Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[gjdale]

Congratulations Bob. It's all been said by others already, so I'll just echo all of their comments. A truly outstanding build - well done Sir!

[CaptainSteve]

A fine lookin' boat she be, Bob.

Congratulations !!

[Geoff Matson]

Great job! You should be proud of her

[Mercdaddy27]

Thank you Bob for taking us on an awesome journey.

Your log is inspiring and your talent is something to be proud of.

Congratulations !!!!

 

Mercdaddy

 

Past Builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli"s Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project:  Model Shipways USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

[UpstateNY]

Hi Bob,

 

Just fabulous and congratulations.

 

I was a late arrival in following your build, but can now look forward to following along with your Cutter Cheerful build from the start.

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel.

[NMBROOK]

Congratulations on the completion of a truly outstanding model Bob!!!!!!!!!!        

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[Gahm]

Congratulations, Bob! Your Essex is an outstanding model!! You set the bar very high for every Essex modeler who might follow in your footsteps. Personally I was always looking forward to your build log and the progress which was documented there nearly on a day to day basis. Thank you for sharing this! And good luck with Cheerful. I have my chair ready  

 

Thomas 

[rafine]

Thanks so much again to all who have contributed their generous comments and "likes". Nothing can mean more than receiving such recognition from modelers whose work I respect and admire so greatly. 

 

Bob

[Remcohe]

Congratulations Bob she turend out fantastic. Your display room must be getting very cramped with all those models. 

I really enjoyed following your build and look forward to the next one ;-)

 

Remco

[Timmo]

Top work Bob. Congratulations on a quality build.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Remco, Janos, Timmo and the "likes".

 

Remco, we work on a "one in, one out" rule that holds down the overcrowding (I still have 9 in the house  ). As soon as Essex goes in her case (now being made), an existing model will be shipped to one of my daughters.

 

BTW, I will probably be starting my Cheerful log later today.

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Thanks so much Remco, Janos, Timmo and the "likes".

 

Remco, we work on a "one in, one out" rule that holds down the overcrowding (I still have 9 in the house  ). As soon as Essex goes in her case (now being made), an existing model will be shipped to one of my daughters.

 

BTW, I will probably be starting my Cheerful log later today.

 

Bob

 

Yay! I am really excited to see your Cheerful log.

 

My wife and I work on a similar arrangement. Now to finish my active projects.

 

- Tim

[rafine]

Tim, it's good to have an understanding wife. Mine has put up with my "eccentricities" for 53 years.   

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Tim, it's good to have an understanding wife. Mine has put up with my "eccentricities" for 53 years.   

 

Bob

 

Agreed! My wife's primary condition is that I build the C.W. Morgan for her soon. She wants to put the finished ship in the dining room next to a tapestry we have from Nantucket. 

 

- Tim

[Sjors]

Congratulations Bob !!!!!!!

 

She is a real beauty and you can be proud of her !!!!!!

Thanks for taking me by the hand on this great journey.........

I enjoy every minute of it !!

 

Sjors

[rafine]

Thanks so much Sjors.

 

Bob

[Erik W]

Bob,

 

I just scrolled through this build log.  Amazing work!  Your other builds are inspiring as well.  And I know what you mean about aging eyes.  At 45, I just found out I need reading glasses for the first time.

 

Erik

[rafine]

Thanks so much Erik.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Thanks so much John. Glad to have you back with us.

 

Bob

[hamilton]

As usual, Bob, I'm late to the party. But I just wanted to repeat what everyone else has already said - amazing work - I remember following early on and watching you struggle with this kit - I'm glad you finished it too! It looks gorgeous and is a great credit to your skills. I've been absent here a while due to other work, but I'll be keeping up on your Cheerful as she comes along. Bye for now and congratulations again!

hamilton

[rafine]

Thanks so much Hamilton. It's good to hear from you again. Looking forward hopefully to seeing your modeling work resume.

 

Bob

[Kevin]

Bob thank-you for a very enjoyable lunch break

just been through you log from the start - you made a lovely job of your build - well done

[rafine]

Thanks so much Kevin. Greatly appreciated.

 

Bob

[greatgalleons]

Amazing build , I noticed that all,the M.S. Kits use the same building techniques . The Niagara, confederacy, syren and Essex are built the same way. The Essex is my next build since I've completed the others. I'll refer to your excellent log for useful tips. Thanks for sharing. A.j.

 

 

 

I noticed in my kit that some of the laser cut gratings are really off badly. Did you have similar parts so off the mark.

Edited August 13, 2015 by greatgalleons

[rafine]

Thanks so much greatgalleons. I had the original kit, which had all kinds of problems. Basically, I discarded the kit parts. However, the gratings were an exception and I used them out of the box.

 

Bob

[uss frolick]

Bob, now that you have created the finest Essex since William Hackett launched the real one back in 1799, may I dare ask what your future holds, model-ship-wise?

 

Something a teeny bit bigger, maybe, like the USS Pennsylvania ... ?  

[rafine]

Frolick, your wildly over-generous comment is greatly appreciated. The future is now. I've gone in the other direction, and am now building Chuck's Cheerful cutter (the log is referenced in my signature).

 

Bob

[Thistle17]

Bob I just discovered your build log of Essex. Just beautiful! I have opened up my 2015 version of this kit from Model Expo today to get ready for a display/demo at one of our local museums. I too plan a bit of bashing of this kit as I just don't like basswood for many modeling applications. Sam is a member of our local group and has been enlightening me on the research aspects as well as modeling. You give me inspiration and drive to continue the journey.

Joe

[rafine]

Thanks so much Joe. Although my build started out as a study in frustration, it turned out to be very satisfying, and one of my favorite completed builds. I wish you the best and hope that you do a log.  Please feel free to ask me any questions that may come up, and say hello to Sam from me.

 

Bob

 

 

 

[Thistle17]

Bob I walk a fine line here. Sam is a good friend and very helpful. He has taken some shots over his bow in regard to this kit and anything I say is basically a comment related to manufacturing and control of process. He spoke to our group in early 2016 on kit development and proofing. That is why I think Chuck Passaro is so smart to have trusted people perform beta builds. Chuck's big advantage as well is that he is designer and manufacturer. Sam as you so aptly communicated did not have this control. My early 2015 version of this kit has started slow as the former and bulkheads do not match up well. All bulkheads had to be adjusted so as to fit nicely to the former by adding veneer to the bulkhead slots. In comparison the bulkhead slots are .21 while the former is 0.168 thick. I have spent about 5 hours adjusting those slots for a slip fit. Undaunted I move ahead.

 

BTW this 2015 version does not provide the access below gun deck for further detailing either. Not sure I will move in that direction as of this time.

 

Thank you for your kind offer of help. It is always easier when someone has plowed ahead of you. I will consider your suggestion and not muddy up your log with my woes but if allowed seek your guidance as I move ahead.

Joe