Frigate Diana by RossR - FINISHED - OcCre - 1:85

[RossR]

My shipyard is finally complete.  I posted some pictures in the Shore Leave topic "So Where Do You Do Yours Then (Model Making That Is)".  Next step on my current build involves blackening some brass parts, and my bottle of Birchwood Casey didn't make the move because the cap didn't want to stay on tight.  Now that I have space I might get started on my next model until I get the replacement Brass Black.

 

 

 

[RossR]

I have a quick update on my build.  The yards for the main mast are complete.  These are configured the same as the yards for the foremast only a little longer.  
 

 

now on to the sails.  I have some ideas for making the sails appear to be full from the wind, but I need to do some experimenting to see if I can create the look I am hoping for.  I will keep you posted.  
 

 

[BurgundyModels]

@RossR glad to see you're making progress on this one again. Love your builds, both the Beagle and Diana. I would love to build a Diana, she really is a beautiful subject. Your build logs inspired me to utilize different finishes, i.e. shellac and stains. Following along!

[RossR]

When I first discovered Model Ship World I was finishing my first build.  At that time there was a build log for a model of the Cutty Sark by Bruma.  He made fantastic sails that made his ship appear to be in motion compared to my version of the HMS Beagle with sails that hung rather lifelessly.  I was definitely inspired to create something on my next ship that created a feeling of movement with my sails.  I was very intimidated with the idea of using silkspan, but followed build logs and youtube videos of builders that did interesting things with cloth sails.  Yes I understand the scale issues with cloth sails, but I am trying to create an impression of a real sail under the power of the wind vs an exact scale representation of a sail.  Someday I suspect I will tackle silkspan, but not on this model.  

 

I borrowed from LyleK1 who used tea to color his sails on the HMS Bounty and from Olha Batchvarov who used potato starch to shape her sails.  Unfortunately, Olha didn't give the exact recipe for the boiled potato starch she used, so I am still refining the best mix, but I will share more details when I determine the best mix.  

 

I sacrificed a plastic tote to stretch the sails across before brushing with boiled potato starch.  

 

 

I wet the sails then brushed the boiled potato starch onto the sails.  I used ziplock bags filled with some flour to create the shape I desired.

 

After a day of drying under the weight of the flour, the sails maintain the curved shape I was looking for.  

 

 

After the first two sails, I will attach any rings or blocks that are need before shaping.  It was a little difficult doing this after they were shaped since they are a little fragile.  

 

Next I installed the outer jib.  The challenge now was how to get the sail to move to the port side of the stay it was attached to as if the wind was coming from the starboard aft side of the ship.  I toyed with mounting the ship at a slight angle as if it was leaning with the wind, but quickly abandoned that when I realized I would need to tilt the ship an unrealistic amount to get the sails very far from the center line of the ship.  I ultimately used a piece of 26 Guage wire for the Starboard sheet to hold the sale in place.  After painting to look like the line I am using for the running rigging, it is a little over scale, but I am worried anything thinner won't be stiff enough.

 

It is just one sail so far, but I am pretty happy with how this is turning out.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ronald-V]

Very interesting! And yes it does look really nice, curious how it will look when under full sails  

Edited October 1, 2024 by Ronald-V

[RossR]

It has been awhile since my last update.  I have the jib sails and the fore royal sail and fore top gallant sail installed.  I am achieving the look I wanted with the sails.  One concern I have with the method I am using create the shape of the sails is the potato starch creates a bit of a shiny surface on the side of the sail that it is applied.  With the way I am planing on displaying my model the back side of the sales wont be visible, so I am not concerned on this model, but I would caution others to consider this if they choose to use this method.

 

 

 

 

 

The Top Sail is not fulling complete yet.  I need to get the Fore yard installed to finish the top sail.  For the Fore and main top sails and the lower course of stay sails, I will rig those sails furled instead of unfurled.  I have seen this as being called "rigged for fighting".  Not sure if it is an accurate representation of how a ship like this would enter battle, but I like the idea of being able get a better look at the deck on the completed model.  I need to get some help from someone who sew to make the sails that will be furled smaller before I continue with those sails.  Due to the over scale thickness of the sail material if I furl the sail as is, it will be way too big on the yard.  

 

For attaching the various lines to the belay pins, I am taking the advice I say from a user on the site (can't remember who gave the advice) to run the line through the hole for the belay pin then install the pin to secure it.  After I add a rope Hank you won't be able to see that the line isn't secured to the pin in the traditional way.  At this scale I think this shortcut is the only way I would be able to complete the rigging.  I am leaving the excess lines on for awhile In case I need to adjust any of the lines later.  

 

I think In the future if I build a fully rigged model it will be a scale like 1:48 and not 1:85.  I wish my eyesight was better, but at this scale the rigging is really challenging to me.  

 

 

As always, thanks for all the views and likes.  I will be shifting gears back to my Santisima Trinidad cross section until I can find someone to help me sew the sails that will be furled.  

 

[RossR]

I have been making some slow progress on the ship, and I thought I would give a quick update.  I have added the fore sail as a furled sail, and all the sails on the main mast with the main sail furled like the fore sail.   I still need to add the braces and the sheets and tacks on the fore and main sail.   After the stay sails are added I will complete those rigging elements.   
 

Next up are the main and mizzen stay sails. Sorry I don’t have more pictures right now.  
 

[abelson]

Excellent craftsmanship.

[Auger]

Nice trick with the pins. I’ll have to remember that one! 

[RossR]

It has been quite awhile since my last post on this build.  Since may last post my oldest daughter was married, I had a busy time at work, and I finished my other build.  Now time to get back focused on the Frigate Diana.  I have added the mizzen top sail and the mizzen top gallant sail.  I should have the driver and driver top sail installed this week.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel on finishing this project.

 

 

 

 

[RossR]

I made some more progress this last week.  I have all of the braces completed along with the remaining back stays.  Most important I have the driver completed also

 

 

 

 

I have also prepped the anchors and they already to add to the model.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 30 by RossR

[RossR]

I have reached a milestone on the model today.   I have added the driver topsail and the bow sprit sail.  This completes the rigging on the ship.  
 

two items left.  Adding the anchors and then adding a lot of rope coils.   
 

 

[Paul Le Wol]

Ross, congratulations on finishing the rigging. She looks superb!

[BurgundyModels]

Hey Ross, Diana is looking wonderful! Been following your build, and really love the progress. I have a quick question regarding the use of Shellac. I was finally able to achieve a good outer finish with Shellac (I'm finish challenged), and was wondering if you had issues gluing pieces to the hull after that initial finish? I want to finish my hull, but don't want to run into issues with glue later, and curious about the process. Thank you!

[RossR]

3 hours ago, BurgundyModels said:

was wondering if you had issues gluing pieces to the hull after that initial finish?

Using CA, I have had success,  for example, my pin rails were glued to the bulwarks after the bulwark had a second layer of Shellac.  The edge of the pin rails would have been left unfinished.  The bulwark would have received two coats with a sanding with fine steel wool after each.   
 

I had one pin rail come off and need to be re-glued.   I think as more layers or thicker layers of shellac are added you will have less success.   Items with less surface area are more problematic, but that would be true if glueing bare wood to bare wood also.  
 

[RossR]

After two and a half years I have finally finished my Frigate Diana.  It took me awhile to determine how I was going to mount the ship.  This kit does not come with either a cradle for displaying the final model or for use during the build.  I built a crude cradle to use during the build, but I wanted to mount the finished model on a couple of pedestals mounted to a piece of live edge walnut that I already owned.  Unfortunately I didn't plan ahead.  I should have drilled holes into the bulkhead former to accommodate long pins when I could flip it over.  I didn't do that so I had to figure out a way to drill those holes from below with out flipping the model over.  

 

The base is 1 inch thick, and the pedestals are about 1.5 inches high   I installed a 4 inch long 1/8 inch diameter threaded rod from the bottom side of the base though the pedestals leaving about 1.5 inches that are inserted into the bulkhead former.  The bulk head former is slightly less than 1/4 inch thick, leaving very little margin for error.   I did have a problem with one of the holes, luckily it was on the side that is not displayed.  

 

 

 

After being in this house for about 10 months so far, thanks to my wife we have found a way to display my models.  At the bottom of the stairs to our basement we have a niche in the wall my wife wasn't sure what we wanted to do with.  As an early Father's Day present she found a chest of drawers that had been refinished and we decided to use that chest as a way to display my models in the niche.  The Frigate Diana's base is mounted directly to a couple of shelf brackets.  

 

I want to thank everyone that viewed, liked and commented on this build log.  I really appreciated all of you interest.  

 

I have already started my NRG half hull, and will get a build log started and catch anyone who is interested in that project soon.  

 

After that I though I would build the US Brig Syren that is in my inventory, but I think I will go with the USF Essex instead.  Hopefully I get that started in the next 30 - 60 days.

 

[Ronald-V]

Congratulations on finishing! She looks fantastic! Very well done, also the display of the ships looks really nice 🙂

[Knocklouder]

Nice ship, very nicely done. 

Bob  M

 

[Coyote_6]

Beautiful ships!  Nice job on the Diana.  Very very nice!

 

Your display area is amazing.  Tasteful and not overdone!  Your wife has a very good eye.

 

Congrats!

[Paul Le Wol]

Ross, congratulations on completing Diana! She is beautiful. Good luck with your Essex build 

[BurgundyModels]

Congratulations on finishing her @RossR, a truly beautiful build. Will certainly tune in for the next build!

[Zarkon]

Congratulations! You did a fantastic job!

 

Jeff

[ccoyle]

Congratulations, Ross! That is a very handsome model!