HM Colonial Cutter Mermaid by olliechristo - FINISHED - Modellers ShipYard -

[ringbolt2013]

This is a good example though I would think that the window panes should be halved......more square with support in the center. I'm sure that strength is sacrificed with the larger glass.

Tom

 

The skylight itself is a very good design and goes with the time frame you are interested in. Don't forget the metal bars!!

Edited March 22, 2014 by ringbolt2013

[olliechristo]

Thanks so much John and tom. I like the simple design.John.. Would the metal bars apply to.this design? Regards Oliver

[dgbot]

Metal bars or some other form of protectionwould be used.  Glass owuld be expensive and hard to replace .

David B

[Jim Lad]

Ollie,

 

Although not shown on these models, I'm sure the originals would have had iron bars across the glass as protection.

 

John

[ringbolt2013]

Bars were used quite often even into the now.....a swinging block would smash a glass pane quick as lightning and patching it in the middle of a storm could be catastrophic.  Some kind of protection is a definite must. The bars on the Star of India are about 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in Dia. and about 1 1/2 inches (38mm) apart.

You can hardly see them from inside.

 

Tom

[olliechristo]

Thanks so much gang. Yes tom learning lots.!

 

So I forgot about hours tally..

Adding 50 hrs approx.

 

I have my skylight done. The panes work out to about 5-6 inches scaled up.

 

I decided to use some 2mm glass I had. Looks ok and I know it won't yellow or become brittle as plastics may over time..

 

The metal bars equate to 0.1 mm at this scale so a detail that has to be left off I think. Regards Oliver

[olliechristo]

Also got my pump done,.was all shiny brass so I acid washed and blackened and buffed with steel wool and clear coated..

[olliechristo]

Also fitted anchor ropes to windlass and most deck.work is done now. Regards Oliver

[Jim Lad]

Coming along very nicely, Ollie!

 

John

[aliluke]

Brilliant work Ollie - first class in every respect. Yours is turning into the definitive model of Mermaid.

 

Cheers

Alistair

[egkb]

Looks the absolute business Ollie.. well jealous over here

Wots next, the Up & Down Stick Thing? or the Pointy Out the Front Stick Thing? 

Can't wait to find out Mate 'cos I know it will be superb !!

 

All The Very Best

 

Eamonn

[olliechristo]

Thanks so.much.gang Eamm,. I'm doing that pointy out front thing. I.think it's for jousting... Delving into more unknown territory... Rigging!

I tapered the bowsprit and fitted into.the.groove at bow. Trying to.keep the angle low. Instructions say.about 5 degree rises.. Ollie

[Jase]

Just been reading through as new to the forum,  really nice biuld and i particurly like the finish you have achived with the deck.

 

Jase

[ringbolt2013]

Yes, Yes, Yes that is correct in all particulars!!!!  VERY nice. You do that real well, I'm proud of you!

 

Tom

[BANYAN]

Nah Ollie that a big shish-kabab - your shout for the marsh mellows

 

Seriously though mate, your 'little' cutter is progressing very nicely - looks great with all the deck furniture and fitting in place.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Bindy]

Just perfect Ollie!

 

Your skylight and deck furniture just look incredible!

[olliechristo]

Thanks everyone.. I decided to tackle these cleats... Made up five after work.. About an hours work.. I had some 3x2 walnut and it suited for a uniform stock.. I basically just Cyano glued them to the stock walnut as a template and used a sharp knife and filed and dremelled.. Pretty happy with the result... Added two to the stern davits. Small steps... Ollie

Edited March 26, 2014 by olliechristo

[ringbolt2013]

Much better than the Kit Ollie!!!

[Jim Lad]

Nicely done, Ollie!

 

John

[dgbot]

Your cleats are an improvemnet of those supplied in the kit.

David B

[divarty]

Just found your posting, absolutely beautiful work, thanks for sharing.

[olliechristo]

Thanks so much gang I have been planning masts and have shaped the bowsprit.. I have tidied some blocks, jeez they are a bit rough. But I can't throw everything out can I.. only thing I can't tidy is some of the holes are way out, but they look okay when all done I think . Added hooks to a couple for anchor and such..

 

I decided tonight after two ales I shouldn't do any work tonight, I feel thats my limit, else it all gets messy

 

Eamm, my mess was evolving nicely, did a tidy up today and settling into the work zone.. It's ok.

 

Mast questions coming soon... Thanks for looking all.. Regards ollie

[egkb]

I'm your man for Mast questions Ollie.. No Worries !! I could spot them anywhere.. they're the sticky up things right?

 

E

[ringbolt2013]

I can help with the masting and rigging too .......Just give me a build date and I'm good to go!  Sticking up pointy things are my cup of coffee or is that tea???

[olliechristo]

So my first question regarding main masts and top mast and how they join..

 

Now the mast caps fitting... One hole is square and one round. Wondering if.top of main mast should be made square to fit or just checked into the mast at caps... Regards Oliver

[Jim Lad]

Ollie,

 

Cutter masting varied enormously from ship to ship.  Looking at the available contemporary paintings, the caps you have for the kit look reasonable, but remember that you need room for the spreader on top of the forward end of the lower cap.

 

I would guess that the topmast had a square heel and the lower mast had a square tenon worked into the top to take the cap, so the lower one would be square for the topmast and round for the lower mast with the upper cap being the other way around - square for the lower mast and round for the topmast.

 

John

[ringbolt2013]

The main mast at the doubling would be round during this time  surprised me, but I trust my source. There should be a notch to accept the spreader just in front of the topmast on the lower mast cap. You are going to need eyebolts mounted on the deck to accept halliards and toping lifts, 5 around the mast and 1 on both sides of the forward quarter of the main hatch.

I hope that helps some!

 

Tom

[olliechristo]

Thanks guys, helps heaps and makes much more sense now....

 

So I figured I should start on some minor rigging and have done up the catheads and anchor ropes... Wouldn't surprise me if there is some inaccuracies but I'm pretty happy with the result. I hope my anchors are sitting right..

 

I need to figure out what to tie off to considering I.have omitted the bitt heads.. Should I.just.add a cleat at bow where bitt would have gone?? last picture shows the kit diagram.

Regards Oliver

Edited March 30, 2014 by olliechristo

[olliechristo]

...

[ringbolt2013]

Sorry guys but have you ever tried to pull from underneath anything????  That rope should be coming off the top not going back thru to come up from below. You will find it looks much better and the lead is correct! After all you would be pulling from on deck!

The tie off should be on the back of the cat head..........possibly an iron bar thru it and not a cleat.  The Knight heads look OK too! Another possibility is a Kevel on the ribs??

Edited March 30, 2014 by ringbolt2013