English Man O' War by Bill97 - FINISHED - Revell - 1/96 - PLASTIC

[Bill97]

Starting my very much looked forward to British Man O War. From looking at other builds on MSW I gather that this model provides the luxury of personal preference in color scheme. Anxious to see what I go with. I have already painted the deck sections and weathered them like old wood. I have also glued the hull halves together and used putty followed my sanding to hide the seam along the bottom. I followed this up with Vallejo surface primer since I plan to paint it with acrylic paint. I like to make a custom base for my ships since I don’t care much for the little plastic stands included with the kit. For the Man O War I employed a great idea another builder detailed on MSW. Once the hull was glued together I cut off the little tabs then turned it upside down in my drill press and carefully drilled holes through into the inside of the hull. Using epoxy I glued nuts over the holes on the inside that bolts will eventually screw into. I found a nice piece of veneer that I thought resembled the V shaped wake a ship makes as it cuts through the water. I glued the veneer up to some nice oak and cut the base shape to flow with veneer. Once I paint the hull I will assemble it by running bolts up through the bottom of the base then through two black pedestals the ship keel will set in, and then through the bottom of the ship and into the nuts epoxied into the interior of the hull. A test proved the plan results in a solid and level assembly. 

[Robert Taylor]

Lovely work on that Decking Bill,it looks superb.

 

 

[Bill97]

Thanks Robert. Beginning the painting of the hull now. Decided to weather it a bit. Hope it looks good as I make my way up the sides with the stripes and other colors. 

[Jeff T]

Bill, I really like your weathering on the hull.  The simulated caulking of the deck boards is a nice touch.

[Louie da fly]

Looking good. I agree about the little stands supplied with the kits. A while ago one of our members spent a long time restoring a big model of a steamship for a museum. The ship had turned turtle on its stand and crashed to the floor, with horrible results. Anything that can be done to avoid that is worthwhile in my book.

[Bill97]

Since my last post I have been painting the hull. Decided to darken the hull/weather the hull a bit more below the water line. Thought my original color had to much of a mustard look once I added the other colors up the sides. Once I do a few minor touch ups here and there I am going to give it several coats of a clear flat spray for protection and then mount it permanently to the base. 

[Baker]

Nice work

[Bill97]

Committed my self to a bunch of detail painting and prep. Tried different color combinations but ultimately went with the pallet suggested by the instructions.  Anxious to start putting the pieces together to see how this beauty is going to turn out. 

[Bill97]

Really enjoying my build of the Man O War!  Completed a great deal of detail painting and assembly. I have been pleased with this Revell product. Parts fit together well and my kit has very little flash. 

[Bill97]

Devoted a good amount of time recently to building the masts and installing them. I have accidentally broken my bowsprit on two of my previous builds and had to carefully repair it. This time I borrowed an idea from fellow builder Robert Taylor and added reinforcement between the halves before gluing together. Being this was my first galleon I was initially concerned about the fact that my mizzenmast and boniventure mast were not vertical. I was sure something was wrong but could not figure out what it was. Thanks to help from other builders on this site I found out they are supposed to be “raked” toward the back of the ship. Also learned why that was the case. I tried a couple different color pallets for the masts and the crows nests. Decided on the scheme in the photos that I like. Installed the masts, the pre formed ratlines, and have begun some of the standing rigging. 

[Bill97]

Completed rigging my foremost and started rigging the mainmast. Also started working on my sails. I like to make my own since I don’t care for the plastic formed sails that come with the kits. The is my second ship using the technique I do to make my sails. It is a combination of a few different techniques I I picked up on MSW. I first measure the distance between the molded lines on the plastic sails of then transfer that measurement to some standard printer paper and fill the entire sheet with lines spaced the determined width. Once done I make a bunch of copies in my printer. I then take a sheet of the lined paper and lay it over one of the formed sails making sure the lines on the paper match up with the lines in the plastic sail. Holding it in place I carefully draw out the pattern of the sail under the paper. I add a small tab on a side where I write the number or letter of the sail. Once I have all my paper patterns I lay them aside and get the cloth I am using for the sails. For my Man O War I found some light weight antique cloth I thought would make nice sails. I then stretch out the amount I need and line it the same way I did the paper. This is now ready to transfer the patterns to the cloth. I line up each paper sail on the cloth matching the lines and draw around the perimeter. I now have all my sails layer out on cloth. After that the monotony begins. I do not have a sewing machine so I hand stitch all the lines on all the sails with a medium weight thread in a matching color. Once I have all the sails sewn I cut them out and prepare to make my billowed sails. I make a solution of half and half white glue and water. I then paint the back of a sail with the solution an lay it over the plastic formed sail as a mold. Follow that up with a heavy coat of the solution on the top side and shaping the cloth sail to match the mold carefully smoothing it it to resemble a sail billowed from the wind. I will the molds set over night and apply a second coat to the top side tomorrow. Once they dry completely I will pop them free of the molds and trim to size. They will then be ready for some airbrush antiquing and adding rigging components as necessary. I liked the way they came out for my Cutty Sark and am anxious to see this finished product. 

[Robert Taylor]

Nice one Bill, looking forward to seeing how your transfer comes out onto your main sail, that is always something that has intrigued me(transfer printing) albeit I do not have a printer, ahem! Let's just say me and printers have always had a short term relationship lol..

[Jeff T]

It’s great to see in your photos how the white glue works to stiffen the sails in a “billowed” shape by treating them over the plastic ones.  This is coming along very nicely!

[Bill97]

Thanks Robert and Jeff. Robert are you talking about the big E and R on the main sail when you talk about the transfer?  If so, as you can see I drew them on the sail before I stitched it and applied the white glue. Once they are dry I am going to hand paint the letters red. 

[Bill97]

Sails are dry now. When removed from the plastic molds they hold their shape and have a look as if rippling in the wind. Next I will add a touch of color here in there for aging and then trim them to match the plastic sails, and  add some rigging points in the bottom corners. They will then be ready for for the ship when the time comes in assembly. I also hand painted the large E and R on the main sail. 

[Bill97]

Next step with the sails is to pop the them off the plastic molds. Then cut out each of the plastic sails. After cutting them out I again place the cloth sail over the corresponding plastic sail to form an exact template to trim the new cloth sail to size. Once finished I have a complete set of hand made cloth sails that match the formed plastic sails in size and billowing. Next will be to add the necessary rigging components and a bit of paint. 

[Bill97]

With the sails now completed and blocks attached I have begun hanging the sails and rigging. Completed the foremast today. Really enjoying this build. Actually more than I expected. 

[Jeff T]

 Very nice, Bill! 👍🏻 

[Bill97]

Main mast rigged with sails today. Moving right along. Will actually hate for this build to be finished. 

[Robert Taylor]

That's what happens when your nearing the end of a build you have loved doing, I was the same with my kit Bill. 

The comfort I have though when I finished it, was that I was really proud of it, and don't think I could have done better. 

She now sits tall and proud on display where I see her everday.

I'm  not normally so ott about anything I do, but I am with this for some reason.

[Bill97]

Same with me Robert. This was my first galleon and I found I really enjoy the vessel that they are. Once I build my case it will be displayed right beside my USS Constitution and Cutty Sark in their case. The Man O War was not as complicated as either of the other two and my skill level is definitely improving. Of the three I would probably say the Man O War was my favorite build. Also thanks for your excellent advice along the way. Should finish it this week. Will post the final pictures. 

[Bill97]

She is finished!  Definitely a work of love. Enjoyed very much building the Revell English Man O War. Kind of disappointed I am finished. Learned so much more on this build I will carry forward to my next, and future builds. Thanks to all who shared advice and suggestions, especially my friend Robert Taylor. 

[Ryland Craze]

Congratulations n finishing your English Man O' War.  You did an excellent job on building this model.  It turned out very nice.

[Jeff T]

Great Job, Bill!  Congratulations!

[Robert Taylor]

Well done Bill, a beautiful  finish, she stands tall and proud, great work my friend. 🤺🤺🤺⚓⚓⚓

 

What's up next on your bench ? 

 

 

[Baker]

Beautiful model.

Congrats  👍

[Bill97]

Thank guys. Robert I have a few in my stash now, and more to come. I recently picked up a Trumpeter Mayflower. The harrowing voyage of the Mayflower has always interested me. Now that I am back to model building I did some research and found Trumpeter makes the largest model of it. Had never heard of Trumpeter models. It is due to be delivered this week. So I will see what I think. Based on your recommendation I now have the Airfix Wasa which I have not opened yet. And then the big boy comes for Christmas. Heller HMS Victory. So I am no sure where I want to go next. 

[Bill97]

For the final touch before putting my Man O War in the display case is to add a number of sailors for my grandsons to look for and count. 

[Louie da fly]

Congratulations on an impressive (and obviously rewarding) build. I know how you feel about finishing - I had the same with my own dromon. The igures are a nice addition - I like the fact that your grandsons will have that connection with it.

[Bill97]

Thanks Louie. My little guy who is 6 is really getting into watching and helping me. Recently he needed to draw a sailing ship for Thanksgiving in his kindergarten class. I guess to represent the Mayflower. His had sails, masts, anchor, and even ratlines! 😊

I got him the Revell 1/225 HMS Victory that we build together when he comes over. I let him do most of it with just my guidance and assistance with little tiny parts.