HMS Victory by gjdale - FINISHED - Mamoli - Scale 1:90

[mtdoramike]

WOW, that display case for the Vic is nice, I like the seamless look very much. The base is nice as well, I like the Black look of the base. I'm going to have to build one for the Latina Victory I'm building as well, but at close to 50 inches in length, it will be a task indeed. I don't think I will be able to get away with the seamless look with a case that huge.

[gjdale]

Thanks everyone for all the kind comments and also for all the "likes".

 

mtdoramike - your model is a similar scale to this one, maybe an inch or two longer, so you should have no problem with a similar case if you choose to go down this route. Mine is 1200mm long (about 48inches) and is made from 4.5mm thick Perspex. I would have liked to have used 6mm for added rigidity, but that would have added 50% more to the already expensive cost.

 

Short progress report on the ship's boats.

 

I have been slowly but surely painting the external hull of the Pinnace - just applied the ninth coat. I'm thinking maybe one more coat and then a final protective coat of Dull Cote. Following others advice, I've been using very thin coats of paint. I'm using a Humbrol enamel thinned 50% with Thinner. While tedious, it does seem to improve the appearance.

 

While watching the paint dry, I've been progressing the framing for the two 25ft Cutters. I finished cutting the keels for both today, and have cleaned up all the frames. This took quite some effort. Releasing the spot-glued frames from their inner supports required the judicious use of the isopropyl alcohol - judicious because the frames are laminated and too heavy a hand with the IPA and I might just have twice as many frames! Once separated and dry, the remaining glue residue had to be cleaned off using a needle file and a very light touch - these things are REALLY fragile. Only broke two.

 

Once cleaned up, I started fitting the frames into the build boards. One set is complete and the other ready to fit. The Admiral kicked me out of the shipyard before I could finish the second set. Something about needing to go to sleep as tomorrow is a work day!

 

Consequently, I didn't get time to take some pictures. Sorry Sjors I'll try to get some taken tomorrow and post them up then.

[alangr4]

Well done on completing the cutter framing Grant. The scale would have presented a heap of challenges.

 

I doubt I would have had your patience in applying the isopropyl.

 

Looking and sounding great.

 

Alan

[augie]

You won't go wrong with many coats of diluted paint.  Glad you're pleased with the results. 

 

Look forward to seeing the cutters!

[gjdale]

Okay, so here's the photos that I didn't get to take last night.   I'm still experimenting with the photography, but the pics seem to be getting better. 

 

First up, I made a "handle" from copper wire and looped it through the gunwales to provide a handhold while painting.  It also served as a holding post for the vice while the paint dried:

 

 

 

Here is the current state of play with painting.  Probably just one or two clear coats of Dull Cote for protection now:

 

 

 

Meanwhile, progress with the Cutters (well, one of them anyway):

 

Here's the keel:

 

 

And with frames placed in the building board and frame "plugs" inserted (as per the Launch):

 

 

And without the Plug:

 

 

 

Finally, here's a couple of shots of both the Pinnace and Cutter Plugs for comparison.  They are really quite different hull forms:

 

 

 

The Admiral is giving me "the look" again, so that's it for now!!!

[Script]

Amazing work, Grant!

 

You work is inspiring......you have amazing patience and concentration to be able to achieve such fine work in such small scale.

 

Unless, perhaps, you are much larger than we mortals.......... :D

 

Cheers,

 

Jim

[rafine]

You're really beginning to intimidate me Grant. Your scale is even smaller than my Essex and I can't imagine even coming close to what you're doing with the boats. The pinnace is coming out great.

 

Bob

[mikec]

Beautiful work Grant, you have inspired me to make a pinnace too, for my Victory. I will study your log carefully ...

[Sjors]

A big one is not enough so he goes further with little ones..........

 

Very, very nice Grant !!!!!!!!!

 

[mobbsie]

Get any smaller mate and were all going to need magnifiers to see them.  

 

It's not the withering looks that get me, it's that sharp pointy thing between the shoulder blades, don't ya just love em.  

 

 Looking real good mate.

 

Be Good

 

mobbsie

Edited June 24, 2014 by mobbsie

[mtaylor]

Super nice work, Grant.   They really do look a lot bigger than they are with all the crisp work you're doing.   

[HIPEXEC]

How do you do that extremely small stuff? I'm in wonder!

[trippwj]

Superlatives escape me, Grant. That is amazing work.

[Dan Vadas]

Hi Grant,

 

Where did you get that oversize novelty fake hand   ? Fairly good work on the pinnace (note the "winky" smiley).

 

Maybe your missus should get herself a hobby that takes as much time as ours? Then again, dinner wouldn't be cooked before 10:00pm .

 

  Danny

[newbuilder101]

More terrific little boats! I know these little cutters will be as amazing as your other boats! If you set the miniature boat building bar any higher, I'm going to need an extension ladder just to see it!

[rafterrat_2005]

Grant what an amazing job!! I to am building the same kit and scale, is there a trick in running the blocks to the yards? I wood have to say the blocks YOU made are out of this world!!!

[gjdale]

Thank you one and all for all the very generous comments and praise - it really does help me to keep going when I start to question my sanity!  Thanks also to all the "likes". 

 

Rafterrat - not sure I understand your question re blocks.  What do you mean by "running the blocks to the yards"?  If you could you try asking the question in a slightly different way, I may be able to answer it for you.  I don't believe there are any tricks - just a  lot of patience and perseverance.  I used Longridge as my main guide through the process.

 

Sherry - you better start getting that extension ladder out.............

 

Ship's Boats continued:

 

After a week or so of painting, I am finally able to continue with the Pinnace.  Today I installed the Thwarts, which are made of 1/32" x 3/32" Pear, trimmed with 1/32" x 1/32" Boxwood (same as the Launch).  There is also a 1/32" x 1/32" Boxwood stanchion supporting the centre of each Thwart except the forward most and aft most ones.  There were no particular difficulties in installing these.

Still experimenting with photography, so here's today's efforts to keep you-know-who happy:

 

A couple of overviews of the Thwarts in place:

 

 

 

This shows the supporting stanchions.  I could swear they were perfectly aligned when I viewed them with the naked eye! 

 

 

Here's a side shot that shows a little of the exterior painting.  I'm quite pleased with the end result - it is silky smooth to the touch and yet it is still possible to make out the planking.

 

 

Finally, I have progressed the framing on the two 25ft Cutters.  They are both now at the same stage:

 

 

Next up, Stern sheets for the Pinnace and then Caprails.  At some point soon, I'll have to start planking the Cutters, and yes folks, we're going to have a crack at clinker planking!     

Edited June 28, 2014 by gjdale

[rafine]

You have every reason to question your sanity Grant -- the pinnace is just crazy good.

 

Bob

[augie]

Not easy getting those planks to just show through the paint the right amount.  Thwarts are really great!

[mtaylor]

Fantastic pinnace, sir.  Just fantastic.

 

As for sanity... here's  the test I use:  I ask the Unicorn and some Gummy Bears.  To date, they have all agreed that I'm sane.   

[Remcohe]

The pinnace looks insanely good  

You'll find clinker planking not as difficult as it looks, do you have the cutter practicum from David Antscherl? 

 

Remco

[gjdale]

Thanks again everyone for all the encouraging comments and the "likes".

 

Mark - not having a unicorn to hand, I just asked the dog.  He's not sure, but as long as I keep feeding him he's prepared to say I'm sane!

 

Remco - I've been following (mainly) my Warrior practicum for constructing these boats.  Thanks for the reminder about the Antscherl cutter practicum - I'm pretty sure I downloaded that some time ago, so I'll have another read through that as well before I start the clinker planking.

 

Ship's Boats continued:

 

Today I concentrated on constructing and installing the Sternsheets, along with the lifting rings fwd and aft, and the Caprails.  For the Sternsheets, I opted to include a seat-back as well. To keep the colour theme going, I trimmed the sternsheets with 1/32" square Boxwood, but for the seat-back, I used two laminates of 1/64" Holly to achieve the curvature required.

 

Here's couple of overall shots of the sternsheets in place.  Continuing the photography experimentation, I've gone back to a black background for this series of shots.  I think that for this little boat it works better than the blue, particularly with the white hull.

 

 

 

 

Here's a couple of close-ups of the Lifting rings installed:

 

 

Note in this pic, the cutouts at the fwd end of the sternsheets.  This is to allow some extra leg room for those on the aft most thwart.

 

 

And here's a couple of shots of the Caprail in place.  This really makes the whole thing really pop.

 

 

 

 

And finally, just for another scale check, here's a pic of that giant fake hand again

 

 

All that's left now is the washboards/oarlocks.  I've started preparing the stock for these, and all I can say is thank goodness for my Byrnes saw, and all the practice I had in preparing stock for very small blocks!!!!

 

That's all for now folks.

[newbuilder101]

Every time you include a shot with your hand I shake my head! I could swear that I'm looking at a much larger boat and then that last picture brings it all into perspective! Spectacular little boat!

[JesseLee]

Beautiful!

[Trussben]

Another sweet looking boat Grant.

 

Ben

[Bindy]

Every time you include a shot with your hand I shake my head! I could swear that I'm looking at a much larger boat and then that last picture brings it all into perspective! Spectacular little boat!

 

Sherry says it perfectly!

 

(and I think your photography is getting close to perfect too)

[mtaylor]

Damn that's beautiful....  <envy><envy>

[themadchemist]

I'm just catching up and must say... I'm not really surprised at all at how well the pinnace is turning out.

 

Your first boat set the bar so high I just knew the Pinnace and Cutters would be nothing less and most likely even better as you've gained experience.

I was right, they are perfection its self. Excellent work from a true artisan.

 

I'm not a fan of paint, but the pinnace's paint job is NICE. Its smooth as glass but still shows the planking, which at this scale let's those that know just how much time it took. If your dog won't be a character witness towards your sanity, I'll vouch for it. The proof is in the outcome and the pinnace is the proof of sanity.

 

The Vicky's case is a very nice switch from the wood framed aquarium look that so many cases have. A fitting cover for a massive endeavor.

 

can't wait to see the cutters clink planking, and I'm going to say it before you even start.

Wow, the clinker planking looks amazing (as I know it will)

 

Thanks for mentoring us all though your build log Grant. I think of all I've learned from you, patience is the most important task I've picked up.

 

Keep pushing the envelope and watching it bend Grant. All great masters do.

[mikec]

amazing work, I agree with Sherry and Bindy.

[gjdale]

Thanks very much for the kind comments Sherry, JesseLee, Ben, Bindy, Mark, John, Keith and Mike.  And thanks again to all of the "likes".

 

Ship's Boats continued....

 

This weekend I tackled the task of making Oarlocks and Splashboards for the Pinnace.  The oarlocks were quite tricky.  I started with a strip of 3/64" sq Boxwood stock, into which I cut a 1/64" rebate, about 1/64" deep using the Brynes saw  :

 

 

Then I made up a simple jig to use on the Byrnes saw that would enable me to cut a tenon-like leg for each of the oarlocks before separating it by hand from the main stock.  Here's what they look like before cleaning up:

 

 

These were then installed into the Caprail and 1/64" x 1/16" Boxwood strips added for the washboards.  I decided to make the bow washboards one continuous strip that was bent around the bow after soaking, and once dry the underside was sanded and shaped to fit the shape of the sheer line.  On the real thing, all of the washboards apart from the bow and aft-most ones were removable.  I decided to glue mine all in so that they didn't accidentally remove themselves later on.    Here they are in place:

 

 

I should perhaps have painted all of these parts before installing them, but I was worried that the paint would clog up the channels in the oarlocks and make the washboards too hard to fit.  So, I had to paint them in situ.  I also decided that I wasn't completely happy with the seat back I had made for the Sternsheets (the proportions looked wrong to me), so I decided to make another one.

 

Here are a few pictures of the completed Pinnace (I don't intend to make oars or rudder).  To continue my experimentation with photography, this time I've use a mid-blue background so that the black-painted parts don't get lost.

 

 

 

 

Next up, back to the Cutters........

Edited July 6, 2014 by gjdale