Michael Adams Posted July 14, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 14, 2020 Hello all - As a small town kid from Oklahoma, I joined the US Navy to see the world. 25 years later, I retired and still love the sea. I have always wanted to build a wooden model ship and with Coronavirus keeping me away from work, I decided to give it a shot. As I currently live in England, I am interested in US and Royal Navy ships. I am currently working on the USS Albatross and am happy with my progress. I probably should have started on a beginner level, but as I grew up a woodworker, I thought I could be successful at intermediate. I am currently working on the rigging and whew, this is tedious. I think the hull looks good (there are a few flaws, but I am keeping in mind, it is my first and I am learning how not to make them next time). Anyone have any tips to assist with the rigging? Michael mtaylor, JeffT, Nirvana and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted July 14, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 14, 2020 Good Afternoon Michael, and welcome to MSW and England; My only tip is take your time and work to the very best of your abilities. The only sure thing is that in later years, no matter how high the standard you try to achieve now, you will look back at this model, and think 'why did I not do it this way instead of that!' Research the subject as thoroughly as you can, and understand what needs to be done as much as possible, before you try to do it. If in any doubt, ask! There are thousands of years of combined experience available on this great forum, and never forget a very large thank you to all those who work in the background to make this possible, by keeping this site working so well. All the best, Mark P mtaylor, Ryland Craze, Nirvana and 2 others 5 Quote Previously built models (long ago, aged 18-25ish) POB construction. 32 gun frigate, scratch-built sailing model, Underhill plans. 2 masted topsail schooner, Underhill plans. Started at around that time, but unfinished: 74 gun ship 'Bellona' NMM plans. POB On the drawing board: POF model of Royal Caroline 1749, part-planked with interior details. My own plans, based on Admiralty draughts and archival research. Always on the go: Research into Royal Navy sailing warship design, construction and use, from Tudor times to 1790. Member of NRG, SNR, NRS, SMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted July 14, 2020 Share #3 Posted July 14, 2020 Hello Michael, and a warm welcome to the forum from ;Down Under'. That's good advice from Mark. John Mark P, Nirvana, JeffT and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted July 14, 2020 Share #4 Posted July 14, 2020 Hi Michael and welcome to Model Ship World. Thank you for your service. You have come to the right place to get help if you need any. Your woodworking experience is a plus when building your model. If you get a chance, please post a picture of your model. We would love to see your work. Nirvana, mtaylor, Michael Adams and 1 other 4 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffT Posted July 14, 2020 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2020 Welcome to MSW mtaylor, Michael Adams and Nirvana 3 Quote Jeff In progress: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48 HMS Sphinx - Vanguard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted July 14, 2020 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2020 Welcome to MSW! Nirvana, mtaylor and Michael Adams 3 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted July 14, 2020 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2020 Michael, warm (87°F) (30°C) mtaylor 1 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted July 15, 2020 Share #8 Posted July 15, 2020 Welcome to MSW, Michael. I'd suggest look at the kit area for build logs and also in the Masting, Rigging, and Sails area. If all else fails.. ask questions in the Masting/Rigging area. Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted July 15, 2020 Share #9 Posted July 15, 2020 Hi Michael and welcome. 8 hours ago, Ryland Craze said: If you get a chance, please post a picture of your model. We would love to see your work. I second that. If only because we all like to see pics of model ships. mtaylor and Ryland Craze 2 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jarman Posted July 15, 2020 Share #10 Posted July 15, 2020 Good morning Michael, Welcome to MSW, Good Luck with your rigging. As you can tell from replies to your post you have chosen a brilliant forum to join. It would be good to see some pictures of your work. For your next model you might want to start a build log. Enjoy this wonderful hobby and making lots of friends from every corner of the world on this forum. Paul Ryland Craze and mtaylor 2 Quote In work: -queen-mary-2 Finished: rms-titanic-1912 Finished: king-of-the-Mississippi Finished: Sanson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Adams Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted July 15, 2020 Hmmm, not real comfortable posting pics. If I felt better about what I have done so far, it would be better. Here it is so far. Remember, this is my first wooden model. bruce d, Ryland Craze, Edwardkenway and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted July 15, 2020 Share #12 Posted July 15, 2020 Looks good to me. Michael Adams and mtaylor 2 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted July 15, 2020 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2020 Welcome! Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted July 15, 2020 Share #14 Posted July 15, 2020 54 minutes ago, bruce d said: Looks good to me. Yes, very nice looking ship. Have fun with the rigging of her bruce d, mtaylor and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted July 16, 2020 Share #15 Posted July 16, 2020 Honestly.. you're doing a great job. There might be some issues, errors, that the photos don't see but if you're posting a log, and make an error, usually someone will offer a suggestion. It's not criticism as usually they spot a problem that they did and someone helped them out. I'l add that if you look through the scratch logs (the real dark side of modeling) you'll see the same conversations that start with something like... "Is that part right... I'm doing the same model and...." Ryland Craze 1 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted July 16, 2020 Share #16 Posted July 16, 2020 Thanks for the pictures. Your hull looks great. The masting and rigging can be challenging, but it can be a very enjoyable part of the overall build. mtaylor 1 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted July 16, 2020 Share #17 Posted July 16, 2020 Michael, that's a very creditable model. Nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about there. You should start a build log, even if she is part way through. A lot of help and advice available that way. I do have a question - I looked up USS Albatross on Wikipedia and there were two of them mentioned, but neither looks like yours. Is there another USS Albatross as well? mtaylor 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Adams Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted July 18, 2020 Louie - honestly never thought about it. I knew it was like the first build of its name, so I knew I wouldn't recognize it from its more recent build, but the only ships that look like mine, are other models. I am now very curious. It is supposedly a historic ship. I'm going to have to do more research now. Thanks for pointing it out...I think. This may cause me more consternation than the rigging. 🤔 Michael mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Adams Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share #19 Posted July 18, 2020 Louie - Here is what I found about her. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schooner_Te_Vega#Navy mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted July 18, 2020 Share #20 Posted July 18, 2020 Hi Michael, It seems you have an OcCre kit of the 1899 Dutch built schooner ALBATROS. I haven't done any further digging but here is a summary: https://www.castyouranchorhobby.com/Item/OC50500 It should make a nice looking model, it certainly has some history. HTH Bruce EDIT: see this as well ... https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/the-albatros-sold-and-staying-in-wells-1-6599080 ... but tread carefully. Even though it says this schooner was made in Holland in 1899 the aft deck and cabin just don't match, maybe some digging? mtaylor 1 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted July 19, 2020 Share #21 Posted July 19, 2020 Well, Bruce's post seems to clear everything up. Slight difference in spelling and not "USS". Your model looks just like the OcCre kit. I don't think the one in Bruce's second link can have anything to do with yours - the only thing they have in common is both being two-masted schooners. Just looking at her, I would have dated her considerably earlier than 1899 - the beakhead, hull shape, gunports and guns make me think of a ship of the 1840's or 1850's at the latest. What the OcCre kit is based on is anybody's guess, but, seriously, who cares? It's a good looking model and you're doing a good job on it. Many kits out there are based more on imagination than anything else. It doesn't stop them being good kits, or resulting in good models. Certainly if you want to follow up further to see if you can find the actual original this model is based on, go right ahead. But even if it's not based on a real ship it doesn't detract from the model itself. When complete it will be something you can be proud of. Keep up the good work! bruce d and mtaylor 2 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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