Charles W. Morgan by John Ruy - FINISHED - Marine Model Company - 5/32”=1’ (1/76 scale) - Vintage Solid Hull Kit

[Voyageur]

Onward indeed! Looks great.

[John Ruy]

Lower Fore Yard rigging completed and ready mounting. A first for me, I have not built a yard arm from scratch. 

 

 

My Marine Model Company vintage kit did not included all running rigging in its drawings. Sheet Chains were completely left out. Perhaps for simplification, the reason is unknown. Fortunately I have a very good resources here on MSW. Thank you David Lester for your CWM build log.

 

 

OK back to shrouds and standing rigging, this build getting more interesting everyday. And fun too. 😎

 

[John Ruy]

Started working on more details for the tackle. Hooks I need hooks...

 

 

I also decide to let my OCD have it’s way and re-did the sheet chains on the lower fore mast. Better to change it now. 😆

 

 

I also wanted to redo the center block for those chains. Built one for the lower main mast as well. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New chains a much improved look. 👍

 

 

Also finished the lower shrouds for all three masts. 

 

 

Later... 😎

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

Seems like a long time since I have updated, but its only been about three weeks. Happy to report Standing Rigging is completed. 
 

 

The Fore Lower Yard is in place. Prepared with the associated Running Rigging Blocks and Sheet Chains. I have decided to build without sails. I would hate to cover up the details that are taking so long to complete. 😆
 

 

Still need to complete Rat Lines and Battens. Very tedious....

 

 

Here is a closeup is the Main Shrouds at the Main Lower Doubling. 

 

Feels like she has a long way to go. However, looking back there are a lot of accomplishments. Hours spent now stand at 344. Began this Journey back on January 21st 2020. Seems like so long ago...😎

 

Onward 🍻

[toms10]

“Feels like she has a long way to go. However, looking back there are a lot of accomplishments. Hours spent now stand at 344. Began this Journey back on January 21st 2020. Seems like so long ago...”

 

John, 7 1/2 months... are you kidding!? I’ve been plugging along on my Leopard for 3 1/2 years!  Your Morgan looks absolutely great. I hope mine comes out as good when I get to it. 
 

Tom

[John Ruy]

1 hour ago, toms10 said:

John, 7 1/2 months... are you kidding!? I’ve been plugging along on my Leopard for 3 1/2 years!

Tom, 

You are comparing apples to oranges. Your scratch build is amazing. My USS Constitution was a 674 hour build over 14 months. This one at 335 hour over 7 months tells me I spend way too much time in the basement. Keep on keeping on. 👍

[Papa]

On 9/19/2020 at 9:36 PM, John Ruy said:

Seems like a long time since I have updated, but its only been about three weeks. Happy to report Standing Rigging is completed. 
 

 

The Fore Lower Yard is in place. Prepared with the associated Running Rigging Blocks and Sheet Chains. I have decided to build without sails. I would hate to cover up the details that are taking so long to complete. 😆
 

 

Still need to complete Rat Lines and Battens. Very tedious....

 

 

Here is a closeup is the Main Shrouds at the Main Lower Doubling. 

 

Feels like she has a long way to go. However, looking back there are a lot of accomplishments. Hours spent now stand at 344. Began this Journey back on January 21st 2020. Seems like so long ago...😎

 

Onward 🍻

You have progressed very rapidly. And at great job at that

 

[John Ruy]

Progressing on the Battens and ratlines. Aligning extended battens. 
 

 

 

Filled in the shorter battens glueing them in place for lashing. 

 

Foremast shrouds and upper ratlines completed. 

 

 

Battens in place on the Main and Mizzen Shrouds. 
 

 

Now to complete the lashing and upper shroud ratlines. 
 

Onward 😎 

 

[toms10]

Hi John,

It's coming along bit by bit.  It is amazing how many little details need to be done.  Hopefully most of them don't go unnoticed by "normal folk" or should I say non-ship modellers.  I say that because I don't consider us (model ship builders) to be anything close to normal.  Anybody that does this type of work, to the detail level we see on this site definitely does not fall into the mainstream norm... whatever that is. 😀

Keep up the good work.

Tom

[John Ruy]

Lashing of battens completed on the starboard side. 
 

 

I started working on the whaleboats. This kit supplied metal whaleboats requiring someone detailing. I need a break now and then from tying ratlines and lashing battens. I’m sure you all know what I mean. 😆
 

 

 

I started with. 1/32 strips to recreate the ceilings and sheers. 
 

 

A bit of micro carpentry required for seating. Micro oars are in the works. 
 

 

I think this will do, only four more of these mini me’s to do.

 

 

Not bad, pretty decent. 😎 I think so anyway.   🍻

 

[toms10]

Hi John,

It’s coming along very decent!  I have found that I am by far my worst critic. So following that logic, if you think it is pretty good it must really be fantastic!  Keep up the good work. 
Tom

[John Ruy]

12 hours ago, toms10 said:

Hi John,

It’s coming along very decent!  I have found that I am by far my worst critic. So following that logic, if you think it is pretty good it must really be fantastic!  Keep up the good work. 
Tom

Thank you Tom... I agree we can be a bit too critical of our own work. I believe that’s what drives us to the next level. I always feel it could be a bit better. It’s OCD without the CD.  obsessed... 😆

 

I do appreciate you. As well as all who are giving me a 👍 along the way. 

 

 

[John Ruy]

BTW... Inspiration for my mini me whaleboats is coming from my MS New Bedford Whaleboat build. 
 

 

Please come follow this build. I can use all the encouragement I can get. 😉

[Bob Cleek]

On 10/13/2020 at 8:03 AM, toms10 said:

Hi John,

It's coming along bit by bit.  It is amazing how many little details need to be done.  Hopefully most of them don't go unnoticed by "normal folk" or should I say non-ship modellers.  I say that because I don't consider us (model ship builders) to be anything close to normal.  Anybody that does this type of work, to the detail level we see on this site definitely does not fall into the mainstream norm... whatever that is. 😀

Keep up the good work.

Tom

 

The uninitiated don't what they looking at and so don't appreciate the many small details on a good model. That work isn't lost on them, however, because it's the sum total of all those little details that create the compelling impression of reality in a model. They may not notice small details individually, but it's the small details that create the overall impression they certainly will notice, even if they aren't sure exactly why!

[John Ruy]

Standing Rigging Completed. Fore Stays, Back Stays, Bow Sprit, Shrouds, Battens, Ratlines. What a long strange road it’s been. 
 

 

Onward, to Yard Arms and Running Rigging. The fun never ends. 😆

Edited November 1, 2020 by John Ruy

[John Ruy]

First step in running rigging on a Whaler, “Cut in” Tackle. Many thanks to David Lesters MS Build of the CWM, my vintage kit does not show any of this important rigging. 
 

Created the Tail Hook and Blubber Hook. 
 

 

Then rigged up the blocks for the cut in tackle. 

 

Needed patina the brass and copper pieces. Soaked the parts in a white vinegar. 
 

 

Let these parts stand covered next to open ammonia. The fumes of the ammonia will patina most anything. 
 

 

Cut in Tackle complete. 
 

 

 

 

 

Now for the Yard Arms. 😎

[toms10]

Hi John,

Finishing the standing rigging is another milestone in the rear view mirror. Excellent job. 👍

Tom

[John Ruy]

Fore and Main Lower Yards pre-rigged and hung. She is starting to look like a real ship. 

 

Onward! 😎

Edited November 5, 2020 by John Ruy

[Papa]

Real nice work John.  I have not touched my Morgan for weeks with moving preparations. So much to do😬.  I think I may pack her up for the duration.

[John Ruy]

5 hours ago, PAPA said:

Real nice work John.  I have not touched my Morgan for weeks with moving preparations. So much to do😬.  I think I may pack her up for the duration.

That’s ok... She will still be there for you to finish when you get moved and settled in. Don’t give up the ship, these things take time. You’ll get there. 
 

Thanks for checking in on me and your kind words. I just keep plugging away...

 

🍻 Cheers 🍻 

[Papa]

8 hours ago, John Ruy said:

these things take time. You’ll get there. 

I spent over 40 years off and on on my Essex, MS Yellow Box kit

[John Ruy]

Began working on the CWM Whaleboats. Modeling four more after my prototype. 
 

 

First coat paint completed. 
 

 

Made up a few rope coils while watching the paint dry. 😎

 

 

Progress one day at a time. 🍻 

Edited December 6, 2020 by John Ruy

[toms10]

Nice John,

So what was more fun? Making the rope coils or watching the paint dry. 😂

Tom

[John Ruy]

1 hour ago, toms10 said:

Nice John,

So what was more fun? Making the rope coils or watching the paint dry. 😂

Tom

It’s a toss up, rope coiling is a bit more active. 

[John Ruy]

Finished adding planking, thwarts and sheers to the metal Whaleboat hulls. 
 

 

Completed detail painting. 
 

 

 

Now I can set those aside and continue with the booms and yards. 😎

[John Ruy]

Some Running rigging starting to take shape. 
 

 

 

working on the Spanker Gaff and Boom. 
 

 

Onward one small step at a time. 😎

[John Ruy]

 

As per Running Rigging Sheet, Spanker Sheet: Standing end at band on main Spanker Boom, leads forward through single block on after rail up through single block on boom down to #41 (which is a cleat) This line is port and starboard. Easier said than done. 😆 
 

 

Spanker Sheet Vangs: Standing end on band of Spanker boom leads up through single block at spanker gaff band, down to single pendant block. A “gun tackle” purchase is set up from cap rail to above pendant block, back to rail block and forward to #40 on pin rail. This line is port and starboard. 
 

Requires a bit of study and research 🧐 

 

 

Spanker Sheet Boom and gaff rigging completed. At this point I feel every step is a milestone. 
 

Don’t forget the rope coils. 😎

 

Onward! 🍻

Edited December 20, 2020 by John Ruy

[Papa]

Looking great John.  I expect it will be April or May before I can get back to my Morgan. Everything is all packed up and we’ll be moving out in a couple of weeks.  But in some ways it’s been nice to take a break from modeling.  
 

ron

[John Ruy]

Happy New Year! MSW...

Hope everyone had a good Holiday. Praying for all who are suffering, we will get through this. 
 

I do have progress to report on my CWM. After much needed research I have solved the mystery of my 1939 vintage sale plan of the Marine Model Company CWM kit. 
 

 

It seems the CWM was enshrined for a time on Colonel Greens Estate until the Colonel passed in 1935. This was after her whaling service rigged as a Bark. She was displayed on the estate in full Ship Rigging as seen here in the vintage post card, thus explaining the 1939 drawings in the Marine Model Company’s CWM kit and my confusion around following the Model Shipways builds on this site. Therefore I have decided to build and display her in all her glory of a full ships rigging. That said I am adding some running rigging from the MS builds not included in my 1939 rigging plans, obviously omitted to simplify the model kit, making for a bit more research on my part. But, that’s all part of the hobby that makes it interesting. Woo Hoo 😆

 

Ok, here is what I have completed so far on yards and rigging. 
 

 

Tied off the boom rigging of the Spanker to cleats on the aft rail. 
 

 

Rigged the Fore Mast for a single Topsail. 
 

 

Another view of the Topsail yard, showing off the foot ropes. 
 

 

Topsail Hailyard rigging. 
 

 

Tying off Hailyard was a bit tricky. 😎

 

 

Mizzen lower yard placed and rigged with Lifts and sheet chains. 
 

Decided to raise the Topsail Yard to better display Sheet Rigging. 
 

 

On to more yards and running rigging. Processes now established, making it easier, although very repetitive. 😆

 

Later, Take care, stay positive and test negative. 🍻

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by John Ruy

[toms10]

Happy new year John. Glad to hear you have the sail layout figured out. I am looking forward to seeing her with full sails. I know the feeling about the research thing. That is basically all I have been doing the past month. The Vikings had the right idea, one sail in the middle of the boat! Keeps it very simple. 😃 LOL

 

Tom