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KenW

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Everything posted by KenW

  1. KenW
    Thanks EJ
  2. KenW
    My stern is complete with the decorative carvings, forward transom and fashion pieces. I’m happy with the results. I also added the aft windows, as per the Hahn plans. The MS kit supplied die cast metal windows, but they were the same as the ones supplied with the Fair American kit. I can't have the same windows on two models. And, whenever there is a discrepancy between the kit and the Hahn plans, I go with the Hahn plans. So now it’s on to the planking of the forecastle and quarter decks. The first photo was actually taken with the boat upside down. Two more with the boat right side up.
  3. KenW
    Thanks Martin, and for the 'likes'.
  4. KenW
    Thanks Bob, Dave and EJ_L for your encouraging words. And thanks Jon for the push to attempt the carvings. I'm working on carving the forward part of the transom and the fashion pieces. Then everything will be glued together and, hopefully, look great. Cheers.
  5. KenW
    The walnut sheets arrived from Crown Timberland and I proceeded to create the ‘back splash’. I made some small floral-type carvings and put a trim around the ‘back splash’. Then glued the all carvings glued in place. The look is similar to the transom of several models including the Confederacy and Syren. The question is whether the carvings are one piece that extends beyond the width of the stern, or is the transom wide, like the kit supplied piece, with the carvings added. My solution assumes the later, and I like the look. However, I don’t know if what I did is historically accurate. Going by the MS and Howard Hahn plans, it’s hard to get an absolute answer.
  6. KenW
    Great work as usual. I think I'd go with natural trucks with red axles. Just my vote.
  7. KenW
    Thanks. I will try all of these techniques.
  8. KenW
    Your gun barrels look impressive. One problem I have, is that it seems no matter how many coats of paint I apply to the metal barrels, whenever I touch the barrel, some paint is removed and the brass color shows. Is that due to the paint I use? Or, do I need to apply more coats? I don't use an air brush. Thanks.
  9. KenW
    Thanks Jon and Martin. I definitely agree that the SMSNJ is a great club. And not only because of Chuck. There are a lot of top class modelers there. I think laminating is a great idea. Look at the MS model Confederacy's stern. You will see that the large decorations are individually made. The documentation for that model is available free from the Model Expo site. Cheers. Oh yeah, the snake was made using a drill, needle files and an x-acto knife.
  10. KenW
    WOW, great build and a really cool looking boat. That stern is very high. Were there any problems with the boat being top heavy? You're off to an excellent start. Cheers.
  11. KenW
    Thanks EJ. I'll check out your La Couronne.
  12. KenW
    This past Tuesday I displayed the Rattlesnake at the monthly meeting of the SMSNJ. During my talk, I mentioned that I intended to use the MS kit supplied dye cast metal stern decorations since I didn’t think I could make those intricate carvings. Chuck Passaro felt that was a mistake. His suggestion was to have a background or ‘back splash’ and laminate carvings onto it. The stern carving is really a bunch of small carvings, so it isn’t necessary to do one big carving. I liked the idea. So I decided to order a couple walnut sheets from Jason at Crown Timberland for the back splash. And last night, I carved the rattlesnake. I’m pleased with the carving, and everyone in my family could tell what it was. It certainly is better that the snake on the kit supplied metal decoration (although I guess I should have a higher standard than that). So on to all those floral carvings.
  13. KenW
    Thanks Jon. Good advice. I'm also not sold on clay. I also don't think I can produce the carvings that are on the Hahn or MS plans. But, there must be something in the middle. Your carvings look great, by the way. I would definitely be happy with your work. Cheers.
  14. KenW
    Thanks Jon and Martin. I gave Jonathan a 'like' even though it's more like an 'dislike' since I realize how hard it's going to be to create those pieces. You guys just reinforced my feeling of dread. However, this is a hobby and I will take my time and hope for the best. Like Angie said, 'Tain't a hobby if you hurry". Cheers.
  15. KenW
    Well, I finished the stern planking. I like the look – colors, etc. But the real work is just beginning. I’m going to try and use the die cast metal decoration. I filed the MS piece so it is thinner (about 1/16th of an inch). I will paint the die cast metal using the same techniques as I used on the figurehead. I added two pins to help hold up the metal decoration (it also makes it easier to work with). The bigger problem is that on Hahn plans, there is another piece of decoration behind the supplied metal one. There are also fashion pieces with decoration that need to be created. Since they aren’t supplied, I’m going to have to create/carve them both.
  16. KenW
    Great work as usual, Bob. At the tip of the bowsprit, are that metal loops or eyes rather than line? How were then attached to the bowsprit? Thanks.
  17. KenW
    Absolutely well done.
  18. KenW
    Hey Jason. Looks like you have a great build going. Good to see you have time for some modeling. Cheers.
  19. KenW
    WOW! I just read through Blue Ensign's Pegasus blog. He did way more fancy stuff than I did! His is really impressive. I'll have to read more of his logs. Thanks.
  20. KenW
    Thanks Dave, Jack and Jon and the 'likes'. And Jon, what I say here stays here.
  21. KenW
    I finally finished with the Iroquois figurehead. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to carve it, but luckily I have a good friend who is a war gamer. He told me about a site that sold Native American figures that can be included as part of a revolutionary army. I bought twenty figures, and was very impressed with the sculptor. The problem was that all the ‘indians’ were holding a rifle, which I didn’t want on the model. Since the dye cast metal is soft, I cut away the rifle as best I could from the figure I chose. But, that left the left hand unusable. So I took a left hand from another figure, cut off the bad hand and glued the new left hand (which was holding a hatchet) onto the ‘stump’. I also replaced the head because the head feathers were too high. The result looked good. I then painted the figure the same way my friend paints his armies: paint the figure black and when it's dry, add a white dry brush. Next apply several coats of a yellow wash, followed by a black wash made of acrylic floor wax, water and calligraphy ink. The figurehead is not glued to the model yet since I have to make sure the hatchet doesn’t interfere with the bob stay. Over all, I think it looks just fine. I only hope my explanation makes sense.
  22. KenW
    I wonder if the place where your pieces go when they drop on the floor is the same place as where my pieces go. They never turn up - ever. There must be a place with lots of parts for model ships somewhere. Impressive chocks.
  23. KenW
    Thanks Martin, and the 'likes'.
  24. KenW
    All 20 guns are now installed. The boat looks good with them all lined up. One thing I noticed is that the four quoin handles I created this time are both smaller and better looking than those I made before. I guess I’m doing better; but I won’t be starting over. The work on the hull aft will not wait any longer; I have to get to it.
  25. KenW
    Congrats. You are ready for your launching party! Really outstanding workmanship. Cheers.

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