Gjoa 1872 by Jond - 1:48 scale - Amundson's Cutter

[Jond]

Here is an example of the value of this forum.  Both Eric and Wefalck and anyone else who would jump in.....thanks for your input.

I have played around a bit and settled on a size. I cut a new sheet of cardboard 10x24 and added scrap 10 by 4+ inches just to see.  That means when I cut off a 6x24 sheet of acrylic, I can do as big as 10x6 which is more than I need.  If I do the joint at the stern, it runs through the boat. That is easier to hide, etc.   to discuss later.

The point is I will have left over 6 x 14 inches as well as the cut out to experiment with paint or even film underneath.  I do not want to limit light, as an important point to me is to see below. I am also placing this scene in the cove at Gjoa Haven with relatively smooth water.

 

My idea of the sloop being at anchor is, that it will be in shallow water ,so I will have sand below and the anchor set in the sand.  I might even have fish on wires. 🤪. not.... realy... The acyclic I bought unfortunately came smooth, a surprise, so unlike my Bowdoin, shown below,I need to do something. Unfortunately this acrylic is too smooth ,so I will using various things to add some water movement too. Therefore I need also to learn about for wave highlights etc.  All out of my wheelhouse. 

 

 

 

I found  when planning the HMS Terror ice work , Utube is our friend, and I look there for more advice on technique and then be able to experiment. I do have a second sheet of acrylic if I mess up too badly. 

 

The acrylic I used with HMS Terror was another color. I want to save that second sheet for my next build of Fram. Here you see it went ok with ice. I did nothing to it and it looks to me as if it iready to freeze.  even the reflection just off the bow makes me wonder if it is already skim ice.  I will have some ice and I agree with both of you, I  need to work on the water.  I also want to work with the acrylic I have, so there is some new fun in my future. 

[wefalck]

It is also worthwile to remember that ice has a density of 0.9 g/m3, which means that 90% of ice-floes or an iceberg are submerged ...

[Jond]

13b I think I have the plan 

Since my last reply I have been fooling around a bit but believe I have set my scene.

• 1 Here I have rough cut out in new soft cardboard to a 12 by 24-inch sheet. I then set the hull in. I added a piece roughly 5 inches to one end so I could center the hull. 
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• 2 -3 next I cut the acrylic sheet to be 10 x 24 leaving 6 inches. I cut a 10-inch piece off that so I can extend the water up to 30 inches. The first image shows the hull cut out template in place. The second image includes paper doll where ice may go over the supports. the white band at the left is optional extra acrylic that may be cut to reduce the length of the display.
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• 4-5 these views show after cutting the acrylic and fitting the hull.  I placed the 6-inch piece near the stern as the patten of the acrylic is 90 degrees and it will be easier to hide with the joint passing through the hull leaving all water forward of the bow all nice and constant. In the second view, the lighting is not good but one may see quickly the joy of seeing the hull where it belongs, in the water and not “on the hard” as we call hauled boats here in Maine. I learned this approach over ten years ago at my first visit to the Museum in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, home of the schooner Bluenose.  I like being able to see the hull below the water.  
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• 6-7  Here the hull is placed and a few cut out paper dolls show where ice and the two prams will go. One can also see a small boat that I have from other work and will use here. It was a Kit I bought I believe from Germany few years back, so I am happy I can use it.  
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[John Ruy]

13 minutes ago, Jond said:

I learned this approach over ten years ago at my first visit to the Museum in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, home of the schooner Bluenose.  I like being able to see the hull below the water.

I have been in that museum myself, in 2023. Fascinating displays. Took a ride on the Bluenose II. Also, your diorama of the Bowdoin in ice displayed in Boothbay caught my eye and gave me lots of inspiration for my Bowdoin build a few years ago. Before I knew you. Excellent work, your display is looking great. 👍