Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[aliluke]

Superb work Bob. I'm already looking forward to the end of cannon rigging and I've only done three. Doing them in batches is the way to go. The capstan looks great but everything else does too.

[rafine]

Thanks Grant and Alistair. Greatly appreciated.

 

Bob

[Sjors]

I can only agree what the others are saying !

 

Great job on the capstan and cannons !!!!!!

 

[rafine]

Thanks very much Sjors.

 

Bob

[hamilton]

She's looking amazing, Bob! Very impressive work - I just read your comment on Alistair's Pegasus log and now I can see where you were coming from!

hamilton

[HIPEXEC]

Beautiful work!

[rafine]

Thanks so much Hamilton and Rich.

 

Bob

[rowand]

Hi Bob,

 

I'm always amazed at the quality of the builds I see on MSW and the amount of effort builders put into the finest details on their models. I can only echo the comments of others and say that's stunning work, Mate. Keep it up.

 

Cheers,

 

Rowan D.

[rafine]

Thanks for the very kind words Rowan.

 

Bob

[rafine]

I've now made and installed the first part of the waist deck framing. As with the quarterdeck and forecastle deck framing, the beams, carlings, ledges and hanging knees are boxwood and the lodging knees are cherry. In addition, this portion of the decking required support stanchions. These were made from square boxwood strip with the round portions done with files and sandpaper. As always, the wood was finished with Wipe-on Poly. I am now working on the remaining waist deck framing.

 

Bob

[Beef Wellington]

Hi Bob, great work!  Question on the beams, are they flat or do they have a camber?  Hard to tell from the photos.

[rafine]

Thanks Jason. The beams are flat. As I've explained earlier, there were two reasons: first, the framing bulkheads create a flat gun deck and a noticeable camber of the upper deck beams looked somewhat odd; second, when looking at the small scale section drawings in AOTS Essex, it is difficult to even see the camber without using a straight edge. While I'm sure that there should be some camber on both decks, I chose to match the flat gun deck.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Beautiful work, Bob! And the amount of details you build into your Essex is just amazing! What diameter did you use for the anchor cable? 

 

Thomas

[gjdale]

More delightful work Bob. Your work always looks so crisp and clean. You are setting a very high bar with this one!

[Guest Tim I.]

Bob,

 

You Sir, are a master craftsman. I am in awe every time you post an update. In some ways I am sorry to see the gun deck detail covered, but at the same time excited to see more of the ship develop. Incredible work!

 

- Tim

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas. The anchor cable is Syren .054" line.

 

Thanks so much Grant. I'm just trying to reach the bar that you've already set.

 

Thanks so much Tim. Your praise is appreciated, but overly generous.

 

Thanks also to the "likes" for your continuing interest.

 

Bob

[Blue Ensign]

Many of my golfing mates visit Florida for that purpose, I think I would rather visit Bob to look with amazement on his Essex.  

 

B.E.

[rafine]

B.E., it would be my pleasure to have you come to Florida to play some golf and then spend some time with the modeling. I live on a golf course and it's my real day job nowadays. Much as I appreciate your kind thought about seeing my Essex, we should start with the golf.

 

Bob

[gjdale]

Careful there Bob, you'll be needing a house extension for all the visitors you're about to receive!!! Have golf clubs, will travel!

[rafine]

Just give me a couple of days notice Grant and I'm delighted to have you. The weather and the golf are great.

 

Bob

[scott larkins]

Nice work you've got there.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Scott.

 

Just returned from a trip up north to see the kids and grandkids and to attend my 50th law school reunion. Had a great time, but happy to get back to Essex.

 

I've completed the waist deck framing. The construction followed the materials and procedures used for the other deck framing ( all of which has been previously described ). With this step, all of the upper deck framing is now done. I've included a full profile photo of the model to this point. The next work will be the limited deck planking to be done in the waist.

 

Bob

 

 

[MEDDO]

Wow, very impressive as always.

[gjdale]

Lovely pictures of some outstanding work Bob. She really does look magnificent.

[NMBROOK]

Fabulous work Bob       she looks fantastic.The boxwood against the deck really shows how white the holly planking is.I have never worked with Holly,mainly due to the fact I have yet to find a supplier in the UK.

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[MarisStella.hr]

amazingly good work

[wq3296]

Greetings Bob,

 

I am curious about the shape and size of the lodging knees, and the fact that you have deck framing members tied into them. I haven't seen this before, but that doesn't mean the build is wrong: just that I may be in the dark on this subject. How did you decide to build the knees that way? Thanks.

 

wq3296 

[rafine]

Thanks guys for the generous comments and the "likes". They are all appreciated.

 

Wq3296 -- The lodging knees, carlings and ledges generally follow the deck framing plan set out in AOTS Essex. I took some liberties with the plan, but the shape and size of the knees and the landing of the ledges are very much in keeping with that plan. BTW, to my knowledge, that plan is not unusual in that respect.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Great workmanship.  I think Model Shipways/Model Expo should redo their kit to reflect your fantastic job.  What your are creating is a beautiful rendering of a Napoleonic era frigate.  And they should pay you for your trouble (or enjoyment).

[Gahm]

Absolutely beautiful!

 

Thomas