Gunboat Philadelphia by dzerbato - Model Shipways - First Wooden Ship Model

[BobCardone]

 

On 2/25/2020 at 10:42 PM, dzerbato said:

I am certainly impressed with the Syren blocks, particularly at this scale, they really do make a huge difference. 

I just ordered Syren blocks and deadeyes, there's no way I can make the kit ones look as good as theirs.  You're right... this big of a scale makes everything more obvious!

I have some wiggle room on my mast partner so I plan on mounting it after I drill for the lower deadeyes. That way everything "misses each other" correctly.

[dzerbato]

I've made some progress on this build. I've completed the cannon carriages, added the cannon ball racks, completed the stove, and rigged the 12lb gun. I must say rigging my first gun was pretty fun for me. The Syren rope and blocks really make a difference in the overall appearance of the model. I had never really thought about it, but the tackle really works (until I glued the carriage, lol). For the stove, I used the advice of some of the other builds on this site and make bricks using clay and the wood cutout as a mold. I used white putty as grout. It's intentionally a bit messy, but needs a bit more clean up. I added some burned match sticks and ash as well. I thought it came out pretty decent. I made one rope coil for the slide tackle, but that was a pain. I may just pre-make them and glue them down for the others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 8, 2020 by dzerbato
Removed duplicate picture

[BobCardone]

Great!

The deck plank beveling really shows up well. The bricks came out very realistic and those Syren blocks look nice. I'm also going to pre-make the rope coils and install them later.

Is that the kit supplied carriage rigging?

Fine work, I'm really enjoying and learning from your build log.

BobC

[dzerbato]

Thank you. The rope is from Syren too.

[EricWilliamMarshall]

Beautiful work! I’m pulling up a chair to watch, if you don’t mind. 

[dzerbato]

After a few weeks, I've made some more progress, but nothing spectacular. The cannons are completed now, the rails installed, rear rails installed, catheads and the swivel gun bases. The rails detail continues and I've started work on the rudder. I'm really enjoying this build and really like the scale of this boat. Rigging the cannons was very satisfying for me. Here are some pictures.

 

I stained the catheads Minwax natural to match the interior, but looking at this picture, I may refinish them to match the rail. We'll see.

[BobCardone]

1 hour ago, dzerbato said:

I'm really enjoying this build and really like the scale of this boat.

Big scales have a lot of advantages (except they're huge!). She sure is a fun build, with a lot of neat features.

Your boat is looking fit and trim, I like the natural interior- it really sets the contrast with the hull and cannons. Really nice workmanship, and I see you installed the rail caps just fine.

How is the brass blackening going?

[dzerbato]

The brass blackening overall is going well. It's the first time I've used a brass blackener, but it's fairly easy. I clean the brass with alcohol first, then dip it.

[dzerbato]

It's been a while since I've posted an update. My wife and I had our second kid in April, so modeling time has been tight, or I'm just too tired, lol. I have made a bit more progress and gotten some of what I'll call the harder parts done. The mast and yards are completed. They are made from wood dowel. I tapered them by carving to square first, then taking the corners down and finishing by using my electric drill and sand paper. The drill worked great and was very easy. I just left more of the dowel on the end to not have the drill damage the piece. 

 

I also finished up the final touches on the hull. I added nails to the swivel gun stanchions and prepared and installed the two swivel guns that come with the kit. I added the various cleats as well. Next is to start the rigging.

 

 

 

 

[Landlubber Mike]

Congrats on your second child!  I had three kids during my Badger build, and it ended up taking me 5 years to complete so I know what you mean   Nice job on the Philadelphia!