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

[Old Collingwood]

Really nice work   - those stays look right on the money.

 

OC.

[J11]

18 hours ago, Nikiforos said:

She's drop dead gorgeous. Absolutely top drawer.

Thanks @Nikiforos, and @Sea Hoss. Taking a lot longer than what I wanted but the representation of her is a joy to work on and will be glad when she is finished with full sails. Be a few months so stay tuned and will give a update in the next couple of days on more rat work.

[J11]

10 hours ago, Old Collingwood said:

Really nice work   - those stays look right on the money.

 

OC.

Thanks @Old Collingwood, had to do them twice to get then as close as possible. Sometimes one step forward and two steps back.

[J11]

Update for the main mast work:

 

Will post more soon for rat ties. 

[J11]

More updates on the rats, been deciding maybe to tear out the fore mast rats and do them again. Think i can do it without destroying the fore mast but it's iffy.

 

 

[J11]

Yep, the fore mast rats will be tore out and redone. Time to redo them will be 40 hrs. Have also been going over the plans for all the other rigging with full sails and look's to be approximately 300 hr's to complete her with glass case. Will be ordering more parts for rigging, some lines will be white for definition coloring details.  I have about 558 hrs so far into the build.

 

Eager to get her finished so I can move onto another model, so I'm going to try to slam dunk the finish line on this one. Hopefully. 

[popeye the sailor]

sad to hear you need to backtrack........I know what that's like.  great progress since I last looked in.......she looks superb  

[RickyGene]

You have done a heck of a job with this kit.  I remember building one while stationed in Savannah Ga. back in the 70's.  Though I did build SOB, it still made for a nice display piece.  I was curious and trolled the Web to see what one would go for today!!!!!  I saw one listed for $900.00?  None at all on eBay when I looked.  Did see the wood deck and a Cottage Industry cannon set, but alas no kit.  However I did come across a interesting fact, one of the USS Kearsarge guns was on display at a Park until WWII, but sadly it was melted down for the War.  Thanks for sharing a build that shows a plastic kit can be built to the same standards as a wood one.

Rick 

[J11]

@RickyGene, @popeye the sailor, thanks your for the compliments.  You can pick one up one Ebay for 100.00 plus, the last one I think went for 160.00 which was a Revell plastic kit older model. So keep looking if your still interested. Do you still have your old kit?? Would love to see picture if you do.

 

Here's a update, the fore mast main rat lines are replaced and will be working on the rats themselves soon. So far to recover the fore mast rats I have 10 hrs into them.  They look better already. 

 

Stay tuned Ya'll it's moving along quickly. (hopefully) 

[J11]

Quick update, she's turning out a lot better for the rats:

 

[mtaylor]

I've just been following along quietly here, Jonathon.  You're doing some incredible work in building what the kit didn't have.  They really did rake that main mast back didn't they?  

[J11]

16 hours ago, mtaylor said:

I've just been following along quietly here, Jonathon.  You're doing some incredible work in building what the kit didn't have.  They really did rake that main mast back didn't they?  

The main mast angle is a optical illusion as it's not that bad. They all are at 15 degrees angle approximately. I'll have more images soon on the rats for the aft mast.

 

Also appreciate the compliments for the build. I have added a bunch of extra parts for her as to make her more historically accurate and will be adding more for the full sails and tackle within the rigging. She's been a challenge and a good one for detailing and has been a learning experience at this scale for me and it been very enjoyable.

Edited October 11, 2019 by Jonathan11

[J11]

Another quick update, the main mast upper rats being worked on along with finishing the lower rats. In hope I 'll have all the upper main mast rats finished tonight and them start on the aft lower masts tomorrow.

 

[J11]

Another quick update, I wanted to show the sail booms fully extended for a comparison in size when she is done. I'm going to have to elevate the model and clean off my work table to do the sails or move it to the kitchen table. You can tell the difference of size and detailing which will be present when all sails are installed. I will work to billow them when I install them and planning is key for this model as there are no directions on how to implement except here at NRG; which I am very thankful for all the blogs and members help with this rascal.

 

 

[CDW]

One of these days, I am going to start mine. Just looked at that lonely kit/box sitting on the shelf last night. Your build thread will play heavily into my "research". Thanks for being so thorough in describing how you accomplished all this beautiful work. It will surely help others.

[J11]

@CDW, your very welcome as this will be the only CSS Alabama model I will build in my lifetime, I wanted it to be a unique representation along with a way to document the build and NRG is the perfect outlet for prosperity. I look forward to others building her in the future here also. 

[JesseLee]

Wow, I'm loving this. It has always been my dream to build this ship but I probably will never get to. Maybe a smaller model or a Ship-In-Bottle one day. Your detail and historical information about her is outstanding. I would love to see this one in person one day when it is completed. Keep up the good work!!!!!!

 

Jesse

[J11]

@JesseLee, thanks for all the likes and compliments. Very tedious work with her and a sheer pleasure to see her come together so nicely. I've made a few mistakes and had to do things a few times to get her right or as close as possible per my research and ability. Dust is the monster which tortures all of us building these long en-devours but that's all part of it.  Glad your enjoying the build and I'll have some more images hopefully later today of the aft mast work.  

[J11]

More images are coming soon, she's shaping up and will post where I am at. 

 

History of the wreck for your files and enjoyment gentlemen. Great info and reads:

 

UA_1999CSSAlabama.pdf

UA_CSSAlabama 2002.pdf

UA_InvestigationCSSAlabama.pdf

 

[RickyGene]

Howdy again Jonathan, sorry it took so long for me to answer you back.  No sir I do not have any photos of that CSS Alabama.  This was built while I was stationed @ Ft Stewart Ga. which is located in a little place called Hinesville Ga.  That in turn is a hop from Savannah Ga.  The best Stateside assignment I had while in the service.  One could go down to the wharf where the shrimp boats came in @Savannah and on the front street was a wonderful little ship museum.  They had numerous types of vessels. There also was a small hobby shop just down the road from here and that is where I purchased the CSS Alabama, at what I remember f/$26.00.  I also purchased scribed wood for the decking and dowels for the masts.  I made the gun rails from black card, no PE back in those days, wood blocks and deadeyes.  A cooper tube f/smoke stack, scale chain and I did paint and use the figures that were in the kit.  The model took 1st place at several hobby shows.  Sadly it did not make the ship from Ga. to the FRG.  I remember I did not want to just paint the copper plating, never looked right to me after building the USS Constitution.  I found some Christmas wrap that was a copper looking foil and applied w/contact cement.  Korny I know, but to tell the truth after a wash of vert green/white streaked from top to bottom, it turned out really cool for the day.  Remember, these were the days when a modeler spent a great deal of time looking for materials to use in the hobby, not like now when one can find resin made/3d printed and PE.  Oh the good ole days!  I have been eyeballing the Bluejacket offer, but that $ keeps me from pulling the trigger on it.  I do however have on the shelf a USS Susquehanna.  But that is a ways off, my current project is just getting started, a French Chebec Indiscrete.  Look forward to more of your build.

Rick 

[RickyGene]

Did you know the CSS Alabama got her shots off 1st.  But in the end she was beaten because the USS Kearsarge had employed a ingenious armor made of chain to protect her vital areas.  At one time there was a gun from the USS Kearsarge on display in a Park, but sadly was melted down for the WWII war effort.

[Nikiforos]

RickyGene -a stunning Sardinian-Piedmontese Xebec model got me into boats after years of other subject matter. I for one would love to see a build log, if you could spare the time.

 

Best wishes,

[J11]

Update as promised, working on aft mast rats and looking forward to the rats being done. 25 hrs to get to this level and looks to be about 3 more hours to finish all the rats. Then more rigging and sail mast work. She's looking ship shape and looks 100% better for the rats than my first attempt. About 900 individual hand tied knots for this scale and it was a tad bit tedious. Tweezers work mainly and slow process turned out a great result.

 

[CDW]

Just now, RickyGene said:

 ...But that is a ways off, my current project is just getting started, a French Chebec Indiscrete...

Rick 

Is your Indescrit a kit? Curious because I have an old Aeropiccola Xebec I have not started yet.

[J11]

Some historical facts to add to the blog:

My personal favorite which didn't make the cut:

 

[RickyGene]

6 hours ago, Nikiforos said:

RickyGene -a stunning Sardinian-Piedmontese Xebec model got me into boats after years of other subject matter. I for one would love to see a build log, if you could spare the time.

 

Best wishes,

The kit is from 1971.  I have spent 30 hours correcting and making parts fit correctly.  As a matter of fact, epoxied the 1st part today.  If all turns out well with the initial build up the frame, I will post a tread.  The likely hood is good I will post a thread.  Thanks for your interest.

Rick😎

[RickyGene]

2 hours ago, Jonathan11 said:

Some historical facts to add to the blog:

My personal favorite which didn't make the cut:

 

Outstanding and the correct CS Flag is displayed. I once used the flag, not the Battle Flag, on another Forum and was asked if I would remove as my Avatar was offensive to one of the members.  Thanks for posting.

Rick😀

[RickyGene]

3 hours ago, CDW said:

Is your Indescrit a kit? Curious because I have an old Aeropiccola Xebec I have not started yet.

Bingo CDW, that be her.  The kit is very impressive for a kit mfg'd in 1971.  This is a builders kit, no laser cut or PE.  The plans are in Italian and requires one to study till you go cross eyed.  After that begins the puzzle.  Test fit, adjust and fit again until it goes where it is meant to be.  I have spent over 30 hours prepping before the 1st piece was glued.  I hope to have the frame work complete by the EOW.  I lucked up and purchased from eBay.  Appears the kit has been well put up/stored.  Three ply formers are very slightly bowed, but other than that.  Everything is perfect and useable. I have tested the planks and they seem like they will be ok and I want to use as much of the kit as I can.  However, wood can be replaced if needed.  The fittings are some of the best I have seen in awhile, not cheap molded white metal, lack of detail resin or flat PE!  The cannons are brass and the best I have ever got in a kit.  The model is impressive and for the type vessel it reps, will be a big display piece when complete, but hey I am getting ahead of myself and I sure hope I have not hi-jacked this current thread.

Rick😎

 

[J11]

@RickyGene : ( I sure hope I have not hi-jacked this current thread.)  Not at all, when you do have the time start a build blog on your model. I am also interested in seeing the build and ship. Sounds like a wonderful kit and representation.

[J11]

Researching sails and proper rigging and comparing research to the Blue Jacket prints I have gotten a excellent consensuses for an application. I'm working out a sequence of installation now and will post some standing rigging image pictures later on. Here's a some wonderful reference images which has helped tremendously. I have spent days going over these as I don't have installation instructions on what I am trying to complete; but that's part of scratch building these kits.

I cannot say enough about accumulating as much data as possible on the ship your working on as my Alabama file alone is 1.25 GB.

The sails will be probably the worst fragile installation I have ever done, working out the exact dimensions of the sails and attachments to the yards. These drawings also help.

 

I can't post the Blue Jacket prints I am using, but I will say that without them there would be no way to complete this model with full sails and the boom sails. I have posted this data for future modelers of this ship from the Revell kit company if they choose to tackle her in the same detail as I am working to implement.