Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[Mirabell61]

Beautiful work Bob,

 

I like the anchors shaped from Wood and blackened afterwards, also the bouys look great, very nice Fitting out details

 

Nils

[rafine]

Thanks so much Tim, Grant, Nils and the "likes". 

 

Tim, I will miss this build ,as well. 

 

Nils, unlike you, I am no good at working with metal. That's why I make the anchors from wood.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Wonderful work on those anchors! 

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas and the "likes".

 

Bob

[jdbradford]

I finally made my decision. The choices were: 1) abandon the project (totally unacceptable); 2) try to get a whole new kit from ME and begin again ( not likely to happen); 3) get replacement parts from ME and tear out the bow and stern framing (possible, but not likely for a while and probably a pain to accomplish); 4) try to correct the bulkheads (worth at least a try, since I'd still be able to remove them later).

 

I started with the stern bulkheads. The last four were improperly sized and shaped. The simplest fix seemed to be to add wood to them and then sand to shape, which is what I have done. I added 1/16" x 3/16 " strips that were wet heat bent to shape and glued on in layers as seemed to be needed. The two sides were different because I had previously tried to fair one side. After these had set up, I faired both sides. I can only say that now the stern area is faired to a point where battens fit. I have no idea whether the lines I have faired to are "correct" or whether the port framing I have done by extrapolating from incorrect drawings will turn out right down the road. I'm hoping for the best.

 

The photos show the sequence of the work and the current state of the stern area. Now it's on to the bow.

 

Bob

I have come in way late on this build, but you have done excellent work.

I ended up doing much of the same with my bulkhead work on the MS Fair American.  It has been a real pain trying to hull plank this model, but after inserting many balsa blocks between the offending bulkheads, I believe I will be able to fair up the hull to continue my planking.

Thanks for all your support.

Jeff

[Jimz66]

Nice work Bob. She's at that finish line. Nice to see this one coming to an end. 

[rafine]

Thanks so much Jeff, Jimz and the "likes".

 

Jeff, I'm following your Fair American. The FA was one of my favorite builds, although , as you say, it had it's share of framing problems. Not even close, though, to the issues on Essex.

 

Bob

[Rustyj]

Hi Bob.

 

It's been real fun following along with you on this build and admiring your wonderful workmanship.

 

I'll miss this build almost as much as you probably will.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Rusty and the "likes".  What I'm really missing now Rusty is any of your great work. When will we be seeing something?

 

Bob

[Rustyj]

Hi Bob,

 

Well I'm finishing up an Occre Xebec "Cazador" for my grandson. Been building it on and off for three years now. No build log but I'll post pics when completed. Got some catching up to do on various things around the home that I'm behind on too. Hopefully that will put me on track to start the Cheerful when you do. I've ordered the parts and plans now I just need to get things squared away.

[mobbsie]

All the plaudits are well deserved Bob, she looks absolutely fantastic, even without a small boat.

 

Looking forward to your next project mate.

 

Be Good

 

mobbsie

[rafine]

Thanks so much Mobbsie. Always appreciated.

 

Bob

[rafine]

DONE!! Essex is now completed. The last item was the lantern kit from Caldercraft that just arrived from the UK. Etched brass with a white metal top and base and brass rod support. A fussy little piece to do, but correct in size and shape.

 

Essex has now sat for her completion portraits and it is time for some reflection on the past almost two years that I have worked on her:

 

1) This was a great challenge. Those who have followed along from the beginning will remember that I almost gave up in frustration at the problems that presented themselves. I'm very glad that I didn't. It turned into an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I had my doubts about how things would turn out and some of my fears were realized --  for example, the placement of the quarterdeck gun ports turned out wrong when I did the rigging. This was my fault for not having thought it through well enough when I was making the various structural changes that were required. I thank everyone for kindly not pointing out the errors  when they appeared.

 

2) I will not do another model at this small a scale again. The problems of aging eyes and arthritic hands made some of the very small work and particularly the rigging in very close quarters a pain. This probably also means that this may be the last large complex ship that I will model. My current plan is to stick to smaller vessels in larger scales. Chuck's Cheerful is next.

 

3) Some words of warning and encouragement to those wishing to build the "new" Essex kit. I have not seen it, but I've read the posts from some who have. If the drawings have not been changed, you will have problems. The drawings have scale issues, inconsistency issues and, according to Sam Cassano, were not his final drawings. Using the AOTS Essex as an additional reference is a help, but care will still be required to make it all work. Having said that, I think that anyone with moderate skills and some experience can turn out a creditable model. I would love to see some logs started, and I would be happy to provide any help that may be desired.

 

Thanks to all for the interest, the generous thoughts and comments and the help and encouragement throughout this project. It is always appreciated and is what makes this site so great. A special thank you to Sam for all his help and a wish for his good health.

 

Bob

[trippwj]

Congratulations, Bob - this is surely a model to be proud of!  A most beautiful result and a quite educational build as well.

[augie]

Let me also be among the first to congratulate you on a job well done.  As Dirk said, it's hard to believe it's been 2 years.  

 

Having been on board since the beginning, I'm aware of the frustrations both you and Sam went through to make these last incredible photos a reality.  I applaud both your perseverence and skills.  It's been an adventure and a pleasure at the same time.  I'm glad you were the first to tackle her.

 

I'm hoping we hear some good news from Sam in future.

 

Can't wait to see you tackle some projects at a larger scale.  I'm not far behind you.

 

Once again, well done, mate!

[Rustyj]

Hi Bob.

 

Tremendous job. You've made a fantastic model from what was truly a, let's say, difficult start. Your perseverance really paid off two fold. You ended up with what was an enjoyable experience and we had the pleasure and a tremendous amount of enjoyment following along.

 

Well done mate and on to the new build!

[Martin W]

Bravo Bob, Bravo!  Yes, this was a challenge, and all of us who avidly followed your build admired your skill and care in resolving all the issues.  Not only have you completed a great build, but your log will provide guidance for anyone thinking about taking on the Essex -- if anything, you have improved the kit!

 

Encore Bravo! and good cheer with the Cheerful! 

 

Martin

[Mirabell61]

congratulations to this beautiful frigate model Bob,

 

ship and rigging look fantastic

 

Nils

[Guest Tim I.]

Bob,

 

Your Essex is exquisite!

 

Thank you for charting the course (albeit a difficult one) for those Essex builders that will follow.

 

I look following your Cheerful build.

 

- Tim

[Pheasant]

Bob, a museum piece!  Couldn't have gotten as far as I have without your log.  Old hands can't rig anymore at this scale, so admiralty model.

 

Awaiting your work on Cheerful!

 

Cheers,

 

Terry

[KenW]

Congratulations!!!   You have created a truly wonderful looking model.  I still use your logs as reference for my efforts.

Best of luck on the Cheerful. 

Cheers.

[HIPEXEC]

Great job!!!

[mobbsie]

Plaudits are well deserved Bob, I will add mine now, She's an absolute picture mate, very well done, perseverance has paid off in droves. :im Not Worthy: 

 

Good luck on the Cheerful.

 

Be Good

 

mobbsie

[Jimz66]

WTG BOB WELL DONE>>> WELL DONE>>> BRAVO ZULO WELL DONE>.... 

[GaryKap]

Bob -

Simply BEAUTIFUL  - A fantastic job!!!  Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder as you built her.  I know I learned a lot from you on this one.  

Well done.  <<Gary>>

[usedtosail]

Very, very nice Bob.

[jwvolz]

She looks terrific Bob. Congrats on getting through such a tough build, it was worth the effort. 

[Ponto]

Well done,... a stellar effort on both the build and log ---

 

JP

[Barbossa]

Hi Bob

 

(instead of hitting the "like button" ) sincere congrats, truly outstanding work !

[mtaylor]

Congratulations on a beautiful Essex, Bob.   Splice the mainbrace!!!    And well-deserved splicing it will be.