Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[rafine]

Thanks to all for the very generous comments and the"likes". Your interest is much appreciated.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Well, I keep adding "likes", but you are still one of the master builders in my opinion.

Cheers.

[mtaylor]

Sweet work, Bob.  I never would have guessed the wheel was metal.

[aliluke]

Beautiful work Bob. As per Ken, a "Like" is not nearly enough, your work is masterful!

[Rustyj]

Ah Bob it's so nice to stop by and view your work.  Love It!

[rafine]

Thanks so much Ken, Mark, Alistair and Rusty. You guys are much too kind (but please don't stop      ).

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Outstanding detail work, Bob!

 

Thomas

[Martin W]

Along with all the others, I have to say that your work is inspirational.  Bravo!

 

Martin

[rafine]

Thanks very much Thomas and Martin and the "likes".

 

bob

[Sjors]

Great progress Bob !!!!!!!

 

Question ( again )

 

Are the temperature's that low that you can do some building and then so excellent  ??????

I have now, for almost 2 weeks ,not do anything at the builds because of the high temperature's .......

 

[rafine]

Thanks Sjors. The temperature outside is hot as hell -- thankfully, there is air conditioning inside.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Work on the forecastle is now proceeding. First up was to plank the small bit of inner bulwark with boxwood. After that, I proceeded to do the hances and cap rail. For the hances, I again used the laser cut kit pieces for the carved end and fitted them to the rails which were cut from boxwood sheet, using card stock templates. 

 

As I generally do, the rail assemblies were prepainted black on the edges before mounting to avoid the need for masking. The rail tops were painted in place.  BTW, I am not among the 10 -20 coat painters. For better or worse, I am satisfied with 4-5 coats, particularly with black.

 

After the rails were done, I made the galley stove stack and the forecastle barricade and belfry. The stack was made from styrene tube with wire handles. The barricade and belfry were made from boxwood, with the exception of using the laser cut rail piece from the kit, because it had the square openings for the stanchions cut into it, and I used two shaped stanchions that I had on hand to support the belfry itself. The bell is a brass piece that I had on hand.

 

I'm now moving on to the remaining forecastle work.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

great work Bob,

 

the ship is gaining more and more eyecatching details...

 

Nils

[NMBROOK]

Fabulous work Bob   The big updates are coming thick and fast as you are past the dreaded cannon rigging stage I have decided to take the controversial decision not to include the armament on Mordaunt and leave the remaining decks unplanked to fully display the interior,well maybe the main cabin so I can include a table or two The museum model has no armament and I do like the look,also gets me out of rigging umpteen cannons    

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[gjdale]

Lovely, as always, Bob. I'm always amazed at how clean and crisp your work looks. Any housekeeping secrets you'd care to share?

[rafine]

Thanks Nils. I'm just trying to keep up with you in the details.

 

Thanks Nigel. You're so right about getting by the guns. Interesting choice to go with no guns on Mordaunt. I have no doubt that it will look great.

 

Thanks Grant. Funny that you should mention housekeeping. My wife thinks that I'm the biggest slob in the world -- the attached current photo of my workspace may just prove her right. or ?

 

Bob

Edited July 26, 2014 by rafine

[KenW]

Hey Bob:  You work place looks the same as mine.  Its great to see I'm not the only one.

Obviously it doesn't affect the quality of your work.

Cheers.

Edited July 26, 2014 by KenW

[rafine]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Ken. My guess is that we're in the majority in the housekeeping department -- at least I'd like to think so.

 

Bob

[gjdale]

Ah, now that makes me feel better!

 

But despite having transported my work space to your home for the photo Bob ( ), your "finished" work always looks spotless - not even a speck of dust in the photos. How do you achieve this?

[rafine]

Good luck and a vacuum Grant.   

 

Bob 

[Trussben]

My Admiral says the same thing about me Bob, I tell her it's the sign of work in progress!

 

Ben

[hamilton]

She's looking Gorgeous Bob! The details bring so much life to the model.

hamilton

[rafine]

Thanks so much Hamilton and the "likes". Your support is always appreciated.

 

Bob

[Littlebob]

Great work as always, every time you post a new pic it just gets better and better. My work space used to look the same than I gave it a good cleaning, now I can't find any thing!

[rafine]

Thanks so much Robert. I've always been a believer that if you can't see it, you can't find it.

 

Bob

[rafine]

I'm just back from a week long golf trip with my wife and three other couples, and after playing 6 times in 7 days, I was ready for a rest from golf and eager to get back to modeling. This combination resulted in a burst of activity.

 

I returned to work on the forecastle. First I realized that I had left off the knees on the belfry/barricade, so made and added them. Then I made and added the splash guards at the bow. These were cut from boxwood and bent to shape. Next, I made and mounted the 8 required timber heads. Theses were done from boxwood strip in the usual fashion of shaping each of them fully before cutting it from the strip. They were then painted and pinned and glued in place.

 

The last and most intricate work was making up the catheads. These were made from boxwood. notches were cut with a chisel to fit over the rail and the remainder of the shaping done with files. I did simulated sheaves, as I have done throughout this build. Next, I made and mounted the cleats and thumb cleats. Lastly, I added the necessary eyebolts. The catheads were then mounted in place.

 

I'm now moving on to the rough tree rail, which  will be the last of the forecastle work.

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Stunning! The boxwood really makes a difference.

 

- Tim

[augie]

Splash guard/catheads really fill her out.  NICE!

[Pheasant]

I have most of the same items on my workbench as you do, but the results aren't the same.  Ho come?

 

Cheers,

Terry

[rafine]

Thanks so much Tim, Augie, Terry and the "likes". Your continuing interest is appreciated.

 

Bob