Greenwich Hospital barge of 1832 by druxey - FINISHED - 1:48 scale

[Fam]

It's a piece of art, really!

[dgbot]

Here is a place I use to visit in Evanson IL I have bought supplies from them and have seen boxes of mica.http://davesrockshop.com/

David B

[druxey]

The roof of the coach has been completed and installed. As this is curved, a suitable strategy for building it is needed. I considered carving it from solid, but this would be difficult to keep a consistent thickness. I decided to cooper it, that is to say, build it up as one would a barrel. 

 

The first step was to carve a form to build it on. I hollowed a piece of basswood to the appropriate radius, which in this case was 3½" full size (first photo). It was then shaped to the shape of the roof and marked out for the six planks that are nominally 1' 0" (scale) wide. These were cut and shaped with a slight bevel on each edge. They were then glued up on the form. 

 

Once complete, two 'rafters' were glued on the underside to maintain shape and integrity. A piece of fine sandpaper was rubber cemented to the form and the upper side of the roof sanded (second and third photos). The outer side edges of the roof were sanded flat, to fit the coach top edges. 

 

Following the color used on Prince Frederick's barge, I painted the roof a blueish green to imitate a verdigris copper roof. On the actual barge, the roof appears to be covered with painted canvas. I used a mix of viridian green, some white and then toned down with the addition of a touch of black. The top of the capitals on the coach were also painted this color and the roof glued in place. 

 

Next is the decorative work at the stern.

[cog]

Druxey,

 

She looks wonderful, I hadn't expected it (thought it bit "cheap"), but she seems to float with those clear pedestals ... Is the greenish roof meant to be oxidised copper like ...?

 

Cheers

[Jack12477]

Beautiful, Druxey. Absolutely beautiful. I love the roof color. Really makes it stand out.

[Gerhardvienna]

Hi druxey

 

This is one of the most elegant builts i`ve ever seen! THANK YOU,for allowing us to see it!

 

Regards

Gerhard

[druxey]

Thank you, everyone. Still a way to go, though. There's those twelve sweeps (oars) to make as well....

 

Gerhard: the elegance you see is that of the barge's designer, not mine.

 

Jack: if you Google 'Prince Frederick's barge', you'll see that faux copper roofing color.

[shipmodel]

Hi Druxey - 

 

Gerhard said it perfectly.  Sweet work. . . 

 

I didn't realize until I saw your build that the access to the cabin was only from aft, and there is no door towards the bow.  That means that the passenger boarding was from over their private deck at the stern which was probably off limits to the crew except for the ship captain (helmsman?) standing on his separate raised platform.  That also explains the extensions of the upper strakes, which I imagined were only decorative.

 

I learn so much from your build without your even saying anything.

 

Thanks

 

Dan

[Mahuna]

Wonderful work, Druxey.  It gives us something to aspire to.

[druxey]

There are also doors forward, Dan. You'll see them from another angle. The VIP's came aboard via the aftermost thwart and stepped down. I assume that the aft pair of doors were for a servant to hand things through. They are quite narrow: 20" at most.

Edited April 10, 2016 by druxey

[mobbsie]

Very nicely done Druxey, the colours are really beginning to make her stand out.

 

Be Good

 

mobbsie

[Mirabell61]

a beautiful model Druxey,

what a lovely sight..

 

Nils

[Gerhardvienna]

 

 

Gerhard: the elegance you see is that of the barge's designer, not mine.

 

 

....................

 

But you have still to bring it to measure, and make the whole things look as good as they are. And they are GOOD!

 

Regards

Gerhard

[the learner]

I like your hinge design! it appears that they were meant to allow the doors to open flat against the aft bulkhead of the cabin out of the way.

[Louie da fly]

In 'Hornblower and the Atropos' C.S. Forester describes (probably not from personal experience, though may have gone and looked at them in the museum) being in charge of one of these barges as part if Nelson's funeral procession. From his description I got the impression they were considerably bigger and heavier - but the barge in question WAS loaded up with The Body in its heavy coffin. However accurate, it nakes a good read.

Edited April 11, 2016 by Louie da fly

[druxey]

One step forward... and two back! I decided to make the decorative barge-boards as friezes; that is to say, on paper. These will be glued on the model. I stretched the paper on a board and painted the dark background. Once dry, the design was traced down using white transfer paper. The design was then applied using a 000 sable brush and gold acrylic paint. I tried to build the paint up three-dimensionally, as the deign was too fine to carve. 

 

When complete, I cut the pieces out carefully, only to find that I'd taken the pattern off to the wrong mark and the pieces were 3/16" too long. So... time for Take Two. I have to do these over again. Onward and upward!

[modelshipwright]

Hmmm, that sounds vaguely familiar as something I have done in my past, that is, measure and cut and do it over. Sorry you have to repeat that beautiful work a second time.

 

Bill

Edited April 13, 2016 by modelshipwright

[Mirabell61]

wonderful decor brushing Druxey,

 

Nils

[AON]

Thank you for being so considerate and building in the error!

 

I feel better already.

[cog]

Druxey,

 

The background looks like watercolour ... won't that pose a problem when you glue it on ...? What will you do with the edges, for those will show the paper's colour, and you used  navy (prussian blue?), cobalt(?), and a petrol like colour layers ...

[druxey]

Cog: No, I use acrylic paint, so there are no issues. I still stretch the paper as if doing watercolour, though!

 

Alan: Whatever gives you the impression that I make no misteaks?

 

I repainted the decorative work to the correct length, cut the pieces out and glued them to the model. The cut edges are not an issue here, as they are hidden by mouldings top and bottom, and also overlapped at the ends.

 

The friezes installed, I then cut, shaped and painted the planksheer rails above the decorative work and glued these to the model. The coach is still removable at this point, so giving a clear field of operation.

 

Aft of the coach is another thwart with what appear to be mooring posts attached. These are next on the list.

[AON]

I suppose I am not so shocked that you admit they (rarely) happen as much as I am delighted you copied me! 

(yes, I spotted it)  

[rafine]

Wonderful work on the decorative panels druxey. 

 

Bob

[michael mott]

Druxey, your work is such a delight to watch, exquisite work with the triple zero, the boats not too shabby either.

 

Michael

[mtaylor]

Now I don't feel so bad when I look at my overflowing scrap box.  Sweet work, Druxey.    

[BANYAN]

Beautiful work Druxey, the real hint of your resolve for top quality was highlighted in an earlier post about the tholes where you made almost three times as many as you needed so that you could select only the best.  This discipline, and the lesson for us mere apprentices, is only reinforced with the redo rather than trim to size of the frieze.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[druxey]

Well folks, I could have fudged things and said nothing - you would never have known, but I would. Thanks for the comments and support for this build.

[EdT]

Lovely work, Druxey.  Any special paper on the friezes?

 

Ed

[druxey]

Ed: no special paper was used, just regular bond. As it's sealed on both sides, (paint on one, white glue on the other) deterioration is unlikely.

 

Thanks to everyone for looking in and for all the 'likes'. It's very encouraging!

 

Today I installed the aft thwart and mooring timber heads, as well as the tiller. There was no indication of a tiller on the draught, so this is my own invention. I may paint the hand-hold in crimson. The tiller was carved and sanded to shape by hand, not turned.

 

At this point in the build, it is time to make a list of what remains to be done. There are ornamental carved brackets at each corner of the coach, two ensign staffs and their flags. Also, there are twelve oars to make. Stay tuned!

Edited April 15, 2016 by druxey

[michael mott]

Druxey looking at these pictures is very inspirational.

 

Michael