MrBlueJacket Posted January 16, 2023 Share #1 Posted January 16, 2023 BlueJacket was commissioned to build the MS model Newsboy by a client. We found an old kit over in Sweden and got it. Model Shipways actually did 2 kits of it, the other was a larger 3/16"=1' scale. The larger one had a foremast top, while this model does not. Our client was impressed by Pete Jacquinth's larger model. As is becoming normal here, Al builds the model but hands it off to me for the rigging. Here's what I received: (yards boom gaff not shown) BobG, chris watton, ccoyle and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share #2 Posted January 16, 2023 First order of business is, of course, to mount the deadeyes. The Newsboy did not have chainplates, she had iron rods to attach the deadeyes. I'm simulating that with brass rod. To keep them even, I made a bending jig here: And here's what one looks like finished: Only 23 more to go.................Hours of endless enjoyment. catopower, Prowler901, BobG and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick310 Posted January 17, 2023 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2023 Looks good Nic. Are you going to add the top on the foremast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvm27 Posted January 17, 2023 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2023 I have fond memories of making this model over 40 years ago. I believe it is sitting in my son's basement gathering cobwebs. Quote GregwebsiteAdmiralty Modelsmoderator Echo Cross-section buildAdmiralty Models Cross-section BuildFinished buildPegasus, 1776, cross-sectionCurrent buildSpeedwell, 1752 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 17, 2023 Author Share #5 Posted January 17, 2023 13 hours ago, Rick310 said: Looks good Nic. Are you going to add the top on the foremast? No, the kit does not show it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share #6 Posted January 23, 2023 So here's all the deadeyes and bullseyes, ready to paint. Prowler901, Keith Black, Rick310 and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick310 Posted January 24, 2023 Share #7 Posted January 24, 2023 Nice!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share #8 Posted January 27, 2023 Painted both sides of the deadeyes. Hopefully can start to install them this weekend. ccoyle and GrandpaPhil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share #9 Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) First step is to elongate the holes for the chainplates. I tried an Xacto knife (tedious) and small files (still too large.) Then I remembered they sell abrasive thread in various sizes. I bought the .030" size, and started to saw away. In an hour, I had all 24 holes elongated. Edited January 30, 2023 by MrBlueJacket Keith Black, GrandpaPhil, Prowler901 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share #10 Posted January 30, 2023 Next step is to figure the angle that the chainplates would take to have them line up with the shrouds. I took a piece of string where the shrouds started, and brought it down through the hole, then marked the line. Not a lot of difference between them, but it will make it look correct. Keith Black, chris watton, Prowler901 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share #11 Posted January 30, 2023 I put the deadeye assemblies through the holes, and drilled for the upper attachment pin. chris watton, Keith Black, Prowler901 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share #12 Posted January 30, 2023 And lastly, deadeyes and backing plates are all pinned into place. ccoyle, chris watton, gak1965 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted February 13, 2023 Author Share #13 Posted February 13, 2023 Now all 4 channels have their deadeyes and the backing plates have been painted. Main fife rail installed. Now I can finally start using thread! BobG, chris watton, ccoyle and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share #14 Posted February 24, 2023 So after a short pause, thread happens! GrandpaPhil, chris watton, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 1, 2023 Author Share #15 Posted March 1, 2023 Over the weekend, got 6 shrouds finished. Very important that the upper deadeyes are even with the waterline. Sometimes I have to re-adjust several times to get close. the for final adjustments, I can twist the shrouds to raise or lower the deadeye, and also vary the tension on the lanyards. Keith Black, BobG, chris watton and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 6, 2023 Author Share #16 Posted March 6, 2023 OK, got the last 2 shrouds done, now working on the foretopmast stays. Dave_E, Ghost029, GrandpaPhil and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris watton Posted March 6, 2023 Share #17 Posted March 6, 2023 Looking good, Mr BJ! Keith Black and Dave_E 2 Quote Vanguard Models on Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick310 Posted March 7, 2023 Share #18 Posted March 7, 2023 Looks great Nic!!! Keith Black 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share #19 Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) Al has a picture of an eagle on his door with the saying "excellence is not a skill, it is an attitude" - why do I mention this? So after doing the foretop shrouds, I was not happy with them, they were uneven. So you guessed it, I ripped them off. Now mind you, these are only 3/32", our tiniest ones. The shrouds are .015" Edited March 8, 2023 by MrBlueJacket GrandpaPhil, Keith Black, Prowler901 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share #20 Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) After re-doing them, I felt much better. Edited March 8, 2023 by MrBlueJacket Keith Black, chris watton, Prowler901 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share #21 Posted March 8, 2023 Next, I did the main stays. they end under the fife rail, so I had to thread them through the fife rail. Keith Black, Prowler901, Ghost029 and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share #22 Posted March 16, 2023 Attached blocks around the foremast. And finally able to attach the fore fife rail. It's going to be difficult to get to those blocks. Keith Black, Ryland Craze, Knocklouder and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share #23 Posted March 16, 2023 Here's the 3/32 deadeyes on the fore top. Really tough to get them nice and even. I spent 1 1/2 hours on it. GrandpaPhil, Ryland Craze and Prowler901 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share #24 Posted March 16, 2023 And of course it's time to start the ratlines. GrandpaPhil, Prowler901, Keith Black and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 16, 2023 Share #25 Posted March 16, 2023 Nic, these needle threaders work great for getting into blocks hidden away in small tight spaces due to their flexibility and length. One disadvantage is the paper end one holds on to comes off easily. They will still work but control becomes a little more difficult. https://www.amazon.com/ZZHXSM-Threader-Threading-Embroidery-Threaders/dp/B08ZSL7DY8/ref=sr_1_10?crid=DZZAON3KBX52&keywords=long+needle+threaders&qid=1678975922&sprefix=long+needle-threaders%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-10 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 17, 2023 Author Share #26 Posted March 17, 2023 Keith, thanks for the tip. I wet the last inch of thread in CA glue, which makes it stiff, like a needle threader. Works great. Keith Black, Papa and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 17, 2023 Author Share #27 Posted March 17, 2023 Last night finished the port main ratlines. Keith Black, GrandpaPhil and Prowler901 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 20, 2023 Author Share #28 Posted March 20, 2023 Over the w/e, started the fore topmast ratlines GrandpaPhil, Rick310, Prowler901 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share #29 Posted March 24, 2023 Finished all the upper ratlines, time to mount the foremast. GrandpaPhil, Prowler901, Ryland Craze and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlueJacket Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share #30 Posted March 24, 2023 Now for the lower stays. To get the masts parallel, I must first pull the mast to port, so when I attach the starboard stay, it will pull back to where it should be. View from the bow. GrandpaPhil, Ryland Craze, Ghost029 and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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