RRS Discovery 1901 by gak1965 - 1:72 - First Scratch Build

[Kevin-the-lubber]

The Victory inside makes for a very interesting visit but be aware the ship is almost entirely enclosed in scaffolding and wrapping right now, with all the outer planking, masts and rigging removed. The stern and quarter galleries are still intact and viewable. I made a mental note that when I next return, to focus more on the Warrior, as I always seem to leave too little time for a really good walkthrough of this ship, which I have vague ideas of modelling one day. You didn’t mention the Cutty Sark in London so I guess you’ve either seen it or aren’t interested. Have you thought of a day trip to Dundee, to see the Discovery in person? It’s very do-able, Stansted (nearish to Cambridge) to Edinburgh return flight, 1 hr drive in a rental. Probably not much different cost-wise to visiting Portsmouth.

[gak1965]

11 hours ago, Kevin-the-lubber said:

The Victory inside makes for a very interesting visit but be aware the ship is almost entirely enclosed in scaffolding and wrapping right now, with all the outer planking, masts and rigging removed. The stern and quarter galleries are still intact and viewable. I made a mental note that when I next return, to focus more on the Warrior, as I always seem to leave too little time for a really good walkthrough of this ship, which I have vague ideas of modelling one day.

 

Hm. I assume that the wrapping isn't transparent? Might have been interesting to look at the structure, but perhaps not ideal. FWIW, the last few times I've been in Boston (which tended to correspond to move in/move out dates where my kids where in college), the Constitution was similarly or at least partially dismasted. 

 

11 hours ago, Kevin-the-lubber said:

You didn’t mention the Cutty Sark in London so I guess you’ve either seen it or aren’t interested.

 

Yep - I've visited the Cutty Sark (and the NMM and the Royal Observatory) in her current (post fire) state. I was really impressed with how well they have her displayed, and it was very cool to walk under the keel.

 

11 hours ago, Kevin-the-lubber said:

Have you thought of a day trip to Dundee, to see the Discovery in person? It’s very do-able, Stansted (nearish to Cambridge) to Edinburgh return flight, 1 hr drive in a rental. Probably not much different cost-wise to visiting Portsmouth.

 

I thought about it. The interviews are in Manchester, then Oxford, then London. I will have a bit of time the day before the Manchester interview and depending on a bunch of imponderables (where the hotel I'm being put up is relative to the airport and train station, I might be able to take the Transpenine express to Edinburgh and then Scotrail. My concern is that I absolutely have to be at the interview site in Manchester at 9:30 AM the next day and I don't like being dependent on trains like that.

 

I hadn't thought about a plane. London to Dundee seems to about the same distance is Washington DC to Boston, and I've certainly taken day business trips to Boston. I need to think about that. The main reasons I had kinda decided to do something else was because (a) I wanted to be within driving distance and (b) because the ship in Dundee isn't really the ship I'm modeling. Discovery was heavily modified in 1923. The only thing above the main deck that is the same is the engine enclosure. All of the rest of the deck furniture was changed, the masts moved and switched to a different rig (from 4 to 5 yards on the fore and main). It would be cool to see, but the time factors (4 hours sitting in airports + 3 hours airborne + 3 hours in hire cars) - I dunno. If the job offer comes through and I take it there will be lots of time to visit Dundee. Maybe Bristol|Bath|Brunel this trip - though I'm sure the thought will be in back of mind for the next couple of weeks...

 

Regards,

George

[Kevin-the-lubber]

I hadn’t realised Discovery now is so different. I guess that’s the story with most ships though, they are constantly modified.

 

There is a tiered walkway inside the victory scaffolding that allows an up close view of parts of the framing and what they are doing restoration-wise. Also, chances are it will be very quiet at this time of year - but also, pretty cold.

 

Good luck with the interviews. I’m so glad that stuff is now behind me!

[Rick310]

George, good luck with your interview!  Have a safe trip!

Rick