Flying Fish by MikeR - 1:64 (3/16" to 1 Foot) - from Model Shipways plans

[ClipperFan]

2 hours ago, MikeR said:

MikeR, excellent detail work on your deck pieces. I particularly appreciate the brass center of your ship's wheel. It lends even more convincing authenticity to the structure.

[gak1965]

It all looks really great!

[rwiederrich]

Mike..wonderful work on the wheel and gear mechanism box.  1/64 is a very accomodating scale to fabricate the slightest detail in.

 

I'm fully enjoying your build.

 

Rob

[MikeR]

Thanks everyone,  I appreciate all of the comments.   On my wood lathe I turned 56 small stanchions plus a few extras for the taffrail, and installed them and the railing along with the steering box, binnacle and the storeroom hatch.  On the aft cabin the iron railing was installed, well brass in this case.  I did not like the way the plans show the aft pin rails in the actual taffrail.   I added the pin rails to the sides of the taffrail. . 

[MikeR]

I have been working on the tops for the lower masts, chain plates and dead eyes,

[MikeR]

I started rigging the mizzen mast.

[Vladimir_Wairoa]

13 hours ago, MikeR said:

I started rigging the mizzen mast.

really nice work on mast Mike. 

[MikeR]

Thanks for the comments Vladimir,  I have been watching your Glory of the Seas and it is outstanding.  I have been working on a few more deck fittings.

[rwiederrich]

Beautiful large scale work.  She looks amazing.  
 

Rob

[MikeR]

I have made and attached the shrouds for the main mast.

[gak1965]

One thing I've learned as I've been working on my fish is to do it your way, mizzen to fore. Access to the anchor points for the forestays looks like it will be much easier that way.

 

Your ship is looking fabulous and I can't wait to see it progress.

[MikeR]

Today I was working on the top mast cross trees and when I finished the one for the main mast I temporarily installed it.  Only then did I notice that both main mast trees were not perpendicular to the center line of the ship.  They were off about 5 degrees. To find out where the problem was I had to remove the mast.  So I cut the lashing between the dead eyes and cut both the mizzen stay and main mast stay.  I could not find any problems  with the mast, when I placed the mast in the mast slot it twisted.  Somehow when I added the wood sides on the mast slot they were out of square.  I had to sand the bottom of the mast into a rhombus shape and then shim the mast in place.  Everything looks good now, so I am back to installing the main mast shrouds.

 

Mike

[MikeR]

I finished installing the main mast shrouds and the mizzen mast stay.

[Rick310]

Looks great!!!  I really like the serving on the stays!!

[MikeR]

This is my first attempt to make the topsail yard halliard metal blocks.  Only eight more to go.

[rwiederrich]

21 hours ago, MikeR said:

This is my first attempt to make the topsail yard halliard metal blocks.  Only eight more to go.

I think it is fascinating that riggers used many designs to raise and lower the yards.  Single tye lifts on either side…..one single the down the center running through a mast Sheave.   I’m assuming the purchase end will have another gin block for the purchase rigging?   Or will there be further design applications applied?

All these methods applied by riggers or captains…..seeking the best and most effective way to set and stow yards under a running sea.  
 

Great job.  
 

Rob

[MikeR]

Rob

Here is a drawing of how I am going to rig the topsail yardtopsail rigging.docx

 

[MikeR]

[rwiederrich]

2 hours ago, MikeR said:

Wonderful.  It amazes me the McKay used a number of designs on many of his ships. I suspect that too, was part of his goal as he never recreated a design twice(Cept, for his sister ships).    Always looking the combination that produced the fastest ship.  
 

Rob

[MikeR]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

I made and installed both tye lifts and discovered I forgot the bracket  for the topsail yard. I made one that clamps to the mast. I then installed the shrouds and backstays  for the top mast.

Mike

[MikeR]

I  started turning the lower yard.  I made this attachment for my wood lathe, too take the wobble out of the thin pieces of wood.

 

Mike

[rwiederrich]

Cool steady rest design for your lathe.  Great job!  Now , that’s thinking.  
 

Rob

[MikeR]

Today I was working on the 2 anchors. I cut them out of 1/8 " copper on my scroll saw and only broke a couple of #5 metal cutting blades.  I silver soldered the shank to the arm and using files and sandpaper shaped them.  I then pickled them in an acid bath and rinsed them in water and then acetone to remove any grease or oil.  I used liver of sulfur to blacken them.  For the large shackle I used .049 copper wire and flattened the ends  and drilled an tapped them for a 1mm screw.

 

Mike R

[MikeR]

Yesterday and today I finished the standing rigging for the mizzen mast and started turning the yards and iron work for the lower yard.

 

Mike R

[MikeR]

[rwiederrich]

Great metal work.  
 

Rob

[ClipperFan]

MikeR, there's something so beautiful and elegant about an intelligently rigged sailing ship. Clipper ships especially represent the epitome of this highly technical, scientific effort to most efficiently harness the power of wind. You're doing an impressive job capturing that accurately. I'm also blown away by the precision craftsmanship of your spars. It's truly enjoyable to watch your progress!

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

3 hours ago, ClipperFan said:

MikeR, there's something so beautiful and elegant about an intelligently rigged sailing ship. Clipper ships especially represent the epitome of this highly technical, scientific effort to most efficiently harness the power of wind. You're doing an impressive job capturing that accurately. I'm also blown away by the precision craftsmanship of your spars. It's truly enjoyable to watch your progress!

  Now here's a beautiful example of what you're talking about ... 'Looks like she's running nearly before the wind, and studding sails are set on the fore and mizzen masts on opposite sides (so not to break the airflow ?).

 

[ClipperFan]

9 hours ago, Snug Harbor Johnny said:

  Now here's a beautiful example of what you're talking about ... 'Looks like she's running nearly before the wind, and studding sails are set on the fore and mizzen masts on opposite sides (so not to break the airflow ?).

 

Snug Harbor Johnny 

That's a beautiful photo. What would be amazing to see would be how your Flying Fish would absolutely dwarf this modern day steel tall ship Europa. I'm going to look up the specs on the two to share and idea of the comparisons. But you're right, this image proves exactly what I'm talking about. In fact, in this image, based on the direction of the flag at the mainmast she appears to be sailing upwind.

[MikeR]

Rob,  I have fun doing the metal work especially when it turns out good.

ClipperFan,  I like doing the rigging even when I snag and break something reaching through the lines to tie something off.

Johnny,  It must have been something to work the sails in rough weather.  I think I would have liked that job.

 

I have started on the metal work for the mizzen topsail yard. I am using my scroll saw to cut the yard truss out of 3mm (.118) copper, then  using files and sandpaper to finish it.  It would sure be nice to have a metal lathe and milling machine.  I have watched several members  using these machines  doing wonderful work.  Especially when I have to make several of the same item.