Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[Gahm]

This is one impressive model!

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas and the "likes".

 

Bob

[NenadM]

Just ... perfect!

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nenad and the "likes".

 

Bob

[Martin W]

Lovely work as always, Bob.  I have to admire those parrels, they're nice indeed, and in place they are splendid.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[rafine]

Thanks so much Martin and the "likes". Martin, the parrels are one of those items that are really much easier than they look. Using a trick I learned here on MSW, I glued 6 pieces of strip together, shaped and drilled them, and then separated the pieces with isopropyl.

 

Bob

[rafine]

The rigging is now done! I added the crossjack, topsail yard and the gaff and boom to the mizzen mast. The yards and their rigging are virtually identical to the fore and main and need no further description. The boom and gaff were made up with their jaws cut and shaped from strip and bead parrels added. The boom was rigged with topping lifts, sheets and guys. the gaff was rigged with peak and throat halliards and vangs.

 

The access clearances got really tight between the main and mizzen, particularly in doing the braces, which basically run between the two masts .This work resulted in a number of "accidents" and some very colorful language. 

 

I have a few comments on the rigging process. I used Chuck's blocks and rigging line throughout. I tried to keep as close to scale sizes as possible. As a result, the majority of the blocks were quite small and the majority of the line of small diameters. The blocks are really good looking and well made. I did find that drilling the sheave  holes with a very slightly larger drill size made them easier to work with. The rigging line is also very good looking and generally easy to work with. As I've mentioned before, my only problem with it is a tendency to stretch or sag once in place. This presented some issues when running rigging lines had to be attached to the standing rigging.

 

With completion of the rigging, the only remaining items of work are the anchors, the stern lantern and possibly a boat to be hung from the stern davits.The kit castings for the anchors and lantern are not usable. I will scratch build the anchors and I'm continuing to look for a suitable lantern. I probably won't do the boat.

 

Bob

[dafi]

A very enjoyable build :-)

 

Cheers, Daniel

[Mirabell61]

wonderful rigging Bob,

 

Nils

[cookster]

Wow Bob, outstanding!  She's a beautiful model - you should be proud!

[augie]

Congratulations on reaching the milestone of completing the rigging.  It is simply beautifully pristine.  I trust you'll be happy to get back to working at deck level.

 

REALLY first rate, Bob.

[HIPEXEC]

Nice job!

[Martin W]

Fantastic, Bob, really well done.  As for drilling the sheave holes in the blocks, that's what I had to do with Lloyd Warner's blocks as well, so it seems to be the nature of the beast.

 

Congratulations!  Are you going to use Chuck's lantern?

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[rafine]

Thanks so much to all for the nice comments and the "likes". Always appreciated.

 

Martin, sadly Chuck's lanterns are too big. Chuck graciously attempted to cut one for me in the proper size, but it turned out not to be possible.

 

Bob

[Mercdaddy27]

Came across your build log as I was gathering data for my next build.  Allow me to add my congratulations to an exceptional build!

I have a question.  Does any member know if ME has improved /made corrections to this kit.  They are offering it for $200 less and it certainly deserves consideration at that price.  Appreciate any feedback and again congratulations on a phenomenal build..

 

Mercdaddy27

 

Previous builds:  Corel's Victory , Mamoli's  Friesland, ,  Mantua's San Felipe.  Model Shipways USS Constitution

 Current Project: Model Shipway's USS Syren

[mtaylor]

Congratulations on the excellent rigging, Bob.  I like the way the blocks don't overpower the stuff in the air.  

[gjdale]

Congratulations on completing the rigging Bob - a very satisfying milestone to reach. She looks absolutely superb. Why not add a scratch built boat? I'm sure that with the skills you've demonstrated many times over already, you would produce something worthy of the rest of your build. Just sayin'................

[jwvolz]

Looking very good Bob. 

[MarisStella.hr]

Hello Bob,

I follow this build from the beginning, a very good job, but a really good job ... one thing is not clear to me ...

could you be kind enough to show me more detailed the way (mechanism) in which the main yard is hanged ?

 

... salute,

Zoran

[Jimz66]

Nice job Bob. Very well done. Looks awesome. 

[UpstateNY]

Simply fabulous work. How you manage to make all this look so clean and precise is just amazing.

 

Congratulations on finishing the rigging.

 

Cheers!

 

Nigel.

[CaptainSteve]

Congrats on a stunning build, Bob !!

[Gahm]

Excellent job on the rigging, Bob! Your Essex is an absolute beauty! Now that the finish line is so near what are your thoughts for the next project?

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Many thanks guys for the generous praise and the "likes". 

 

Augie, you're right about wanting to get back to deck level stuff. I enjoy rigging, but…..  

 

Grant, doing the boat is very tempting, and I haven't made up my mind yet, but after almost two years on Essex I'm inclined to call it "done" when the anchors and lantern are on and move on to my next project --Chuck's Cheerful.

 

Mercdaddy27, you should take a look at the thread on the Essex kit under "Wood ship model  kits and reviews". It's not clear yet just what has been done.

 

Zoran, on Essex, the fore and main lower yards are both hung the same way. There is a truss pendant holding the yard to the mast ( I used a simplified version on the model); there is a sling, which consists of two thimbles connected by a lanyard, which are hung  from the lower mast cap; and there are the jeers, consisting of large blocks on the yards and hanging from cleats on the mast heads. The sling and jeers are shown in a photo in post #1392 on p.70 of the log. The crossjack on the mizzen has the truss parrel and sling, but no jeers.

 

Bob

[Sjors]

Bob,

 

Before I exploded of admiring I will wait till the whole model is done.......

But that rigging looks so great.

It's my own guide when I reach that stage.....( somewhere in the future )

 

Sjors

[Mercdaddy27]

Bob

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Mercdaddy

 

Previous builds: Corel's Victory,  Mamoli's Friesland,  Mantua's San Felipe,  Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Build:  Model Shipway's Syren

[rafine]

Thanks so much Sjors and the "likes".

 

Bob

[rafine]

The anchors have been made and mounted. That leaves only the lantern  ( I've pretty much decided not to do another boat).

 

The anchors and their stocks were all made from boxwood strip, with the anchors painted black and the stocks finished with Wipe-on Poly. The bands on the stocks are black painted paper. The bouys were shaped  from walnut dowel. 

 

I found a Caldercraft lantern that hopefully will be suitable, and I am awaiting it's arrival from Cornwall Model Boats. 

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Bob,

 

Stellar work as always. Your Essex looks fantastic. I am looking forward to following your new Cheerful log. Admittedly, I will miss this build. It has been an enjoyable journey to watch your work.

 

- Tim

[gjdale]

Wonderful work, as always, Bob.