Royal Caroline by Messis - FINISHED - Panart - 1/48

[PietFriet]

You are actually the only person that can answer that question. 

[Landrotten Highlander]

53 minutes ago, MESSIS said:

Question to whom it may concern:

Is it a white painted hull as the original ship better, or is it nicer to let it as it is, pure wood?

I'd say it is personal taste.  Do you prefer close to historical accuracy, or do you prefer artistic licence that pleases your eyes.

At the end of the day, you are both Captain of your ship, as well as the one who has to look at it (last bit is also the advice I give to my Bonsai students when they have to make a difficult choice and I get asked 'which is better')

[MESSIS]

Thank you guys.... though am asking because apparently  I am in a dilemma. The dilemma that has so nicely @Landrotten Highlander described.

[catopower]

Hi Christos, your build is coming along beautifully! The Royal Caroline kit has alway been one of those builds on my wish list. 

 

As for your paint or no paint question, first off, I have to agree with the comments that it's totally up to you. That said, I will add the comment that whatever you do, some people will always think it would look better the "other way". 

 

When I get around to building this kit, I personally really like the look of the model in the box art, which shows a white bottom. However, the wood showing on that model is very light in color. My one concern is that if the wood is too dark, then to my eye the contrast might be too stark. Of course, were I actually building the model, if the planking looked too fantastic, I might opt for no paint, just because I might hate covering it up.

 

How's that for a not-really-an-answer answer? 😀

[Landrotten Highlander]

1 hour ago, catopower said:

How's that for a not-really-an-answer answer? 😀

you should go into politics .....

[MESSIS]

@Landrotten Highlander and @catopower I was in politics a life long.... no I dont think  @catopower deserves such a penalty! Lol lol 

 

Its an answer trying to help me  explore my way of thinking and find a way through . Anyway am settled, am going for nice instead of heistorical accuracy. 

[MESSIS]

Next pictures

[DelF]

Hi Christos

 

Your model is coming along very well - I particularly like your planking. I agree with everyone else, that painting the wood white is entirely a matter of personal taste. As you know from our previous correspondence, I painted my hull as I thought it tied in with the overall colour scheme. However there were some parts of the model I chose not to paint. Those were parts I scratch built out of boxwood, such as the tops and much of the deck furniture - I felt that it would be a shame to cover up such a beautiful wood. For me, aesthetic considerations are sometimes more important than historical accuracy!

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Derek

[MESSIS]

@DelF thank Dereck for your nice words and ofcourse I appreciate your comments and expiriences over painting.

 

As you see I took the decision not to paint the hull.

 

 

Christos

 

 

[MESSIS]

 

Ok

Edited January 5, 2021 by MESSIS

[MESSIS]

The nice light oak stain looks too orange.... although the stain I used is a great product (used it successfully on Hermione's masting), it seems I over did it this time. So dos and redos, are as always in the agenta....

Edited January 8, 2021 by MESSIS

[MESSIS]

So much to correct it. Nr4 is the way its now, 3 and 4 are the new experiments,  of which I believe nr 2 has the more  correct  staining, thats less orange as 3 and ofcourse 4 and it still has a dash of honey as pine wood. 

 

This is important because this shall be the staining of the ship masts later on.

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by MESSIS

[MESSIS]

Stem almost there.... . Much iron (bronze) work! I find it challenging because I never worked so much metals by model shipbuilding.

Wasnt very hard though I am very inexperience in this kind of work. But still am looking forward to go back to old nice wood work.... lol

[Mike Dowling]

Have you repainted your cast pieces and if so what with ? Your brass straps look amazing, I am having a real struggle with them.

[MESSIS]

@Mike Dowling yes Mike I did. Here is the paint I have used. Excellent paint!

Christos

Edited January 13, 2021 by MESSIS

[Mike Dowling]

Thank you very much I shall order some. Your build is coming along beautifully, I too am building one and I am at the same stage as you are. I shall keep watching with interest.

[DelF]

2 hours ago, Mike Dowling said:

Your brass straps look amazing, I am having a real struggle with them.

I struggled with the brass strips too until I tried annealing them. After heating a strip for a few moments with a gas torch and allowing it to cool, I found I could bend it easily into the the required curves. Just a cheap torch working off lighter gas, nothing fancy.

[Mike Dowling]

Oh I wish I had thought of that. Never mind, mine are not too bad.

[MESSIS]

Oh... too late for me. I did it by using only my fingers.

 

@DelF @Mike Dowling show some pictures guys.... it helps.

Edited January 13, 2021 by MESSIS

[Mike Dowling]

You must have jolly tough fingers !!

[MESSIS]

@Mike Dowling he he ..... actualy I have the ideal piano fingers.... though I dont know how to play the piano.

[Mike Dowling]

Thank you my friend, I ordered some of the gold paint you recommended and it arrived today. I have to say it is the best gold paint I have ever used and believe me, I have tried a lot!

[MESSIS]

Chainplates and Royal Cabin in place.

[Bedford]

I've not long started my RC so I'm following yours with great interest

[MESSIS]

Chain plates on both sides. Hard monotony@ But still enjoyable to see the whole standing in place waitting the rigging process to begin.

 

The ladder was also very challenging. The kit shows two ladders, right and left of the royal cabin, but I followed Bellabarba's book, to build only the left ladder. On the right side Bellabarba is showing a closed compartment, which actualy inside of it is the staircase to the lower deck. Both constructions have a side door to enter the staircase, which I havent done, because I believe there were of no use because the staircase is communicating directly with the R.Cabin. The crew that needed to go to the lower deck could do that through the hinter stairs, without passing through the RCabin.Also the dimensions of both construction appear to be very low (1.4 meters) and narrow for the existence of a door.

Edited January 30, 2021 by MESSIS

[MESSIS]

Errare humanum est. After checking Bellabarba drw again and more carefully, it showed I was wrong... the Royal Cabin has no acces to the staircaises (there are two, one on each side).  I WAS VERY WRONG! Maybe because it was convinient for me to be so.

 

The doors are a must on both constructions (even if they are too low 1.4 m), it is the only way down to the lower deck. So I have correct my mistake and done it by Bellabarba's book, not the way the kit shows it (two stairs going on the RC roof and no doors to the staircase) and ofcourse not my way... no doors "because the RC had acces to the staicases"!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2021 by MESSIS

[Bedford]

I've sailed on the replica Endeavour, similar age design, and the access to below decks is covered, 1.4mtrs would be about the height. I'm about 1.9 tall and access was easy because you always face the stairs. Also people 200 years ago were generally shorter than todays average.

[Mike Dowling]

The last 4 pictures you posted are not working. Can you try again please ?

[MESSIS]

@Bedford thats great to hear! Thank you for that. I though something was wrong.... so my model is correct!

 

@Mike Dowling Mike there is something wrong on your side. The pictures are ok among other members and divices.

Edited February 1, 2021 by MESSIS

[Mike Dowling]

You are quite right, I know my computer needs changing!! Sorry and your doors look very fine.