CSS Alabama by J11 - Revell - 1/96 scale - PLASTIC - kit bash 90% historical accuracy

[J11]

I have basically finished the boom extensions for the fore and main masts. I will have to add the blocks and tackle when some other parts come in from Syren. ( Thought I had all the blocks I needed ) I am in the process of adding the mizen mast and making sure all the heights are as close as possible utilizing the BJ plans and this 1/96 scale model. I will temporary mount all the masts for a final measurement and will be working on the main mast parts and assembly next with the 4 sail spars. I'll post some images of work progressing, won't be working on the ratlines till probably next week as the heights of the masts and size of the sail spars with extensions will be concentrated on now along with painting scheme of course. 

 

Here's a nice image of a sailing ship utilizing the extension booms for the fore mast as an example for them being utilized in real life. Still contemplating on full sails for this model as it changes the time completion and work loads, she would look beautiful with the boom extensions and added boom sails which also adds to the case size and mounting board size. I will have to scratch build the spar extensions mounting parts along with changing the rigging for the full sails if I decide to go with them, doing research on this possible addition and it's so far looks like a real challenge to add them along with a couple more months added to the build. Be considering the full sails seriously over the next month and any suggestions is welcomed along with opinion's. 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

I did my first United States with the studding sails........it makes for an impressively wide model     I can't recall........didn't it come with the studding booms?  I have some pictures of the one I built.......I'll check to see if I put them on or not.   unlike some other ships,  the sails don't impact the rigging as bad.......

[CDW]

I have never done much reading on early sail/steam ships like Alabama or Kearsarge. I wonder how much they depended on sail vs steam power. It would seem their capacity to carry coal fuel would severely limit how much and how often they used steam power, so I imagine they were most often under sail.  

[J11]

13 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

I did my first United States with the studding sails........it makes for an impressively wide model     I can't recall........didn't it come with the studding booms?  I have some pictures of the one I built.......I'll check to see if I put them on or not.   unlike some other ships,  the sails don't impact the rigging as bad.......

The Alabama kit does come with one set of extension booms and are the wrong size and not very strong. Popeye would like to see a image of your United States.

[J11]

13 hours ago, CDW said:

I have never done much reading on early sail/steam ships like Alabama or Kearsarge. I wonder how much they depended on sail vs steam power. It would seem their capacity to carry coal fuel would severely limit how much and how often they used steam power, so I imagine they were most often under sail.  

They were under sails most of the time as the steam funnel was a advanced sneaky tool which Alabama had. They could lower and raise it as to hide their advantage of a steamer and would utilize the steam engine in pursuit and attack modes only from the historical documentation.

[J11]

Well progress is going slower than expected because of the fragile mast and spar work. I'm having to slowly sand and carve the mast pieces for addition to the masts and it's a tedious process to get the right shapes and strength I will need for the added rigging. looks like I'll have to scratch build some other smaller parts also for the masts too. But some of the mast parts included with the kit will work so it will be a process of supplied parts and scratch built part along with modified parts to make these masts work right and look correct per the plans. 

 

Here's a couple of images which shows some of the supplied mast parts and some of my replacement hand carved and sanded parts. I am hoping to have the main masts parts completed today and will post a preliminary setup image of how it will look and the fore mast when it is done.

 

 

 

[J11]

Here's a couple swing booms prepped for the main rigging to them and will get to the other two soon and one set of yards for the main mast with one more to to go for carving and sanding then I'll set them up for blocks and rigging before mast installation.

 

 

[J11]

Some more progress images of painting the finished yards and mast pieces along with a closeup on the swinging boom setup for future rigging, which I will have to tie a small single square knot to run the line up to the proper place on the yards, I had used white rope for the swinging booms as to accent the rigging which so far from my research no one whom has built the CSS Alabama has added to their model representation and I feel it does add a sense of detail that is needed for proper historical representation. One point on this representation I will add different colors for the rigging to enhance the detailing as this is so very fragile. Tremendous amount of research and thought has gone into the sequence and application of installing all the details. This rascal has turned into a real challenge for a plastic kit.  

 

Nice painting representation of Her in full sails for ya'll to enjoy also. Notice the white hulls of the other smaller boats. Mine will also present this detail for better contrast with this historical representation build.

[CDW]

I once read that bad luck was in part responsible for the CSS Alabama's loss in the battle with the USS Kearsarge. An unexploded round was found to have lodged between the rudder and hull of the Kearsarge that may have sunk her had it detonated as it should have.

[popeye the sailor]

I believe I posted some pictures of her in the log.   this is what I've done on her so far {it's a few years old}

I looked to see if I had any pictures scanned of the Alabama,  but I must not have done them yet.  these two were done when I had come to the conclusion that I really should be taking pictures of the models I build......during assembly and for posterity.  I also experimented with wooden decks,  only within the last year or so,  finding out that there are wooden decks available for the Constitution and the Cutty Sark.  these same decks can also be used on the United States and the Thermopylae,  since these vessels are clones of Connie and Cutty.  I tried to send you a PM,  but I found that your not accepting PM's.  if you haven't set this up in your profile,  you might want to do it.

[popeye the sailor]

the earlier picture you posted shows how much wider the model will be if the studding sails were added.  older kits are more challenging,  since at the time,  there wasn't much info on the subject.  now with the internet and all,  there is so much more research that can be done.  these 1:96 scale kits are somewhat limited with factual detail.......but they were the most detailed for their time.  your doing a superb job on her!

[J11]

12 hours ago, CDW said:

I once read that bad luck was in part responsible for the CSS Alabama's loss in the battle with the USS Kearsarge. An unexploded round was found to have lodged between the rudder and hull of the Kearsarge that may have sunk her had it detonated as it should have.

Yes your correct this historically did happen. It did seem the Kearsarge did have lady luck that day.

[J11]

@popeye the sailor I can't seem to find the PM switch, so if you can direct me I'll set it up. Sorry about that. Love your USS United States blog and that deck is fine work on her!

 

Thanks for the appreciation on the Alabama, as we all know research is the key and it's time consuming but worth it.

[J11]

I have received the " Reconstructing USS Kearsarge, 1864" and will scan the 34 pages into a pdf doc soon for those interested in the data. I haven't read the whole set yet but the information seems to be a nice research work for the ship and modeling per historical dates.

 

Here's a few images in the series of articles and will have the scan done soon and will post it. as promised.

 

[CDW]

Great find on the Kearsarge pieces. Where did you find them?

[J11]

32 minutes ago, CDW said:

Great find on the Kearsarge pieces. Where did you find them?

I had contacted this seller on Ebay and ask for a copy on the build, this is also the original model from the paperwork. he was very receptive to making me a copy and mailing it out for a price which wasn't bad at all. I think if not mistaken it can be found in the THE NAUTICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL IN 1999-2000 but I'm not sure how to find it in those files if they are available.

[J11]

Another update as I work on the foot ropes for the yards. Trying to keep in scale and also accent them a little, they are turning out fairly well. I'm going to have to order some yard mounting parts from Bluejacket for mounting them securely to the masts.

 

Associated parts needed for them:

A couple of images of work in progress:

I'm hoping that I will have the foot ropes done for all of them today and then work on the yard extension pole hardware as I am going to see if I can scratch build them instead of buying the parts. With the BlueJacket parts it should give me the strength I need for rigging purposes and tightening down the lines associated with the yards. The supplied parts with the model just won't work for my application with the historical documentation.

[J11]

I have one set done, and feel with the scale it's close to proper size for the foot ropes. Have another set to complete and should be done by today as these are taking longer than anticipated. The block and tackle will have to be added to the yards also then when the parts come in from Blue Jacket I'll assemble each mast along with added rigging so final tie down rigging from each mast will go simpler.

 

Also "Happy Fathers Day " from a non-spoiled Father. 

Yep got my work cutout for me. 

 

[CDW]

48 minutes ago, Jonathan11 said:

I have one set done, and feel with the scale it's close to proper size for the foot ropes. Have another set to complete and should be done by today as these are taking longer than anticipated. The block and tackle will have to be added to the yards also then when the parts come in from Blue Jacket I'll assemble each mast along with added rigging so final tie down rigging from each mast will go simpler.

 

 

Also "Happy Fathers Day " from a non-spoiled Father. 

 

Yep got my work cutout for me. 

 

That's quite a haul you got there, Dad. Happy Father's Day!

 

PS: I've got that exact same La Couronne kit.   

[J11]

Thanks! CDW very nice you have the same kit, I'll be getting a mini band saw to cut the pieces out for it. Seem's to be a really nice older kit. I might start it for my next build or the Wasa. hard choice.

[J11]

Well found more parts to scratch build for the masts, one main boom and fore boom along with a top mizzen studding mast yard from the 1861 prints of the original build from the Iron works. Also worked on the mizzen Gaff (Scratch) and will also build the fore and main gaffs. Got the parts for the extension booms for main and fore topsail yard and lower topsail yard which should have them done this week. As the old saying goes one step forward and two steps back when putting this ship together. Worked also on the dead eyes for the upper ratlines so I would have them in place. I'll have to make the gaffs mast attachment rings by scratch which will probably be made out of hardwood or I'll buy them from BJ. I'll add the hoop rings also for the sails also.

 

Here's some updated images:

 

Extra mast parts needed:

 

[popeye the sailor]

..and a happy Father's day to you!  {belated}.....that looks like an older kit Billing's kit of the Wasa.  having built one of these older kits {of the Nordkap},  and getting a second chance to built the Progress......I think you'll find a lot of enjoyment out of the experience.  you'll also have better control over the inconsistencies with the kit,  since a lot of the build will be scratch built    what is the kit in the upper left........looks like a 1:150 kit.......another Alabama?

 

nice work on the masts   

[J11]

20 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

..and a happy Father's day to you!  {belated}.....that looks like an older kit Billing's kit of the Wasa.  having built one of these older kits {of the Nordkap},  and getting a second chance to built the Progress......I think you'll find a lot of enjoyment out of the experience.  you'll also have better control over the inconsistencies with the kit,  since a lot of the build will be scratch built    what is the kit in the upper left........looks like a 1:150 kit.......another Alabama?

 

nice work on the masts   

Thanks, the other kit you are mentioning is just the box my Alabama came in which is in pristine condition and will moth ball it with all my plans and research when I'm done with her.

 

The Vasa is going to be quite a build as so many parts does come with it, will be painting them for months for that build. If I decide to go for it next will be going over all the builds of the Vasa on here for reference's. Some great Vasa builds are here which helps in putting that kit together.

 

I should have some more updates this weekend as most of the mast parts are finished except for foot ropes for the fore mast. Those are being worked on now. Seems fairly close to being finished as just the rigging and men are left with putting all the scratch built parts on her and the smaller boats. Then Glass time. 

 

[popeye the sailor]

nice picture!   

[J11]

Here's a quick update on hows she's shaping up:

[popeye the sailor]

is that right about the kit box!?!?!   I recall the box mine came in was a lot different   I wonder if they are producing the kit again.........your box appears to be more updated.  you have me very curious..........

 

I did some digging onto it and this is what I found.........in all the times I looked,  I've never seen this.  this is awesome!  

 

Confederate Warship C.S.S Alabama, Revell 05604 (2006)

 

there may be hope after all 👍

[J11]

Neat info, didn't know all the releases. Thanks.

[CDW]

Currently, the 1988 version is what I have for the Alabama. I had the 2006 version also, but gave it to a friend. My Kearsarge is of that early, 1960 vintage. I just saw that kit in my stash (giant pile in reality) and will carefully fish it out and photograph it. The box is in shreds almost.

[popeye the sailor]

Revell Germany is also producing the U.S.S. United States.....very happy to see that     the 1:96 series has always been my favorite.......the model is large enough to do almost anything to....and very builder friendly.  I was looking at the Connie the other day.......both of the kits I have will need sails.  I did find a place that make the sails from cloth,  although they don't include the studding sails.  they can be special ordered though.  they have the sails for the Alabama too

Canvas

[Old Collingwood]

Really nice work you have going  on there.

 

OC.