Half Moon by popeye the sailor - Billing Boats - 1:40 scale kit

[popeye the sailor]

I came in possession of this kit quite by surprise.   the box was fairly intact,  with only minor damage on one of the side panels.  along with it,  were a few assorted bundles of planking and a package of different size dowels.  one of the bundles was for this kit........

 

 

I added it to the kit.......to the bundle of planking that was already in there.......I guess I'll have more than enough.  doing a complete inspection of the contents,  I found that I was missing a good deal of parts.

 

 

 

 

I took pictures of the contents,  after I removed the hull parts........they,  at least,  are all there.   I contemplated renaming the ship,  but it would be hard to do,  since most of the ships that I know of,  all sport these tops {crows nests}.   some of the deck platforms,  most of the crows nest parts,  the cannon port lids,  and some of the deck fittings {wood},  is a pretty good tally of what's missing.   I see I'll be doing a good deal of scratch work.   the bones are all there......I think I can make it work

[Jim Lad]

Of course you can make it work, Popeye!  You're being drawn inexorably into the gaping maws of the (shudder) DARK SIDE!!!!!!!!

 

jOHN

[augie]

If anyone can pull this off it's you, Popeye.  Looking forward to the voyage!!!!

[popeye the sailor]

what is missing probably amounts to a complete parts panel.   the kit also was to come with a build slip,  but the only parts in there for it was the slip rail.  I put it together.......

 

 

the keel parts were cemented together.

 

 

 

I got the instructions........I can get some insight as to what the parts are to look like.   this is so cool!  I miss the smell of wood.........after the hull is painted on any kit that I've done,  there is only limited wood fabrication to do......the small parts and fittings for the deck and mast.  even with the rigging,  which I love to do,  can become tedious.  this is probably the main reason why I amass builds the way I do......

not because I'm in the habit of not finishing a kit,  but that I miss the construction part of it......

making sawdust.   this kit couldn't have come to me at a more opportune time........it will make for a perfect companion,  for the kit I plan on finishing next.   well......anyway.........

 

the build slip came out of the closet.

 

 

 

I had punched out all the cast off from the bow stem.   I had already dry fitted and tested the parts.....a nice fit.   the build went on.

 

 

 

I added short pieces of 3/16 square stock in between the ribs to aide in locking them in.

 

 

 

 

the hull frame assembly continued.

 

 

 

before the transom rib was cemented in place,  the deck joices were slid in place.  I went all the way forward to rib #6,  and all the way back to rib #13  {strange way to number parts}.

 

 

 

 

 

 

the transom rib finishes off the frame assembly.  I will be adding short strips under both ends of the joices for support.

 

 

 

there are the bow rabbits that still need to be cemented in place. 

 

 

 

[Jim Lad]

Ummm, I thought you were cutting down on the number of builds you were doing at once, Popeye?  

 

John

[popeye the sailor]

thank you Augie and John for your vote of confidence.    roll the bones............darn!  they STILL tell me nothing!

 

 

 

I got back to 'er........now,  to make heads or tails of the deck platforms.   I was simply going to plank over the ribs,  but staggering the planks every  "1"  didn't impress me.   I did run into my first chigger.....in handling the frame,  I broke the thin bridge along the top of the bow stem.   I fixed it and put the cast off back in to protect it.

 

 

you can see the supports for the joices I put in there.   the deck platforms I have are fitted in place.

 

 

the main deck platform is supposed to be in two sections.......I did it as a single piece.

 

 

after marking out the bulwark posts,  lines were drawn and the notches were cut out.

 

 

 

 

there is a rounded section of decking that is to go at the bow.   it is to be level with the main deck.

 

 

I got to this section of decking the following day.....in between working on the AmericA  {all of this was,  for that matter}..........the upper mizzen deck

 

 

 

I'm going to add in small pieces of square stock under where the bulwark posts are {underneath} to support the platforms,  when the frame is fared.   they need to be flush to the inner walls,  come time for planking.   this puts the build up to speed......I can update as I go along.   enjoy!

[popeye the sailor]

I know John........my inability to keep one's hands out of the box........I am guilty.......I am sooooooooo guilty.   I'll be doing the Gothenborg, which is very close to her rigging stage.  this will make for a good companion,  planking the hull and decks,  while I do the rigging 

 

I have one other card to play as well..........you've seen it John,  remember

[augie]

Great Scott------you're already at warp speed!!!!!

[mtaylor]

"Damn it Jim, he's a shipwright not a doctor."    Ok.. so I misquoted... sue me. 

 

Popeye, you are amazing... models just popping up on the workbench as if by magic.

[Sjors]

Hi Popeye,

 

So this is the surprise!

Nice one 

I think you need to rent the house of the neighbours to place all those builds.

I have now an other one to follow…..

Now we can see the difference between the Corel kit and the BB kit.

We will see how it ends.

Bon Voyage with this one.

 

[Anja]

Hello Popeye,

 

The Half Moon ..... What a surprise.

Will you be following the plans or just go with comes into mind?

Whatever you do, with your skills and imagination, she will be a beauty.

 

Enjoy this build.

 

Take care,

 

Anja

[trippwj]

Wicked nice start, Dennis.  Will join the crew to watch this one as well!

[patrickmil]

Surprise surprise.... you've got yet another build going....  LOL and just kidding around. It looks like you have a great start and I doubt you will have any trouble with making up for missing parts. BTW, you need to update your signature. It's the only way we have track of all your builds.

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Augie

 

thanks Mark..............this hobby is sure amazing,  isn't it.

 

thanks Sjors and Anja..    yup,  this is the surprise.   it will be very interesting comparing the corel kit with the Billing's kit.  I'm going to be following the plans....they look good, but I will also be looking at pictures I may find of her.   it will be a good build.....thanks again

 

welcome aboard Wayne..........thanks!

 

thanks Patrick.......well,  I have a reputation to uphold    I can do a little rigging.........make a little sawdust........do some more rigging,  you know,  always something to do.   I will adjust my signature........thanks for the good word

[Sjors]

If you need pictures of her Popeye let us know.

Anja has a lot of them somewhere…...

She have also a book about the Half Moon.

If you want anything to know, you know where you can find us.

 

[newbuilder101]

Wow Popeye - I am amazed how many ships you take on at once, and all look great. This is, and will be, no exception. I guess I'll pull up a chair.

[Sjors]

Let me help you Sherry.

 

Popeye is to buzzy with his builds…..

 

[popeye the sailor]

I'll keep that in mind Sjors........I'm sure Anja would love to assist

 

 

thanks Sherry........story of my life     got into this habit early.........build and paint,  then let it sit to dry with nothing to do.  so I'd work on another build until I can get back to what I was doing.   the wharf is a busy place    glad to have you looking in.

[mobbsie]

Popeye, I've just fallen off me bloomin chair,   boy you really are traveling at a speed on this one.  

 

It was only yesterday I saw that kit in the box, now she's almost finished, well not really.

 

Got my seat close by and am already waiting for a viewing position.

 

Have fun buddy.

 

mobbsie

[popeye the sailor]

too funny Mobbsie...........I've just begun     I figure that by the time I get most of the planking done  {there's a lot of it},  I should be well on the way with the Gothenborg.........masting and rigging {the yards probably won't be up by then.......I'm not that good}.   it should be fun though.....especially having to make all these missing parts.   thanks for the good word,  my friend! 

[michael mott]

Popeye so do I call you Popeye or Dennis?

the thinking behind your building strategy is perfect, by allowing yourself the change of tasks one is always fresh and exciting to work on.

 

You do seem to be inching slowly toward the "dark" side though with all those missing parts having to be made.

 

Michael

[Anja]

Hello Popeye,

 

Will send you some pictures and/or information about the Half Moon tomorrow.

That way you don't have to spend your building time on surfing the internet.

 

Take care,

 

Anja

[riverboat]

Popeye!!!...... you are just unbelievable !........ this looks like it's going to be another fantastic build from the "SPINACH KID"

Frank

[realworkingsailor]

Hmm..... Another build from the ADD kid...er.....model builder...

 

So you're going to work on the Goth. anytime soon?

 

Andy

[rdsaplala]

That's a nice and sweet Half Moon you have there Popeye, I will be following along to see you do your magic on this lady

[Anja]

Hello Popeye,

 

Pictures of the Half Moon are waiting for you in your inbox .  

 

Take care,

 

Anja

[popeye the sailor]

thanks Micheal......you can call me either     I hardly ever did multiple builds when i worked with plastic.........I find wood builds to be more time consuming,  with waiting time a bit longer....for things to dry.   as mentioned,  it's a great diversion,  and I get to stay busy.

 

yes Anja {and Sjors}....I did get the pictures and stuff you sent to me.   I haven't had a chance to go through it all yet.......I have plenty of time though     I look forward in seeing you continue with your build  

 

hi Andy!   not much left to do with the AmericA........next will be the Gothenborg.   the half Moon,  for the moment,  is merely for the smell of wood,  and the making of sawdust.

 

thanks Aldo.......there's a bit of scratch work to do on this bad girl......but I've been there before,  so it should not be too bad.  it's still early yet in the build.......lots of neat planking.

[popeye the sailor]

I did a bit more with this build.....mainly cementing the deck platforms in place.

 

 

the bow rabbits are now in place.

 

 

 

the stern deck platforms

 

 

for that small section of bow decking that I had made,  I noted that it was level with the main deck platform.  a short length of square stock was cemented in place,  as a locator for the decking.

 

 

 

the fore castle decking was also cemented in place at this time.   after adding in two other short pieces of square stock in to support it......this bow decking was cemented in place.

 

 

there are some parts that need to be added to the stern transom,  that will give it a distinct shape.  they were cemented in place.

 

 

one thing I do notice with this kit,  is that it lacks any sort of ribbing,  that will aide in giving shape to the bow planking.   the rabbit shown,  will be exposed.....trapping the planking behind it,  instead of being used to affix the planking to it.   this I will have to experiment with.

[Jim Lad]

Popeye, now you just get right back and finish off the other models first! (dies that sound like your mum/) 

 

You're really charging ahead with thos one, mate!

 

John

[popeye the sailor]

that would have been my dad......except his venacular would have been slightly different....LOL!   mum was the one that always stood by what I did......but I hear you though.    did a bit more on the AmericA.....even though during a work week,  I never do.   I'll have an update soon........on something