Wasa by md1400cs - FINISHED - Corel - 1:75

[md1400cs]

Andre Thanks, appreciate your comment.

 

OUCH accident the other day. i was working on the re-install of the stern windows, and the bow was vertically down on the carpet, with the ship between my knees. I moved a bit to quickly and heard a loud snap. Broke the tip of the bow. Here are so me pics of my fix.

 

I was initially going to use a wood dowel, and then thought the better of it, and inserted a brass tube. Pics are self explanatory. This week I will change the windows. I thought of a solution to the dilema from a previous post. Regards to all

 

Michael D 

[JanV]

I am always afraid for such damage, and I am sure it will once happen also during my building.

perfect repair you did.

[Salty Sea Dog]

Nicely done repair!

[md1400cs]

I have been working on the stern windows, the stern gilded figures (I decided to try painting them). I took a side trip and installed the stern canon doors. Here are some pics.

 

The photos are self-explanatory. However FYI the nails and the bending tool were acquired through Micromark.com

 

You may also note that that the port side door (the pic in which I drilled the rope inlet, well that door was sprung too low. Darn thing would not close, so I will re-do that sucker...Nonetheless it gives you the idea.

 

I will post pics of the revised and re-designed stern windows next.

 

Regards

 

PS: I learned about watering down the glue to secure the rope wrappings on MSW  Such a treasure chest of great ideas. Thanks to all of you, my sages.

 

MJD

[schiffebastler]

Hi Michael,

 

during the last few days, I looked sever time to your Vasa. And I would say, it is a really great job you do with the model, excellent.

Especially I admire your courage for the difficult modifications of the kit based model, but the result is outstanding and absolutely worth to be done!

If you need other informations beyond the pictures I send you, don't hesitate to contact me! I will follow your build log also in future.

 

Best regards, Joachim

[md1400cs]

Here is the update for the stern windows. I think that these shapes are more closely inline with the original. I prefer this look rather than from those that came with the kit. No need for redundant notes along with each pic, as they are self-explanatory. 

 

However, the grid that I used was purchased at a fabric store; nylon web which is embedded in a soft plastic. When I saw it, I thought that it might work ok. PS: I had to buy enough for 1000+ Wasa windows....The glass panes were created using "window Maker" Something that I learned about on MSW. Excellent idea.

 

Parts of the wood framing went "south" because I got way too enthusiastic with the sandpaper, while trying to thin down the face of the frames. So, what were straight inside framing lines lost some of their inside straight edges - Mmmm. But I did not want to start all over again. Also, I rationalized that the soldiers standing by the windows will partially hide the poor craftsmanship. I will install four soldiers who will be crowding the sides of the windows.

 

 You may also note that the gallery figures have been removed from the bobbinets from previous pics. I decided to remove the cartoonish colors that I did not like. I think that these will have to have the "aged" look. There is just not enough detail with which to paint on. I know, the ship had no age. (:-) Though my wife suggested that I leave it in the bathtub for the next 300 years to get the "right look".

 

That aside, I have also decided to follow in some of your footsteps, and paint the 40 or so soldiers that decorate the ship. I started with the two large figures that stand aside each window. Those will be easy by comparison to the majority of the smaller figures.

 

I'm looking at the 1:10th to help with colors and details. The 1:10th window soldiers seem to have dark purple clothing. I was out of that so black suited they became. The 1:10th is a very intimidating reference (granted its a huge model) oh and so stunning!!

 

Having really looked at the figures, I note that for all-intense-and-purposes many of the Corel supplied figures are close approximations to the 1/1. So I stand corrected from my previous remarks regarding some of the gilded pieces as being "not correct".

 

So, next up will be painting the other stern, and gallery figures. Then build the upper galleries, and their respective bobbinets. From there, on to finishing some deck details that have been omitted from the out-of-the-box kit. As usual thanks for looking.

 

MJD

[schiffebastler]

Hi Michael,

 

you are doing a really wonderful work!

 

By the way, in another forum I got the following link to a video of the vasa. Although it is spoken in swedisch, the video is wunderful!

But please be careful, there are parts, which are not good for young children.

 

http://www.vasamuseet.se/Om/Aktuellt/Filmen-om-Vasa/

 

Regards, Joachim

[md1400cs]

Update on painting the figures

 

I think that this will look ok. close up it’s easy to see flaws, but with the naked eye, sorta works. So only 65 more to go (:-)

 

I'm glad that I followed your trends, deciding to paint these. Though, for my next build I will look for a ship that doesn’t require all of this painted art. I would LOVE to do the SOS...but that is such an intimidating project. The two that I'm following here are really spectacular.

 

OK time for more painting. Ruff on the old eyes; two hours and I'm cooked for the session.

 

PS: the figures on the ship are not attached, just placed in approx. locations

 

MJD

[md1400cs]

Hi Michael,

 

you are doing a really wonderful work!

 

By the way, in another forum I got the following link to a video of the vasa. Although it is spoken in swedisch, the video is wunderful!

But please be careful, there are parts, which are not good for young children.

 

http://www.vasamuseet.se/Om/Aktuellt/Filmen-om-Vasa/

 

Regards, Joachim

Hi Joachim,

 

Thank you.

 

Today I looked at the video. Very interesting to look at. I gave a nice perspective of 1628, as well as the resurrection. Thanks for sharing.

 

Michael D

[Keith_W]

I am following your build with interest, because I am thinking of attempting this ship. One question though - are you going to paint the stern blue or red? Or leave it unpainted? 

[md1400cs]

Hello Amfibius,

 

It seems as though I will not be painting the stern, galleries, bowsprit, nor the inside lumbers on the inner top deck sides. It is too late for that. In retrospect it would have been the correct thing to do. I started this ship several years ago, and then it sat on a shelf for quite a while.

 

I then got back into the project, and was going to continue the build "right out of the box". But I then really started to research the ship, and discovered large amount of available data including volumes of photos. Subsequently, I turned the project around adding as much additional detail as I was capable of incorporating. However for some things, it was too late to re-incorporate detail. I would have used red stain and not paint. So the correct red timber colors have become a moot issue for my build; unfortunately. Oh well...If you decide to paint yours be sure to use red, not the blue timbers that are included in the Corel box. (:-)

 

To be executed correctly, in terms of details which need to be added, the Wasa is arguably the most difficult to replicate accurately. The paint in-and-of itself is virtually imposible to articulate correctly. You may want to refer to the Vasa museum 1:10th model to note how the paint should look. Yikes!!   Nonetheless the Corel example makes a fun build, and will be impressive when completed. I appreciate your following my build. Very nice of you.

 

PS: Your country is on my list. I have (through work) been all over SE Asia, but never south enough to step foot in your charming country (:-) Singapore was as "South" as I have gotten so far.

 

Regards,

 

Michael D

[md1400cs]

Start on upper Galleries

 

Hi folks,

 

I started the upper galleries. Same procedure as for the lower ones, however a bit smaller. I was trying to adjust the fit to more or less match the 1:1, but did not think ahead of myself.

 

In that regard you will note that the lower bobbinet top decorative bits should actually flange against and along side the upper lower shelve balcony timbers (see pic of Vasa). For that kind of accuracy, I would have had to cut in deeply. It would have made the structures too little to then add the smaller upper bobbinets. Oh well (:-)

 

In any case the upper bobbinets will be really thinned, as well as having a flat (as opposed to rounded) external edge. So they should look "ok" fit wise. But I wish that I had thought about this more when I installed the lower galleries. I would have made them a bit more protrusive.

 

I used balsa, as I mentioned earlier, because of its ease of shaping. So as a form it is great. One of the pics shows some small bits of wood that were glued into the interior front balsa sections. I had broken a previous piece, so I used this method to reinforce the balsa during the gluing of the outer curved covering timbers.

 

After it all dried and set I then "Dremel"ed out the inner shape. In any case it is impassible to see the inside

housing after the longitudinal shelves are attached. So that sorta took care of itself.

 

Next up will be shaping the upper halves, shaping the bobbinets, and adding the wood cover pieces. Installing then back to more painting....

 

I regret not using a red paint or stain for the galleries, stern and upper deck side trim. Next time....

 

Regards,

 

Michael D

[Kevin]

you have made a very nice job of this build, was it yr intention from the start, to not paint it?

[dennis jones]

Those nails you have used are very nice looking, will change mine from the brass to your black ones, what model railroad co. did they come from?

 

Keep up the excellent work,  will follow your build and used your expertise!

[md1400cs]

you have made a very nice job of this build, was it yr intention from the start, to not paint it?

Kevin,

 

Thanks appreciate your nice words.

 

It was my intention not to paint the ship. In retrospect I regret that decision. After I really "got into" this build, and decided to add more details, I had already gotten to a stage where painting was not a good idea. So I moved on. My dark brown wood for the galleries and upper hull trim were the compromise.

 

Regards   MJD

[md1400cs]

Those nails you have used are very nice looking, will change mine from the brass to your black ones, what model railroad co. did they come from?

 

Keep up the excellent work,  will follow your build and used your expertise!

Dennis,

 

Thanks for your comments, very nice of you. You can buy all of these nails here;

 

http://www.micromark.com/small-spikes-pkg-of-1000,8607.html

 

One note- they are right angled, as they are intended as railroad tie cleats. In that regard make sure that you line-up the angles all along your hull. I have also noted that occasionally they will slip downwards. I decided to sort-of push them into the wood a bit to limit the slipping. Glue, of course would preclude that. However the micro ones are sooo small, that it is very hard to not have the glue be invisible.

 

Also I recommend that you pre-drill all holes and then slip/push them in. One "sideways" entry (without the pre-drilled hole) and oops a scar is left in the wood Mmmm...

 

I purchased all the medium and micro sizes. and sorta mixed them up. Good luck (:-)

 

MJD

[md1400cs]

FYI  here's a close up of the nails

[Kevin]

like many of the builds, its a personal decission, two of the same builds next to each other one painted and the other not, would have supporters of each

[flyer]

Hi Michael

 

This is a really outstanding build and your ship has some of the very catching atmosphere you feel in the Vasa museum. Excellent!

 

Cheers

Peter

[Blue Ensign]

Hello Michael, I was alerted to your build by your post on my own log.

You are doing a very fine job, and like yourself I love it when there are external sources available to correct and improve on the simplifications and errors evident in kits.

The modifications you are making are creating a very special Wasa, and now I know about it I will continue to follow your progress.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

[md1400cs]

Peter, and BE,

 

A heartfelt thanks for your comments. Thanks.

 

Regards,

 

Michael D

[md1400cs]

Working on the stern upper windows, Turns out that the gilded piece is not adorned with faces, but with lion heads. This small section is very labor intensive, and might not be, in the aggregate, worth the effort. Here's a sample pic. I'll put some assembly details together soon.

 

I appreciate the interest that my build has generated. Thanks so much for looking in.

 

Michael D

[schiffebastler]

Such beautiful small things are increasing the value of the model and absolutely worth to be build! Well done.

 

Regards, Joachim

[Shipyard sid]

Michael

Simply brilliant, it screams quality. I remember my late father building the billing version of the same ship in the late seventies, which

my Sister still has on display in her house. Keeping enjoying your build. Regards DAVID

[md1400cs]

Thanks David for your nice thoughts,

 

Finished up the stern upper windows. Here are some updated pics;I was looking for facesCorel gave us lions with crowns-no biggieSo painting, I followed the 1:10th idea for the lionsI used some leftover railing from the upper deckglued the two pieces together to form the shuttersreversed them and patterned for the Dremel sandingchecked for fitnotched the edges for the hingesUsed the micro rail cleats let glue set then Dremel'd for fit

[md1400cs]

Here are a few updated pics. The stern is coming along. As I've mentioned before, I regret not painting the red portions of the hull +. But as we a all know looking in retrospect all is very clear. The brown wood was my compromise.Mmmm lots of work here. The Vasa must have been a beautiful site, for an hour or so

Having all of these museum sources makes it much easier to assist in the colors

It's hard to tell here, but I actually added a flat clear to the lions. The pics don't really show that too well

I added a small strip of wood to the gallery edges. The same will be added to the upper ones

[schiffebastler]

Hi Michael,

 

you have done a really great work with the stern! And it is not a compromise, it is your model, you have desinged it without the red colour and it is a wonderful model as it is - it does not need at all the red colour!

 

Regards, Joachim

[md1400cs]

Joachim,

 

Thanks for your comments. By-the-way your Amerigo V is really special. Beautiful project, your attention to details and their execution are first class.

 

Michael D

[Salty Sea Dog]

Hi Michael,

 

Your Wasa is looking fantastic! I agree with Joachim that it looks wonderful without the red color and once you put a finish on the wood, the contrast of the darker wood should pop even more. If the lack of red is bugging you though, you might consider putting a finish on all the areas that should not be red to seal them and then use a water based stain like Trans Tint to color the areas you would want red. You should be able to wipe off any wayward water based stain that gets on your painted or sealed areas. Of course I would practice on scrap a bunch of times before ever touching such a beautiful ship to see how just finish alone looks on the contrasting woods vs finish and stains. Either way you go, your Wasa is absolutely stunning!

[md1400cs]

Buck,

 

Thanks so much for your super nice comments. They really touched me.

 

I'm over the red as of the weekend. A couple of single malts straightened out my thinking (:-)

 

Your advice in regard to sealing the wood opens up a huge can of worms for me. I don't know how to proceed in this area. I don't know if I should even attempt it.  My initial thoughts were to leave the wood as is keeping it "natural looking". The downside, of course, would be (I think) that over time some of the glue might no longer secure the ship all together, and the wood may loose its "look".

 

I don't know how to address this. This is only my second build. My first was some 30+ years ago. At that time I used a product called Watco Oil (just checked on Amazon OMG still available). I think that I airbrushed the ship and then sorta wiped it off.

 

That old Mantua Santa Maria seems none-the-worse for wear. It looks the same as it did back then. So fast-forwarding....I don't have the knowledge with which to make an intelligent decision. Looking at your whaleboat, I note how beautiful that French oil makes the wood "pop"

 

So the new dilemma, such as it is, continues..Though your idea on how to proceed with wood finish seems really smart; makes a lot of sense. I will roll that over in my mind. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Again thanks for your superlatives regarding my work on the Wasa, very kind of you. 

 

Regards,

 

Michael