Reale De France by fmodajr - FINISHED - Corel - Scale 1:60

fmodajr · February 24, 2021

Hello,

I have started to look at the davit area and davit posts on the starboard side of the model.

The Corel plan, as shown below, shows a pretty simple plan.

2 Vertical posts (298 and 297) supported by a cross beam (300).

Then the plans call to use a piece of the flexible wood in 2mm x 2mm size for the davits.

The "La Fleur De Lis" davit plan is a little more complicated, detailed, and interesting.

The davits are fitted onto the posts 23b and 23d. The davits are thicker for most of its length and are held onto the posts with what looks to be rods that are removable. I have tried to use elements of this plan.

A piece of walnut was thinned to 2 mm thick and the curved section from the Corel plan used as a guide.

The taller inner posts were cut and slotted to accept the davits and and the outer posts slotted for the outer end of the davit.

The davits themselves were made to look a bit more like the plan on "La Fleur De Lis"

The Inner and outer posts are attached to the model.

The large eyelets shown are for the tie down lines of the long boat.

The other smaller eyelets will be used for attaching the rods to hold the davits (As talked about in the photos above)

My next steps will be to add a few deck cleats and rigging chains. Then attach the lower rail on the starboard side before adding the davits.

Thanks for stopping by for a look!!

Frank

72Nova · February 24, 2021

Excellent work Frank and a nice reference as I will be ditching the Heller supplied Davits after seeing this.

Michael D.

fmodajr · February 24, 2021

9 hours ago, safemaster said:

Excellent work Frank and a nice reference as I will be ditching the Heller supplied Davits after seeing this.

Michael D.

Thanks Michael!

I should have the davits installed by next weeks post.

I've been following the very interesting discussions on your log!

Clark, Mark, Kirill4 --thanks for the likes!

Frank

Heinrich der Seefahrer · February 24, 2021

Hello Frank, great work you show in here highly interesting as I did find my REAL DE FRANCE by Heller kit again and I am struggling to build her for the decoration of the living room, too.

So my question is do you think the Corel kit is worth this 600 to 700 Dollars budget and the addtitives you have to pay for. So with the wood you paid more than a thousand Dollars? Is in your oppinion after all this time the quality reflecting the money?

fmodajr · February 25, 2021

15 hours ago, Heinrich der Seefahrer said:

Hello Frank, great work you show in here highly interesting as I did find my REAL DE FRANCE by Heller kit again and I am struggling to build her for the decoration of the living room, too.

So my question is do you think the Corel kit is worth this 600 to 700 Dollars budget and the addtitives you have to pay for. So with the wood you paid more than a thousand Dollars? Is in your oppinion after all this time the quality reflecting the money?

Hello Christian,

Thanks for stopping by. Appreciated.

The answer to your question is a tough one.

As I told a friend of mine, I mainly buy a kit for its plans, instructions and metal decorations. So I always over pay!

I prefer to make everything else, as much as I can, from scratch using my own woods etc. I can do most of this because I have equipment in my work room.

Having said that, if you are interested in only using the Corel supplied items, I think you will like the quality of the metal castings and the various stock wood strips. The laser cut wood components leave a lot to be desired however, and probably should be made from scratch.

If you have a way of using your own wood and have a way of making the metal decorations, getting a hold of the plans and instructions would cost you a lot less. The instructions are important because it is critical to follow the order of assembly since the ship is built in layers from the deck upwards.

Just my opinion and I hope this helps in some way.

My messy workroom!!!

Thanks,

Frank

fmodajr · March 4, 2021

Further update:

Before attaching the davits on the starboard side, some small items were added first. (So, I wouldn't damage the davits!!)

First off was adding 6 eyelets and chain links (3 sets each side) for later rigging attachment points.

Then continued on by adding 6 cleats (3 on each side, Port and Starboard) to the outer deck area.

Lastly, before adding the davits, I installed and painted the lower outer railing on the starboard side.

Finally the davits attached to starboard side.

Also attached the holding wire to the deck and davits, as shown on the "Fleur de Lis" plan

Before installing the lower railing on the port side, I wanted to start the finishing of the cooking platform.

The kit supplied a brass cooking base that was notched so the 4 sides could be bent upwards. Then a wood frame was built around this base.

(I should have taken a photo before I put a coat of black paint on everything)

Not yet attached to the ship.

Before attaching the base to the model, I will do some experimentation using some ash from my fireplace and see what I can come up with to simulate the cooking charcoal ash, as other logs have successfully done!

As always, thanks for the comments, likes, or for just checking the log out!

Frank

Clark · March 4, 2021

Hi Frank,

good idea to simulate the holding wire of the davits which is surely more realistic. I am also in the process of attaching the cleats and rigging lines. It will be probably more difficult when masts and shrouds are installed.

Clark

fmodajr · March 21, 2021

Hello to those who stopped by for a visit and for the "likes"

All appreciated!!

I had to take a month off from the build to help out family with some moving projects.

Can't wait to get back to my build soon!

Thanks,

Frank

takaosai · May 3, 2021

Hi Frank,

I am also building Reale de France and attaching oars now. I realize that there is not enough space to attach oar near the caique. The drawing on sheet 3 shows inner pillar 298 stands on bench, but this postilion is wrong. If you check drawing on sheet 1, inner pillars should be located between benches. When I built inner pillar I felt that this stands unusual place, but I did not check sheet 1 drawing. You can see the correct pillar position in this post.

Takao

fmodajr · May 4, 2021

On 5/2/2021 at 10:55 PM, takaosai said:

Hi Frank,

I am also building Reale de France and attaching oars now. I realize that there is not enough space to attach oar near the caique. The drawing on sheet 3 shows inner pillar 298 stands on bench, but this postilion is wrong. If you check drawing on sheet 1, inner pillars should be located between benches. When I built inner pillar I felt that this stands unusual place, but I did not check sheet 1 drawing. You can see the correct pillar position in this post.

Takao

Takao,

Thank you very much for giving me a "heads up" for this potential issue. I will look into it.

After a 2 month stoppage (helping my daughter and son in law remodel their new home) I hope to be back at work with my model at the end of this week.

Have to sit down and review where i'm at!!

Thanks,

Frank

fmodajr · May 18, 2021

Hello,

I was able to start back up on the model this past week after a couple of months off.

I had made the base of the cooking station before I stopped work.

First step was to create some coal or ember simulation.

Although I am not that skilled in this area, I was able to pick up on some hints on the internet.

First, bought some coarse ballast at a hobby shop and laid this into the cooking station pan.

Next steps were as follows:

1. Paint the ballast a flat black

2. Highlight the high spots with a titanium white paint.

3. Added a yellow, then a touch of orange.

4. Brushed over all the above with the flat black again.

This was the result:

Assembly attached to the model.

Hopefully the final result is acceptable!!

Made up 2 stanchions to support the bar that will hold the pots

Stanchions and Bar in place. Pots will be added later.

At this point I was able to fit in the lower port railing. (the starboard lower railing was added earlier)

Finally added the supports for the small guns.

I did not attach the guns at this point so they won't be in my way.

The next step is to finish the port and starboard stern area next to the railing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Frank

Clark · May 19, 2021

Hi Frank, glad you are back. Looks great. You are right not to fix the pots at this stage. I had to remove the ones in my build since they as they trembled dangerously when the ship was moved.

Clark

fmodajr · June 2, 2021

Hello,

I started work on the decorative side panels near the stern.

Photos are pretty much self explanatory.

Made the base and pillars to house the columns.

Added the columns after painting.

Inserted the mid platform

On the "La Fleur de Lis" plans, there is an upper railing with spindles.

Since I had a few of the metal decorations left, I decided to follow the "Corel" plan for this area and use them.

First added the back panel.

Then the top platform

Next step was to add 4 back supports to the structure.

I added 3 of them. the 4th was to be added next to the last railing post on the right.

I realized, however, that I made a big mistake. The last railing is supposed to be much higher than the rest, to support an angled diagonal cross beam that is to be added. Instead of trying to take out the railing post, and possibly ruin the lower railing glued in place, I decided as a fix to add a taller post just to the left of the railing post (replacing the 4th support).

Oh well!

Finally added some remains decorative pieces.

Next steps are to continue work in this stern area.

Thanks for the "likes" and for stopping by,

Frank

md1400cs · June 2, 2021

Nice work Frank!!

fmodajr · June 3, 2021

11 hours ago, md1400cs said:

Nice work Frank!!

Thanks Michael!

I hope all is well!

Frank

fmodajr · June 17, 2021

As always, thanks for the likes and for checking in.

Appreciated!

Continued working on the sides of the model.

The kit calls for the 2 stern canopy supports to be made from 2 pieces of 2mm x 2mm wood glued together.

I made them from 1 piece of 2mm x 4mm.

Added the slots for the railing supports and the slot on top for the canopy 2mm round rods.

Posts installed perpendicular to the waterline

At this time, decided to fasten the small guns to the U-shaped gun supports.

The guns are sitting loose (not glued parallel to waterline) at this point. I'll knock them around for sure with my clumsy hands!

The Corel kit does not show a stern facing railing where the boarding stairs are to be located.

The Fleur de Lis does show a railing system, I have added an extension to the port and starboard facing railing.

The Upper Railing is now added

Mid Arch Support Beams 2mm x 2mm Added

Next steps are to add angled stern railing supports, stern boarding ladders etc.

Thanks,

Frank

Clark · June 17, 2021

Good idea not to fix the guns, it will pay off at the latest when the shrouds are fixed, own experience.
Clark

fmodajr · June 24, 2021

Hello,

I was able to make more progress around the stern area of the model.

Added the angled side railing support to each side. (I believe the support is for steadying the post that will support the canopy.

As I mentioned on my last post, I made a mistake in not extending the height of the railing post to support the angled beam.

As a remedy, I added a new post right next to the railing post that was supposed to be taller. This seemed to me to be the better solution than risking destroying the railing system by trying to remove the shorter post.

Following the Corel plans, I made up the boarding ladders that will be attached to the stern yoke on each side.

Ladders Painted blue and painted the brass trim using the same technique taught to me in earlier posts.

Assembled ladders ready for install.

The only thing making the build of these ladders a pain was making sure the width of the stairs, with the brass decor added, was exactly the width of the slots in the stern yoke. The little tabs on the decorative side pieces had to fit not these tiny slots.

Ladders installed onto the stern yoke slots.

Decorative Triton figurines were painted with the same gold paint used throughout the model and then added to the lower stern area.

View on Port side.

As a side note, I've broken off the lower end of the rudder pintles a couple of times already. I should have waited longer on the rudder install!!

Thanks for stopping for a look!

Frank

72Nova · June 28, 2021

Very nice work as always Frank👍 and the last 2 pics showing the rudder chains arrangement helps a lot!!.

Michael D.

fmodajr · June 30, 2021

On 6/28/2021 at 3:12 PM, safemaster said:

Very nice work as always Frank👍 and the last 2 pics showing the rudder chains arrangement helps a lot!!.

Michael D.

Hi Michael,

Thanks for stopping by!

For the rudder chain, Gerard's wonderful Fleur De Lis plans show a single chain attached to the rudder with a horseshoe style metal piece. (See photos)

I could not squeeze the chain and attachment in-between the rudder and ship stem, so I compromised and put a chain on both sides of the rudder.

Thanks,

Frank

fmodajr · July 8, 2021

Hello,

Continuing to make progress at the stern end of the model.

2 cast figurines, of a winged woman, were painted and attached under the stern platform

Assembly of the canopy supports.

The Corel plan calls for a 2 mm dowel to span across the width of the stern for the back cross support beam.

The Fleur De Lis plan for the cross beam is a little different, which I tried to incorporate.

The cross support in this plan is for a square beam for the width of the stern structure, then tapering the ends round.

I started with a 3 mm square piece of wood. Used the 4 jaw chuck to hold the square section and sanded the ends round down to 2 mm.

Attached the cross support to the model. The Fleur de Lis plan also shows support rods to help hold the beam.

Decorative cast items added to each end.

View from top

2 mm round dowels painted and added to finish the canopy support. One end supported by the post near the railing and the other end on top of the stronger cross beam.

Next step was to add the decorative cast fittings to the stern area.

The castings that I received in the Corel Kit were of poor quality and it was difficult to see or understand what depiction was trying to be shown.

So I followed a photo of a Reale model that I saw in the past and I tried to bring out what the cast pieces were trying to depict by painting the indented background the blue of the model hull.

The reliefs were now more pronounced to me.

The items attached to the stern of the model

View of stern section so far (almost completed).

There is a stern lantern to be added right behind the canopy cross beam, but I will wait until later so I don't accidentally hit it.

Almost ready to start working on the masts, but first have to turn my attention back to the bow and add the railing to the upper bow structure.

As always, the "likes" are appreciated.

Frank

BobG · July 8, 2021

Just beautiful, Frank. She's going to be a real showpiece.

fmodajr · July 8, 2021

8 hours ago, BobG said:

Just beautiful, Frank. She's going to be a real showpiece.

Thanks for your kind comments!

Glad you could stop for a view of the log.

Frank

md1400cs · July 8, 2021

Frank,

Wow - this build is really something !!

fmodajr · July 9, 2021

22 hours ago, md1400cs said:

Frank,

Wow - this build is really something !!

Hi Michael,

Thanks!

I always thought that this model was complex, until I keep seeing your work on your Beautiful Sovereign.

Every time I think of taking the easy way out on an item on my build, I remind myself of all the extra effort you take on your model, and redouble my efforts.

Best,

Frank

fmodajr · August 5, 2021

Hello,

Turning my attention to finishing the bow railing.

As in other areas, the Fleur De Lis plan show some extra detail for the bow upper deck railing system, namely rod supports for the railing posts.

1st step was to add 8 eyelets to the deck platforms (4 per side)

Cut and slotted the 6 posts. (Made 1 extra)

Added the front railings and an eyelet for the support rods on each post.

Front Railing painted

Side railings added and 8 post support rods (Following the Fleur de Lis plans)

Final detail was to paint and attach horse head figurine to the bow

Hopefully I am now ready to begin work on the masts and yards.

Thanks for stopping by!

Frank

Tim Murphy · August 5, 2021

Frank, this build is the best model that you have ever done, by far! This is better than Vasa and I thought that was great.

The build is clean, crisp and neat. The colors are bright and neat. I hope that you can bring this to the Conference, October 2nd!

Question? What brand is the red paint? It looks as if it is a good solid color with little transparency.

Tim Murphy

fmodajr · August 5, 2021

9 hours ago, Tim Murphy said:

Frank, this build is the best model that you have ever done, by far! This is better than Vasa and I thought that was great.

The build is clean, crisp and neat. The colors are bright and neat. I hope that you can bring this to the Conference, October 2nd!

Question? What brand is the red paint? It looks as if it is a good solid color with little transparency.

Tim Murphy

Hi Tim,

Thank you for your comments. You are too kind!!

I will not be attending the conference on October 2nd. As you may recall in the last Guild meeting, my wife and I are moving in September / October. I have the unenviable task of moving my workshop to the new house quickly, but orderly, so I can continue to work on this model. Hoping to layout a better functioning workroom!

As far as the red paint, it is "FolkArt Acrylic Imperial Red Number 4669". At the beginning of the build, I bought many "Red " samples until I fond this. It has worked out well!

Thanks again for stopping by Tim,

Frank

fmodajr · August 30, 2021

Hello,

Next step for me was to make the Main and Fore Yard.

The Walnut strips (7mm for the Main and 5mm for the Fore) from the kit were very nice for me to work with.

Below are some steps I took for the main yard, but both were very similar.

First step was to slot the underside of the lower half of the yard.

The next photo is a view from the top. (Slot from previous photo is underneath)

I tapered the wood from 7 mm down to about 3 mm at the end of the lower yard.

Next was to take the top side and taper the top from 7mm down to 3 mm at the end.

Took the tapered lower half of the yard and put it in a 4 jaw chuck and sanded the bottom end from square to round at the end.

Finally, finished up the lower half by drilling a hole for later rigging.

Next step was to work on the upper half of the yard and slotting the top to fit the lower half and slotting the bottom for the top extension piece to follow.