HMS Mercury 1779 by GrandpaPhil - Shipyard - 1/96 - CARD

[GrandpaPhil]

I started my HMS Mercury by Shipyard Models.  I couldn’t help it.  I had to do it, lol.

I’ve been wanting to build a frigate for a long time (a few years now).

 

So, I started one.

 

HMS Mercury was a Sixth Rate 28-Gun Enterprize Class Frigate.

 

Her primary battery consisted of 24 x 9 lb. guns.

This is a POB kit, out of card.

 

Something I have learned in my last two completed builds is that I work well in card and I enjoy it.

 

I am intending to build it straight out of the box, with hand carved guns and decorations.

 

Sails will be made from muslin again.

 

So here’s the start:

 

Here’s the lower deck pieces and the false main deck:

The Mercury is a little farther along than what I’m showing here.

 

The laser-cut cardboard framework, which came with the base kit, is fall together quality.

 

I had the frame assembled and glued within a couple of hours.

 

Everything lined up perfectly.

 

If you have never tried a Shipyard kit, I cannot recommend it enough.

 

I have not been this happy with a kit for a long time.

[GrandpaPhil]

Bulkheads/Framework:

 

Here’s the first lower deck pieces:

Here are the lower decks in place:

The false main deck is on:

I’ve never built a model with an actual enclosed gundeck before, so I’m paying very close attention to how it goes together for use on my Magenta.

 

Also, the framework is very rigid on this model.  I would like to duplicate it on future builds (Magenta at the moment).

[ccoyle]

It's worth mentioning that this kit is also available as part of Shipyard's "laser cardboard" series (translating Polish to English sometimes produces odd-sounding terms). The laser cardboard kits are complete projects in 1/72 scale that include kit, frames, blocks, rigging material, paints, and glue. But they are not cheap -- the Mercury kit sells for north of $400.

[BenD]

25 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

It's worth mentioning that this kit is also available as part of Shipyard's "laser cardboard" series (translating Polish to English sometimes produces odd-sounding terms). The laser cardboard kits are complete projects in 1/72 scale that include kit, frames, blocks, rigging material, paints, and glue. But they are not cheap -- the Mercury kit sells for north of $400.

The 1/72 Mercury kit is on my wish list. I've seen people do incredible work on it. Probably not the best kit to jump into card modeling though.

 

@GrandpaPhil I'll be watching along, I've not seen a 1/96 version of this ship yet.

[GrandpaPhil]

Their HMS Alert and Le Coureur kits are very nice, too.

 

The full set of 3 models (including the Mercury) only ran me $85, with shipping, from Age Of Sail.

 

It’s the Northern European Sail, Part II set.

 

The Alert or Coureur would make an excellent starter kit.

[GrandpaPhil]

The stern framing is on:

I already faired the hull in preparation for covering.

 

It has the same vertical covering that my Prince de Neufchatel does.

 

It has a second layer of planking too.

[catopower]

Hi GrandpaPhil, congratulations on starting on HMS Mercury.

 

I never finished mine, but it's still on the shelf, waiting for me to get back to it. I just have way too many projects, and I'm trying to clear them out finally, one by one.

 

Isn't it cool how well these laser cut parts go together?

 

I'll be checking in on your build. Good luck and hope you have lots of fun with it!

[GrandpaPhil]

Yes, the laser cut pieces on this kit are amazing!

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you all very much for the comments and the likes!

 

I started covering the hull today.  
 

The first covering is with very thin card.

[catopower]

Hi GrandpaPhil,

 

I had trouble keeping the next layer nice and smooth on my last paper model. I don't have any advice for you, but there are definitely some ideas out there on the subject. Hope you have better luck than me!

[GrandpaPhil]

5 hours ago, catopower said:

Hi GrandpaPhil,

 

I had trouble keeping the next layer nice and smooth on my last paper model. I don't have any advice for you, but there are definitely some ideas out there on the subject. Hope you have better luck than me!

I’ll use drywall spackle on the under layer to make a nice smooth surface to “plank” a second time.

 

I used a similar method to plank the hulls of the Hannah and the Prince de Neufchatel.

 

Making progress:

I will definitely need filler (drywall spackle for card models).

 

I usually use pulp board for the first layer.  So this is kind of interesting.

 

I’m taking notes for future builds.

[GrandpaPhil]

Making progress, slowly but surely:

[GrandpaPhil]

HMS Mercury’s lower hull is 2/3 covered now.

[Bill Morrison]

I love paper modeling! Have you visited www.papermodelers.com?

 

Bill Morrison

 

[Rob S]

Looking nice Grandpa Phil!

[ccoyle]

50 minutes ago, Bill Morrison said:

Have you visited www.papermodelers.com?

 

Shhh! I'm trying to get those guys to come over here! 😉

[GrandpaPhil]

Lol, they do have some neat stuff over there.

 

However, this forum is second to none in terms of the sheer amount of information and skill sets available to model builders.

 

Model Ship World has literally changed my life.

 

I would never have have advanced to the skill level I am at now if I hadn’t found this forum.

 

This forum is the only reason my last few

ship models exist.

The level of craftsmanship here is far beyond what I would have ever believed possible.

 

The really advanced model builders are incredibly helpful and friendly, which has helped me tremendously.

 

Here’s the Mercury:

I’m still working on the inner covering, a couple of pieces at a time.

 

The hull will get spackled and sanded before it gets the outer covering, in the near future.

[Old Collingwood]

Very nice work  mate.

 

OC.

[druxey]

Very nice, but there's no need to hold her nose with a clothes peg - she is far better than that!

[GrandpaPhil]

Lol!

[Glen McGuire]

3 hours ago, GrandpaPhil said:

However, this forum is second to none in terms of the sheer amount of information and skill sets available to model builders.

 

Model Ship World has literally changed my life.

 

I would never have have advanced to the skill level I am at now if I hadn’t found this forum.

 

This forum is the only reason my last few

ship models exist.

The level of craftsmanship here is far beyond what I would have ever believed possible.

 

The really advanced model builders are incredibly helpful and friendly, which has helped me tremendously.

Amen!!

[GrandpaPhil]

Good Morning Everyone!

 

Thanks for all the comments and the likes!

 

The Mercury’s lower hull is covered with the first layer.  The ridges and the gaps will be filled and sanded before the outer layer goes on (after the upper hull is installed for strength reasons).

The main deck is on.  It is layered on poster board.

The officer’s wardroom tile floor is cut:

Now installed:

Getting ready for the knees.  They will be layered on 1/16 inch basswood for extra strength and the convenience of being at thickness already.

You can cut up to 1/16 inch basswood with a scalpel, just like you would heavy card.

 

Going to layer the cradle pieces on 1/8 inch basswood and mount it on the base that I bought for the Triton.

 

I’ll use a coping saw to cut it out.

 

I really like this kit so far.  It seems very straightforward.  It doesn’t skimp on detail.  The plans are absolutely excellent.  And because the plans are so good, it is very easy to adapt the kit and modify/bash it at will.

 

I had a lot less to go on for my Prince de Neufchatel and Hannah models.

 

Plus the masting, rigging and sail plans are going to be re-adapted to at least one, maybe two more British Frigates.

[GrandpaPhil]

The cradles are in process:

I’m using a scalpel to do the final shaping.

Edited July 5, 2022 by GrandpaPhil

[GrandpaPhil]

One cradle made from basswood off the templates in the kit:

[GrandpaPhil]

Working on the knees:

I’m making them of 1/16” basswood.  

Which has led to a quick reminder on how not to split it out, lol.

Quick note: the two sides don’t line up right so I’m just painting the sides and the edges.

[druxey]

Looking good. I'd suggest a round Swiss file to shape those inside curves to the standards.

[Bill Morrison]

I admit to being a little confused. Are you building the 1/96 version or the 1/72?

 

Thanks!

 

Bill

[GrandpaPhil]

This is the 1:96 scale kit.  It’s part of the Northern European Sailing Ships Part 2 collection.

Edited July 10, 2022 by GrandpaPhil

[Swinging the lead]

I am intrigued by these kits. I know they come with paints but was the deck printed in colour or did you paint it. Also can you tell me the thickness of card for the various structures. I believe the masts are wood dowel? You are doing a excellent job. Ken

[GrandpaPhil]

This is the very bare bones version of the kit.

 

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/mk006-shipyard-hms-mercury.html

It came with 2 others in the Northern European Ships Collection, Part 2:

 

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/30-anniversary-collection--north-europe-part-2--shipyard-mkj003--paper-model.html

 

The set ran me $85 after shipping.
 

This one just came with the model printed on paper, thin card, the laser-cut frames, the flags, and the plans.

 

You are meant to layer the card up from your own card (cereal boxes and poster board work great).

 

Shipyard makes add-ons, like blocks, masts and sails for this kit.  
 

They also sell a 1/72 version of the kit that looks amazing, with everything in it.

https://www.agesofsail.com/ecommerce/hms-mercury-1779-1-72-shipyard-zl006-laser-cardboard-kit.html

 

The 1/96 kit (that I’m building here) is a kitbasher’s dream.  

The plans are amazing.

Since it’s card, you have to provide your own decorations, sail cloth, masting, cannons and rigging supplies.

 

But, I typically scratch build my own cannon, decorations and rigging supplies anyway.

 

It’s one of the better kits I’ve bought.