USF Confederacy by ChrisLBren - FINISHED - 3/16 Scale

[ChrisLBren]

Hi Gang,

 

After a hiatus due to my wife and I having twins, she's dusted off and I'm hoping to recommence this build.  I've attached some not so great photos from my iphone - the idea here is just to get a log started and motivate me to get back in the shipyard - for at least a few hours per week.  

 

This build was started back in November of 2009 using Chucks plans that later were used in the Model Expo kit.  The woods used were swiss pear from Hobby Mill for almost exclusively with the exception of boxwood for the decks and a little bit of ebony for the false keel and checkerboard flooring in the great cabin.  Im a big fan of Fiebings dyed swiss pear and used this method for all black areas with the exceptions I just mentioned.  I used three finishes, pure tung oil for the hull, Watcos Danish Oil for the deck fittings and beams, and diluted sanding sealer for the deck.  

 

My goal is to at least get the 6 lb guns rigged and installed along with the ships wheel hopefully by the end of the month so i can begin the headrails this summer if the twins cooperate....

 

Thats it for now - by the way the photo posts looks a bit different than the old Modelship World - any tips on the best size to upload so they look more standard/fill the screen ?

Chris

[jaerschen]

Hi Chris,

 

It's a very nice model your Conferderacy, very clean work. I like this ship.

I hope you coming back to the shipyard.

 

Juergen

[mtaylor]

Nice to see you back Chris.  You can always get co-operation from the little ones by threatening them with "boarding school".

 

On your posting issue... after you've chosen the files and they've imported, click on each one in the order you want them using the "add to post". 

 

If you're still having issues, go here: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/540-how-to-add-pictures-in-your-posts-and-pms/

 

[Trussben]

Thank the gods your back Chris, it's great to see your beautiful Confederacy back on MSW again, really happy the twins and wife are doing well and you may get some time back in the workshop.

 

Will you repost all of your build pics if you get time?

 

Again - happy your back in the saddle and I get to see your wonderful build again.

 

Ben

[ChrisLBren]

Thanks Ben !  I doubt I will bother re posting build pics - Id rather spend my spare time modeling.  I do have most of them in my iPhoto - so if you or anyone else building her wants photos of a specific area/phase - let me know and Ill post or P.M. them.

[Rustyj]

Hi Chris, Great to see you back.  I’ve been wondering how you and your family were doing.

I’m glad to hear all is well and you will start back on the Confederacy. I know grabbing time

will be tough but we know you can do it!

[ChrisLBren]

Hey Gang,

An update at last !  Ive rigged and installed the rear cannon as well as the ships wheel.  As you can see by the profile photo - i probably should have mounted it about 1/32 further aft as the ropes arent centered on the drum.  And i think wheel stand is a little too tall by maybe 1/16.  Some corrections may be in order....

 

Stay tuned,

Chris

Edited May 24, 2013 by ChrisLBren

[Trussben]

Hey Chris, looks really good, did you make the wheels or buy them? They look much nicer that what came in my kit in cast metal.

 

Ben

[WackoWolf]

Hi Chris,

 

    I also what to say that I am glad your back and that everything is going good with the family. I was watching your build from the beginning and will again be watching. Keep the pictures coming as much as you can.

[davyboy]

Hi Chris,

 

That is one beautiful model you are making. One question if I may,should there not be slots cut in the deck planking to allow the steering gear ropes to move in a fore and aft direction as the wheel is turned ? The rope would wear out rapidly if only going through holes. Ed T shows this on his Naiad build. It would then be easy to slide the rope coils on the drum forward a bit to centralize them. Just a thought though. Maybe American shipbuilders didn´t do this.

 

Happy to see your build back on the forum again,you must be a very busy man with twins to keep you occupied. A 24/7 job for sure.   

 

Dave

[Jim Lad]

Chris,

 

I somehow missed your return after the birth of your family.

 

Good to see her progressing again, mate!

 

John

[ChrisLBren]

Thanks guys !  Ben as far as the wheel is concerned - I cheated - its a fitting from Caldercraft (its comprised of several pieces) and painted to look like wood.  I purchased it from Cornwall Model boats - not cheap - but was very impressed with the quality.  

 

Hey Dave - i will look at Eds build about those slots.  John and Joe - always great hearing from you !

Edited May 29, 2013 by ChrisLBren

[jaerschen]

Excellent work Chris. I like this red that you used.

[j21896]

Hi Chris,

 

It's great to see you and your beautiful Confederacy back on MSW!  Congrats on the family too!!

 

Cheers,

Robert

[Kevin]

brilliant work

love the stern view

[dafi]

Simply wonderful!

Daniel

[Ferit]

Museum quality, masterpiece...

Color is impressive...

Edited July 8, 2013 by ashiponthehorizon

[ChrisLBren]

Really appreciate the kind words everyone !  Hopefully will have an update soon,

Chris

[ChrisLBren]

Good Morning Group,

 

I thought I'd attach these photos - another member of the forum was asking about them.  They are pics of the Quarter Galleries and Stern.  I scratch built the lights and carved all of the filagree and scroll work out of costello boxwood.  The humanity sculptures on the stern as well as the drops were resin copies of Chuck Passaros painted to match costello boxwood. 

 

These days it seems Id rather complete/tinker with existing builds (Confederacy and Wappen Von Hamburg) than start a new one - so you never know - i may revisit this area and replace the resin carvings with my own.  I plan on doing some carving on the WVH so i may get the itch.  

Chris

[ChrisLBren]

Here are the pics

[tarbrush]

I just found your build log Chris, WOW!  I absolutely love the beautiful luminous color of the hull!!  What wood did you use?  Beautiful, beautiful work!!

[ChrisLBren]

Thanks John - the wood is Swiss Pear purchased from Jeff Hayes at Hobbymill. The "glow" is from the finish.  The wood was sanded to 600 then three coats pure tung oil was applied.  

Chris

[Geoff Matson]

Outstanding carving details. The finish is really great. NIce job

[Landlubber Mike]

Hi Chris!  We chatted a bit on MSW 1.0 before the Great Crash.  My wife had our twins back in March, so I haven't been able to get to the shipyard much lately unfortunately.

 

Your Confederacy is amazing - the pear looks gorgeous, both oiled and dyed.  And the carvings are incredibly good.  I've been doing research on my next build, which will probably be the Corel Unicorn and maybe the MS Charles Morgan as a parallel build - after seeing these pictures, I think I'm going to go with pear for the builds

 

Hope you and the family are doing well - hope you're getting some sleep too

[WackoWolf]

Chris,

 

   She has come a long way from when you first started back on MSW 1. I remember when you also quite, glad you didn't. She is looking Beautiful. Keep the pictures coming, I am always watching.

[ChrisLBren]

Thanks Joe, Mike and Geoff.

 

Good hearing from you Mike ! Congrats on the twins - mine just turned 6 mos and are sleeping thru the night - I never thought this day would come....

 

Pear is a great wood to work with - if you want any tips as to how to work with pure tung oil - let me know.  Its actually fairly easy once you get the hang of it.  

[st george]

Chris,

 

Great work and a beautiful finish. Wish I was able to see the rest of your build before the loss of MSW 1.

[Trussben]

Nice to see those pics again Chris, that's the area I'm working on now and I just completed the stern decorations, not as good as yours though!

 

Ben

[tarbrush]

thanks for the tip on finishes Chris,  Swiss Pear and tung oil.  I will definitely be using those in future!

[hamilton]

Congratulations on the twins! I feel like we have our hands full with just one! And this work is exquisite! Such a pleasure to look at! Looking forward to more

hamilton