HMS Serapis by Brad NSW - from Greenwich plans

[Brad NSW]

Just discovered this site, so I thought I'd share construction of her figurehead.  

 

Serapis is an Egyptian Bey (or diety) . who had a 3-headed dog, which guarded the gates to Hades/Hell.  He is usually depicted with a plain staff, beard, as well as an Egyptian headdress that looks like a big bowl. The Figurehead incorporates all this.

 

 

I started out cutting a cardstock silhouette from I traced from the plans.

 

 

This was then traced on a laminated block of pear wood.

 

 

After a few weeks of careful chiseling and filing (I did 80% of the forming with a set of 12 different profiles of micro Jewlers files).

 

 

[Brad NSW]

Here is a montage (shown over plans, with a penny for scale) and also mounted.  This is about 3 weeks of part time work.

 

 

After another week or two of chiseling and careful file work, I called him complete.  Here are several different angles.  You can also see the "false bow" I used to hold, while carving and filing.

 

 

Below, note the three headed dog Cerebrus, who guarded the gates of hell.  Some depict him with three of the same dogs.  I opted to use three different dogs, mostly because I couldn't do three of the same.  What eventually came out was a greyhound or wolf (left), a lion (middle) and Basset Hound (right).   OR AT LEAST That's what I see!!

 

[Brad NSW]

Final pictures are the figurehead mounted on the bow.

 

 

Below, you can see Cerebrus mounted below the right hand of Serapis.

 

 

Here is the stern, where you can see Serapis again depicted between the two stern cannon ports.

 

 

 

[Brad NSW]

Some of you may have noticed the outdoor shots. 

 

Here is a picture of my workshop.  We've been traveling in this set up for over two years. 

 

My Serapis project began in the late 1980's, then took a 25 year haiatus, as our two girls grew up.  I've accomplished the last 60% in two years and the 1st 40% in 25 years!!

 

 

[Tony Hunt]

Nice looking model.

 

And that is a serious rig!

[French Mr Bean]

Very nice work ! Have you pictures of your begining build ?

[CiscoH]

and any pics of your work area?  i wondered about traveling after retirement in a similar fashion but was worried my hobbies would suffer from lack of space.  but obviously you have made it work

[Saburo]

Very impressive Brad, and I like the idea you've come up with combining your hobby and recreational travel. Please show us you're work area as CiscoH requested.

[Brad NSW]

11 hours ago, French Mr Bean said:

Very nice work ! Have you pictures of your begining build ?

Here are some from earlier on.  I didn't start photographing it until I pulled her out of mothballs 3  years ago, so the frames were done, as well as the lower deck, shown in the first picure.

 

 

Here is the accommodation or quarterdeck ladder, as progress was made.

 

 

I changed out the cannon port hinges, which I felt weren't detailed or accurate enough.

 

 

Rudder assembly photos.

 

 

 

[Brad NSW]

2 hours ago, Saburo said:

Very impressive Brad, and I like the idea you've come up with combining your hobby and recreational travel. Please show us you're work area as CiscoH requested.

Here I am working at 20 below during the winter in Colorado (we ski too)!  Wife isn't too happy about the dining room table always cluttered.  We eat in the recliners.  The model is transported between campgrounds, on the bed, on the existing cradle, with pillows bracing it from any movement.

 

Below the table, a thickness sander, mini-lathe, and micro table saw.  Bigger power tools are in the drom box on the back of the semi. (photo two).  Oh yeah, we have a smart car to get around.

 

[CiscoH]

Seriously cool Brad!  the ship and the workarea.  

[dvm27]

I've had nightmares about backing up a rig like that!

[mtaylor]

33 minutes ago, dvm27 said:

I've had nightmares about backing up a rig like that!

Once upon a time, we had a 32' motor home.  But something like that rig would scare me to death to try to drive it, much less park it or back it up.  Hats off to you Brad. 

[allanyed]

On 8/6/2022 at 8:20 PM, dvm27 said:

I've had nightmares about backing up a rig like that!

I am with you Greg.   Some of the best entertainment I remember was after fishing and docking our boat we would stroll to the public launch ramp and would  just sit with a beer a watching folks back their boat trailers to the ramp.    One guy had cards marked 1 to 10 and rated each attempt and held them up so we would then cheer or jeer as appropriate.

 

Edited August 9, 2022 by allanyed