BradNSW Posted January 16 #1 Posted January 16 (edited) Back in the mid-1980s, I wrote the Maritime Museum, and they eventually provided a set of plans for the HMS Roebuck (lead ship of the class from which Serapis was built). Being a young LT in the US Navy, recently married and two kids emerging on the scene, the Scratch Build proceeded extremely SLOW! It started on Ford Island, in Hawaii, followed us to Machrihanish Scotland, San Diego CA, Manama Bahrain, Monterey CA, and finally Denver CO (where I retired and finished the project)!!! I don't have much documentation of the first 25 years of the build but I'll provide a short photo montage of the last decade, with comments when needed. This is how she looked after 25 years...the main gun deck beams, grating and decking. I used alder for everything and several shades of WATCO wood oil to "paint" the model and accent different aspects. Eventually, when I got to the carvings, I used Pearwood. In 2021, I had built the stern up according to the Roebuck plans, with two levels of windows (from my understanding, they only shed light on one deck but were supposed to simulate/deceive others into thinking it was a larger ship). See photo below. Around this time, I discovered there is debate on whether the Serapis actually was built with the two layers of false windows. I also discovered there were plans for the Serapis 1782 from the NMM. Instead of 3 months snail mail, I ordered these plans online and received them in 2 weeks!! Since the argument has never (to my knowledge) been definitively answered, I opted to redo the stern with one row of windows. I also found the carvings on the 1782 very helpful in deciding how to carve the stern decorations and figurehead. Here is the redo of the stern. Finally, the Roebuck plans and 1782 stern plans side by side. Edited January 16 by ccoyle corrected log title Mike Y, JacquesCousteau, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #2 Posted January 16 Around this time, COVID hit. I we went on the road full time in our RV and this became my mobile shipyard. Below is how the stern, with carvings eventually turned out, while I learned to carve in campgrounds across the USA! This is where I discovered pearwood. I started on the stern, hoping to gain some skill before tackling the figurehead!! Ryland Craze, schooner, CiscoH and 8 others 9 2 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #3 Posted January 16 My next big task was the anchor rails and main head rails. Below are pictures of the anchor wale construction. The mainrail supports were the most difficult parts of the model to create. Below is a jig I mad to get the proper curve, using laminated alder planks. Below shows the result of 4-layers of lamination. After applying WATCO wood oil (dark walnut), the lamination lines are almost imperceptable. Finally, an overhead view of the Main Rails and the lateral support beams. mtaylor, JacquesCousteau, vossiewulf and 5 others 8 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #4 Posted January 16 Next were the bow gratings and seats of ease. GrandpaPhil, CiscoH, Canute and 6 others 9 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #5 Posted January 16 I got some additional carving practice, before trying the figurehead, while decorating the cathead. Mike Y, Canute, Ryland Craze and 7 others 10 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #6 Posted January 16 Cannon port covers, backstay chainplates and quarterdeck accommodation ladder. mtaylor, Canute, Mike Y and 4 others 7 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #7 Posted January 16 Quater gallery construction and carvings. GrandpaPhil, CiscoH, davyboy and 6 others 9 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #8 Posted January 16 Finally ready to tackle the figurehead. Serapis is an Egyptian Bey who guarded the gates of Hades with his three headed dog Cerebrus. He is always depicted with an upside-down bowl/grain holder on his head. Tracing the figurehead from the Serapis 1782 drawings. The finished results. Canute, schooner, Javelin and 12 others 14 1 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #9 Posted January 16 I've got 100s of other pictures documenting the build, but I'll close with pictures of how she sits now. Following 3 years on the road in our RV, we finally bought a home in Loveland Colorado. A corner of the basement is my "Navy Bar", where the finished model finally landed. dvm27, Maxthebuilder, Matt D and 23 others 19 1 6 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
ccoyle Posted January 16 #10 Posted January 16 Beautiful! mtaylor, Ryland Craze and BradNSW 2 1 Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Mitsubishi A6M5a
Justin P. Posted January 16 #11 Posted January 16 Nice work! Beautiful. BradNSW, Ryland Craze and mtaylor 2 1 Current: Galley WASHINGTON 1776 - Scale 1:48 Completed: HMS TRITON - Cross Section - Scale 1:48 / Gallery Secret Vessel MOREL - Master Korabel - Scale 1:36 / Gallery 18th Century Armed Longboat - Model Shipways - Scale 1:24 / Gallery HMS BOUNTY Launch - Model Shipways - Scale 1:16 / Gallery Indefinite Hold: US Brig SYREN - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64
CiscoH Posted January 16 #12 Posted January 16 so this was your first build? i dont know which is more amazing; the quality of the ship and especially the carvings, or the fact you stuck with it for 25+ years. The natural edged wooden shelf and carved cradles work very well with the finished model too. Amazing job! mtaylor, Ryland Craze and BradNSW 3
Jim Lad Posted January 16 #13 Posted January 16 A very credible first build! John Ryland Craze and mtaylor 2
BradNSW Posted January 16 Author #14 Posted January 16 3 hours ago, CiscoH said: so this was your first build? i dont know which is more amazing; the quality of the ship and especially the carvings, or the fact you stuck with it for 25+ years. The natural edged wooden shelf and carved cradles work very well with the finished model too. Amazing job! I had two Artesia Latina kits under my belt. The Scottish Maid and King of the Mississippi. My first scratch build and first carvings. For the cradles, I traced the frames where I wanted them to sit, then just started whittling until they began to take shape (a dinosaur or sea creature or???). Yeah, I'm a stick-with-it guy (or as my wife says...stubborn as a mule):)! CiscoH and mtaylor 2 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
mtaylor Posted January 18 #16 Posted January 18 Wow..... beautiful work. BradNSW 1 Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
bdgiantman2 Posted January 19 #17 Posted January 19 Hey Brad!! Thank you for your service, and welcome to this forum! I too am in greater Denver area (close to Green Valley Ranch) after growing up in San Diego. Great job on this ship model, she turned out terrific. There is a model ship club in Denver that I am a part of (as schedules allow me) here in Denver and invite you to attend. Like you, I am super slowly working on first scratch-build project and its been a fun learning experience.
BradNSW Posted January 20 Author #18 Posted January 20 8 hours ago, bdgiantman2 said: Hey Brad!! Thank you for your service, and welcome to this forum! I too am in greater Denver area (close to Green Valley Ranch) after growing up in San Diego. Great job on this ship model, she turned out terrific. There is a model ship club in Denver that I am a part of (as schedules allow me) here in Denver and invite you to attend. Like you, I am super slowly working on first scratch-build project and its been a fun learning experience. Thanks for the invite to the Denver Club. I've attended two meetings. I brought my latest project: a Bonhomme Richard cross-section, the 2nd time. I'm up in Loveland, so it's a bit of a drive. I'm also on the road in our RV for 6-7 months/year. I'll continue to attend, when time and travel permit...and look forward to meeting you. I was also a member of the San Diego guild off and on, when I wasn't deployed or living overseas. I looked over your build log and am impressed with how it's coming along!! bdgiantman2 1 Loveland, CO, USA HMS Serapis 1:48 Scratch Build Bonhomme Richard Cross Section Build Log
GrandpaPhil Posted January 24 #19 Posted January 24 Excellently done! BradNSW 1 Building: 1:200 Russian Battleship Oryol (Orel card kit) 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships)
druxey Posted January 24 #20 Posted January 24 Well done, Brad. That atypical figure was a real challenge to carve, I'm sure. For a first scratch build, that is impressive. Hopefully your next model will take a few years less. BradNSW 1 Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv
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