Phantom by Jaeon - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/96 - The 11 year Pilot boat project

[Jaeon]

I finished my Pilot boat. It took 11 years. 

I had built many plastic plane models and felt it was time to try something new. My wife bought me this kit for Christmas 2007. I dug right in.
I followed the practicum as best as my ability allowed me to. I made small errors from the start. Small errors compound over time. If the templates are cut a little off the hull will be a little off and from there everything else is a little off til a point is reached where I said uh oh this is not going to fit there as it should. 

I progressed well enough through coppering of the hull, etc. When the time came to craft the cap rail I had an extremely hard time of it for whatever reason. Nothing I did worked. Frustration set it. 
I don't understand this. I had no desire to continue. I packed up the ship and put it in the closet. It sat for a couple years. Then, I needed closet space so the ship went to the garage attic where all things go to die. Over the next 5 years I saw it on occasion while looking for something else. On occasion my wife asked about the boat and I told her the truth....My skill level sucks, I have no desire, I can't understand the next step, etc. I don't lie to myself or my wife. 

In early December 2017 I needed something to do. I was only working per diem and very near retirement. I rescued the Pilot boat. The cap rail was still a conundrum. I spent some time looking over what needing doing and figured a way. Balsa USA is in my town so I went over and got a couple sheets then traced and cut it out as one entire piece. I did that 4 times before I got one that worked to my satisfaction. I glued it down and didn't like it at all. I ended up removing it and trying again...finally !  I worked on the ship almost daily for four months. The good weather arrived and I put it away til December 2018. Since then I worked on it sporadically. Today I hung the last flag. 

Rigging taught me that super glue is my friend. I learned that later then I would have liked. The rigging that came with the kit is not good. I would have bought aftermarket had I known it exists.

There is a lot more I could write and I may

[Kevin]

Well worth the wait she looks great

[Jaeon]

2 hours ago, Kevin said:

Well worth the wait she looks great

Thanks. Good Looking pup you have there. These are our boys

http://104.223.9.243/~jaeonorg/pix/myboys.jpg

[Kevin]

good evening Jason Dobbie ECS will be 4 this August and is my bestest ever friend love your photo of the dogs

[Jaeon]

13 minutes ago, Kevin said:

good evening Jason Dobbie ECS will be 4 this August and is my bestest ever friend love your photo of the dogs

Handsome !!