USS Essex 1799 Frigate by rlwhitt - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:76

[rlwhitt]

Deadeyes and Head Works

 

I have done all the deadeyes and chain plates, plus all the gun port doors that sit under the channels.  I put these on now since they are a bit protected by the channels, but will wait until near the end to put on the batch that are out in the open.  Otherwise I'll just knock them off!   This is a sample section:

 

 

Have also fixed the rudder.  I chose to go with copper tape strips for the pintles and gudgeons rather than brass (easier to work with) and some bits of toothpick for the hinges.  

 

 

Next up I went back to the Head Works and bowsprit to get most of that area completed.   Left to do are the more fragile bits like the boomkins and horse rails - will do those and some of the other more wispy stuff last.

 

 

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by rlwhitt

[schooner]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. I do have a "Sand-it" and it has been good for detail work.

[rlwhitt]

Completion

 

Fini!  Well, except for a stern lantern.  The britannia metal one in the kit was about as sad as the quarter gallery parts, so had to be replaced.  Found one the right style and size from Caldercraft and it's winging it's way from the UK so it'll get fitted (along with some cat head lions) when it gets here. 

 

I have not made this a detailed log so I've missed a lot of specific comments on this kit, so I'll try to summarize here.  All in all an enjoyable kit to build for me.  I'd say there were a number of design issues and plan mismatches (none too big) and some part quality (metal) issues that made it necessary to bash and scratch a little bit.  There were a few places where you'd expect a recently designed kit to have some parts laser cut at least a starter but expected you to make from stock.  Not a big deal, but if you expect a lot of hand holding and perfect detail in instructions you could get a bit frustrated.  Not a beginner project!   One nice thing is that where some parts might be a challenge to finish there were ample spares laser cut, and plenty of extra strip stock left over.  I strayed a bit in places like not doing the hammock netting (I hate those things).  Maybe not as accurate, at least not according to plan, but it pleases me.  I also didn't do the ship's boat, but the kit includes one.  It has it hanging from the stern davits, but I didn't like the look of it there, obscuring the stern works.

 

I'm going to take a short breather and build a plastic model of my Miata that I scored at a club raffle, then plow back in with the Shipways Mayflower.  That will be a different sort of challenge as I will rig it, but then I'll escape back into hull model world with the USF Confederacy.

 

Thanks all for the looks, likes, and comments!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ccoyle]

Extraordinary result, Rick! Your skills are top-shelf!

[rlwhitt]

12 hours ago, ccoyle said:

Extraordinary result, Rick! Your skills are top-shelf!

Thank you Chris!

[schooner]

VERY nice job Rick! After seeing your results I'll probably make this my next build.

[AJohnson]

Brilliant build Rick. 

[rlwhitt]

Thanks Tim and Andrew!  Even though I had a few nits to pick, I would recommend it.

[Ronald-V]

That's is truly a fantastic result! Congratulations!

[Blue Ensign]

Great looking build Rick, a very nice job, well done! 👍

 

B.E.

 

 

[Geoff Matson]

Way to go, what a great job!

[rlwhitt]

Much Thanks, mugje, B.E. and Geoff!