Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 #1 Posted June 9, 2020 This will be my first model ship build. At one point growing up, my dad had a plastic model kit of the Cutty Sark, and it basically sat in a box. I always wanted to do the model, but never had the space/time/skill. Eventually it was thrown away when my parents moved. While talking to my Uncle about being disappointed, he gave me a wooden Thermopylae kit from Scientific Models, circa 1973. I was very excited, and got started right away. 3 months later, I had my first child, and the model sat untouched for 13 years. Being stuck at home due to the coronavirus stay-at-home orders prompted me to start it up again, and I’m finally making progress. Picture of the very old box, and sail plan to start. Vladimir_Wairoa, etubino and Jonny 007 3 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 Author #2 Posted June 9, 2020 Posting according to the steps in the manual, here's painted hull, decking, some of the deck structures and the railing started. etubino, modeller_masa, gieb8688 and 2 others 5 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 Author #3 Posted June 9, 2020 More deck structures and lots of small details. Papa, gieb8688, Jonny 007 and 1 other 4 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 Author #4 Posted June 9, 2020 Masts. modeller_masa, Duanelaker, etubino and 2 others 5 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 Author #5 Posted June 9, 2020 Bowsprit/Jib boom rigging started, fore stays. ccoyle, modeller_masa, Duanelaker and 7 others 10 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
historyguysteve Posted June 9, 2020 #6 Posted June 9, 2020 WOW... You really are cooking along with this model. It is really great to see someone do a scientific kit. They are reasonably accurate, fairly simple, yet result in a good representation of the ship at hand are of a great display size. I have this exact kit in my 'stash' and I really pleased that your building it. You will need to figure out some solution to belaying pins and pin rails, Scientific does have some shortfalls mostly due to scale and simplicity. A good reference for better rigging will also be beneficial as their rigging plan is way oversimplified.Great job!! steve Quote
Jamie Coleman Posted June 9, 2020 Author #7 Posted June 9, 2020 Thanks for the comments Steve. Yeah, for this one, a lot of the rigging is just square knots around a jib or mast with a dot of glue. I think with the scale it’s hard to get all the little details, and I’m ok letting this one be a little simple and just using it to cut my teeth on. I’m kind of cheating on the belaying pins and just tying the lines to holes in the pin rail. My next ones going to be a 1:64 scale POB, so I’ll be able to be a lot more accurate with the rigging. Bill Morrison, Duanelaker and clearway 3 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 10, 2020 Author #8 Posted June 10, 2020 It’s hard to tell in the lighting, but she is green above the copper Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 19, 2020 Author #9 Posted June 19, 2020 Finished the bow sprite rigging, shrouds and stay sails. If you were following along in the instructions, you'd see I was jumping between multiple steps, I ran out of pin nails, so I kept working the best I could. The more I work on this, the more shortcuts I see in the design/instructions as compared to a lot of the build logs/models here. I'm going to push on through as designed, but lots of room for better rigging detail in the next model. Duanelaker, Bob Fraser, coxswain and 4 others 7 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Louie da fly Posted June 23, 2020 #10 Posted June 23, 2020 I was going to comment on how fast you'd been making progress - then I realised you'd posted all but the last photos on a single day, so I'm assuming there was a bit of a backlog of already completed work that the log was catching up with - unless of course you really are Superman (it's possible ). But that's really beautiful work - you can be justly proud of the work you've done. The only thing I'd comment on (and it's very minor, and probably too late to do anythig about it) is that the thread fixing the sails to the yards looks a bit intrusive in black - perhaps a more neutral colour would have been better? But that's like the motor magazine writers complaining about the placement of the ashtrays in the new model car - they have to find something to offset the completely positive review . . . ccoyle 1 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht
Jim Lad Posted June 23, 2020 #11 Posted June 23, 2020 Very neatly made, Jamie. I agree with Steven's comments re the sails. John Bill Morrison 1 Quote
Blue Ensign Posted June 23, 2020 #12 Posted June 23, 2020 She's looking impressive Jamie, not an easy model for a first build. I don't know if you can backtrack at this stage but there is a significant error with the lower shrouds. They should pass down through the lower tops not over the outside edge, If you can modify this I would. The upper shrouds look correctly positioned. B.E. Quote Current Build: Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-1:64-scale HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation.
Jamie Coleman Posted June 23, 2020 Author #13 Posted June 23, 2020 I can see the sails would have looked better with the lighter line, I’m not sure why the kit called for black, unless it saved them needing to supply another bundle of line? And yes, the lower shrouds are disappointing to me, the instructions showed a cross section that wasn’t labeled very well, and I didn’t catch it until the upper shrouds. The bad part is this one doesn’t use real dead eyes, the lines are glued and pinned into the hull and a metal “deadeye/lanyard” casting is glued on later, so I’m kind of stuck. Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 23, 2020 Author #14 Posted June 23, 2020 And yes Louie Steven, definitely a backlog of pictures rather than superhuman speed Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Blue Ensign Posted June 23, 2020 #15 Posted June 23, 2020 That's a shame Jamie, but I've found there is not much you can't deconstruct on a wooden boat if you have the will. Metal parts stuck with ca can be removed using Acetone, and pva glue by water and isopropanol. I can understand your reluctance to perhaps get into something you're not comfortable with, so maybe it's a case of putting it down to experience and resolve to do better next time. Regards, B.E. Quote Current Build: Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-1:64-scale HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation.
Louie da fly Posted June 24, 2020 #16 Posted June 24, 2020 It's a difficult decision, and one most modellers come up against (including me). Do I change the thing I did in good faith but now know better, involving all kinds of work and hassle, and possibly not a perfect result, or do I leave it as it is and put it down to experience, knowing it might sneer at me every time I look at it for the rest of eternity? You have to decide what's right for you. I've taken both those courses on different aspects of the same model at different times. But also remember that whichever course you take now, umpteen years from now you'll still look back on your first attempts and think "Wow! I've really come a long way!" Which is only right. Learn from mistakes and do better with every new build you do - but in my view the important thing is to enjoy the ride. This is a hobby, after all. Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht
Jamie Coleman Posted June 26, 2020 Author #17 Posted June 26, 2020 Well, it's been a busy few days, and the kids have been monopolizing the computer, so I have a few steps worth of progress to update. The sails and yards are hung on the masts, these are fairly rudimentary, the sails are just glued to the yards and the yards are glued to the masts. The instructions just call for clews to be glued to the yard below, I glued some line to the sails and tied them on for a bit more robustness. GrandpaPhil, Louie da fly, ccoyle and 2 others 5 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 26, 2020 Author #18 Posted June 26, 2020 The running rigging is broken down into several stages, first is to do the braces for the royal and top-gallant sails. This is starting to feel like one of those scenes in a mission impossible movie where the hero has to weasel his way between lasers to reach a prize. Tying knots with tweezers is definitely easier watching someone else do. modeller_masa, Louie da fly, GrandpaPhil and 3 others 6 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 26, 2020 Author #19 Posted June 26, 2020 Upper top sail braces next, much more complex than the earlier braces, multiple blocks per line. reklein, Louie da fly, modeller_masa and 2 others 5 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 26, 2020 Author #20 Posted June 26, 2020 The instruction call for all the lower top sail braces before moving on to the crojack and main braces, I opted to complete all the mizzenmast braces before the mainmast braces on these steps, because all the mizzenmast lines would be harder to reach after the main lower top sail braces. Duanelaker, Bob Fraser, Louie da fly and 4 others 7 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 26, 2020 Author #21 Posted June 26, 2020 One thing I know I will struggle with shortly, all the sheets for the main sails/crojack have nothing to really pull against, the sails have small wire on the edges to help it hold it's shape, but not enough strength to straighten out the line. You can see the fore main sail sheets already, very slack. I'm thinking I may have to find either some thin/invisible fishing line and find a way to pull the corner forward, or possibly use a very thin wire to push it from behind, but I'm certainly open to ideas on this one, I can't leave it as is. modeller_masa, ccoyle, Louie da fly and 2 others 5 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Louie da fly Posted June 26, 2020 #22 Posted June 26, 2020 That's looking very good, Jamie. 5 hours ago, Jamie Coleman said: Tying knots with tweezers is definitely easier watching someone else do. Couldn';t agree more . . Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht
Jamie Coleman Posted June 27, 2020 Author #23 Posted June 27, 2020 Still some details to add, but the rigging is done (still need to do something with the main sheets, still a little slack, but I'll do that after I glue on all the dead eye/lanyard castings. Bob Fraser, Duanelaker, ccoyle and 3 others 6 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
reklein Posted June 27, 2020 #24 Posted June 27, 2020 Very nice build,specially for a first timer. You should be proud. Keith Black 1 Quote Bill, in Idaho Completed Mamoli Halifax and Billings Viking ship in 2015 Next Model Shipways Syren
Bill Morrison Posted June 27, 2020 #25 Posted June 27, 2020 Jamie, Beautiful! I have two of these in my stash. You have made me look forward to building one. I do have three suggestions, however. The first is to use copper tape cut to the proper length and width for the lower hull, unless the lower hull was painted. The second is that, when you are rigging the shrouds, they should go through the lubber holes in the tops, not around the tops. And, finally, try planking your own deck; it will look much better than the printed one used by Scientific. I hope that my suggestions are not too cruel. You did a beautiful job! Bill Keith Black 1 Quote
Jamie Coleman Posted June 27, 2020 Author #26 Posted June 27, 2020 Appreciate all the kind words, I know there are flaws if you look close (or not so close ), but I learned a lot and am already looking forward to another build. I’ve got a Model Shipways US Brig Syren on back order, so hoping it’s here by the time I finish the details on this one. I know I need some better tweezers, and I’m going to try spray painting (air brush purchase and lots of practice is on my to do), and when the time comes, I’ll be getting some of Chuck’s line and blocks. Keith Black and Duanelaker 2 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Jamie Coleman Posted June 27, 2020 Author #27 Posted June 27, 2020 4 hours ago, Bill Morrison said: I do have three suggestions, however. The first is to use copper tape cut to the proper length and width for the lower hull, unless the lower hull was painted. The second is that, when you are rigging the shrouds, they should go through the lubber holes in the tops, not around the tops. And, finally, try planking your own deck; it will look much better than the printed one used by Scientific. No hurt feelings on suggestions/critiques Bill, it’s a great way to get better. All 3 items are definitely on my list for build 2. The hull is painted copper, but strips of copper and planking the deck would have looked pretty nice. Shrouds, I just goofed up, and the deadeye shortcut on the model would have made it pretty tough to back track by the time I caught the fowl up. Chalked up to experience, unfortunately. if I had it to do over again, I would have done those items, real dead eyes, better/smaller wooden blocks, better line, and done a better job of pre-rigging blocks to the masts. Duanelaker, Keith Black and Bill Morrison 3 Quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Yves Cousteau Work in Progress: US Brig Syren Completed Works: Thermopylae
Bill Morrison Posted June 27, 2020 #28 Posted June 27, 2020 Been there, done that! Good luck with Syren! Bill Keith Black 1 Quote
Louie da fly Posted June 27, 2020 #29 Posted June 27, 2020 4 hours ago, Jamie Coleman said: if I had it to do over again, I would have done those items, real dead eyes, better/smaller wooden blocks, better line, and done a better job of pre-rigging blocks to the masts. Ah, the wisdom of hindsight! If only we'd thought of that at the time . . . But the thing is to treat this model as a learning experience and transfer the lessons learned to the next build and the next . . . Keith Black 1 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht
Vladimir_Wairoa Posted June 28, 2020 #30 Posted June 28, 2020 On 6/19/2020 at 8:08 PM, Jamie Coleman said: Finished the bow sprite rigging, shrouds and stay sails. If you were following along in the instructions, you'd see I was jumping between multiple steps, I ran out of pin nails, so I kept working the best I could. The more I work on this, the more shortcuts I see in the design/instructions as compared to a lot of the build logs/models here. I'm going to push on through as designed, but lots of room for better rigging detail in the next model. good day Jamie, neat and lovely work on cutty competitor. horizontal sailing look is eyecatching . Vlad reklein, WalrusGuy and Keith Black 3 Quote
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