HMS Victory by gil middleton - FINISHED - Caldercraft - 1:72

[AON]

Gil,

 

You are absolutely correct. We are our worst critics.

You have no choice but to make it right for yourself because of all people you know it is there!

 

I for one greatly appreciate your expertise and attention to details.

 

Me bored?  Not one iota!

 

Thank you

 

Alan

[fnkershner]

Gil - I can see that it makes a big difference. Very nice color choice!

[bhermann]

Gil

 

Tough call to make to address the color issue - you have done it with your usual thoroughness and the end result shows it.  Well done!

 

Bob

[freewheelinguy]

Gil,

 

Well worth the effort. You'll be able to sleep tonight. Looks great, big difference.

 

Happy modeling,

Len

[dgbot]

Nice work. Have you experimented with stains like Minwax?

David B

[gjdale]

Gil,

 

I can't believe you just did that!!! (says he who pulled his whole stern off )

 

That must have been a right bi#%£ of a job, but the difference is simply WOW!

 

My hat is off to you Sir (again).

 

And no, we never get bored with your log Gil.

[md1400cs]

Gil,

 

I've been following, mostly silently as this ship is so above my artistic station, that being said the "fix" looks so much better. Now it won't irritate you any more. That peace of mind also has value (:-)

 

Michael

[DBorgens]

Gil,

Great looking result. Perseverance pays off well.

Dave B

[gil middleton]

Thanks you all for your support, John, Michael, Alan, dragzz, Floyd Bob and Dave B (D Borgens). And not one of you said "You're crazy."

Grant, I suspect you had the same feelings when you removed the stern. A couple days into the process, "What on earth was I thinking of?"  It helped that I had sanded and stained most blocks with water based English Oak (Minwax) so that the brown oak wash didn't adversely affect the blocks.  And Len, I do sleep at night, perhaps not so much that she looks better, but that I didn't destroy it.  I'm pleased with the result and glad I went to the trouble. And I've taken Popeye's thoughts to heart, staining the lines going forward.

David (dgbot), I've used Minwax stains, but the problem is that lines or rope coils with C/A on them, will not take up stain producing a very mottled appearance.  A paint wash covers treated or untreated line.  Working in our den, I use only water based paints or stains.  I've found that staining lines with English Oak (Minwax; some prefer Fruitwood)) produces a very similar result to Brown Oak Detail Wash (equal parts Brown Oak Wash (Testors), Dust (Polyscale) and Acrylic thinner).  We simply have two options for treating lines, staining and a paint wash to get the consistent results I was looking for.

 

Cheers, Gil

[dgbot]

As my Grandfather once said " There are many ways to skin a cat."   You should always choose the one that is easiest for you.

David B

[freewheelinguy]

Gil,

 

Have a third choice:  RIT dye

I was reading the below attached link of a thread on MSW from Bob that gives wonderful information on dyeing lines.  I have tried using only the dark brown liquid RIT (also comes in powder which needs to be mixed)  on DMC cotton line  as an experiment (2 Teaspoons to 16 oz water) with satisfied results.  RIT instructions say to add salt for cotton.  I've tried with and without which gave same results.  There's a link on that thread that shows where his original info came from (gives what to use for standing and running rigging color).  It also said to use Kodak wetting agent, but I also found isn't needed for the thread I used.  Probably needed if line is treated or made from other material (only a guess by me).  I found all six colors recommended by Bob at JoAnn Fabrics ($4 a bottle).  Amazon and other web sites sell it.  After my experiment I sent Bob a PM stating my results, he did mention he has only used the powder where I used the premixed liquid.  I just wrapped 24 ft thread around my palm and dropped in a jar of the hot water dye I prepared for about 1/2 hour.  When I need to make more just heat the jar in microwave and drop in another section of thread.  Very easy and little cleanup.

I have used minwax Jacobean and General Finishers Expresso stains before which gives the desired color, but these do harden the line where the dye keeps the line texture the same.

Hope you didn't mind me jumping in on your thread, but think you and others would appreciate this information.

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/5396-domanoff-workshop-planetary-ropewalk/

[mtaylor]

Very nicely done, Gil.   The difference is eye-catching to say the least.

[popeye the sailor]

I was going to go along the same line....with the Rit dyes,  but I was told that over time,  it would deteriorate the thread,  and cause premature breakage.   that's when I put it back on the shelf and went with the India Ink......I was doing standing rigging thread at the time.

[gil middleton]

Len, Many thanks for adding the link to Bob Wescott's notes on RIT dyes.  A great addition to methods to achieve a realistic appearance of ship's lines.  I've added it to my "favorites" for future use.  Stains do change the feel of the line, although, once the line is set, there is probably little difference.  As far along as I am, I'll likely continue with the simplest course.  Popeye's comments raises visions of peoples' clothing falling off as threads deteriorate, although Judy assures me that RIT dyes have been used for decades.  Forgive me Popeye but I couldn't resist.

Thanks Mark.  The white rigging had been bothering me for a long time.

Cheers, Gil  

[dafi]

That was worth it :-)

 

Cheers, Daniel

[mtaylor]

Gil,

 

Just an FYI...  Hahn also used RIT to dye wood. He wanted a "worn" blue so dyed the wood and then lightly sanded it.  

[gil middleton]

Thanks Daniel.

Mark, May we never stop learning.  Gil

[gil middleton]

With so little rigging to go (Braces and ropework at the bitts, kevels and pin rails), I elected to use what is perhaps the simplest method of staining the rigging.  Roughly measuring the thread for a particular line (in this case the driver boom lift tackle) and using a reverse hook, the line was pulled through the stain (Water based English Oak), allowed a minute or two to penetrate, then gently wiped with paper towel and hung to dry.

 

 

Throat halyard for the driver gaff ready to rig.

 

 

 

[gil middleton]

DRIVER BOOM

 

Driver boom and gaff after sanding to shape.

 

 

Boom tapered, saddle fitted and sanded.

 

 

"Iron bands" applied. (Styrene strips)

 

 

Parral around mizzen mast.

 

 

Sheet tackle rigged.

 

 

Foot ropes, lifts and guys (vangs) attached at end of boom.

 

[petervisser]

Gil,

Great idea in staining your rigging thread! An sollution for many of us with less than perfect rigging thread.

 

I also like your fine detailing on the spars. Insprational!

 

Peter

[gil middleton]

Continuing  with the Driver boom.

 

Lift blocks

 

 

Lift tackle

 

 

Driver boom lift

 

 

Rigging the base for the lift tackle with a tail attached to the **** end of the block.

 

 

Attached to the channel

 

 

 

[gil middleton]

And finishing the driver boom.

 

Rigging the guy blocks

 

 

Parral.  Gloss removed with clear flat acrylc.

 

 

Fully rigged driver boom.  The ship has gained about 6 1/2" to reach 55" or about 140 cm.  The admiral asks "Where do you plan to dock this ship?"  In the living room????

 

 

Next, The driver gaff.

Edited February 21, 2014 by gil middleton

[popeye the sailor]

outstanding work Gil   museums and art galleries are hungry for work like this!

[augie]

I have room Gil 

[dgbot]

Gil if you want I will be glad to take it off your hands.  Outstanding work.

David B

[edmay]

Hello Gil,staining Threads makes them stand out just right,a neat idea,a true master.Edwin

[Kevin]

LOL im taking notes to avoid the staining issues, thankyou yet again for all the hard work you are putting into this build and sharing it with us

[gil middleton]

Peter, 
We are looking forward to a five month cruise to Alaska.  Early May in Victoria, mid May in Bella Bella / Shearwater.  When do you find out your schedule?  I've not been to the Old Bella Bella Coast Guard Station.

Popeye, Our home is a museum featuring 3 old ships and one old modeler.

Thanks Edwin and Kevin, but Augie and David, be careful what you wish for.  You'd get to pay the thousands in shipping costs.

Cheers, Gil

[gil middleton]

On with the Driver Gaff.  Preparing to rig the gaff.

 

 

Driver boom and gaff rigged.

 

 

Topgallant and topmast yard braces to blocks on driver gaff. Driver gaff vangs (or guys) with tackle leading to the taffrail.

 

 

Cont......in next post.

[gil middleton]

Peak halyard to poop deck, port.  Throat halyard similar to starboard.

 

 

Looking aft from starboard.

 

 

End of driver gaff

 

 

Now on with the fun stuff.  Gil