Royal Caroline by Salty Dog - Panart - 1:47

[Salty Dog]

Hi everyone,

I posted a few pictures and started a poll a few weeks ago regarding getting back into building. I have several kits in different stages and was just bouncing around without getting anything finished. I decided to go with the Royal Caroline because it had significant work done and because I love that ship.

I have been encouraged to start a build log by a couple of people so here it is. I was hesitant to make a log because when I started taking pictures, it was already in progress as you will see with the first pictures. I will add more pics as I progress.

The best part of all, is that I am back building and it feels good. Hopefully I will stick with it and complete this beautiful kit.

Thanks to those that are interested.

The first 4 pictures are from the current state when I picked it back up.  I hadn't even installed the wales and nothing had been added to the deck. None of the bow brass work had been installed. I did mess around with installing drapes, and though it's very hard to see, I tried adding some "stained glass" to some of the windows.

 

I have always used the wood strips that come with kits to do the deck planking. This time I bought some Midwest architectural grade basswood and it worked out very well. It's precisely cut and after adding some oil, it really came alive and made the "caulking" very nice and visible and most of all nice and even. Caulking done with a pencil.

 

Here I started adding stuff to the deck, such as the capstan and the winding staircases.

 

And then I added the channels and deadeyes as well as the small steps on the side of the hull. The scupper holes too.

 

Here is where I added all of the brass work to the bow. This was no fun at all. Those brass "rails" had to be bent to shape from some very hard brass. I had to modify a pair of needle nose pliers in order to keep a firm grip on the brass. I hated the process.

 

And finally the gallery. This was also a real pain due to the brass parts. For the windows, I decided to go with mylar.  I had never used it but I didn't want to cut out the areas behind the windows just to look at a dark empty hole through some acetate. My daughter didn't like the mylar at all, but my wife loved it. I like it too. I also placed the lanterns, but only for this pic. I will remove them temporarily so they don't get damaged during all the handling.  I'll be posting more pics as I progress.

[Salty Dog]

Hello again,

Just a quick update. I added the mast feet and the rings around them.  I placed all the bits and started preparing the canon installation. I added some of the ropes, as well as some of the tackle against the bulwarks.  I also decided to order some of those photo etched hooks for the canons. Turns out the kit doesn't even include instructions to properly installing them and only want you to glue the canons on the deck. I made all the hooks and rings by hand. Can't do anything anymore with the canons until I get those hooks.

Thanks for visiting!

[Salty Dog]

Quick update:

I worked on the grates and installed them:

 

I also worked on the stove pipe. I didn't want to make one that looked like the real thing because frankly, I think it's ugly.

 

I also added detail to the doors near the spiral stairs. Made the small window with card and used the same Mylar I used on the gallery for the glass.

 

I did all the fife rails:

 

 

And I did the boat cradle:

 

That's it for now. Getting close to the masts and rigging. Just in time since I ordered a ropewalk which I am dying to try.

Bye for now.

[Salty Dog]

Well, I was going to post an update, but since I have received no comments at all since I started the log, it's obvious there's not much interest on this build, so I will call it a day.  No fun talking to myself.

 

[Cathead]

I'm working on catching up on logs I hadn't found yet. I'd say there's interest, you have a set of likes on each post. Sometimes folks just don't comment when they don't have more to say than "good job" so as not to clutter up the log. I think your work looks great and would like to see more.