Emma C Berry by yvesvidal - Model Shipways - 1/32

[J Haines]

Amazing job! Your post answered all the questions I had. Emma C is my first  true plank on frame build . I just  laid the keel and assembled the building jig. The main question I have is beveling the frames. I don't like Model Shipway's approach, and tried there way on there Bluenose kit and I didn't like the out come. 

I used to live in Mystic Ct, ( early 90's) and would see Emma C. floating at her mooring, when I headed up the Mystic river to go chase Bass and Bluefish. 

[yvesvidal]

Despite many other projects going on, I could not help but work a little bit on the model. Not much progress done, but I almost completed the bowsprit:

 

 

Twelve gaskets were installed to help fold the genoa (or gib):

 

 

The bowsprit bands are made with the supplied brass strips, soldered and carefully drilled with a 0.5 mm drill.

 

 

All painting is done with acrylic paint, diluted and brushed in many coats. The black is Black Gesso which is used to prime canvas with a black background and which presents the fantastic property to be very easy to brush and to have a perfect finish. in my opinion, it is the perfect way to finish whales and other black surfaces on a model ship.

 

Yves

[trippwj]

The bowsprit looks good, Yves. Looking forward to when I can get the new shipyard set up!

[yvesvidal]

Dirk,

 

Thanks for your kindness. I really appreciate your Syren and will use your Build Log when I start the kit which is sitting in my closet.

 

Yves

[Timothy Wood]

Wow!  What a great job!  Keep up the good work.  

 

Tim 

[bhermann]

Yves - that bowsprit is just another example of your fine work.  I am fascinated by some of the hardware shown here and the general shape of the spar.  Keep up the good work!

 

Bob

[craigb]

Don and Yves, 

Regarding your transom questions, I had the opportunity to take several photos of the real Emma a month or so ago, maybe they will help?

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/3221-emma-c-berry-photos-at-mystic-seaport-2013/

 

cheers

[yvesvidal]

Lawrence,

 

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, these framed ships are a regal to build and I need to get back to work on mine.

It is still standing in the same condition as the last picture published on the Blog.... which is pretty sad.

Personal issues in my life have not allowed me to make any progress, plus I am pursuing too many other projects at the same time.

 

I think I am going to try to get in the groove and resume the building of this lovely ship.

 

Yves

Edited December 24, 2015 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

After a long hiatus, some updates.

 

Since it may be a while before I have time to work on the boat itself, I told myself that at least the structure should be displayed. With that objective in mind, I decided to build a base that will present the model as it is today. Having the model on display (rather than a box) may motivate me to proceed with the build.

 

The base is made of two pieces of pine glued together. The overall size is 30 inches by 7 inches. The base is painted with black acrylic Gesso which is a wonderful medium to obtain a silky and very uniform appearance without too much sanding and painting. Ultimately, this base will be covered with fine dirt and I may turn it into a diorama as suggested by the Model Shipways cover picture.

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/2826/tQALl3.jpg

 

Since the shipyard uses leftovers from a nearby railroad company, the boat will sit on massive pieces of wood and railroad ties. The ties are made of 1/4" x 1/4" basswood (provided in the kit) and I have used miniature spikes in the scale of 1/32nd to secure the pieces of wood to the base and the pieces between themselves. The basswood is stained before assembly using the Brown Micro-Mark Age-it-easy fluid. The spike are driven into the basswood using a special spike pliers/driver and finished with a small hammer. Without the spiker tool (also available from Micro mark/Xuron), it is very difficult and almost impossible to drive correctly the spike into the hard wood.

http://imageshack.com/a/img903/989/riMfCI.jpg

 

The result is not too bad and will allow this base to sit in a glass enclosure, if I ever finish the model.

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/6307/79iNtZ.jpg

 

The boat sits gracefully on top of its Building Ways. My next little project will be to fabricate the lateral stands to stabilize the hull.

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/29/ccbtwf.jpg

 

Yves

Edited December 29, 2015 by yvesvidal

[Maury S]

Yves,

I don't know if it's at my end or not, but none of the pictures are showing up on your post...I see pics on all others.

Maury

[yvesvidal]

I just finished the side stands for the Building Ways. I tried to make them as realistic as possible, as it would be in a shipyard a few decades ago:

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/1531/NvgETL.jpg

 

The Emma C. Berry (structure) can now be proudly displayed:

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/1196/ujY6ma.jpg

 

Yves

[Cannon Fodder]

As I have started this model as well, and you are far ahead of me, I will be following along. I was trying to look ahead about what the heck a king plank was and your log helped me out.  I love your blocking.

[pete48]

Hi Yves, I just discovered your build, Very nice, She's looking good, I will have to follow along 

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[yvesvidal]

Thank you Pete,

 

Coming from you it is an honor.

 

Did you notice the other boat on the ledge?

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/1196/ujY6ma.jpg

 

Yves

Edited February 29, 2016 by yvesvidal

[pete48]

Hi Yves, You are very kind, it was nice to see the picture, I had to show it to Kate, she loved it and likes your house. 

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[frenchguy]

Hi Yves,

Emma C. Berry will be my next build after I finish my Benjamin Latham.

Have you made any progress since your last post?

Cheers

Stephan

[Tigersteve]

This is looking good. 

Steve

[yvesvidal]

I realized that this thread has been idle for the past seven years..... 😴

 

Now that the Type VIIc submarine is almost completed, it may be time to resurrect this build log and do a smooth transition away from polystyrene and resin to the good old Basswood wood construction. Besides, there are not too many Emma C. Berry on this forum and this lovely fishing boat deserves more fame.

 

Yves

[BobG]

1 hour ago, yvesvidal said:

it may be time to resurrect this build log

I just read through your build log, Yves, and I'm really happy to see that you've decided to continue with building this wonderful model. Seeing your excellent work so far has made me think that this model should be on my tick list as well. I'm looking forward to following along.

[yvesvidal]

Just a couple of pictures to situate where we are at this stage, of what is called End of Phase 1. The hull has been entirely framed and the covering board have been installed.

 

The texture of the basswood is really unctuous and I hope I will not make a disaster when planking it:

 

The scale of 1/32 makes for a nice and beefy model.

 

 

Here, you can see the famous well used to keep the fish fresh and alive, until the boat can be returned to the harbor. The hull has been "faired" but I will get back to it, before laying the first planks. I have never planked a hull, so this will be a new experience for me.

 

In parallel to the nice set of instructions and plans provided by Model Shipways, I also purchased that little booklet that tells about the restoration of the Smack Emma Berry in Mystic Seaport. That book is illustrated of hand drawn sketch which are very well done. I may publish a couple, as we go along.

 

 

Yves

[BobG]

3 hours ago, yvesvidal said:

The scale of 1/32 makes for a nice and beefy model.

The large scale will certainly make for an impressive model. I didn't realize it was that large. 

[gjdale]

Nice to see you back at this model Yves. This is another that I have in my way too big stash. I’ll enjoy following along with your build.

[WalrusGuy]

I never knew Model Shipways had a plank on frame kit until I stumbled upon this log. I'll watch with interest. This is a model I might be getting sometime in the near future 😁 

[Blue Ensign]

As I'm currently into fishing boats Yves, I will follow your build continuation with interest.

 

She looks really good as you have her currently displayed, standing in frame only, and what an elegant setting.

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[yvesvidal]

5 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

As I'm currently into fishing boats Yves, I will follow your build continuation with interest.

She looks really good as you have her currently displayed, standing in frame only, and what an elegant setting.

Regards,

B.E.

Thank you Blue Ensign. I am an ardent supporter and admirer of your fishing vessels build logs and really enjoy what you are doing. It may be a while before I resume the Emma Build, but we will get there.

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

After many years of hiatus, I have decided to resurrect this Build log. I must confess that I have never planked a hull on frames (or bulkheads for that matter) and that prospect was blocking me from making any progress. But like many enthusiasts, until you try planking you will never know the ultimate satisfaction of wood ship building.

 

So, there we go, working on the "C" belt, as recommended by the instructions: 

 

 

 

4 down.... 8 to go on the "C" belt.

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

I believe it is coming to no surprise for the members of this forum, but I am starting to like planking that hull. Very refreshing and relatively easy. Alsmot meditative in essence. Eight planks down and four more to go, for the "C" belt: 

 

 

 

The planks are glued on the frames, with CA glue. Later on, I brush a mixture of white wood glue thinned in warm water to penetrate the basswood and allow some kind of adhesion between the planks. After some light sanding, the planks regain their soft and smooth surface.

 

Yves

Edited November 15, 2020 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

And the "C" belt is finished. Waiting for the white glue to dry, then some light sanding and we can move to the "B" belt.

 

It is not perfect, but for a first attempt I am not too dissatisfied. It is a good thing that the hull will be painted :-)

 

Yves

[G.L.]

Looks very nice, Yves.

[BobG]

Looks great, Yves!