Johncal Posted September 3, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) Hi Guys, My name is John Callahan. I joined up as I wanted to share my completed AL HMS Surprise model with you. I worked on the model for 5-1/2 years. It is my first wooden ship construction. It is a faithful Reproduction of the MOVIE VERSION of the ship. The model has been significantly modified including rebuilding the entire bow and added poop deck as in the movie version. However, even in that where I found the Movie version to be historically inaccurate, I changed it to be period correct. Since no one knows exactly what the ship looked like, I tried to make sure that everything was a period accurate as possible. All of the ropes are hand made and to scale and all the rigging is as accurate as possible down to the knots used. I Also hand built the display case, and the ship has both internal and external lighting. Below is a dropbox link that shows finished Photos, as well as over 500 build pics, and 3 volumes of build logs. You might find this all very interesting from not just a technical perspective, but also what my approach was to turn out the job that I did. Please feel free to make comments or ask questions. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6bdxcsuty38fhw9/AADZrmMTgMXTJzB6kLSYxJ62a?dl=0 Best Regards, John Edited September 3, 2019 by Johncal added more wording Gregory, jchbeiner, VTHokiEE and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted September 4, 2019 Share #2 Posted September 4, 2019 Hello and welcome. mtaylor 1 Quote Matt Completed Builds: Viking Drakkar - Amati - Scale 1:50 18th Century Longboat - Model Shipways - Scale 1:48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duanelaker Posted September 4, 2019 Share #3 Posted September 4, 2019 You did an amazing job on your model! What did you do before you did this for experience? Beautiful work and welcome! mtaylor 1 Quote David Builds in Progress: Phantom Pilot Boat - MS Completed Builds: Bounty Jolly Boat - AL Chesapeake Bay Crabbing Skiff - MW Grand Banks Dory - Bluejacket The Dinghy - MW Grand Banks Dory - MW 32 Pound Carronade - MS Skiff - MW Peterboro Canoe - MW On Hold: 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull - NRG Ponte Berlin - Corel Taurus Steam Towboat - MS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johncal Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted September 4, 2019 I used to and still do plastic kits but this was a whole different level. I also used to design and invent electro mechanical arcade games so I have a creative streak I just take advantage of. I also have a philosophy that if it doesn’t look right work on it until it’s perfect and then move on. If you read through my build logs there is a ton of good info on how I conquered the beast. Thank you you very much for the kind words. I’d be happy to discuss my methods any time. Duanelaker and Elijah 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted September 4, 2019 Share #5 Posted September 4, 2019 John, Welcome to MSW. I'd suggest that your next project to open a build log. Duanelaker 1 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Posted September 4, 2019 Share #6 Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Very nice! The rope looks really good. Edited September 4, 2019 by Gregory mtaylor 1 Quote Luck is just another word for good preparation. —MICHAEL ROSE Current builds: Rattlesnake (Scratch From MS Plans On Hold: HMS Resolution ( AKA Ferrett ) In the Gallery: Yacht Mary, Gretel, French Cannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johncal Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted September 5, 2019 3 hours ago, Gregory said: Very nice! The rope looks really good. Thank you. I made all my own ropes to scale. All the thread used is Coats & Clark outdoor polyester. It is unbelievably strong and with absolutely no fuzzing. Also very resistant to atmospheric changes. It never loosens or tightens. It just stays right. Bishophobbies and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johncal Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted September 5, 2019 4 hours ago, mtaylor said: John, Welcome to MSW. I'd suggest that your next project to open a build log. I usually do and will on my next one, but since this ship is completed I added extensive build logs to the dropbox. Hundreds of pages in fact. Fun and informative reading. Thanks! mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishophobbies Posted January 6, 2020 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2020 John - really an amazing job. I will soon start my Surprise by AL and will use your log as a guide. Do you recall what size of Coats & Clark thread you used and the colors? I have a rope walk I purchased from Domanoff and will be using that. mtaylor 1 Quote Paul UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Brigantine Phoenix - Master Korabel 1/72 scale PREVIOUS BUILDS: HMS Victory - Heller/Imai 1/100 scale Privateer Rattlesnake - Model Shipways 1/64 scale USS Arizona on Dec 7th 1941 - Trumpeter 1/200 scale IJN Yamato - Nichimo 1/200 scale USS Silversides - Trumpeter 1/72 scale USS Missouri - Trumpeter 1/200 scale English Carronade - Mantua 1/17 scale English Gun Deck - Panart 1/23 scale Check out my webiste: www.bishophobbies.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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