Red Jacket by MrBlueJacket - FINISHED - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - Scale 1/8" = 1' (1:96)

[MrBlueJacket]

Now all 3 masts have their uppers rigged and all blocks etc installed.

[MrBlueJacket]

Before stepping the masts, I decided to install the bowsprit.

[MrBlueJacket]

Luckily, back last February 25th, I put a stop block under the forecastle to position the bowsprit correctly. All I had to do was put some glue on the end and stick it in.

[MrBlueJacket]

And there's a half-dozen chain stays to install. Here's the 2 bobstays.

[etubino]

I really like Bluejacket Kits and I´m emjoying your postings and excellent work!

[MrBlueJacket]

To make it easier to work on, I lay the ship on its side, with a foam rubber sheet under it for protection.

[MrBlueJacket]

I also noticed that the bobstays were a bit loose, so I tightened the lanyards up.

[MrBlueJacket]

This past weekend I was able to attach all 8 chainstays.

Edited October 7, 2019 by MrBlueJacket

[MrBlueJacket]

And this is the "money shot" - making sure everything is square and straight. Especially the martingale, it is balanced on both sides, and I had to play with the lanyards to get the tension just right.

[mtdoramike]

I love this model, one of these days, it's on my radar.

[MrBlueJacket]

17 hours ago, mtdoramike said:

I love this model, one of these days, it's on my radar.

 

Mike,

Since you are doing a build thread on the Notman, when it is done you will be getting 10% off your next kit you get from us. FOr the Red Jacket, that means a $63 savings.

 

Nic

[Thistle17]

Your model build is a joy to follow. I cut my teeth on the Bluenose from AJ Fisher sometime ago. Shaping the hull with carving tools etc was wonderfully satisfying. I have been drawn into the world of plank on bulkhead and while some find it very much to their liking I can't say I do. I find myself wanting to get onto the detail of the model but plodding along on the planking. Redjacket is a beauty and your progress reminds of the merits of solid hulls. Sitting on my shelf is The Flying Cloud from your namesake just waiting for my attention. You inspire me.

Joe

PS The vintage of the Flying Cloud if I am correct has the lead alloy fittings. Any suggestions?

[MrBlueJacket]

15 hours ago, Thistle17 said:

PS The vintage of the Flying Cloud if I am correct has the lead alloy fittings. Any suggestions?

 

Lead fittings are subject to corrosion (lead bloom) and decay, eventually turning to white powder. If they are perfectly sealed with paint, that doesn't become a problem for several decades. However, I suggest you replace them with Britannia metal fittings (lead-free pewter) - you can find probably everything you need from the fittings section of our website.

[MrBlueJacket]

Now starts the stepping of the masts. Here's the Mainmast being set up at the proper rake angle, as determined by the template provided in the kit.

[MrBlueJacket]

To avoid problems, we have to think ahead about what needs to go where before the other stuff gets in the way. For example, attaching the Mizzen stay would be nearly impossible after the main shrouds are installed.

Edited October 9, 2019 by MrBlueJacket
spelling

[RickyGene]

Looking good my friend.  I have been many times to your web page and oft wondered if you built or just produced/sold.  Guess it makes sense you are a builder too.  Looking forward to your next up-date.

Rick😎

 

PS I have the True POF America kit.  I bought from a fella from TX you sold too back in 1995.  Everything is there except for the small tree nail dowels list says 30, are these still available for purchase.  The kit came w/2 sets of ribs, one for the Jeff Davis and a set for the America.  There is another here on the Forum is building self same kit.

[MrBlueJacket]

And so we begin the lower shrouds.The first shroud on each side, like the bowsprit, is critical to the alignment of the masts.Unless they are correct, the problems will mount later on. BTW, the masts are not glued in, they are held just by the rigging, like full-size practice.

 

The lanyards on both sides are loose, then tightened up and adjusted to make the mast square before tying off.

[MrBlueJacket]

So we go to the next pair of deadeyes. Now the task is to make sure all the upper deadeyes are at the same level, which should be parallel to the waterline, not the deck.

[rwiederrich]

Nic....masterfully done.  What tool are you using to keep all your deadeye lanyards the same height?    Are you using a wire spacer or something?

 

Rob

[MrBlueJacket]

19 hours ago, rwiederrich said:

Nic....masterfully done.  What tool are you using to keep all your deadeye lanyards the same height?    Are you using a wire spacer or something?

 

Rob

For the first shroud P&S I use the bent wire method (looks like a staple) - that way both sides have the same spacing. For the rest of the shrouds, I eyeball it to within about 1/32" and sieze it. Then I can tighten or loosen the lanyards, and also wind or unwind the shroud to get the final height to "eyeball" level.

[rwiederrich]

4 hours ago, MrBlueJacket said:

For the first shroud P&S I use the bent wire method (looks like a staple) - that way both sides have the same spacing. For the rest of the shrouds, I eyeball it to within about 1/32" and sieze it. Then I can tighten or loosen the lanyards, and also wind or unwind the shroud to get the final height to "eyeball" level.

I eyeballed at first...but found the wire spacer worked very well for me...cuz I could then simply wrap the shroud around the deadeye, clip off with a mini alligator clip and then seize.

[MrBlueJacket]

And the mainmast shrouds are done. I will be doing the ratlines before the backstays so I have more space to work around.

[rwiederrich]

Sweet job......

 

I need to get back to work on the Great Republic...….

 

You're making me anxious.

 

Rob

[MrBlueJacket]

Got to do the main stay and main top stay. These are much easier to install before the foremast goes in, as you can see from the picture. Small strips of paper towel were glued on and painted to represent the leather chaffing guards.

[MrBlueJacket]

And with the masts stepped, it is time to do the ratlines. It's just another one of those jobs that creates hours of great fun........

[GrandpaPhil]

I always enjoyed tying ratlines.  It is tedious, but relaxing.

[rwiederrich]

Like much of the tedious jobs...I find a way to mass create them.  My GR is a smaller scale 1/128th..so I was able to simply apply glue to the shrouds and press the ratlines into it and then twist the ratline to incorporate the glue.  Then when dry, I go back and nip off the remnant line...leaving a clean, tidy row of ratlines.  I follow up by applying black paint over the glue to hide any shininess.  The ratlines  tend to blend in or dissolve among the extent of other rigging.  I tend to rig several yards at a time in this fashion.  IMV, making the job fly by....if that word can even be applied here.    Realizing that since I'm *cheating* on the majority of my building techniques and am using every media available to create my models....skipping thousands of clove hitches won't break the bank of authenticity.  Not much of our model construction techniques or materials are *authentic* anyway.

 

Love the job you're doing.

 

Rob

 

Edited November 5, 2019 by rwiederrich

[MrBlueJacket]

Down to the last two sets of ratlines to tie.

[MrBlueJacket]

And yet another alignment check to make sure the masts are straight.

[rwiederrich]

Wonderful work....just lovely.  Clean and neat.  All those nots can be tiring.  Now it's done....and on to other things.

 

Rob