HMB ENDEAVOUR by Robert Taylor - FINISHED - OcCre - 1/54

[Robert Taylor]

Well I've put this off long enough, with a much needed break after my Royal Louis and now off work till the 6th January, it's now time for the next kit on my workbench. After watching so many videos and trying to gather as much info as possible, This will be my first wooden kit in the shape of OCCRE'S ENDEAVOUR. A ship that has an Enormous Historical story and a kit once finished, will look beautiful. There is an Anticipation and nervousness about this for me, taking me slightly out of my comfort zone, but again pushing my capabilities. I have worked with wood before many times, but not on this level or scale. Patience is key as always, checking and double checking, dry fitting etc... There will be challenges ahead, and the need to think outside the box, but most of all patience and enjoying the build and learning are foremost. Happy modelling everyone & #staysafe 😷👍🤺🤺⚓⚓

[Robert Taylor]

ENDEAVOUR 1/54

Early days in Construction False keel built, Ribs in place, Lower deck Caulked, Planked and installed, brushed with Occre's Oak dye. Beams cut, brushed with Occre's Walnut dye and installed.

Next up Main Deck planking and Caulking.

Merry Christmas & All the best for 2022 #staysafe Everyone & Happy Modelling. 👍🤺🤺⚓⚓😷😷🎅🎅

[Cathead]

As you say, a great ship with a great history. Have fun building her!

[DaveBaxt]

You have chosen a fantastic ship to build and I look forward to seeing your progress with your model so keep us posted during 2022. Good luck and happy new year. Best regards Dave

[Robert Taylor]

Endeavour 1/54 Construction update.

 

 

All Bulwarks have been fully installed, lined, and brushed with Oak dye to compliment the Decks.
4 sets of stairs have been  made 2 small(for the Rear deck, but not installed)  and 2 large(Large ones have been installed to the Main Hatch and Fore fall Scuttle. All steps brushed with Oak dye.
Hatches for the Fore fall scuttle, Main Hatch and small rear stern Hatch have been built, installed and brushed with Occre's Walnut dye. 
The Ringed Plank covers for the Main hatch have also been built, installed and again brushed with Occre's walnut dye.
Deck Finishes for the Fore and Aft deck cut, brushed with Occre's walnut dye and installed.
Bow and Stern Reinforcements have been  cut, shaped and installed.

Progress now will be slowing dramatically  due to work sadly. 
 

First layer of Hull planking finished and stern Reinforcements installed. 
Next stage to install Bow Reinforcements then cut and Sand everything down to shape, with a bit of filling here and there. 
Lots and lots of Sanding.... 
Not to bad for my first wooden model and first time planking a ship.

[shipaholic]

Great to see another Endeavour in the making. Looking good so far.

[CapnCarss]

Looking great! I'll be starting one soon, so will be following closely. Planking looks top notch... what's the support/stand you're using?

[Robert Taylor]

On 2/18/2022 at 8:39 PM, CapnCarss said:

Looking great! I'll be starting one soon, so will be following closely. Planking looks top notch... what's the support/stand you're using?

Hi there sorry for the late reply the support stand is made by OCCRE  as well purchased online from "Hobbies" here in the UK.

[Robert Taylor]

H.M.B. ENDEAVOUR 1/54 
Progress update.

 

Its been sometime since my last build post due to work hrs, and life in general halting any building. 

 

Bow and Stern Reinforcements built and sanded down to the contours of the ship. 
2nd planking  Finished, Painted and stained in appropriate areas.

Top sheer strakes crimped, painted and affixed. 

Next stage will be brushing a second Occre Sapelli stain coat to the lower Hull before tackling the Rubbing strakes which I have already crimped. 

It may not be perfect for a first wooden ship build but iam happy with her so far. 

Happy modelling and staysafe everyone 
👍🤺🤺🤺⚓⚓⚓

[Robert Taylor]

Hi Everyone 

Its been  a while since my last update. 
This is where I am at with the Endeavour. 
Not perfect by any manner of means but I am happy with her so far. 
Just finished the rails so letting them bond properly overnight before I stain them. 
The hatches, skylight and tiller are obviously only dry fitted. 
Its been  an enjoyable and learning experience building  her so far, being my first wooden build I am under no illusions that there is more tests to come as well as thinking out of the box. 

Wishing everyone the best of health and staysafe. And most of all keep modelling  and building. This hobby and Art of ours is just brilliant and a great rest bite from all our working lives. 

Happy  modelling 
Rob 👍🤺🤺🤺⚓⚓⚓

[DaveBaxt]

Great looking stern Facia and great to see you are making great progress|

[Robert Taylor]

1 hour ago, DaveBaxt said:

Great looking stern Facia and great to see you are making great progress|

 

 

Thanks very much Dave 👍🤺⚓

[DavidG]

Robert, congratulations for your first wooden build. You are a fine builder and your ship will be a great model.

As someone, who builds an Occre model for a long time, trying to make it more accurate, let me have some recommendations.

- please consider to change the eyelets in the kit, they are too big to scale. Buy 2 packs of 2 mm Amati copper eyebolts (comes by 100). If you don't want to paint them, heat them up with a torch and immerse in water, they will turn dark brown. They can be easily formed into hooks, should you wish.

- you will need a selection of blocks sizes, from 2 mm to 6 mm. The Occre blocks are not bad for a kit, but there are no sufficient sizes supplied. Going upwards the blocks will diminish in size, also, clueline blocks should be smaller than the ones for lifts and sheets, etc. There are a selection of blocks available at Syren, Vanguard or Hismodel. I tried all of them, being in Europe the Hismodel ones are pretty good and not expensive.

- the same goes for the rigging thread, you can go as far as you want, but consider 4 sizes for standing and running rigging each. Similarly, there is a wide selection to choose from, but standard Amati thread available in different sizes is already a step up and pretty cheap. You need to dye them though, wood stain worked well for me.

- I saw many inaccuracies / simplification in the Occre rigging plan. Don't know how it is for Endeavour, but i found a rigging book, like Petersson's great help. Vanguard Models sells it.

I see the Occre Endeavour is a nice looking subject. By making small and inexpensive adjustments you can make it even better. My build log have some tips for kit bashing, if you are interested.

Keep on the good work,

best,

David

 

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by DavidG

[Robert Taylor]

9 hours ago, DavidG said:

Robert, congratulations for your first wooden build. You are a fine builder and your ship will be a great model.

As someone, who builds an Occre model for a long time, trying to make it more accurate, let me have some recommendations.

- please consider to change the eyelets in the kit, they are too big to scale. Buy 2 packs of 2 mm Amati copper eyebolts (comes by 100). If you don't want to paint them, heat them up with a torch and immerse in water, they will turn dark brown. They can be easily formed into hooks, should you wish.

- you will need a selection of blocks sizes, from 2 mm to 6 mm. The Occre blocks are not bad for a kit, but there are no sufficient sizes supplied. Going upwards the blocks will diminish in size, also, clueline blocks should be smaller than the ones for lifts and sheets, etc. There are a selection of blocks available at Syren, Vanguard or Hismodel. I tried all of them, being in Europe the Hismodel ones are pretty good and not expensive.

- the same goes for the rigging thread, you can go as far as you want, but consider 4 sizes for standing and running rigging each. Similarly, there is a wide selection to choose from, but standard Amati thread available in different sizes is already a step up and pretty cheap. You need to dye them though, wood stain worked well for me.

- I saw many inaccuracies / simplification in the Occre rigging plan. Don't know how it is for Endeavour, but i found a rigging book, like Petersson's great help. Vanguard Models sells it.

I see the Occre Endeavour is a nice looking subject. By making small and inexpensive adjustments you can make it even better. My build log have some tips for kit bashing, if you are interested.

Keep on the good work,

best,

David

 

 

Thanks for those kind words and the upgrade information.  I have quite a lot of these upgrades in the plan already as I have improvised a few plastic sailing kits already using these same methods you talk about including  Peterson's Rigging period ship models as well as I have sticks of Amati rigging thread and Caldercraft blocks and Deadeyes to hand in different sizes.

 

All the best and thanks Dave 

Robert 👍🤺⚓

[KJackson]

This is looking amazing so far, Robert. Curious, what varnish (or paint, perhaps?) did you use on the deck furniture?

 

I have the same kit and will be starting shortly; your build is very helpful!

[Robert Taylor]

9 hours ago, KJackson said:

This is looking amazing so far, Robert. Curious, what varnish (or paint, perhaps?) did you use on the deck furniture?

 

I have the same kit and will be starting shortly; your build is very helpful!

Hi there I used Occre Sapelli wood stain for the deck furniture. 

But I am also using a number of Occre wood stains for various bits n pieces about the kit. 

The only paint I have used so far is the Blue on the top half of the Hull, which Revell 56 Matt Enamel.

 

Hope this helps.

[KJackson]

Thanks, Robert - great, thank you very much; yes, certainly helpful.

 

I'm going to follow your amazing build with great interest.

[Robert Taylor]

OCCRE ENDEAVOUR 1/54 Update! 

Hi Everyone 

Its been  a while since my last build post but there has been  a lot going on regards deck detail. Cannons, Pumps, Windlass, Bell, Fore Hatch Cover, Davitts, Steps, Ladders, Skids, Chess-trees, Capstan, Binnacle cupboard, Wheel, Tiller platform etc.. all permanently fixed. The other Davitts and Booms have been  made but I will be building  the Bowsprit  next so I can fit these all correctly  at the same time as well as all the cleats.
All in all it's been a very very enjoyable learning  curve, and I am pretty pleased with the outcome so far considering it's my first wooden build.
Next stage as I say will probably be making the channels although like the post/swivel guns, I wont be fitting these for a while yet. After the channels I will be building  the Bowsprit so I can fit the other davitts, booms and cleats for the Bow and the rest of the ship.

Happy modelling everyone 
All the best and Staysafe and healthy 
Rob 👍🍻🤺🤺⚓⚓

[Robert Taylor]

Occre Endeavour 1/54 WIP update. 

 

The Bowsprit is finished and permanently fitted with all relevant rigging blocks, heart blocks, cleats etc.. as well as the Yards.
The Davitts, Booms and Anchors which I already made have now been fitted and rigged up. 

I have left the chains off the Anchors for now so as to give myself  enough room to remove Anchors when I eventually add the swivel gun posts and guns which I will be adding  at a later date thus ensuring  no clumsy accidents breaking them while trying to work round about them.
There will of course be touch ups and minor alterations near the end. It's not perfect but I am happy with it. Probably  the hardest part in this was the bending of the brass rings around the Oval Bowsprit as there is a lot of tension in the brass which makes it hard to conform truly to the shape required.

 

Next stage will be making the Foremast in between this I will continue to make the life boat as well.

 

All the best everyone 
Happy health and modelling 
Rob 👍🤺🤺⚓⚓

Edited June 26, 2022 by Robert Taylor

[Robert Taylor]

Occre Endeavour 1/54 
WIP Update: 

Its been  6 weeks or so since my last post with 2 of them being on holiday. Obviously  took a few time outs as well through tiredness due to work, life and ship building balance.

Fore, Main & Mizzen masts are all complete now and have been  stained and painted along the way, including the Gaff and Flagstaff, all of which are only dry fitted to the ship atm as there is work still to be done on deck and around the Hull.
The Lifeboat is finished with a few extra details,  and has been rigged to the spare masts.

Next stage will be Fitting the Gun posts then painting and fitting the Swivel Guns. The Gun mounts will need the holes slightly drilled larger so the guns fit. After this I will be adding  some more deck detail before I can permanently fit the masts one by one in preparation of the start of the Standing rigging.

All in all I am pretty happy with my progress and that satisfaction  you get when you see your ship coming together.

Also a big thanks to OcCre - Ocio Creativo  First Class Customer service which has supplied me with a few parts that I needed along the way.
Happy modelling everyone staysafe and take care 👍🤺⚓
Slainte Mhath 🍻🍻

[Robert Taylor]

Occre Endeavour 1/54 WIP update. 

Been adding more Deck detail in the form of Anchor Bouys, Fish Davitt hooks, Cannon shot, Cartridge Bags, Barrels, Cannon  Arnament  tools in the shape of Sponge, Rammer, Ladle and Worm. Along with more belaying pins a Belaying block points for rigging.  
Swivel guns are all mounted as is the Lantern and Rudder chain. Starting the deadeyes  which I am changing to chain plates to conform with the actual plans rather than the brass wire in the kit. I have also had to disregard the Deadeye strops as they didn't fit well with the caldercraft deadeyes I use, so I am using 8mm Black modelling wire to which I add a hook on the end to take the chainplates.

Progress has been  slowed somewhat due to my health atm, first being a chest infection the next being Carpal tunnel syndrome which is affecting  myself now off work and struggling with modelling  as any conserted pressure has swollen my wrist and forearm.

However  trying my best through the pain barrier. 

Happy modelling everyone all the best of health and staysafe. 👍🤺⚓

[Robert Taylor]

Occre Endeavour 1/54 

WIP update 

 

Standing tall and proud her rigging has begun....... with all lower deadeyes in place it's now spaghetti junction time...😉

[Robert Taylor]

Occre Endeavour 1/54 
WIP update 

Its been  6 weeks or so since my last post, on and off with health issues which seem never ending atm, but I can now say that 90% of the rigging is finished with the exception of rigging sails and bowlines, threat of the sail rigging is in place as you can see from clothes pegs tied to these to keep them separated. 
Shrouds, ratlines, backstays, rope ladders, lifts etc etc... have all been finished. I have also added the 3rd backstay for the Fore and Main masts that weren't in the kit plans but are in the AOS Endeavour book.

The Next stage I have 3 options as follows..... 

1, Make and hand sew my own sails as some of the ones in the kit I feel are out of scale(too large) and lack correct amount of stitching detail. 
2, Use the Sails supplied with the kit.
3, Do not use any sails and tie up the rigging  that is installed for the sails to finished her off.

Happy modelling everyone staysafe and take care.
Slainte Mhath! 
👍🤺⚓🍻

[Robert Taylor]

Well due to Health issues and work commitments, Christmas and life in general I haven't been near my Endeavour in 2 months.
I have only just got bk to her last week, so this is a short update on what I've managed to do so far.
I have chosen to disregard the kit sails and hand sew my own as I felt some of the kit ones were too large and lacked enough stitching detail. So here is my First Hand sewn sail finished for my Occre Endeavour
This is the Main Topsail with its 120 reef points attached. I have also inserted 0.8mm modelling wire in the sides so as to Billow the sail when it is rigged thus no need for a water/glue paste mix to hold the shape.
Next sail up for Hand sewing will be the Fore Topsail which will also have approximately 120 reef points attached.

Happy modelling everyone and a very apologetic and belated Merry Xmas and New year.

[Robert Taylor]

OcCre  1/54 Endeavour  FINISHED! 

 

After 13 months work on my Endeavour(my first wooden kit), she is finally finished. It's been a great kit & build. I have improvised in a few things like my 17 Hand sewn sails, 550 Reefpoints/gaskets, 55 rope hanks, 50 belaying pins, 40 chainplates , Rigging instructions conforming with the AOS ENDEAVOUR book etc... now after 1100 clove hitches, 164 Deadeyes, 250+ Rigging Blocks, 12 Heart blocks & god knows how many miles of thread, she is now ready to set sail. 

 

Wishing Everyone all the best in this great hobby of ours, and keep building those works of art. 
I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed building her. 

Slainte Mhath Everyone 
👍🍻🍻🤺🤺🤺⚓⚓⚓

[ccoyle]

Nice work, Robert. Congratulations!

[Robert Taylor]

8 hours ago, ccoyle said:

Nice work, Robert. Congratulations!

Thank you very much 👍 🤺⚓

[aliluke]

Fantastic work. The sails are extraordinary along with all the added ropework that they entail. A credit to the ship, the kit and to you!

 

Cheers

A

[Robert Taylor]

On 4/15/2023 at 6:47 AM, aliluke said:

Fantastic work. The sails are extraordinary along with all the added ropework that they entail. A credit to the ship, the kit and to you!

 

Cheers

A

Thank you very much for your kind words I am by no means an expert, just enjoying a hobby while learning and pushing my skill boundaries or at least trying to.

[Bill97]

Robert she is beautiful indeed. I am reading through your build with very keen interest. Like you I have only built plastic models to this point, with the Heller HMS Victory and LeSoleil Royal being the most complicated and time consuming (see builds here on MSW).  I am researching attempting my first wooden model and the OcCre Endeavor is the one I keep coming back to. I really like it and want to attempt building it. As someone who had not built a wood model before, what did you think of it?  I have many years of woodworking experience and hope that experience serves me well. Is pretty much everything you did straight from the instructions?  In comment #25 you did list a number of things it sounds like changed.  What was your thought process for making these changes?  Also did feel a need to purchase after market items for he kit or was everything you needed/wanted included? I am surprised at how quickly you finished it!  My Victory took a little over 18 months and I have no idea when I will finish my Soleil Royal. I would have expected the Endeavor to take a couple years maybe. If and when I do purchase my Endeavor I hope you will consider it a compliment if I were to ask you for advice.