Coastal Pirate by Kenneth Powell - 1:64 - Bashed from Marine Model Company Victorine

[Kenneth Powell]

I got this model back in the 1980s. The owner wanted to use the hull to build a local Biloxi schooner, but lost interest. I've kept it ever since. You can tell by the photos that the plans have been folded up for quite a while.

 

I intend to build a coastal pirate/smuggler vessel that could have operated in the shallows and bayous of the Louisiana marshes. She's 65 ft on deck, has a wide hull, shallow draft, and a centerboard; exactly what a flamboyant Frenchman needed for his operation. The timeline is between 1800 and 1820, so I'll have to adjust some items to make it more era specific.

 

The biggest change is that she'll be a topsail sloop. Let's really change things up.

I used some of the parts salvaged form the kit.

I lined the bulwarks with thin planks of basswood to smoothen sanding defects.

The deck planking is juniper with resorcinol glue - not advisable - then finished with spar varnish.

That is the centerboard crank. I don't know if it's era appropriate.

Other metal parts from the kit.

I will use the boat and the bird.

Mast, boom, gaff, and spars cut and ready to shape. But I will work on hull details first.

Comments Welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Reviewing the photos and the model I discovered the keel at the stern is not symmetrical at all and too thick. I must have overlooked it all those many years ago when I first started.

I've been sanding and sanding to correct it and I think I've got it now.

Also, the shrimp-boat copper paint on the bottom just won't do. (I got a 35mm film canister full to bring home) Does anyone have any suggestions for this time period.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

My parts arrived.

This is just right for what I'm doing. The Syren site has a spot for 3/16 scale cannons and I wanted four, 6 lb guns. So I chose a set of barrels and a matching set of carriages and I'm in business.

These cleats are just what I wanted also. I have a little work to do and tomorrow is Mother's day so it may be a little while before I get to put everything together.

 

Happy Mother's Day to you and yours - Kenneth

 

And as always - Comments Welcome

[Kenneth Powell]

I've been working on the rails using the same juniper.

And the bow sprit. Made from basswood. I made it a little longer to accommodate a jib. Modifications to come. 

Thanks all and comments welcome - Kenneth.

 

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello Everyone -

I put my cannons together and placed them on the deck for a photo opp.

They are the perfect size, just big enough to peek over the rail. There was very little char present on the laser cut sheets so they were easy to clean up.

The yellow cedar was easy to work with and looks great so I think I'll leave them natural. The cap squares were cut from black construction paper.

 

Comments Welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

I added the rudder.

These are actually model furniture hinges, but they look cool.

Railings are next.

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

I added the railings. Made from the same juniper as the deck.

The deck above isn't perfectly curved so some of the stanchions look a little snaggle-toothed up close.

This is the first time I've done some of these things without parts cut for a kit, so I'm learning and enjoying.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello -

I made the stern davits from the same juniper and using a piece of a part from the kit as a template.

As you can see, the metal parts that survived the years have been bounced around and not in good shape. That's okay because I was going to scrap build them anyway.

Attached after finish sanding:

I'll alter the bowsprit next. Then I'll put a coat of Testors Dullcote Lacquer on all the unfinished wood.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

As promised:

Only subtle differences after the finish. You can certainly see how the juniper picks of the finish differently than the basswood.

 

Happy 4th and comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello Everyone -

I've been working on the deck fittings and such:

I moved some things around on deck to accommodate the guns. One hatch cover was removed and the other placed more in the center.

At 65 ft and shallow draft, this boat would bring men and supplies out to the larger attack ships and return with men and plunder through the bayous and marshes to the hideouts.

Kind of a 17th century crew-change boat.

My little pin rail:

A paper template to place the eyebolts for the guns consistently.

The guns will be installed next.

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

OOPS

I got my centuries wrong.

She would be a 19th century crew and supply boat.

😳

[Kenneth Powell]

I had to skip the guns and go to the centerboard. The guns would have fallen off when she went upside down. 🧐

So then I adjusted the stand. I went under the porch to get a special piece of oak for the job and met up with a group of wasps.

After a good sting on the shoulder, I made new uprights.

All snug together with plenty of room:

I did do some work on the guns.

Rigged gun ready to mount:

Gun mounted:

Once I learn the coiled rope technique I will tidy everything up.

 

By the way, this guy met me for my morning walk in my front yard: 

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[JacquesCousteau]

Very interesting build, it's cool that you've been able to pick up the hull again after all this time to substantially modify it! A couple quick questions:

 

First, on the davits. I feel like they'd have a lot of pressure and weight on them in real life. If they're connected to the rail and not directly to the hull, would it make sense to at least add extra supports directly underneath them so all that weight isn't going straight to the rail? I tried to look at the plans but couldn't really make out what they show.

 

Second, I may be totally wrong, but I feel like a vessel modified for carrying cannons, with the possibility of a fight, would probably build up the wales a bit higher to provide at least some protection for the crew. (With gunports, of course). It could actually be interesting to model a sort of jury-rigged extension of the wales while still keeping the rail you have. Or maybe some other material--I know they used bales of packed cotton during the civil war, although I don't know about earlier, and if I remember right hammocks were often packed along the rails for a similar purpose? Just a thought, but it might add visual interest to the rail area.

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks, JacquesCousteau for stopping by with comments and asking the thought-provoking questions.

You certainly are right about the needed support under the davits. Please see the photo below. That's a part of soft metal railings with the davit that came with the model, and it does have a support right underneath. I will correct this on my model. Good catch.

 

As far as higher bulwarks for crew protection, I was thinking they would avoid a fight as best they can and just exchange crew and goods with the larger fighters. The guns are defensive. But you bring up a good point. Let me give it some thought.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

The extra supports were added under the davits and I like it:

I looked into rope coiling and started an attempt:

I poked a small nail through the center of a tealight holder and placed a piece of tape to hold the line in place. This small line didn't exactly act accordingly but it did stick in place. I wasn't looking for a perfect coil, something that would keep the deck clear for possible action.

A touch of clear Elmer's glue was added to hold it together. After a few minutes I lifted the coil off the tape and installed it.

I've had some self-induced stress over rigging and mounting the cannons and it's cost me some time. The stress comes from the Rattlesnake and its small size. These are larger with more space to work.

One down, three to go.

With all due respect to recent events, these cannons don't thunder, there's nothin' to plunder except in our imagination along with a frozen concoction.

 

Please give comments - Kenneth

 

[Kenneth Powell]

My wife took one look at those rope coils and said 'Nope'.

She suggested I cut enough line to make the coil and run a small length through the hole in the tealight holder from the top and push the nail from the bottom to hold it in place. Then slowly spin it around the nail while keeping it tight. While spinning add very tiny amounts (I used the tip of a straight pin) of Mod Podge to hold the coil together. Let it dry a few minutes and pop if off and trim.

It's used to seal crossword puzzles and stuff.

This is something I can work on while we sit together and she does her cross stitch. Things like this is why we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary last week.

BTW, stress isn't always bad. It can get us prepared for what we need or want to do. Keeps us on our toes.

 

Comments Welcome - Kenneth

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Davit supports look great, as do the rope coils!

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello Everyone -

I changed the coils again.

These guys wouldn't take the time for tight coils, and it's better than my first attempt. I put clear tape on a very small dowel and wrapped them and touched a tiny amount of clear Elmers glue to hold everything together. They slid off just fine. The best part is that I did this while sitting next to the Admiral while she cross stitched.

 

The ship's boat was also added. Once again, next to the Admiral.

I drilled a tiny hole in the bow and stern and inserted a deadeye. The hook on the block is a trimmed deadeye.

Next up is to paint and detail the figure head and trail boards.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Looks great! Is the ship's boat a scratch-build?

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks, JacquesCousteau -

The ship's boat is actually a metal cast boat that came with the original kit. I added some walnut strips for seats.

It's amazing it survived all this time.

 

- Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello Everyone -

I painted my little bird Craft paint sealed with Testors dull cote.

I also built the mast

 

It's just set in place for the photos for now. The line attached is the cargo gear. It's easier to add now with the mast out of the boat.

The chainplates and deadeyes are next.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Actually, I've hit a small snag with the chainplates and deadeyes, so I built the cargo hook and boom:

My first attempt and I have a very small hand

I will build the chainplates and deadeyes next - planned.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Chainplates and deadeyes and the mast is set

 

- Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

This weekend was wet, nasty and rainy. So, I stayed inside and installed standing rigging:

I also secured the cargo hook.

I'm going to do some touch-up today if I can.

Comments welcome = Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello -

I installed the boom with the topping lift.

 

The gaff and staysail boom built and installed

Loosely installed waiting for sails

 

The spars are next, but I don't know how much I'll be able to do this close to Christmas with all the holiday honey-dos the admiral has for me.

We'll see. If I don't post; Happy Holidays and Peace to all and in your own way.

 

- Kenneth

 

[Kenneth Powell]

Hello Everyone -

I did a few chances to slip away and do some work on the model. Straightforward rigging:

 

And I also finished and added the anchor.

Sails are next. This will involve the admiral and her sewing machine.

Let me go practice my sweet talk.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

 

 

 

[Kenneth Powell]

Sail patterns held in place by tape:

 

You can see where I trimmed and added material to make everything fit. 

The material was given to me by a friend. It was left over from his own sail making.

 

Comments welcome - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Update -

We bought sail cloth today.