Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[rafine]

I've now completed the quarter deck framing at the aft end and finished it with Wipe-on Poly. This was done as a unit off the model as I had done with the forecastle deck. As with the forecastle, the beams, carlings and ledges are boxwood strip and the knees were cut from cherry sheet. Of course the beams had been fitted on the model and the spacing measured before the off model construction proceeded.. The photos show the deck framing in place, but it is not permanently installed yet. That won't happen until I attach lines for the main lower yard sheets to the bulwark cleats that will be impossible to reach once the decking is in place. I can't do that until I figure out the sizing for the rigging. That's a tedious job that I've started, but is a long way from done.

 

In the meanwhile, in my haphazard fashion, I'm going to move on to some work on the exterior hull for a bit.

 

Bob

[BareHook]

Bob,

She is looking awsome! Just a thought, have you considered doing some internal lighting with flickering leds? It might really set off all that internal detail you are doing.

 

Ken

[rafine]

Thanks so much Dirk, Ken and the"likes". 

 

Dirk, with just a little modification, you could have the first Syren with a quarterdeck  .

 

Ken, I actually did think about it -- but only briefly, because I'm an electrical buffoon.

 

Bob

[NMBROOK]

Absolutely outstanding work on the quarterdeck Bob    It looks fabulous,I like it a lot,almost a shame to fit any planks at all  

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[rafine]

Thanks Nigel for your continuing interest and kind comments. My current intention is to do enough planking on the center line to mount the capstan, the wheel, the binnacle and any rigging attachments at the masts and enough other planking to mount guns on one side. We'll see how it turns out.

 

Bob

[gjdale]

Very nice work on the Quarterdeck framing Bob. She just keeps looking better every day.

[rafine]

Thanks Grant. I appreciate it.

 

Bob

[mtaylor]

Bob,

 

I can't add to what everyone else said... It just flat looks fantastic.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Mark.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Time for some work on the exterior hull. The first items that I made and installed were the fenders and chesstrees. These were made from boxwood strip and sanded to shape and to fit the hull contour. Next, I added some black painted molding on a line above the gunports. I prefer to install the molding in pieces between the fenders and chesstrees, rather than notching those pieces to fit over the molding. Then, I made and installed the entry steps. These were done with pear strip cut to size and filed to shape. All of this work was done on both sides of the hull.

 

I was enjoying this, so I decided to do some gunport lids as well. I made up and installed five lids on the starboard side. The exterior of the lids was made up of pieces of boxwood to match the hull planking. The recessed interior was done with thinner wood and painted red to match the gunport linings. The hinges are from the kit photoetch sheet. Lastly, I added eyebolts. The lids were pinned and glued to the hull for strength.

 

I'm tempted to continue on with the channels and more lids, but may also return to more guns and quarter deck framing. I'll decide today.

 

Bob

 

 

[augie]

Double eyebolts on the gun ports ...... interesting. 

[HIPEXEC]

I'm going to copy your pins when I put the lids on my USS Constitution's lower gunports.

[Sjors]

Amazing work Bob !

 

That looks just awesome !!!!!

 

[rafine]

Augie, that's the way they are shown on both Sam's kit plans and  the AOTS drawings.

 

Thanks Dirk.

 

Rich, I try to use pins wherever there is stress or (as here) there is danger of damage. 

 

Bob

[rafine]

Thanks so much Sjors.

 

Bob

[Rustyj]

Hi Bob. Great work as always! 

[NMBROOK]

Stunning work Bob     I am glad I am not the only one who 'jumps about' on the building sequence for a little variety

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[GaryKap]

Hey Bob -

Your work is amazing.  I learn valuable techniques every time I visit your build log.  I only wish I could do a tenth as good... Thanks for sharing.

 

<<Gary>>

[Trussben]

Hi Bob,

 

Your doing a great job over there, I really like your QD framing, looks very clean and equal spacing.

 

Ben

[rafine]

Thanks  Rusty, Nigel, Gary and Ben. Thanks also to the "likes". I really appreciate the interest and the generous comments.

 

Nigel, I only jump around on one build at a time. You are amazing in going around on multiple builds at once.

 

Bob
 

[rafine]

While working on the next batch of guns, I decided to make the lower main capstan, the first of three capstans that will be done. As with the other deck items, I chose to make the capstan from boxwood strip and sheet. It was a very enjoyable piece to make, with the exception of the 16 tiny chocks that had to be individually fitted between the whelps. Very fiddly work, but satisfying to get it done.

 

The guns are well along and should be mounted and rigged in the next few days.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Your capstan looks great! Very nicely done! You are setting the bar pretty high for every following Essex builder! 

 

Thomas

[patrickmil]

Very nice looking capstan Bob. I'm envious of how clean you get the edges of your wood pieces to look.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas and Patrick and also the "likes".

 

Thomas, I only hope that the kit problems get resolved and that there are other Essex builders.

 

Patrick, the clean edges are the product of using boxwood. It really makes a difference.

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Bob,

 

Are you replacing all the kit wood with the boxwood?

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

[rafine]

Tim, with some limited exceptions ( the laser cut gratings, window frames, transom, rudder and stem), all visible wood has been, and will be, replaced with boxwood, holly and some pear. The lower hull (covered in copper) was planked with kit basswood. The framing was done with kit plywood parts and basswood.

 

Bob

[HIPEXEC]

Did you pin the steps as well as glue them to the hull?

[Guest Tim I.]

OK. I placed my order for this kit yesterday. Is there a vendor you would recommend for the boxwood?

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

[rafine]

Rich, the steps were not pinned.

 

Tim, I don't know whether ME has made the necessary corrections to the kit yet, or what they are sending out now. I would inquire if I were you. I ,like a number of others on this site, get my wood from Hobbymill. There is a link to the website on this  site.

 

Bob

[Blue Ensign]

Your capstan looks great! Very nicely done! You are setting the bar pretty high for every following Essex builder! 

 

Thomas

 

I think Bob is setting the bar pretty high for all of us builders, Essex or not.

 

Fine work Bob.

 

B.E.