Viking Drakkar by Ryzuhr - Amati - 1:50 Scale - First build

[Ryzuhr]

Hello MSW!

After perusing build logs for the past week, I have finally sat down to work on my own kit. A little back story for me. My great uncle recently passed and had spent many years building ships. When last I visited him in Chicago, he had at least 5 ships on display. I had spent the majority of my family's visit there talking about modeling and found my interest in the hobby. Before we left, he had given me a box to kickstart my toolbox. For my birthday that same year, my mother bought me the Amati Drakkar kit to encourage me to pursue it. 

Well, after almost a year of sitting in my closet out of fear for lack of space and time, I have no opened up that kit and got to work. I appreciate the advice a lot of you have given me and the build logs that are available. I have learned a lot and hope to apply at least some of that knowledge to this kit and all going forward.

 

To start things off, I read through the parts list and skimmed the entirety of the instructions. Then I cut out of the keel and frames, dry fitted to see how much adjustment would need to be made during gluing, and got to gluing. I ended up having to shimmy the smaller frames on the bow and stern because I didn't realize the clamps had held them at an angle. They were square horizontally with the keel, but not vertically. Luckily I caught it before the glue set too much and I could get them off without any damage. I re-glued them and made sure they were held straight and let them sit.

 

[Ryzuhr]

Next up will be the strakes. I'm trying to take the repeated advice of "Take your time, don't try to rush to the end. Enjoy the entirety of the process." so I stopped at the keel and frames last night. Which I suppose is good so I can let the glue set for the 24 hours to make sure they're as secure as can be.

 

In Amfibius's Drakkar build, he stained the hull before starting deck planking and I really loved that light on dark look. I'm not sure what stain he used, but would anyone be able to give me some suggestions?

Edited May 25, 2018 by Ryzuhr

[md1400cs]

Andrew,

 

Very nice start.

This one is under my table up next. After binging on The Vikings" all 4 seasons - I became so motivated to build a long boat.

I had originally bought the Billings Oseberg (will stay under my table) It is a monster more than 36" long - did not pay attention to the scale details.

 

Your kit is the perfect size. Yes Amfibius' build log is excellent indeed.

 

Good luck - I will grab a chair and follow along

 

Cheers,

[Peter Y.]

Such a cool kit! Looking forward to how it turns out.

 

It might be just my impression, but it think you need some extra lighting in that workshop ;-)

 

Good luck!

Edited May 26, 2018 by Peter Y.

[MESSIS]

Nice start there! Keep it up. Am goong to follow your log. I have builded the Amati Drakkar last year. I really enjoyed it. Not only building the model itself but also the reading and searching the vikings ship building history.

 

Christos

[Ryzuhr]

md1400cs - haha I just picked up the show again to finish season 5! I had introduced my mom to the show and so she got me this kit =D

 

Peter Y. - You would be correct! Currently my wife and I are in a one bedroom apartment so my "workshop" is our dining table. I only had the overhead lights on for those pictures and hadn't realized how dark it was outside. 

 

MESSIS - I'm really enjoying it so far! I've enjoyed modeling in the past, but have never taken on something this detailed. I just hope it turns out well for my first build. 

 

Welcome aboard, all! Thank you for following along and the kind comments!

[Ryzuhr]

Here is my progress so far. I spent some of the day working on the strakes. I had forgotten to sand a taper on the ends of the first 2, so it created some small gaps near the stern. I sanded the next 2 so I hope it won't affect their placement later on. 

 

Edited May 27, 2018 by Ryzuhr

[Ryzuhr]

Slowly making progress on the strakes. I still have 5 sets of strakes left to attach. 

 

Once those are done, I need to drill holes and figure out what finish I want to put on the hull. I've seen a lot of people use tung oil or teek oil. I'm not familiar with wood finishes, so I don't know what a good option would be. I'll probably use a natural finish on the deck planking. My goal is to have the hull a darker color than the deck.

 

Any suggestions?

[MESSIS]

I let the hull planks with just a natural colorlesd varnish. But I gave a slighly darker tone to the kielon all its length. Same tone I gave also to the deck plankd. I liked it. But its a matter of personal taste.

Edited June 1, 2018 by MESSIS

[Ryzuhr]

1 hour ago, MESSIS said:

I let the hull planks with just a natural colorlesd varnish. But I gave a slighly darker tone to the kielon all its length. Same tone I gave also to the deck plankd.

Ohhhh I like that. How did you get the color on the keel without affecting the rest of the hull?

Something I'm concerned about is leftover glue. Is it as easy as sanding/scraping off any excess glue before putting the varnish on?

[MESSIS]

no worries. Just patience and use a stain of your choice. After you sand off any glue leftovers with a thin pinsel or small cloth apply carefully the stain. For extra protection, you can even mask the nearby planks with a mask liquit. There is a good one .from revell

Edited June 2, 2018 by MESSIS

[Ryzuhr]

7 hours ago, MESSIS said:

no worries. Just patience and use a stain of your choice. After you sand off any glue leftovers with a thin pinsel or small cloth apply carefully the stain. For extra protection, you can even mask the nearby planks with a mask liquit. There is a good one .from revell

Awesome, thank you! That is very helpful, I appreciate the tips!

[Ryzuhr]

Slow progress on the strakes. Only 3 more sets left!

Edited June 18, 2018 by Ryzuhr

[MESSIS]

well done

[Old Collingwood]

On 24/05/2018 at 3:15 PM, Ryzuhr said:

Hello MSW!

After perusing build logs for the past week, I have finally sat down to work on my own kit. A little back story for me. My great uncle recently passed and had spent many years building ships. When last I visited him in Chicago, he had at least 5 ships on display. I had spent the majority of my family's visit there talking about modeling and found my interest in the hobby. Before we left, he had given me a box to kickstart my toolbox. For my birthday that same year, my mother bought me the Amati Drakkar kit to encourage me to pursue it. 

Well, after almost a year of sitting in my closet out of fear for lack of space and time, I have no opened up that kit and got to work. I appreciate the advice a lot of you have given me and the build logs that are available. I have learned a lot and hope to apply at least some of that knowledge to this kit and all going forward.

 

To start things off, I read through the parts list and skimmed the entirety of the instructions. Then I cut out of the keel and frames, dry fitted to see how much adjustment would need to be made during gluing, and got to gluing. I ended up having to shimmy the smaller frames on the bow and stern because I didn't realize the clamps had held them at an angle. They were square horizontally with the keel, but not vertically. Luckily I caught it before the glue set too much and I could get them off without any damage. I re-glued them and made sure they were held straight and let them sit.

 

Welcome to the family.

 

OC.

[Ryzuhr]

It's been a while since I've gotten a chance to work on my ship. Between packing and getting moved, I'm hoping to start this up again after the holidays. =D

[yancovitch]

hmmmmmm......it's amazing how many people start builds, then disappear without an explanation or a good bye....

[johnothanswift]

And that's the reason I'm not doing a build log of my first build. It puts a lot of pressure on you to post 'regularly' and so far I've taken 5 months to build half the hull of Roar Ege. Seriously, who wants to read about that.

For those of us first timers this is usually a labour of love, but also one which can take a long time due to 'stuff' causing a slow down of progress.

 

I really admire those who have the time to put in regular hours but for many people work, family, not being able to have a dedicated workshop, all slow the building progress and the build log tends to be the first to go.

 

Just my two cents worth but as Ryzuhr and I are both building similar models I fully understand the delays, and I have far fewer excuses for not showing greater progress. 😊

[irishrover1970]

This is an old  thread but figured I would throw my two cents in also . I have this kit also and am  currently reading all I can about it before I start. this will be my first ever build so I’m a bit  nervous to say the least. And yes John, I agree with you 100%. No way I am going to start a build log for the same  reasons. must be nice to be  retired and have all the time in the world to devote to model ship building . As for the rest of us working stiffs we have to work at it when we can  which is not very often when life gets in the way . I am  grateful for the little bit that  Ryzuhr has posted , even if he never posts again.