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

[olliechristo]

...

[Jim Lad]

Ollie,

 

The painting certainly shows just a single topmast shroud, but two were more common, so I think the kit manufacturer has just gone with the norm instead of doing a little basic research.

 

The shrouds don't look too bad for height, but would either have been attached to a mast band or simply spliced over a step in the mast.  Do you think it would be possible to fake a band out of paper around the eyes?  If not - no big deal.

 

John

[olliechristo]

Yes I could do that I think John. So like the bands already on mast but not as wide i presume.. I can already envisage that is going to look much better..   Regards Ollie

[aliluke]

I see John's point about a band around the mast but heck...your rigging work is superb in every way and such details, while they might add to things, are just gilding the lily.

[Jim Lad]

Yes, Ollie - just a narrow band.

 

John

[ringbolt2013]

Yes Ollie....just a narrow band!!

 

Tom

 

Sorry ... Just had to stick my oar in!

Edited May 31, 2014 by ringbolt2013

[olliechristo]

Okay, band added, I think it looks good, gives a sense of strength.  As narrow as i could without being impossible... Onwards with other little corrections. redoing anchor tackles.. want steel bands around blocks and rigged a bit higher and smaller eyebolts on catheads.. it was my first rigging so it was bound to look shabby as i progressed... Hope your all having a splendid weekend. Ollie..

Edited May 31, 2014 by olliechristo

[ringbolt2013]

Doing great Ollie ... Really!!

 

Tom

[egkb]

Have a great Week-End also Ollie (Tis a Bank Holliday W/End here.. Woo Hoo)

 

Stay Well

 

Eamonn

[Pygothian]

Amazing work Ollie.  I've been away for a few months, and remember you starting this build.  The level of detail and your ingenuity was extremely impressive.  I see you have continued on your meticulous build. 

 

I am still finding the time to start my first build, despite still ordering more kits!  

 

2 toddlers, a puppy great dane, moving house, working full time, and a wife who just had surgery doesn't leave me much time.

[Jim Lad]

That band is a great improvement, Ollie!

 

John

[olliechristo]

Thanks Tom, Eamm and Brian... Pygothian! Thought we had lost you. i'm glad you havnt lost the passion... Cheers mate....

 

John, im glad you suggested that ..  Just have to figure out those grommets now.. think i will try splic a tiny eye bolt into top mast shroud..

 

 

Ok so i have been working away at bowsprit traveller which is now done.. added iron spectacle.

 

 I have fitted first yard.... do you guys think she is slung at an appropriate height?   

 

Next onto bowsprit guys and yard lifts, braces and halliards...

 

Few pics to show you whats happening, really not far to go now!!!

 

Ollie

[olliechristo]

Hers what the bowsrpit traveller ring that was supplied started out like, a fraction loose i think..

[egkb]

Just a bit... yours is perfect

 

E

[egkb]

I've just reread my own comment Ollie..  'Yours is Perfect' .. would appear that English me is not good the moment at ! ..         

 

E

 

Dang!!  Now I've just read it again and it sounds perfect.. Monday Morning's eh ? can't win !

Edited June 2, 2014 by egkb

[aliluke]

Sharp as a tack Oliie. This has/is really turning into a wonderful model. Your first and second photos really capture that (not that your other pics don't). Great stuff.

[ringbolt2013]

Yours is very much as is supposed to be ... Just the right amount of space between the wood and ring! Once again spot on!

 

Tom

[Jim Lad]

That lower yard looks fine, Ollie - as does your traveller!

 

To make the grommets, you could try simply splicing a small loop of thread into the shroud, rather than making an actual grommet.

 

John

[olliechristo]

Great thanks as always gang..

 

With some observation of historical pics, i came up with questions regarding the top yard..

 

John and myself decided via msg, the top yard was rigged "flying"  Which means no foot-ropes and no lashing to mast. 

 

So I changed it up and have it rigged.. It was also decided that the Yard braces would pull fore and pull yard away from mast which is ok, but looks funny on a model, so I glued it and  went a step further and put a brass pin through to hold it with some security..  The halliard is on but not reeved up yet....

 

 

 

 

 

[olliechristo]

ther has also  been small touches going on at the moment, like the ropes to open and close canon port lids..   A very small cleat was added inside bulwark.. 

[olliechristo]

Looking at the plans for main yard backstays and i see a clash... It appears the stays interfere with culverins.. Surely this is not right..?  Warm regards and thanks again all.. Ollie

[olliechristo]

this pic might show better what im concerned with, not great lighting...

 

Also. Notice the board i have the ship on.. I cant believe i dint rig this up sooner.. I can spin her around and pick her up so much easier now..  Over and out,, Ollie

[ringbolt2013]

I think you are right Ollie ...I need to do some research on this too!

[Auvergne]

Ollie,

 

Your work is so clean!! Time is of the essence, eh, I need to slow her down and quit putting in long days on the Xebec..Nicely crafted Ollie.

[Jim Lad]

Ollie,

 

Sorry I missed your earlier post regarding the braces.  Yes, they would certainly lead as far aft as possible.  I doubt that a cutter like this would mount swivels on the rail - very unusual.  Do any of the contemporary paintings show them?

 

John

[olliechristo]

Thanks guys..

 

John, I hadn't deviated from the kit much back at the rail stage.. I suppose they are not shown anywhere. I wonder how much detail is left off because it's a painting.. Sketch doesn't show these kinds of details either.. Which does make me wonder how the kit designer came up with it.. So the holes are drilled and don't really want to patch them.. pic shows acceptable angle I think without intruding on culverins.. Hmm decisions.. More posts on their way...

Edited June 5, 2014 by olliechristo

[olliechristo]

Ok some pictures..  I have finished backstays now the missing part arrived a few days ago and had it prepared....

 

And of course.......   I did a clean up and the part turned up, i knew that was on the cards!!!!

 

Any way, top sail halliard fitted also, preparing parts for bowsprit guys... 

 

 

[olliechristo]

some more rigging done

[olliechristo]

...

[ringbolt2013]

Ollie ... The old paintings are surprisingly accurate except for minor rigging details.  Swivels were usually movable all along the rail so...move em'  And you can leave the mounting holes there with out filling them..."realistic use" type of thing....you could probably add some holes in other reasonable places for that purpose.  She's looking good there Ollie, keep it up!

 

Tom