Ersatzia false Wasa by philo426 - Billing Boats

[Lucius Molchany]

The mods urged me to start a build log for my eRsatz Billings Boats"Wasa"This kit was apparently designed before an in depth study of the raised Wasa was conducted.Thus I am free from any historical nor accuracy constraints to build it as I see fit!I received it as a partial built that I am now building as a tune up build before i tackle a more modern and expensive kit.Here is what I started with;   

Edited January 14, 2014 by Lucius Molchany

[Lucius Molchany]

Here are the kit plans!As you can see,totally wrong!    

[Ulises Victoria]

Hello.

My Corel Vasa was also designed way before the news discoveries of Vasa. It shows the sides painted in blue and the figures in gold. That is how I am building mine. I am not a purist and my ships go to my living room as decorations and eventually to some modeling contest, so I am not too worried about inaccuracies. Maybe I will some day.

 

Welcome.

[Lucius Molchany]

Here is the current state of the build.   

[Lucius Molchany]

I love the Crazy Ski Slope railing!    

[Lucius Molchany]

I am surprised how structurally sound the railings are!I used 1/16" basswood stringers and intend to add at least 50% more but the railings are rock solid with no wobble at all!I am using Franklin Titebond ll which is an excellent wood glue.   Next I have to plank in the 2 lower doghouses with mahogany.   

[NAZGÛL]

Interesting to see how far off they where. Ill follow along.

 

 

/Matti

[Lucius Molchany]

The real challenge will be designing the prow.I dont know if I should attempt to replicate the long wasa prow(like the one in the pic)or to  design one like the Surprise .I guess some time at the drawing table is in order!

[Lucius Molchany]

Hanging the rudder.   

[NAZGÛL]

That was fast! Will you make it Vasa or something generic?

 

 

 

/Matti

[Lucius Molchany]

Cant be the Wasa so it will be a hybrid.I have to decide the look of the prow.I will make one like yours and see if it looks right .If not then I will have to go with another design.

[Lucius Molchany]

First I had to go to Hobby town to get the brass(only hobby shop open on Sunday).Then they only had 1/16"brass tube instead of strip which complicated the metal forming process(split a few bending around the rudder).Then I had to epoxy them in place so they would not move.Then after the epoxy cured,I got my scratch awl and tack hammer and dimpled the wood so that the mini drill bit would not walk.Drilled the holes on both sides and then cut the HO railroad spikes in half.Used a needle nosed pliers to start them and then press them into the wood.Then i had to hollow out the back of the keel to accept the brass gudgeons and used a piece 1/32 brass wire to hold the rudder in place so that it would move freely.It took about 3 hours but I am satisfied with the results.I have to put the pintels on the hull to complete the rudder assembly.

[reklein]

Wow! good to see you making something nice out of a piece of junk. I had no hope for that hull. Bill

[Lucius Molchany]

Nop dude!I think i can make it into a real looker!

[Lucius Molchany]

Getting the rear bling together!   

[mtaylor]

Phil,

 

She's coming along nicely.  I'm happy to see this build log.  On the prow... go for the long version and spritsail mast and top.  It'll be more in the period of the hull.  Look at the other Wasa logs and completed galleries to get some ideas that you can make your own. 

[Lucius Molchany]

Thanks!

[Lucius Molchany]

I backed it with blue celluloid from an old folder.  

[Lucius Molchany]

Mounted it up      

[Lucius Molchany]

Getting the bow area together.  

[Lucius Molchany]

Decided to go with my own design for the prow.Lots of scale lumber!    

[NAZGÛL]

Good work Phil, it will be interesting to see how your design will look.

 

Are there sculptures for the beakhead?

 

 

/Matti

[Lucius Molchany]

Well I am not skillled in microcarving so I might have to find something else!

[Lucius Molchany]

Planking up the other side.  

[Lucius Molchany]

[Lucius Molchany]

I really like the design of the bow area.It has numerous structural and decorative elements(No where near the Wasa)and best of all it is totally my own design which makes it doubly cool!       

Edited January 30, 2014 by Lucius Molchany

[Lucius Molchany]

[Lucius Molchany]

[Lucius Molchany]

I made the prototype/master of the hull cannon out of brass tubing.I have to order a resin casting kit to make a RTV mold and cast multiple copies.     

[Lucius Molchany]

Decided to go with a barber pole motif over the blue.I don't know dudes,it is a bit over the top Phil must ruminate on it a while.I can always tone it down if I choose.One positive is that is is absolutely unique and will not be mistaken for any other ship!