Vasa By 72Nova - FINISHED - Airfix - PLASTIC

[Hubac's Historian]

I like the idea of the lantern being the only gilt object on the ship.

[72Nova]

You do bring up a valid point Kirill but I think once the flag is installed  it'll partially be hidden anyway. The lantern is still a WIP at this point as I want to add some detail to the lower section and tone the gold down just a bit to achieve a more metallic bronze look and maybe try to add the mesh to the panes, we'll see how that goes but I do want it stand out. As always gentlemen your insights, compliments and critique are very much appreciated.

 

Michael D.

[kirill4]

Sounds as a good plan!

Would You like to Try artificial gold potal ? it is not expensive staff ... еasy for application and could be  found in any artistic shop...

but it will make much more intersting effect than any other metallic paint...

 Considering that this lantern is a WIP and will be the only gilded element, then plated with golden potal, it will be mysteriously and  warm flicker as a jewel on the aged wood in the light of the fireplace or candle.. this effect couldn t be reached with any other metallic paint...

When applied, it could be covered by gloss acrylic varnish and stained/ softened in gold shining by apllying light deluted bitumen...

Edited October 4, 2023 by kirill4

[Baker]

First, congratulations on this beautiful model.
To add a lantern or not, difficult question.
This is how I made my lantern. (Post 24)

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by Baker

[72Nova]

I will look for the artificial gold and give that a try, hopefully Michael's will have it, thanks for that tip Kirill. Patrick I was actually checking out your lantern the other day, very, very nice job of it by the way👍. I originally added wings but the result looked more like flowers, so I removed them inspired by yours.

Michael D.

[shipman]

This is a magnificent model.

Personally, I think the lantern is already looking like the most out of place item, getting far too much attention.

As suggested, once the flag is installed, the lantern becomes almost irrelevant.

[72Nova]

Thank you Shipman, in the end I went with what was the right decision, I really appreciated everyone's suggestions, on one hand I really liked the look of the lantern initially but the longer I starred at it the more it just looked out of place.

I did include the reworked mount though, I attached the toggle at the top of the flag and ran the line to make it look like it's lead through a simulated truck and down to a cleat on one side of the staff, the lower line is lead to a cleat on the other side, all in all I feel it looks as it should with a weathered looking flag. Thanks for looking.

 

Michael D.

 

[shipman]

Bazinga!

[kirill4]

Good day,

Flag looks very very realistic !!!

[72Nova]

With the braces completed on the fore yards along with the main topsail bowlines, the rigging is nearing the end with the lower course sheets, main course brace and bowlines still left to do and that  will pretty much complete that phase, still on the fence if I want to hoist the remaining flags, if I do their rigging will be taken down to the bulwarks and probably tied off at the railings.

 

Michael D.

[Hubac's Historian]

That you were able to use all of the kit spars without distortion, and have tension where there should be and slack where it’s appropriate is just an unbelievable accomplishment!

[Ian_Grant]

Especially at this scale !!!! 

[72Nova]

Thank you for the likes and compliments guys, much appreciated. I know went against most recommendations about ditching the spars and masts, but I was confident I good make them work and show what this model can look like with careful rigging.

Small little update regarding the main course bowlines, this was a little fiddly since I overlooked adding the blocks at the base of the fore mast early on, there should be 2 single blocks, but I went with a 1.5mm double block for simplicity in a very tight area, the lines are lead thru and tied to the bitts, I think it looks acceptable.

 

Michael D.

[72Nova]

Starboard fore course and spritsail sheets are completed. I will soon start working on the gunport lids, finishing the ends of the railing at the bulkhead and attaching the Qtr gallery figures and building the case from the left over Mahogany I used for the Reale De France. Thanks for looking.

 

Michael D.

[Nirvana]

The weathered hull and deck surely makes it alive. Well done!

[Hubac's Historian]

Far more than “acceptable,” I’d say!  Looks amazing, Michael.

[fmodajr]

I especially like the look of the slack rigging lines. Very realistic!

Frank

 

[Jeff T]

1 hour ago, fmodajr said:

I especially like the look of the slack rigging lines. Very realistic!

Frank

 

I agree.  The running rigging does not always have to be taut.

[kirill4]

Good day Michael,

Just amaizing work!

All the best!

Kirill

[72Nova]

Thanks for all the wonderful and positive comments, I do value each and everyone's input on this journey!

 

Michael D.

[72Nova]

I finally completed the port side railing end using .030"x.030" styrene, I used plastic cement to soften the styrene enough to facilitate bending, also completed the port side fore course sheet, to achieve some slack in the line, adjust the line to the desired slack and put a spot of PVA on that side of the block, I usually use misc size wire or heavy thread as weights and make small adjustments to fine tune the slack you're after until the glue dries and repeat on the other side then you can finish up by pinching the line around block to get a tighter radius,  in this case I was after just a small amount of slack .

 

Michael D.

[72Nova]

The starboard side rigging is finished with the completion of the main sheet and brace, the sheet is pretty straight forward but there are few options regarding the brace and I chose to attach the leading block with an eye bolt to the topside of the bulwark.

 

Michael D.

[72Nova]

Less than a handful of tasks left on this build with the completion of the gun port lids, up next, I will be putting the finishing touches on the Qtr Galleries and finish up the starboard railing end, as always thanks for taking the time to stop by.

 

Michael D.

 

[Hubac's Historian]

I like this decision to not have guns

[72Nova]

The more I look at the more I like too Marc, certainly a detail or lack of that really doesn't affect the overall appearance of the model and I will be doing the same with my next build.

 

Michael D.

[72Nova]

With the main mast flag in position, I can officially say the rigging phase for this build is completed, the halliards are led to the railing on portside aft of the main shrouds. Up next the galleries.

 

Michael D.

 

[Ferrus Manus]

Almost done!! 

[72Nova]

Using a combination of styrene and Sculpey clay I finished making up the figurines for the gallery, still some touch up to do and I could add more detail, but it already looks busy enough and I'm happy with the result.

 

Michael D.

[firdajan]

Simply excellent. A view of what a complete ship would probably look like today.

 

Thanks

 

Jan

[72Nova]

I finally completed the portside gallery and with that, this build is completed, I just want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone's likes, comments and input that were very much appreciated.

 

Michael D.