Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[Guest Tim I.]

The netting looks good. Was it black to begin with or did you have to add color to the veil material?

 

Thank you,

 

- Tim

[Pheasant]

Your ESSEX is a piece of art!  

 

I'm well behind, just finishing the inner planking with some leftover holly. Finishes nicely.  Now starting the pocket strips.  Need to get those right.  I think I'll leave the interior natural as you did.

 

I probably should have heeded your words about not continuing the model when the problems with it became more obvious.  But I bulled ahead and with the help of your blog, I THINK I'm passed the worst.  Now to find some decent black paint!

 

Best,

Terry

[Sjors]

Hi Bob,

 

My question about the netting was premature 

Very nice !!!!!!

It gives body at the model !

 

Sjors

[HIPEXEC]

I'm jealous of your pre-made hammock cranes....I had to make mine. I shopped all over to find ready made ones. Nice job!

[HIPEXEC]

P.S...I ironed my netting also.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Rusty, Tim, Terry, Sjors and Rich and the "likes".

 

Using the iron was Sam Cassano's idea, not mine. It works nicely.

 

The netting is black Tim and needed no coloring.

 

Rich, on previous models, I had made the cranes. This was definitely easier.

 

Terry, the black paint I'm using now is an acrylic from Testors. It seems to be the same as the Pollyscale  black that Testors discontinued.

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

thanks about the paint...was experimenting, non too satisfactorily.

 

well, one minor problem popped out as I was doing the beam pocket strips....after being so careful to get the port and starboard strips level, abeam, etc., I'm slightly wider amidships, and some of the supplied beams are therefore, slightly too short!  also, plans call fro 33 beams, but we're supplied with 32.  Well, I guess I can fix a few!  Don't know how she grew..

 

Terry

[rafine]

Thanks so much John. You are far too kind.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

Bob,

 

the hammock netting Looks great, the whole ship seems to have reached a Status where you are preparing for the Standing rigging if I gues right...

 

Nils

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nils. You've guessed right. I've started on the standing rigging and should be posting some progress in a few days.

 

Bob

[NMBROOK]

Truly fantastic work Bob Apologies for not checking in much of late,unfortunately not getting much spare time for my builds or spending on here  

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nigel. Glad to have you back visiting, and I've been missing progress on your great builds.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Those detail shots on your Essex are mind-bugling! And great work on those hammock nets. They are very well done!

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas. The netting is one of those tasks that you do because you have to, not because you like to.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Rigging has begun. I've always enjoyed rigging and it was nice to be doing some again (It's been over two years since I had last done any). 

 

First, a few general matters. The standing rigging will all be Chuck's black line. I favor black for the deadeye lanyards and ratlines, as well. The arrangement and run of the lines is being taken from the rigging diagrams in AOTS Essex. The sizing of all of the lines is being taken from the proportional sizing data in Lees. Various details are also based on Lees. As I've done in the past, work on the standing rigging will begin on the lower mizzen and move forward.

 

Now, to the work done so far. I've completed the burton pendants, shrouds, sheer poles and stay on the lower mizzen mast. I used very small wooden eyes from MS for the pendant thimbles. The mouse on the stay is simplified by using a shaped wooden bead. I have not served any of the lines because of the small scale, and don't intend to. Crowsfeet and ratlines will be done after the main and fore pendants, shrouds and stays are done.

 

I apologize for the quality (or lack thereof) of the photos. I've never been good at photos of rigging and nothing seems to have changed. I'm now working on the lower main.

 

Bob

[patrickmil]

Bob, your Essex is looking great. The rigging is very sharp so far. I'm looking forward to seeing more!

[CaptMorgan]

Rigging has begun. I've always enjoyed rigging and it was nice to be doing some again (It's been over two years since I had last done any). 

.......

I apologize for the quality (or lack thereof) of the photos. I've never been good at photos of rigging and nothing seems to have changed. I'm now working on the lower main.

 

The rigging -- as well as the photos -- look pretty fantastic to me.  It is great pleasure learning from you and all the other talented modelers on this forum.

Great work !!!!   

[Sjors]

Keep on going like this Bob,

 

I need and example when I reach that stage ( after a year or 2    )

 

Sjors

[rafine]

Thanks so much Patrick, Roadrunner and Sjors and the "likes". Your interest is always appreciated.

 

Bob

[Martin W]

Nice taut lines, Bob.  Rigging, like planking, can really try a Captain's patience -- and somehow it's more enjoyable to watch someone else's work than one's own.

 

By the way, your photography of the rigging so far exceeds anything I could ever do -- the big question is always how to get the focus on those thin lines.

 

cheers,

 

Martin

[rafine]

Thanks so much Martin. You're way too kind about my photography.

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

simply beautiful work....it's great to have your pics to follow, although I'm well behind, they're a huge help!

 

Terry

 

BTW, these almost 9th decade hands and fingers get a workout like yours!

Edited December 16, 2014 by Pheasant

[rafine]

Thanks so much Terry. While aging isn't always fun, it sure beats the alternative.    BTW, I see that Expo is now apparently selling some Essex kit (its in their new catalogue). You might check to see if there are any updates or improvements that you can get.

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

thought I already sent this...anyway, saw the ESSEX ads , but not by Sam.  Anyway, I'm up to deck furniture, stove, etc, and partial decking.  Lots of lumber from Hobbymill.  Next to decide on gun carriages.  

 

North tomorrow for Xmas. Milwaukee and cold.  No ESSEX for awhile.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Terry

[hamilton]

Looking very nice Bob!

hamilton

[ScottRC]

Bob,

 

I think many of us who are interested in building this kit will use your build log as a practicum.

Scott

[rafine]

Thanks so much Hamilton and Scott and the "likes".

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

I am...couldn't be where I am without it!

 

Terry

[rafine]

The burton pendants, shrouds stay and preventer stay are now done on the lower main mast. The rope sizes were, of course, larger than for the mizzen, but the procedures followed were the same. This phase of the work will be completed next with the same lines on the lower foremast. This may be delayed a bit since my kids and grandkids are all arriving for an extended holiday visit.

 

Let me take this opportunity to wish all who visit this log a very happy holiday season and a healthy New Year.

 

Bob

[augie]

As always, prim and proper.

 

Enjoy the Holiday time with the family, Bob.