Shotlocker

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."

I actually began building this model in 1978 but it's spent most of the time since then languishing in a box packed with Styrofoam peanuts
as I moved around the country. Now it's complete at last freeing me up to finish other incomplete ships. My apologies for the mediocre photos.
 
Best Regards,
Gary

Aye, mate!

Assembly of parts for fitting.

And so I have marked this as "finished".  I still need to sort out what I am doing about the case, but the model itself is finished.  Here are a few photos I've taken.  I'll post more in a gallery in the completed kits section in a while.

 

 

 

 
 
And this last one I think @MrBlueJacket will like it.  Of the eight model boats I've completed, 5 of them have been from Bluejacket.  In front are the two very small scale 1934 America's cup contenders Endeavour and Rainbow that I acquired and built probably 20 or 25 years ago.  Behind that is the Bluejacket lobster boat and the Swampscott dory, which I build in the 2015-2016 time frame, and then the just completed America.

You and your model are the nearest I'll ever get to having a friend in Ukraine.
So in a way, to me at least, you epitomise all that is good and worthwhile about your country.
I look forward to more build instalments, like a child looks forward to a bed time story.

16: Bridge (completed -- yay!!)
 
Okay, the last bits of the bridge have been added (for now -- some other bits get added later). These include navigation lights and some electronic doohickey on the forward bridge wall whose function I do not know. This wraps up Step 16. Whew!!

 
Total parts count for this sub-assembly came to 142.

A just-for-fun pic -- Waratah and England side-by-side in the same 1/250 scale. Remember, a DE is considered a small warship!
 

Call it a walk of opportunity, not shame.  Sometimes we just luck out and get to do something we really wanted to do.  Looking forward to your build log.

Different kit philosophies appeal to different modelers. I admire those who enjoy spiling and are good at it. I have accomplished the feat myself, but I don't particularly enjoy it. I have built a kit from Master Korabel that had pre-spiled planking, and I enjoyed that build very much. As I always say, some people just enjoy putting things together (without having to manufacture all of the parts in addition). I like to build card models; it involves not only assembling, but also cutting out and shaping hundreds, sometimes thousands, of printed parts. It's not a process that appeals to everyone. Fortunately, our hobby has plenty of room for modelers of all types.

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."

Outstanding meticulous workmanship. Way above my pay grade!

Colleagues, thank you for your concern for me and warm feedback! Everything is fine with me and I really hope that this will continue in the future.
It is impossible to live without hope.  
 
While there is a possibility, I continue my work on the model. Gathered together the details of the aft balcony.

Valeriy,
 
I am saddened and angered at what is happening to your country. I hope you, your family and friends are safe and come through this unharmed.

Roger, I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you for saying something. 
 
 Valeriy, I hope and pray for you, your family, and all Ukrainians during this time of madness. My heart goes out to you and everyone in that part of the world. 

Valeriy,
 
The news from your country is heartbreaking.  I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well.  For once in my adult life I’m at loss for words, but felt that I had to say something.
 
Roger

Another milestone reached.  All standing rigging lines are in place.  Backstays can still be cast off if they obstruct installation of running rigging.
 

 

 
Yaay!

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."

Outstanding meticulous workmanship. Way above my pay grade!

Outstanding meticulous workmanship. Way above my pay grade!

Okay, call me silly, but I had expected that a "treasure galleon" would look a bit more flashy. But then, it probably wasn't a great idea to attract attention while carrying a fortune aboard.

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."

Today, I'm declaring my Endurance finished! First a few thoughts and then the glamor shots.
 
Overall, this was a tremendously enjoyable project and one that I think is well worth the time and money that will go into anybody's build. I wouldn't recommend this for a raw beginner, but for somebody who's done a few kits, this is accessible and will provide numerous opportunities to improve your skills. A builder like that will definitely be capable of making a model that will make them proud. For those (like me) who've only built fishing boats, this kit is a good introduction to tall ships with square sails. For an experienced builder, the opportunities for kitbashing and other improvements to OcCre's designs are plentiful (be sure to follow Clearway's buildlog for some inspiration). OcCre's hardware is mostly of pretty good quality. They are also quite generous with the hardware and building materials—you can make a lot of mistakes along the way, experiment, and build upgrades. The only exceptions are that there are not enough two-sheave blocks and I ended up buying more 1mm brass wire.
 
This was my first OcCre kit, but it won't be my last. They've done a great job designing a kit that should be of interest to a wide range of builders. The photo instructions are clear and the rigging plans (despite my quibbles with some of the details) are the best I've encountered yet. This was a really big step up for me skill-wise, but I'm really happy with how this turned out!
 
For others building the kit, a few suggestions:
Devote plenty of time to studying the rigging plans and working out how all of the ropes run. As I noted a few months ago, I think the rigging plans have some mistakes and some places where the paths of certain ropes don't make sense. I disagree with the recommended order (though I'm not sure my order was all that much better in the end). My rigging solutions are one option, but spend some time with the model in your hands to find your best solution. The best upgrade you can make to the kit—which I didn't do—is to replace the kit's railings. 3-D stanchions and brass wire will look a lot better and be more stable than the flat stanchions and thread that OcCre recommends. The second best upgrade would be the lifeboat davits. I fashioned my own, but there are probably some available in stores that would be closer to the ship's scale. The third best, which I also didn't do, is to replace the smokestack and reposition the air intakes (which do not match the original ship). There are also lots of opportunities here to add small details that aren't in the kit's plans. Frank Hurley's photos are readily available online and offer tons of details for inspiration. Hurley's archival collection is at the National Library of Australia, but you can also access many of his photos via Getty Images.  Finally, the photos you've been waiting for. Apologies in advance for all of the dog hair, which is ubiquitous in my house even though she almost never comes down to the basement!
 

 
Thanks to all who followed along and, especially, to those who offered encouragement, advice, and tips along the way!

"One rule to rule them all...one rule to bind them."