Chebec by Jake Groby - Heller 1:50

[Jake Groby]

This set of build pictures took place over 15 years. I originally started the build back in 2006 and it kept getting shoved aside for other customer models.  I'd get some free time and take her off the shelf, do a little work, stick her back on the shelf. I broke out the pictures by album: Hull, Deck, Cannons, etc.   The model was completed this past spring, and she took a first place in the regional IPMS contest. The model was donated at a Silent Auction for Safe Harbor Battered Womens Clinic this past fall.  As some of you may know, I lived in South Louisiana in Chalmette and was hit by Katrina, Although, I have over 800 pics of the damage from our old city, I'll post just a few of my home and old Model shop. Although I was above sea-level you can still see the water reach 7'5" on the wall, the workshop went completely underwater. I dug through the mud and salvaged as many model kits as possible, the Heller Chebec being one.  I lost many fully rigged ships and many other models as well. 22ft of muddy water washed into our Parish (County to the rest of you). These are the pictures of the house after gutting and model workshop which I had custom built 16x10. After the storm we moved North by 30 miles to Lacombe, LA. into a new home, where I rebuilt a 10x20 model shop.

Edited December 5, 2023 by Jake Groby

[Jake Groby]

These pics are in the new house, and I decided the only way to properly warm it up was with a ship model. I'm washing off the dried Katrina Mud. The new workshop was a blessing.

Edited December 6, 2023 by Jake Groby

[Jake Groby]

These pics show various hull prep and painting stages.

[Jake Groby]

These pics are the decking detail. The painting technic I used is from an old Kalmbach booklet entitled "How to Build Plastic Ship Model", long out of print and unfortunately never to be reprinted due to a suit. Decks get a coat of Testors Flat Black, lets dry 48 hours and then topcoat with your desired tan/sand/ etc. I used Armor Sand, because it finishes light enough to still detail with a mechanical pencil and a dark water wash.

[Jake Groby]

These pics show various hull and decking detail after assembly

[Jake Groby]

Cannon builds, the guns were large enough to drill out the touch holes. and I was able to fully rig them.

[Jake Groby]

The ships boat was a project in itself and the plastic pintals were broken off, I drilled new ones from brass wire and went for the look. The boat itself is 6" long.

Edited December 6, 2023 by Jake Groby

[Jake Groby]

I have more rigging pictures; I just need to figure where I copied them to and will post additional.

[Jake Groby]

COMPLETE, the last photo is how it was transported to the Model show as well as the Auction.

[GrandpaPhil]

Nicely done!

[Jake Groby]

Thank You Phil.

[druxey]

A great recovery and well deserved recognition, Jake!