Albatros by Dr PR - Mantua - Scale 1:48 - Revenue Cutter kitbash about 1815

[SaltyScot]

3 hours ago, Dr PR said:

That indicates a single piece lid.

 

My thoughts exactly, Phil.

 

3 hours ago, Dr PR said:

The question then is if you have room for hinges on the bulwark planking over the gun ports? Are the bulwarks high enough on your model to allow the gun barrels to extend freely through the gun port and not strike the top of the port or the underside of the port lids? The guns should be elevated a bit from the horizontal to extend the range (how much I do not know).

 

I will add this to my research list.

[Dr PR]

Progress, slowly but surely! The starboard side rat lines are finished. Half way there!

 

 

The forward ratlines were tied with 0.012 inch (0.3 mm) brown polyester rope. The polyester is springy and the knots were untying themselves as fast as I could pull them tight. The clove hitches on the center shroud weren't much of a problem, but the lark's head (cow hitch) knots on the outer shrouds were horrible. I had to put a tiny drop of Duco Cement in the loose knot and then pull it tight and hold until the glue set (20-30 seconds). CA gel would probably work but you would have to be fast - one slip and it could set before the knot is tight or in the right position.

 

I looked through my modeling materials and found a small spool of what appears to be cotton rope of about the same dimension. It was left over from a previous kit - or perhaps this one! I used this for the after ratlines, and used simple overhand knots. After I pulled the knots tight I put a small drop of diluted white glue (1:1 with water) on them. The white glue soaked in and fixed the knot after it set for half an hour or so. This allowed plenty of time to reposition the knot and pull it very tight. It was MUCH easier than trying to use the polyester!

 

****

 

Falconer's Universal Dictionary of the Marine (1769) has this to say about

 

"RATTLINGS, enflechures, certain small lines which traverse the shrouds of a ship horizontally, at regular distances from the deck upwards, and forming a variety of ladders, where by to climb to any of the mastheads, or descend from them. Hence the term is apparently derived from rath, an obsolete word, signifying an hill."

 

Webster's Third New International Dictionary says "rat-line also rat-lin or rat-tling [origin unknown] 1. or ratline stuff : small, usu. 3-stranded, tarred rope used for cross ropes on ship's shrouds.

 

Webster thinks rath is an Irish earthwork fortification, perhaps on a hill? "Fairy denizens of rath and hill."

 

And now we know.

Edited yesterday at 04:34 AM by Dr PR

[Coyote_6]

She's looking grand Phil.  That is one to be proud of.

[Andoni]

Hi Phil,

 

Wow just wow! I binged your entire build log last night and I'm almost speechless in astonishment and admiration of your build. Your effort in ensuring historical accuracy and your meticulous attention to the fine details is truly impressive. 

 

I've just resumed building my Mantua Models Albatros, after a 1.5 year hiatus, which is my first wood model ship. I believe my model is the 1971 version, the plans are in Italian, the instruction guide leaves much to be desired, and the kit doesn't provide enough materials on its own. Still, I'm enjoying this craft very much and seeing the ship come together is quite satisfying.

 

I've enjoyed reading your build log and appreciate the time you took to document your process. I'm looking forward to seeing your completed ship. 

 

Best,

Andoni

[Dr PR]

Andoni,

 

Glad you enjoyed this log. Since the Albatros is your first wooden ship you should worry less about historical accuracy and getting it "perfect," and use it to learn different methods for building things. There are a lot of folks on the Forum who are happy to answer questions.

[SaltyScot]

Very nice, clean lines there, Phil. I am going to "steal" that idea with the PVA glue, it makes a lot of sense! Oh, I like your color scheme too by the way.

[Dr PR]

Mark,

 

The white glue soaks into the threads of cotton and silk lines (I prefer silk) and binds the knots. But it doesn't bind to polyester ropes. So the knot really is free to slide up and down on the polyester shrouds if you tug on it hard enough. But for ratlines that isn't a problem. If you did somehow manage to move the knot you just have to slide it back in place and apply a drop of water to loosen the glue. When the water evaporates the glue will set again.

 

I really line silk thread for seizing and such. When it gets wet it goes totally limp, making tight knots and seizing. Cotton is almost as good when it is wet.