Zulu by Javier Baron - FINISHED - Scottish herring lugger

[Javier Baron]

My current project is a lugger of the east coast of Scotland, a type of ship called Zulu, which was the most powerful and efficient sailboat for the herring sail fishery among those of its size in the British Isles.

 

Its origin dates back to 1879, the year in which a Lossiemouth fisherman, William "Dad" Campbell, devised a radical design for his new boat for the capture of herring. He had the vertical bow of the fifie and the sloping stern of the skafie, and called this ship "Nonesuch." It was relatively small, with 16 m. of length and a keel length of 12 meters.

 

This design, which provided a longer deck and a shorter keel, markedly improved the maneuverability of the boat and provided it with a good speed, characteristics that made it highly appreciated by herring fishing fleets, as they managed to reach promptly to the fishing grounds and return quickly with the catch. Due to these qualities, that type of vessel quickly became very popular throughout the Scottish east coast.

 

The new type of vessel was baptized as a Zulu because of the war that was developing in South Africa at that time, in which Scottish soldiers fought, a war that was rejected by the population who thought they were fighting in an English conflict that, deep down, they were not concerned, which made their sympathies lean towards the Zulus.

 

The Zulu ships were carvel built, instead of clinker built, which was the most common in those waters. They were provided with two masts carrying lug sails and a bow jib. The sails were heavy and difficult to maneuver, and the masts to carry them had to be very long and strong. In the Zulu of greater size, the masts came to be 18 m high in boats of 24 m in length. As the twentieth century approached, steam winches were introduced aboard, which made maneuvering sails and nets much easier for crews.

 

However, and despite the success of its design, the life of the Zulu was quite short, since it was replaced by steam fisherboats after a brief existence of just over three decades.

 

[ccoyle]

Fabulous! The world's smallcraft offer a virtually inexhaustible supply of modeling options. I look forward to seeing you work your magic!

[druxey]

This is a very nice subject that you have chosen, Javier. Looking forward to seeing her develop!

[KeithAug]

I will be pleased to follow along Javier.

[Javier Baron]

Thank you very much to all for your comments.

I continue with the constrction of the model.

 

 

 

 

[Javier Baron]

[michael mott]

Wonderful work Javier I too will enjoy following along.

 

Michael

[KeithAug]

The hull cleaned up really well Javier.

[Javier Baron]

[Javier Baron]

Continue...

[BobG]

¡Maravilloso Barco!

 

Bob

[michael mott]

Really superb Javier.

 

Michael

[Javier Baron]

Thank you for your comments.

I have already painted the hull 

[KeithAug]

Lovely paint job Javier. Very nice detail for something so small.

[ccoyle]

Your models have a lot of charm, Javier.

[G.L.]

Indeed a very charming model, Javier. How do you write the name and the number on such a small scale?

[Mirabell61]

On 2/21/2020 at 10:05 PM, Javier Baron said:

Thank you for your comments.

I have already painted the hull 

excellent build Javier !!

 

I love these small workboats

 

Nils

Edited March 8, 2020 by Mirabell61

[Javier Baron]

10 hours ago, G.L. said:

Indeed a very charming model, Javier. How do you write the name and the number on such a small scale?

They are transferable letters of Letraset, of which I have a few samples, since they disappeared from the market years ago

[Louie da fly]

Superb as usual, Javier. Your builds are a pleasure to see.

 

Steven

[Heinrich der Seefahrer]

Hello Javier, is this again scaled down 1/210 as with the Ancre plan build Tartane of 1863? 

 

 

[Tony Hunt]

I love your work, Javier. These tiny miniatures have such a lively appearance, it's magical.

[Moab]

Another beauty!!!!!! ...Moab

[BobG]

Perfecto!

 

Bob

[Javier Baron]

To make the sails, I first cut out a pattern on paper and check on the model that its size and shape are correct.

 

As in this case the sails are colored, I have chosen brown fabrics to which I have given a reddish gouache. The fabrics are cocktail napkins that come in a roll from which they are detached, and although they are disposable, they can be used several times, as they can be washed. In the end I opt for the darker one.

 

Putting the napkin on the bias (that is, diagonally) I have been cutting strips of 3 mm. wide. Then I have glued these strips, one with the other, with minimal overlapping, making a composite canvas, from which I have then trimmed the sails using the paper patterns.

 

The edges of the sails are very thin strips of cloth that stick over the sails. These very thin strips are trimmed from the edges of the napkin, as they are treated with a varnish or resin sizing that prevents fraying.

 

Edited February 25, 2020 by Javier Baron

[FriedClams]

Another beautifully executed tiny marvel.  Very nice Javier!

 

Gary

[BETAQDAVE]

    It's amazing how you can do so much with so little!  And bye the way, I see that it's your birthday today so have a  happy one! 

[yvesvidal]

On 2/16/2020 at 4:42 PM, Javier Baron said:

Okay, you are fooling us! These fingers are from a giant being!!

 

Spectacular.

Yves

[wefalck]

I had completely missed out on this one and thought there hadn't been a new 'Baron' for while ... very atmospheric as usual !

[Javier Baron]

Thank you very much for commenting. the zulu is already finished, just in the absence of the showcase manufacturing.

 

Javier

[GrandpaPhil]

Congratulations!  Well done, as always!