprit and jibboom before my holiday but didn't have time to post. I did the rest over the last 2 weeks. Here are some detail shots.
I
 
I really like this drawing in Parkin's book of the Endeavour with only the main masts and standing rigging. I am toying with the idea of stopping my build at that point. This would make for a much more compact display case and probably save me 6 months. What do you think?
 
Then I could get to these other projects waiting on my shelf sooner. That would be an Aeronaut kit of the Prinz Eugen heavy cruiser, a vintage Sterling kit of a P-61 Black Widow night fighter, and a Bomarc missile kit by Madcow rocketry. So many projects, so little time ;^)

 
 

IMG_E7060.MOV  
I've been back from my holiday for a couple of weeks and promised to post a few photos. Here's a view from the stern of our ship. The wheel is just spinning freely in the water but it sure looks cool.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon has the Columbia light ship anchored outside. Our ship docked right next to it.

The museum was packed with ship models like this model of the Columbia Rediviva, the first ship to "cross the bar" into the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest in 1792.

They also had a second edition of the logs of Captain Cook, who explored the Northwest coast on his third voyage in 1778.

I'll skip the photos of Portland, Oregon, Mt. Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park, and end with this photo of the harbor in Victoria, BC. The domed building is the capitol building of British Columbia. The Royal BC museum is just off the photo to the left, and our hotel was the building on the right with the pointy tower and flag. What a beautiful city.
 
I've been busy building masts. Give me a couple of hours to take photos and I'll be back.

Simply beautiful Dave!  Thanks for all the effort you've put into your build log. It has been a great reference for me.
 
Rod

Thanks Phil

 
Scharnhorst issue 56
 

 
We close up the last gaps in the planking on the bottom of the hull and install about two dozen tiny tiny airducts on the deck structures.
 
And I do mean TINY. Had to be careful not to sneeze
 

 
This marks the 40 % completion point, so here's a full view of where we're at right now.
 

Shipyard Update:
Lifts, Braces & Reef Tackle to the Upper Yards 
Main and Fore TopGallant & Topsail Yards
Mizzen Topsail & Crossjack
 
So the boys in the shipyard have been busy adding the Lifts & Braces to the above, along with some Reef Tackle pendant & falls(to the Topsail Yards)
Some blocks were already on the mats(e.g. for the Main Topsail braces on the Mizzen)
Many have been added by making single or double sets in 3mm, 4mm or 5mm blocks. The Topgallant in 3mm Topsail in 4mm and the Main Yards will have the 5mm blocks.
Below  are 4mm and 5mm sets

 
Below are various shots of the recent additions:

Fore Topsail Yard with Lifts, Reef Tackle & Braces back to the Main Mast, Main Stay

Main TopGallant braces back to the Mizzen
Main Topsail Yard with Lifts, Reef Tackle & Braces
Mizzen Topsail yard Lifts in the background.
Mizzen Topsail Yard with Lifts & Braces back to the end of the Gaff.
Gaff with Lift. 

Main Mast Cross Trees: 3mm single blocks added for the Fore Topgallant braces which run down the Stay to 2 more blocks(below shot)

2 x 3mm single blocks added to the Main Topmast Stay, where the Fore Topgallant braces run down to cleat - on side of Bell Belfry. 

Fore Topsail Braces back to the Main Mast, Main Stay

Main Mast, Main Stay blocks(in RED) 4mm for the Fore Topsail braces.
Additionally have already added(in Blue) a 5mm for the Fore Yard braces.

Mizzen Mast: over the Crossjack are the pendent for the Main Topsail braces(in RED). Crossjack pendent blocks(in BLUE) for the braces(in GREEN) which run froward to the Main Mast rear Shroud
Mizzen Topmast, 2 x 3mm blocks added to forward shroud for the Main TopGallant braces to run down.
Fore Mast TopGallant Yard braces back to the Main Mast, Stay blocks.
 

Port Main Shroud Cleats:  Braces are tied off to the cleats on the shrouds. Bit messy, a lot of cleanup to do down the track.
I added another set of cleats on the rear(6th) shroud for the Crossjack Yard brace.  
 

Starboard Fore Mast shrouds:  Cleats for braces. I added another set of cleats on the rear(6th) shroud. you  can see the different lashing used. 

Bottom of the Mizzen Mast, cleats filling up.
 
Next will probably add the 2 Main yards.
 

Shipyard Update:
After some time fiddling about, I came up with Anchors, Bumpkin and Fish Davit on the Starboard Bow - below.
All just sitting there, not glued in place yet, as not sure or happy with the layout.
And I'm confident I can postpone the final arrangement, continue rigging and fit this lot later on towards the end.

 

So all coming off and going into storage.
 
Move onto the Main and Fore TopGallant >> Yards.
 

Shipyard Update:
Mizzen TopSail Yard.
Previously I made reference for the above as the Mizzen TopGallant Yard, which was wrong.
I had also made the yard as a TopGallant, which has been rectified.
Below are pictures of the new fit-out.
 

Fitting the blocks and ropes to the Topsail Yard.
    
Above: Left to Right > Yardarm Lift Block, Tye-Block(Clew blocks at sides), Parrel being added.
 

TopSail Yard in place with Yards and Tye lifts.

Main TopGallant brace Blocks added, tied to the front Shroud(either side)
 
Plenty more for the shipyard to get no with. Chop Chop.
 
 

We are cruising through the Columbia River gorge in the American Pride, a "stern wheeler" with two steerable props  and a free-wheeling wheel. At 295 ft it's about twice the length of the Endeavour.

We are cruising through the Columbia River gorge in the American Pride, a "stern wheeler" with two steerable props  and a free-wheeling wheel. At 295 ft it's about twice the length of the Endeavour.

We are cruising through the Columbia River gorge in the American Pride, a "stern wheeler" with two steerable props  and a free-wheeling wheel. At 295 ft it's about twice the length of the Endeavour.

We are cruising through the Columbia River gorge in the American Pride, a "stern wheeler" with two steerable props  and a free-wheeling wheel. At 295 ft it's about twice the length of the Endeavour.

This morning I was tying 3mm blocks to eyebolts, getting ready for the tops. Near the end one block went flying. Far. I got down on my hands and knees with a flood light and searched the floor, with no luck. Then I swept the floor. Still no luck so I gave up.
 
Two hours later I was washing dishes, and felt something on my head. The block was in my hair.

This morning I was tying 3mm blocks to eyebolts, getting ready for the tops. Near the end one block went flying. Far. I got down on my hands and knees with a flood light and searched the floor, with no luck. Then I swept the floor. Still no luck so I gave up.
 
Two hours later I was washing dishes, and felt something on my head. The block was in my hair.

This morning I was tying 3mm blocks to eyebolts, getting ready for the tops. Near the end one block went flying. Far. I got down on my hands and knees with a flood light and searched the floor, with no luck. Then I swept the floor. Still no luck so I gave up.
 
Two hours later I was washing dishes, and felt something on my head. The block was in my hair.