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

[Hubac's Historian]

Hello, Johnathan.  Excellent progress on your Alabama!  If you would like to save yourself $200, and almost certainly achieve a degree of scale realism that will match or exceed the efforts of any professional sail maker, then I will refer you to the following build by Blue Ensign.  This is one of the finest plastic kit-bash projects that I have found on MSW, and he provides a full tutorial of his sailmaking technique, using ModelSpan tissue.  The process is not complicated, and I will eventually be using this technique on my build:

 

 

[J11]

Excellent Hubac's Historian, and many thanks, will go threw this and have a go at it. Hopefully I can make some good representations as the total sail cost was going to be at 325.00 which included everything. Hadn't pulled the trigger on it yet and glad I didn't.

 

Here's a couple quick images for progression:

 

[J11]

Going over his sail making Technic, it seems pretty straight forward. Hubac's Historian the tassels on his sails are what does confuse me. How do you figure out how many tassels goes on a individual sail for the ship? 

 

Luckily I do have one good image of one completed with sails as a reference:

Mine does have four sail booms instead of three, so a few extra sails will have to be made as I also need the studding booms sails. What exactly did he use to color his sails as some details were abbreviated? Also how do you attach the tassels to the sails? I going to assume sewing them in?

 

I would like to have some diagrams on the tassels as to length and size rigging to use also. With the image above at increased magnification it's not very clear for fine details but I can work with it. So far I haven't found a CSS Alabama with the studding boom sails actually mounted on a model representation so I'll be carefully working toward this end as not destroy all the other work involved. This kit is very fragile and is breaking in just basic rigging, so it's a very slow process. Hence my reason for asking so many questions so I can figure out a good installation procedure so not to back track and have to remove something already installed or break something in the process. 

 

Here's a couple images of the smaller added boats which will go on her in the finishing parts and piece's:

Help on the sail making endevour would be appreciated, so any more Ideas or diagrams would be great. And of course I'll do research also. I should have the Bow-spirit done for basics by today and will post some more images soon. Might have to re-do my main mast rigging as it has pulled the mast strait and it needs to be at a better angle. Plus I'll be doing touch up painting. This model build will be a lot slower that what I originally thought so stay tuned and bear with me. 

 

 

 

 

[Hubac's Historian]

Although Blue Ensign doesn’t specifically say, my guess is that the yellow ocher paint he mixes with the PVA is an acrylic, as both acrylic and PVA are water based.

 

There is latitude, here, to experiment with color.  One could follow Blue Ensign’s protocol with yellow ocher, and then very lightly dry brush streaks of a faint grey acrylic/PVA mix - more along the perimeter of the sail - before drying the ModelSpan tissue.  The difficulty, there, is that you will not yet have drawn in the sail cloths with pencil.  Perhaps, though, you could suspend a paper pattern beneath your box opening to help guide you in your distressing efforts.

 

Having never attempted this before, I’m not sure what that would actually look like, but it’s worth a little research (into realistic sail weathered appearance) and experimentation, IMO.

 

The question of how many reef points to include is one that probably varies by nation and time period.  I am interested in 17th C. French ships, and they appeared to employ a single band of reef points on the main and fore sails, for example, and two bands on the topsails.

 

As a general rule of thumb, probably one reef point per sail cloth is a reasonable guide.  Generally, though, I try to reference the best known contemporary examples of my type of ship, in both portraits and models.

 

As for affixing the reef points, a single knot to both sides of the sail will keep them in place, and I am thinking that a mixture of dilute PVA glue will allow you to drape them in a realistic way.

 

The best and easiest thing you might try first, though, is to PM Blue Ensign.  I have found virtually everyone here to be exceedingly helpful whenever I have reached out.

[Old Collingwood]

The boats look splendid.

 

OC.

[J11]

Thanks Hubac's Historian for the clarifications. I have found patterns by using the BJ's plans for most of the sails, so I'll trace and duplicate. The reef points will be added from other model sails and some drawings. For some reason i can't PM, the option isn't there, I'll post to him later on this week and get some specifics from him. Really appreciate the help.

[J11]

54 minutes ago, Old Collingwood said:

The boats look splendid.

 

OC.

Thanks Old Collingwood, as we all know gently does it at this scale.

[Hubac's Historian]

Anytime, Dude!  Glad to be helpful.

[J11]

Here's a reference image of her actually showing more of the reef points, modelspan seems very easy to work with and will have some ordered soon. Working out the procedure of installation of the sails and rigging:

 

1. Build the booms and gaffs.
2. Make the sails based on the plans.
3. Attach sails to the booms and gaffs as appropriate.
4. Install and rig the booms and gaffs.
5. Add the additional rigging for each sail.
6. Touch up paint.
7. Add bee wax as individual rigging lines are installed.

 

The question I have now is do all the sails normally have reef points? Instead of the example shown? Also it seems like the studding boom sails will all have reef points from my research. 

[J11]

Well as time goes by and model work get dormant you have to "swab the deck" :

Works really well for dust and woof's hair that seems to just drop onto the deck. Here's a couple of closeups on the Bow-spirit almost finished, just a little touch up paint. Then anchor chains and some putty filling which I'll work on today. 

I'll get that bend out also as the plastic just love's to bends with the slightest of tightness on them, the main mast was mounted at a angle and will have to redo it also because of plastic bending and the deck warping when the other lines were taught making it straight. Arrgghh; plastic can be a pain but it is what it is. 

 

Here's also a old woodcut of the Alabama showing the four sail spars for the fore and main mast:

 

[CapnMac82]

On 8/30/2019 at 1:40 PM, Hubac's Historian said:

As for affixing the reef points, a single knot to both sides of the sail will keep them in place, and I am thinking that a mixture of dilute PVA glue will allow you to drape them in a realistic way

Since this is 1/96 (1/8"=1'-0") scale, thnigs get tiny.  Like 1" to scale is 1/96th inch, or 0.0104" (0.264mm); not large stuff.

So, if you want to put reef points in, my dodge is to take a suitable thread diameter, and tie a knot--like a figure of 8, with another on top of that.  Repeat thr process about 3/4" (20-25mm) apart until your eyes cross (or several dozen).  Tie off one end of the thread, and put just ehough weight on the other end to keep the tread pulled straight-isih (large paper clip, teeny binder clip).  Then, coat the knotted thread with very dilute water plus PVA glue, and leave to dry.

 

Once dry, nip the thread right at the knot.  Trim the tail to around 1/4" (6-7mm) long.

 

Mark off the sail for location and glue the knot to the point on the sail with an appropriate glue.  Note that by glueing the knot, you can get the reef point to "hang" off a sail in the correct orientation.

 

For 1/96, my preferred material is 100% linen rag paper (often referred to as "résumé" paper here in the US), as it's very thin (only slightly more thick than scale), and seams can be scribed or drawn (6H pencil) directly on them, and they will starch (with laundry spray starch) into shape if you want them "wind filled." 

[J11]

Thanks @CapnMac82

This information will be useful for the reef points along with determining the sail material to use. Really appreciate all the help with these sails as I haven't done them before but with members help it will be easier and make this a very unique CSS Alabama model representation .... one of a kind!! It will take much more time to complete but in the long run will be well worth the competed model.

 

I have redone the fore mast for a better angle and with rat-lines being installed they will secure the angle a little better for all the masts. I'll be working on Rat-lines today and at this scale will be using two different rigging sizes for them.

 

Here's some images on the corrected angles for the masts and the Bow-spirit also has been straightened out now.

 

These rigging lines are drooping a little; so when I add the rat lines I have some play to finish tightening them down. Here's also the before image showing the straight mast which had to be corrected, and had to bend the plastic to make this right as it kept popping back straight.

 

Edited September 1, 2019 by Jonathan11

[popeye the sailor]

superb progress........the rigging looks awesome!   

[J11]

Thanks popeye the sailor, I've been working on the anchors and should have them done today will post a couple of images later on. Then rat-lines work will commence. I'll be making the rope coils also for them (anchors) and will post a image of that also.

 

They had found the HMS Terror here's the link, great condition. They should raise her, what a museum it would make!!

 

https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2019/08/28/arctic-mystery-tragic-franklin-expedition-remarkable-condition-of-hms-terror/

[J11]

Here's some updated images for the build. Anchors are finished and have started the rat-lines work. Will be a couple of days for next update as the ratlines are going to take me a couple of days to finish each section. Fragile and gentle work on these rascals. 

 

[J11]

Progress images and a closeup of the anchor work. The fore mast completely broke in two different pieces as I was doing a tightening with the last two port shrouds. Luckily I was able to quickly fix it before anything snapped on me. I'll have to sand down the extra CA and repaint for touch ups but it turned out alright. Waiting for them to dry completely before I start the other shrouds. I'll be following the sequence image below for all of shrouds to produce a nice detailed look on them.

 

 

I'll have some more updates soon. She's slowly coming along. 

Edited September 4, 2019 by Jonathan11

[J11]

Gentlemen whats a good reference for rigging knots? I know a few but have forgotten some also. Web site with examples or good example books?

Thanks.

[popeye the sailor]

I have books on modeling in general........touches on just about anything.  wish I could help.  sure.......do a search and I'm sure you'll come up with something interesting.   your model is coming along superbly........looks great! 

[J11]

Thanks  popeye the sailor, Yep been doing research on them and have come up with some good reference's but not a example book with quality drawings. Found some U-T videos which are also helpful and looking for more.

 

I'll have some updated images by tomorrow as the rigging lines are slow and feels like a turtle doing a race to get them done. Still on the fore mast ratlines, ten done and eight more to go.  

[J11]

Ahoy! Well; got tied up with stuff, but here's a update for the ratline's work. I'll try to get the upper ratlines worked on later and post those also. As I had said before these are slow going as the model is so fragile but persistence pays off and will keep on a tying them knots. 

Their not perfect but look ok, will post more updates as soon as I can.

 

Here's a site for civil war clip art which is free...Enjoy!

https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/158-1861-1865-civil-war-naval-battles

Edited September 26, 2019 by Jonathan11

[Old Collingwood]

Looking good  - you should find things starting to tension up with all the stays etc, mine has on the pearl.

 

OC.

[J11]

5 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

Looking good  - you should find things starting to tension up with all the stays etc, mine has on the pearl.

 

OC.

Thanks @Old Collingwood, I am having to be very careful with the tighting on the rats as to much and snap goes the main mast again. At least they look used. 

[Keith Black]

Jonathan

 Do you have the "Reconstructing USS Kearsarge, 1864" in PDF format and if so would you please provide. I'm working on a model of the USS Tennessee and I'm working from photographs. While the Kearsarge is not exact, it is of the same time period and there should be a lot of crossover information that would be immensely useful, thank you..........Keith Black

[popeye the sailor]

the fore shrouds look really good    they are time consuming....don't feel too terrible about it....just think how good they will look and the task will seem less tedious.   fantastic job on this model.......

[J11]

3 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Jonathan

 Do you have the "Reconstructing USS Kearsarge, 1864" in PDF format and if so would you please provide. I'm working on a model of the USS Tennessee and I'm working from photographs. While the Kearsarge is not exact, it is of the same time period and there should be a lot of crossover information that would be immensely useful, thank you..........Keith Black

@Keith Black, I do have this file but it is copyrighted and can't post it. Did so in the past and got in trouble for it. 

But here are some images of a model which might be helpful. If you do want the file you can buy it here at the NRG Store.

 

Articles from the Journals are available for personal or research use direct from the NRG for a nominal charge.  We provide CDs with the entire run of Journals up to 2015 from the NRG Store.  Individual articles can be obtained as PDFs.

 

Edited September 27, 2019 by Jonathan11

[Keith Black]

14 minutes ago, Jonathan11 said:

If you do want the file you can buy it here at the NRG Store

I do want it and would gladly pay for it except I didn't see it listed at the NGR store. Guess I'll pm Kurt and he can direct me. Jonathan, thank you again.......Keith

[J11]

@Keith Black. glad to help your very welcome.

[J11]

Quick update: Upper ratlines on the fore mast is finally done and moving towards the main mast work now. 

I'll post another update as soon as possible, thanks for all the likes and comments gentlemen! 

 

[Nikiforos]

She's drop dead gorgeous. Absolutely top drawer.

[Sea Hoss]

Tremendous job! Masterful...