Mayflower by Ferrus Manus - FINISHED - Heller - 1/64 - A ship for my Uncle Jay

[Baker]

Very good  😉

 

Very smart 👍

 

[Ferrus Manus]

This is the fore knighthead and rigged halyard block glued onto the deck. The block and halyard tackle will go up through a hole in the forecastle deck. I can be even more sure the halyard will not foul on the mainstay because the mainstay bypasses the foremast on the starboard side and goes around the bowsprit. 

[Ferrus Manus]

This is the painted and glued in forecastle deck:

One thing that really bothered me up to this point was that no one in their depictions of the Mayflower showed just how old and beat the ship was. So, i decided to weather the entire exterior of the hull, as well as the interior bulkheads. 

I admit it looks much better.

[Ferrus Manus]

The main bitts, mainyard halyard knighthead and tackle, the capstan, and the whipstaff are all put in place. The whipstaff did not come with the kit, but there was clearly a hole and a place for it. There is a hole in the quarterdeck that allows the captain to communicate with the helmsman. 

I also put in several eyebolts and double blocks that will accept the parrel tackles and the top rope tackle. 

[Ferrus Manus]

These are the unassembled parts of the ship's boat, ready to be assembled. 

Let's build it!! 

[Louie da fly]

Very good idea with the brass pin. I've certainly come across the same problem with things breaking off, and I ended up pinning items like this in place.

 

Steven 

[Ferrus Manus]

The quarterdeck is painted and glued into place. 

[72Nova]

Looking good👍, I like it!

 

Michael D.

[Ferrus Manus]

The poop deck, bulkhead, mizzen lateen knighthead, belaying rails and kevels are in place. 

Next is the main brace sheaves and eyebolts. 

[Ferrus Manus]

I have even started gluing and fitting the lower masts. These will need to be painted before i can show them. 

[Knocklouder]

Very colorful model, very nice work my man.

[Ferrus Manus]

The lower masts, bowsprit, fighting tops, and aft boom are painted and temporarily fitted into place on the ship. 

I went to the hobby shop and got some less-than-stellar cleats, as well as some wire that will become hooks once we start rigging the lower mast fish tackles. 

Next on the list is to finalize whatever hull work has yet to be done, with the exception of the ladders as they come last, and then glue the masts in. 

[Ferrus Manus]

I admit, i expected to use a lot more gold on this ship. The only gilded part of the ship is the swirly decorations on the lower part of the beakhead. If you look closely, you can see it in this image. 

[Ferrus Manus]

I have now completed the foremast tackles and the bowsprit gammoning. 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Ferrus Manus

[Ferrus Manus]

And on the main: 

[Louie da fly]

Very colourful!

 

Steven

[Ferrus Manus]

I finished the lower masts' standing rigging. 

[72Nova]

I thought for sure you'd be rigging your own shrouds, dead eyes, lanyards and ratlines on this build, you have the skill set.

 

Michael D.

[kirill4]

100% agree with Michael!

Dear Ferrus Manus ,

In this stage of Your modeling skills, these ugly plastic shrouds where ratlines are the same thick as shrouds itself ,, just will spoil your entire model built...

it is time to make all your own rigging, as Michael said!

All the Best!

Kirill

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by kirill4

[Baker]

Indeed, why not try rigging this yourself.

So much better.

[Ferrus Manus]

Okay, how am i supposed to go about doing that? I am terrified to start.

[Ferrus Manus]

I have an idea that involves me stealing deadeyes from a different kit. I believe i have enough for this. Are round deadeyes okay? I figure it doesn't take much expertise, just a bunch of clove hitches. I will test this on the topmasts first. 

[GrandpaPhil]

Firstly, relax.  

 

You are an excellent model maker.  

You have surpassed many already.

 

This is well within your capabilities if you decide you want to make your own shrouds and ratlines.

 

I made my own shrouds and ratlines in all the completed logs in my signature box.

 

Please feel free to use them.  I use my online build logs as a digital notebook for myself so I can recall exactly what I did and how I did it while building a model.  Maybe they can help you out as well.

 

In my Prince de Neufchatel build log, I talked about making the deadeyes and discussed techniques so I would remember how to do it.

 

At the scale that you’re building at, I would buy a large number of smaller deadeyes.  

I cannibalized some of the deadeyes from my HMS Victory kit for the Hannah and bought a bunch for the Solferino.

 

You’re going to need at least 60 for the lower shrouds (15 shrouds on each side x 2 deadeyes per shroud x 2 sides).

 

Ratlines are time consuming but totally worth the effort if you are so inclined.

 

I learned most of what I know about rigging from Wolfram Zu Mondfeld’s Historic Ship Models.

[Ferrus Manus]

I have cannibalized more than enough deadeyes from my Victory. I will update you soon. 

[Ferrus Manus]

This is my start on the fore topmast shrouds. 

[Baker]

5 hours ago, Ferrus Manus said:

Are round deadeyes okay

Historically not.
But if no one tells your uncle Jay about this, he probably won't mind this little error 😇

 

Normally there are 3 schrouds at the top mast, (i see only 2) 

[Ferrus Manus]

There are three.

[Ferrus Manus]

The first pair of shrouds is tied and the lanyards are set. 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

[kirill4]

Good day  Ferrus Manus,

To simplify process and making all upper deadeyes stay in line I would strongly recommend to use carton pattern where upper deadeyes temporarly secured by softwires.... details of this process You could see in hundreds or even thousands  building reports of our brothers "in arms".....😊😊😊

Edited November 23, 2023 by kirill4

[kirill4]

Round deadeyes for 16th century 👀👀👀 weknowthatyouknow but this is hermetic info , not for your uncle 😊

Edited November 23, 2023 by kirill4