Gjoa by Papa - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 5/32” = 1’ - old solid hull kit

[Papa]

Gjoa was used by Roald Amundsen to traverse the North West Passage from 1903 to 1906.  She was built in 1872 and used as a herring fisher until Amundsen purchased her in 1901.  This kit is  an old Model Shipways “yellow box” kit that I purchased on eBay several years ago.  These kits have minimal instructions and just a few parts: a machine shaped solid hull, some blocks for deck houses that are never the right size, dowels for masts and yards, and a bag of metal fittings.  I worked on the kit off and on over the last several years but failed  to take any photos.  Once I finished the paper model of the liner United States I decided to attack the Gjoa seriously. Attached are a few photos showing the construction of the cap rails and the pin rails.  For the cap rails I traced the out line of the bulwarks onto a piece of sheet wood, widened the line to the cap rail width, leaving plenty of extra wood.  The rough rails were then glued in place and shaped to fit.  The pin rails were done similarly with lots of test fitting with final shaping after they were glued in place.  In the photo the port side pin rail has just been glued .

[Papa]

I had to redo the stern. Stupidity caused me to omit the opening for the tiller. I also finished the pin rails.

[Papa]

Gjoa was built in 1872;  This log was mistakenly place in the 1801 to 1850 section rather than 1851 to 1900.  How do I fix that?

[ccoyle]

3 hours ago, Papa said:

How do I fix that?

 

I fixed it for ya. Looks like you're off to a good start.

[Papa]

I have installed the anchor windlass, the rudder, and constructed a skylight.   The latter was tricky because of its small size 

[Papa]

Finally returning to Gjoa after a bout of Covid. My first even!  Constructing the WCs

[Papa]

The deck furnishings are coming along. I didn’t have a wood thin enough to bend for the roofs of the WCs and the companion way, so I made them out of card stock. Now that it is posted I see a gap between the wall and roof on the starboard WC.  Have to fix that.  

Edited January 2, 2024 by Papa

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  Nice brass belying pins ... gotta love 'em.

[Papa]

I purchased the kit on eBay quite a few years ago. I am not sure if these pins were original or not.  They may be too nice for the period of the kit.  

Edited March 22, 2024 by Papa

[Papa]

The hatch was not too difficult other than cutting accurate miters on 1/16 x 1/16 strip wood.   That cabin was a problem.  The kit provided a solid block of wood that matched the overall dimensions but I struggled with the window frames.  Eventually I decided to make them from cards stock and I was lucky enough to have some brass rings in my parts box that were a good fit for the portholes. 

[Papa]

The remaining deck houses are in place.  Next step will be masts and rigging . 

[Papa]

The main mast is in and some of the bowsprit rigging is in place

[Papa]

Have the main shrouds in now. 

[Papa]

Boom and gaff are in.  Now I am tying ratlines, my least favorite part of rigging.

[Papa]

We had an oopsie while rigging the main braces and knocked off the dolphin striker and associated rigging.  One step forward two steps backward. A new striker is in place and waiting for the riggers.  

Edited March 21, 2024 by Papa

[petervisser]

Hi Papa,

 

Just discovered your build log of the Gjoa. What a great model you have on the go. The reason I am writing is the fact that I visited Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuk) back in 2003 when I sailed aboard the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Your model brought back some memories of the time I visited there and I thought you might be interested in seeing a few photos I took while I was ashore. I have also added a photo of a promotional poster the territorial government issued to entice some tourism.

Amundsen must have been a pretty guttsy guy to take on the Northwest Passage in such a vessel as the Gjoa. All the best going forward with your model.

Cheers,

Peter

 

[Papa]

Wonderful pictures. Thank you very much

[Papa]

The rigging is about done. Next up are davits and the boats.  I learned the hard way on the Morgan that installing davits before rigging is an invitation to break the davits.  

[Papa]

My drill bits must be dull. It took about 30 minutes to drill a hole in the pulley at the top of each davit!   I am also adding detail to the prams which were simple castings. 

[Papa]

I managed to get the port side pram hung from the davits.  

[Papa]

Finished.  Just need to add 2 name boards and decide how to mount her.

Edited April 2, 2024 by Papa

[JacquesCousteau]

Nice job, it looks great!

[Coyote_6]

Very nice!  I can just hear the seagulls and foghorns as she sails by.  Beautiful.

 

[ccoyle]

Handsomely done!

[Thukydides]

great job

[Papa]

Thank you all for the nice comments. 

[Glen McGuire]

Wonderful work, Papa!  Well done.

 

What is that fixture she is mounted on right now?

[Papa]

28 minutes ago, Glen McGuire said:

mounted

 

28 minutes ago, Glen McGuire said:

What is that fixture she is mounted on right now?

That’s a keel clamp to hold a ship model under construction.  I will probably just get some brass pedestals but I do like launching way mounts.