HMS Bounty by maturin52 - Artesania Latina - Scale 1:48

[maturin52]

Here is another series of close-ups of my ongoing work on the Bounty. I try and get at least a little bit done each day, and I'm rapidly coming to the end of the deck work. As you will see, the ships launch and jolly boat are done, as are the small 'pop-guns', ship's bell, and so on. I've begun work on the bowsprit and have started working (off-model) on the ratlines and their hardware. I'll include a shot of the little jig I'm using for tying the many, many deadeyes that will be required. Unfortunately, I seem to be catching up to the builds I've been following, so I may have to cast about for some new ones to help me over the spots where the instructions are a little thin... which is everything now!

 

[maturin52]

Well, my intentions when I started this log were to be disciplined in keeping it up to date, and to post as I went along. Intentions aren't always the end result however. I used to come to this site all the time, following a couple of ongoing builds, but I fell out of the habit for a couple of reasons. One, I got a decent book on ship models that has answered some questions. Two, I have progressed beyond the logs I was following. Three, I have gotten past the point where Artesania Latina's instructions are of much use, except for the well drawn, detailed plan sheets which are all I really have to rely on at this point. In any case, I have been plugging away at the build, trying to work about an hour so a day on it. This first image is a general shot of my Bounty as she existed about a month ago.

 

[maturin52]

This next picture is a little closer view of the foremast shrouds and deadeyes, with the chainplates. I am not completely happy with the chains, but will hopefully improve as I progress.

[maturin52]

Now a view of the Fore Top. This I am pleased with, and the other tops, as well.

[maturin52]

Here is view from the port side, showing the interior, lower masts, etc.

 

[maturin52]

Here's a shot from the stern, showing the stern windows, and, more importantly to me, demonstrating that the masts are, indeed, aligned! PS That ship you can see in the background in the (homemade) plexiglass case, is a model of the Bluenose (Billings kit), that I built several years ago.

 

 

[maturin52]

And finally, for now, here is a closeup of my steering ropes, ship's wheel, and stern area. I've progressed far beyond this point, and will post more pictures in the coming days. All the masts are built (lower, top, and royal), lower shrouds are done, and forestays are under construction! Happy Sailing!

[Sapphire22]

Hi  its is a fantastic build, you must be really pleased with what you have done.  My kit of the Bounty arrived today and I have been reading the instructions.... but I must admit your blog and photos make much more sense.  I love the extras that you have done, I have been planning on similar things myself, even to include a ladle on the yard arm.  am looking forward to seeing the finished ship in all its glory. If mine is half as good I will be very pleased.

well done again

Sharron

[maturin52]

Here are a few more shots of the build, as it progresses. All the masts are constructed and installed, and I am now working on the multitude of forestays, and on rigging the shrouds and ratlines. I apologize for the quality of these next few shots. Rather than shooting with a neutral background, I simply snapped these in my kitchen, where I was showing the current progress to my wife, who is, fortunately, supportive and enthusiastic about my hobby. In addition, it's a brand new phone, so I'm still learning to use the camera effectively.

[maturin52]

As can be seen, all the masts are in place, and all of the shrouds as well. The ratlines are under construction. In a previous build (the Bluenose, visinble in the background) I learned that it was a bad idea to use CA glue to secure knots while building ratlines... they get brittle and impossible to work with. This time, I am using a 50/50 mixture of water and carpenter's glue. The ropes remain flexible, but the knotting is sufficiently secured.

 

[maturin52]

Here is a detail of the forestay spreader on the foremast. The plans call for these spreaders on all three masts, but of course, they are not provided as precut, and must be made from scratch. Fortunately, I love the hand-crafted details, so here's my take on it.

 

[maturin52]

This is an attempt of a close up showing the ratlines and shrouds under construction. I'll attempt to get a few better detail shots over the next few days.

[maturin52]

Well, as usual, I've been working away on the Bounty, but have been less than diligent about posting pictures. I've now finished the ratlines on all 3 masts, and have completed the yards and booms. Next step will be beginning to work on the running rigging and install the yards, booms, and sails.

 

 

[maturin52]

In the above images, you can see a couple of close ups of my ratlines, specifically the Fore Top area. Then are couple of shots of the chains that are used to hold the booms to the yards, and allow them to be raised and lowered. Finally, there are three images of all the yards I've constructed. I forgot to include the 2 booms for the Mizzen Mast.. I'll try to remember to take a shot of them tomorrow. You may notice that each boom has a thick(ish) brass wire sticking out of the center. I've done some experimenting and I've found that by drilling a hole through the yard and through the mast at the point of joining, that I can get a nice, solid joint with a minimum of glue and lashing. Here's hoping the actual construction experience matches the test joins!

[maturin52]

Here are a few more images of the work in progress. While it seems that the advancement is slow, I've been pretty good at working at least an hour a day, and now I am well along in the rigging process, having completed the standing rigging, and made a good start at the running rigging. I've decided to go ahead and rig her with all sails unfurled, even though an actual ship would never have ALL her sails out at once, unless to dry them, or for display (on a still day!). I've gotten far enough along to begin researching my next project, which, at this point, will be USS Constitution. I've been onboard her on several occasions, and I'm looking forward to building her. I haven't decided which of the many kits available to get , though. I'd like to work around the 1/50 scale, and suggestions are welcome. Back to the Bounty.....

 

[maturin52]

Here are the slings to manipulate the ship's boats......

Edited November 27, 2016 by maturin52

[maturin52]

The mizzen mast halyards.....

[maturin52]

and finally, for now, the very first of the yards. As shown in previous pictures, I've built all of the yards and booms, chains, and studs. They'll be slung and rigged as specified in the less-than-complete instructions...

[Heronguy]

Just joined MSW and your buildlog.  As a complete beginner I find it both motivating and intimidating.  Well done.

[maturin52]

Thank you, Heronguy. We all like to hear comments from our fellow nautical modellers. I've been inspired by this site since I've found it, especially by the work of guys like Thomaslambo and CaptBob. Unfortunately, my work on this particular ship has moved past where my fellow Bounty-builders are, and WAY past Atesania Latina's instructions, so I'm pretty well flying by the seat of my pants now. I've picked up a couple of modelling books, and have learned that a good-looking fake will work much of the time. Anyway, all the yards are installed, almost all of the lifts and jeers, and one of the booms has been fitted. Here a few pictures of the ship to date, set on my pool table only because it is convenient and has good lighting. 

Edited December 31, 2016 by maturin52

[maturin52]

Had a few issues editing photos, which I'll put down to my new (semi-crappy) phone. Here are a few more images of my progress to date.

[maturin52]

Well, I guess the end must be in sight. I've been a year and a half working on the Bounty, and I've enjoyed all of it. Atesania Latina's instructions quickly become useless, and a lot has followed... almost all of the rigging... has been the result of research on this forum, broad interpretation of the drawings provided, and, honestly, making stuff up as I go along. Here is a shot of her with the first three sails installed. (That's a roll of paper towels in the background near the mizzen mast )

Edited January 25, 2017 by maturin52

[maturin52]

Although there is still a lot of work to be done, when you get to the point of actually installing the sails, I feel it's getting near the end. I know that many modellers think that rigging a full set of sails is unnecessary and unrealistic. I can't argue with them, they're right. No sailing ship would ever have her full set sails on at the same time. However, I think from an aesthetic point of view, it looks good on a model ship. As Patrick O'Brian said on a caption showing the HMS Surprise with all sails rigged, "HMS Surprise with all her sails hung to dry on a calm day." Here are close ups of the Spanker and the staysails rigged so far.

[Heronguy]

Looking awesome.  Justifiably proud I'll wager!

 

I like the idea of sails on board even if the conventional wisdom is suggests otherwise.  Good for you!

[maturin52]

Well, I've been working away on my Bounty, but I've not been taking many pictures, mostly because I am very unhappy with the camera on my phone (Galaxy J3) which I've been using for a while now. That dissatisfaction led me to conduct a major search of the house, finally turning my Olympus digital camera which has been stashed for several years. It's a 7 megapixel camera, and initial experiments look like it will be more than adequate for my needs. As before, I am using Infranview to cut the shots down to a size that can be uploaded to this site. Here is a macro shot of port-side midships chains and shrouds, as an example....

[maturin52]

I absolutely love the new look and feel of this forum. It seems easier to edit, upload and edit postings and pictures, and the site looks fresh, modern, and nautical. Great job!

 

Here is another macro shot showing my mainmast pin rails. Each sheet that is belayed to a pin has a coil of rope associated with it. I've always though it looked silly to see a rope running from a yard or sail and being tied off to a belaying pin with no excess coil. Does the crew cut off the remainder when they raise a sail?

 

And finally, here is current state of the overall build. All the stay sails are in, and I'm working on the remainder of the sails. Most of the yard-mounted sails require reef points to made, so it's pretty time-consuming. I'm also working on a display case for her, which is also coming along nicely. It seems strange to be approaching the end of this project; I've been working on the Bounty forever, itseems!

[maturin52]

I am approaching the end of my Bounty build. Lately, I've been working on the sails.Specifically, I've been adding reef points to the main and top sails - not a very photogenic activity, and that is why I've not been adding pictures to this log. As a side note, however, I've also been thinking ahead to the time when my Bounty is no longer a project, but a finished work. To that end, I decided I would build a display case to allow the ship to have her own space  in our home. She's a big ship, so the case is necessarily large. Previous display cases I've constructed have been made with 1/2" acrylic, cut to size, usually badly at source and glued together with CA. This time, I've opted for a wooden frame to hold .1" acrylic,  which I can cut myself, and which will result in a much lighter, more manageable piece. I've used pine and poplar, and simply applied several coats of Urethane to protect and finish the wood. Here is the finished case, ready for the installation of the (still to be cut) plastic sheets.....

[maturin52]

[maturin52]

Here is a quick snap of the Bounty as she now stands. Only the foresl's left to go. And of course, a great deal of finicky cleanup and tweaking. My next ship will be built without sails. I begin to feel that this one getting 'cluttered.'

[Grendel]

She's looking magnificent! I'm very impressed with your home made display case, she'll look beautiful in there.