Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[aliluke]

Hi Bob

Seriously good work as usual.

 

There's been some discussion on cannon rigging and the deck ring bolts recently. My thinking - and I'm flying blind here - is that a cannon would not have the side tackles and the rear tackles rigged at the same time. As I figure it - guessing again - the rear tackle is used to haul the cannon inboard for stowage. The side tackles are used to haul the cannon out and train it to left or right. I think that the rear tackle would be borrowed from one of the side tackles when inboard stowage is needed. So I'm on your wavelength - side tackles, deck eye and ring bolts in place but no rear tackle. In one way it saves us yet another rig even if we are wrong!!!

[gjdale]

Nice job thinking ahead again there Bob, in tying off the fore lower sheets. This is developing into a really superb model.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Alistair and Grant for the kind words.

 

Alistair, right or wrong I like your reasoning on the gun rigging. I'm for anything that saves me from doing any more of it. 

 

Bob

[KenW]

My two cents:  First the work is outstanding as we are accustomed to here. 

As far as the gun rigging, (and we need some input here from someone who really knows) is that during action the in haul tackle is used to haul the gun in and secure it while it is being loaded.  Recoil may not bring the gun all the way into loading position.  Once it is loaded, the out haul pulls the gun into position ready for aiming and firing. 

I also agree that the in haul tackle would be stowed when not in use since it stretches across the deck and is a hazard.

[rafine]

Thanks Ken for both the kind words and your"two cents".

 

Bob

[patrickmil]

Very nice work Bob. Did you make your own gratings or use what the kit provided?

[rafine]

Thanks Patrick. The gratings are the laser cut kit parts, stained with Golden Oak stain and finished with Wipe-on Poly.

 

Bob

[wq3296]

Agree that in haul tackle may have been unhooked when guns went into action, but certainly kept close by in the event guns had to be hauled in due to miss fire, cease fire order, etc. Further, I wonder if out hauls were disconnected prior to firing since they would inhibit recoil once the guns were run out and fired. I have noticed that out haul gun tackles seem to have their correct double blocks attached to the bulwarks with hooks to facilitate quick removal of the tackles. 

 

wq3296

[rafine]

While watching glue dry over the past couple of weeks, I began to fool around with what to do with the forecastle. The last few days, I came up with my conclusion, and did the deck planking that I'm going to do. The result is a margin plank at the perimeter, a strip of planking down the center, and a small band of planking at the aft end to support the barricade and belfry.

 

All of the planking is holly, with the margin planks cut from sheet, using card stock templates, and the rest from strip, fitted around the openings and bitts. The caulking is simulated with pencil and the treenails are again simulated with golden oak filler in drilled holes. Wipe-on Poly finished that work. I also added the the steam hatch and the coaming for the stove stack at this time. I probably won't add anything else until after the bulwark planking is in place.

 

Bob

[mspringer]

Very neat and clean work, Bob.  It's amazing to me that you can have all those joints and not have any gaps....really good looking!

 

Mark

[Mirabell61]

I love this, Looks superb Bob,

 

Nils

[gjdale]

Immaculate, as always Bob. Very, very nice.

[Sjors]

Great job on the planking Bob.

One question....is there a reason that you don't make the deck planking for the upper deck at scale ?

Scale planking I mean....

 

[rafine]

Thanks so much Mark, Nils, Grant and Sjors for the very kind words and also to the "likes".

 

Sjors, I don't understand your question. It was certainly my intent to do the planking to scale.

 

Bob

[augie]

That's a veritable forest of lumber you have there.  Beautiful, pristine work Bob.

[Sjors]

I shall try to clarify my question Bob.

 

When I look at upper deck  , I see that the planks next to the grating are at one piece.

The other ones are shorter because there is something in the way.

When I look at the main deck, they are at scale.....

This has nothing to do with the work you have done.

It just looks awesome !!!!!!!

Maybe I can erase my question and just enjoy your build ?????

 

[rafine]

Thanks Augie. It's time for you to get some indoor time again. I miss your build.

 

Now I understand, Sjors, and there's nothing wrong with the question. My understanding is that on a forecastle of this length (30-35' or less), single full length planks would be used. The same would be true on other short decks, as well. The full length planks I used measure out to about 28'.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Looking good Bob.  Outstanding workmanship as usual.

Ken

[Sjors]

Thanks Bob,

 

There is still a lot to learn for me........

But now I know why at least     

 

[Blue Ensign]

Just love looking at your woodwork Bob

 

B.E.

[Mirabell61]

Bob,

every time I look into your Progress I have to set my mind that you are performing such accuracy in scale 1:76, absolutely clean and precise modeling, well done !

 

Nils

[rafine]

Thanks Ken, Sjors, B.E. and Nils and the "likes". Much appreciated, as always.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Beautiful work, Bob! Just a pleasure to watch.

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas. When can we expect more from you?

 

Bob

[rafine]

A minor milestone -- work on the gun deck is complete. I have made, installed and rigged the last four guns, added their deck ringbolts and made and installed the jeer capstan, the second of the three required capstans. I also tied the line for the main course tacks to their bulwark cleats.

 

The guns were done the same way as all the others (very glad to be done with them). The capstan was done in boxwood, with a pear cap The pawls (stops) were also made from boxwood, painted black and added to the deck.

 

Next up will be the deck framing for the gangboards (midship decking).

 

Bob

[NMBROOK]

Fabulous work on the gun deck Bob I bet you are glad to be able to move up a deck now and carry on with something a little different.At least there isn't three decks worth of 100 cannons to do  

 

Kind Regards

Nigel

[augie]

Nice touch on the pear capstan cap.  Guns, of course, look spectacular!

[amateur]

I would call it a major milestone....

it looks fabulous.

 

Jan

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nigel, Augie and Jan for your kind comments and also to the "likes" for your continuing interest.

 

Nigel, I don't think I could face 100 guns. The 26 on the gun deck were quite enough. Of course, I still have some to do on the quarterdeck.

 

Bob

[gjdale]

Congratulations on finishing the guns Bob - quite a milestone. The capstan looks terrific too - your usual impressively high standard.