USF Confederacy by cdrusn89 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/64

[cdrusn89]

Mounted on display board.

 

I drilled holes for the stand-offs in the center keel unit. I do. not have any stand-offs that have a notch wide enough for the Confederacy keel so I using flat topped ones and the model sits on the pedestals with a pronounced starboard list. Not sure what to do but order some stand-offs with a 1/4" wide notch. As a temporary measure I am putting together the display stand that comes with the kit.

 

Mast stubs are all that is left pending a review of the instructions and pictures to see if I missed something (important).

[cdrusn89]

A review of the instructions revealed that I had not accounted for the anchors, which are just lashed to the forecastle rail.

 

I had built the anchors previously except for the serving on the one of the anchor rings. So I mounted the one that was complete and am putting the serving on the ring of the other.

 

Here is the starboard side anchor in position.

 

I had also, for the first time included some scale figures on this model. I used the figures available thru the NRG Store and IMHO they turned out pretty well. Here is one mounted on the forecastle.

I got the cleats mounted on the mizzen mast stub and have it sitting in position but not secured. I need to get the main and fore mast stubs completed and then try and get them all the same height. You can see the other figure in the background. I am not sure what the final position for this one should be as the pose looks a bit more interesting than the one forward.

 

The "END" is in sight!!!

[cdrusn89]

I used the laser level to check the heights of the masts and to make sure they are not sloping from side to side. There does not appear to be a noticeable rack to any mast so I just have to get them straight.

 

Here is the laser in use.

 

It shows the fore mast to be a little tall so before I glued it in I trimmed about 1/8" off the top using the disk sander.

 

So, with one more anchor to lash on and a few drops of WoP on the tops of the masts yet to go the finish line is in sight. I ordered a "mini-vacuum" attachment from Micro-Mark to get a good vacuum on the model before it goes into the display cabinet. So it will be a few more days until I can declare this one FINISHED but once I get the anchor lashed on that will complete the assembly of the Confederacy.

 

Here are the fore and main masts installed.

And two shots of the model overall. I will post some more detailed shots when I get it "finish cleaned".

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by cdrusn89

[allanyed]

Your build has been fun to follow and I really like the idea of using the laser for aligning the masts!

This has nothing to do with your work, but rather a habitual problem with most kit designers, i.e. the belaying pins.  Your figure in the below photo looks to be right at scale.  How on earth does the kit designer expect a seaman to get his hand around these gigantic pins?  Again, I realize you did not make the pins, it is just frustrating to see this problem so often with most, not all, kits.   A little home work on the kit maker's part would go a long way, or at least let the builder know they have an option to make or buy their own that are to scale.

 

Allan

[cdrusn89]

Allan,

Thanks for the observation.

I will move the figure away from the pin rack so it is not so obvious. Actually these are not the pins that came with the kit. They were smaller and brass (still probably too big) but they got "lost" on the red pin rail and red bulwark so I bought these and justified the size by telling myself this was an Admiralty model and thus meant to convey the overall ship design, not how it would look in actual service.

 

I am going to build the Wenchelsea next and will make sure I use belaying pins that are to scale even though that is also an Admiralty model.

[cdrusn89]

It is FINISHED - I added the "Finished Build" tag to the build log. I guess that is how we "celebrate" these days.

 

Here are some more pictures of the "finished product".

 

My decision to plank over the centerline enough to mount all the centerline equipment means it is harder to see the detail under the forecastle and quarterdeck. On Wenchelsea I may only plank the center so you get a better view of the detail below.

 

Anyway here are some pictures trying to get a view of the gun deck.

 

 

 

 

 

[cdrusn89]

Here are some shots of the finished model both in the shop and in its "final resting place" in the display cabinet in the house. There is room for one more Admiralty model in the current cabinet configuration. After that I will have to "donate" them to my relatives or a deserving charity closer to home.

[allanyed]

Glad to hear MS provides pins that are closer to scale.   If the pins are brass, light brown paint could do the trick.  At this small scale, brass pins really are better than wood as they are strong enough to which a line can be belayed tightly.   Beats using bowling pins😀

Nice ship's boats!

Allan

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by allanyed

[schooner]

Wow!, your builds just get better and better (as they should I guess). This has been a real treat to watch, can't wait for the next one!

[cdrusn89]

Thank Tim - Hopefully I am improving my technique with each iteration.

[GrandpaPhil]

Congratulations!  Well done!