Licorne 1755 by mtaylor - 3/16" scale - French Frigate - from Hahn plans - Version 2.0 - TERMINATED

Jim Lad · February 23, 2019

Hang in there, Mark! We're with you mate - even when we live thousands of miles away from you.

John

Chasseur · February 24, 2019

Hey Mark, take a break, regroup, reflect on life, it’s just a hobby. When your ready you’ll know it. For now your mental health is what’s important. Hang in there! You’ll bounce back.

Jeff

lmagna · February 24, 2019

6 hours ago, Jim Lad said:

even when we live thousands of miles away from you.

Think of it as eighteen or twenty hours flying time, or six or seven time zones. It seems much closer!

Edited February 24, 2019 by lmagna

pontiachedmark · February 24, 2019

Gidday Mark.

I am saddened to read of your struggles.

As one who has faced some adversity I know the benefit of losing oneself in this amazing hobby.

Life in all its ups and downs does have a habit of "getting in the way" if it didn't life would be pretty mundane.

I am in no way belittling yours or anyone's circumstances, just making an observation.

I sincerely hope you find some peace in your life.

Although the tyranny of distance separates us all we are only a message away.

Wishing you all the best.
Mark.

Richard Griffith · February 24, 2019

Mark, the sentiments expressed above are all valid and cogent. We are rooting for you~!! Duff

tkay11 · February 24, 2019

On 2/23/2019 at 7:04 AM, mtaylor said:

Meantime, I'm thinking of trying to loft the next project. I don't think it'll be that hard to learn but will require some serious focus so that should help my mental state.

I think that something new and complex like that, with a focus on learning, is a really good strategy. It does allow you to circulate the thoughts about your problems somewhere in the back of your mind until you come to terms with a new reality or suddenly discover ways out. Setting aside your model for the moment is a little like putting your past behind you for a while as you process everything. It's just sometimes hard to have the discipline to do this when everything else seems so overwhelming, but it does look as though you have that discipline.

You put a huge amount of energy into this forum, and care in looking at and commenting on the efforts of so many of us. We all appreciate this enormously. As have done the others, I do wish you well and hope that life rearranges itself the better for you whilst you rearrange your self.

Tony

EJ_L · February 24, 2019

As many others have said, take care of yourself and family first. The hobby, as well as all of us will be here wishing you the best and ready to either resume Licorne or follow whatever the next project is.

mtaylor · February 24, 2019

Thanks for the comments and support. I'm starting to feel better internally as I realize that there's too many things that that we, as either onlookers or participants, can't change things but only ride the storm out. Time, it is said, heals all wounds.

So, with that in mind, I'll be looking for a copy shop tomorrow that can reduce down some rather large drawings to the scale I want them. Belle Poule looks to be the obvious choice as it does fulfill my criteria. One is "not many models have been made of her", the other, it's significant in it's own right. The last is a side reason.... Licorne and Belle Poule were the "excuse" for France entering into the American Revolution.

Having said that... they both pretty much look alike but with differences some major, some not so major. They both are about the same length overall but naturally the masting and rigging are vastly different. Once I get the plans sized and a build method I'll start a log. Probably end up working both ships at the same time.

Richard Griffith · February 24, 2019

Glad to hear you cleared the decks, Mark~!!

I'm looking forward to the Belle as she is gorgeous...……….. Duff

Kevin · February 24, 2019

i will always be here looking out for your brilliant updates, apologies for not realising the turmoils going on at the present time

Dowmer · February 24, 2019

1 hour ago, mtaylor said:

Having said that... they both pretty much look alike but with differences some major, some not so major. They both are about the same length overall but naturally the masting and rigging are vastly different. Once I get the plans sized and a build method I'll start a log. Probably end up working both ships at the same time.

Mark, if your enthusiasm for the Licorne has dwindled, why not convert your Licorne build over to the Belle Poule? Are the hulls similar enough? Masting and rigging is easily changed. Stern and taffrail is easily modified as long as the hull shape is pretty close to the same.

Just thinking from a practical point of view if it is possible at this point in the build.

pontiachedmark · February 25, 2019

Gidday Mark.

I am looking forward to your future build / builds.

An empty platitude but something I have found to be true, " There is light at the end of the tunnel".

We just have to figure the way out.

That is my "Deep and Meaningful" for the day.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Mark.

michael mott · February 25, 2019

Hi Mark, Life does show us what we are made of. The lessons it presents teach us how to move forward, and it sounds like you are sorting it out. Happiness comes to us when we engage in what it is that gives us focus, and it sounds like a great idea to begin a fresh build at the moment. I look forward to the new build.

Michael

Edited February 25, 2019 by michael mott
spelling

mtaylor · February 25, 2019

Thanks everyone. My mindset is starting to work it's way out of the darkness. Still have a way to go but at least I feel I'm moving forward. My shrink, this group, and my ships are going a long way to speed up the healing process.

9 hours ago, Dowmer said:

Mark, if your enthusiasm for the Licorne has dwindled, why not convert your Licorne build over to the Belle Poule? Are the hulls similar enough? Masting and rigging is easily changed. Stern and taffrail is easily modified as long as the hull shape is pretty close to the same.

Just thinking from a practical point of view if it is possible at this point in the build.

Not a bad idea but this far along it is a problem. The hulls are close, but the sterns and the hull shape at the stern are significantly different. Same for masting which as it turns out, Licorne is basically the same size as La Venus but rigged as Belle Poule. I have been thinking for a long time on doing Belle Poule since both ships were together off the English coast on one very certain day. The English fleet showed up and Belle Poule got away and had greater glory off the the coast of France. Licorne surrendered to the English squadron while surrounded by a few 74's. France declared war the next day. If I ever get the frigates done, maybe I'll look into the lugger. Who knows where this will lead?

mtaylor · February 26, 2019

The Belle Poule plans are at the printshop being reduced to the size I need. Once I get them back and examine how I'll build her (bulkhead or frames) I'll start a log. Nothing like having two ships in the stocks.

Richard Griffith · February 26, 2019

Way to go Mark~! This hobby is a great therapy and we are 100% with you...…...Duff

pontiachedmark · February 26, 2019

Gidday Mark.

I am glad to read that you are going forward with the Belle Poule.

Having two builds on the go will certainly keep you busy.

I am also looking forward to your build log.

Wishing you all the best.

Mark.

EJ_L · February 26, 2019

I've always been a fan of two builds, especially when building large or very long duration models. It gives you ways to take breaks from monotonous tasks while still enjoying the hobby. Will keep an eye out for the new log.

BANYAN · February 26, 2019

Now that's the way to 'get back into it' - double whammy it great to hear you sounding enthusiastic about it too Mark.

cheers

Pat

Trussben · February 27, 2019

Hey Mark,

yeh - multi year builds are tough - that’s why I do some of ChuckP’s “kits” in between ( they are plenty interesting on their own I will tell you ) it takes some pressure off and makes me want to work better on Pegasus - that’s the key point for me these days - follow Remchoes mantra!

Ben

Landlubber Mike · February 27, 2019

Hey Mark, sorry to hear about things. Hope 2019 is treating you a little better.

Everyone is different, but for me, having multiple projects going on of various lengths works. I find I get excited by a project, then eventually that enthusiasm dwindles, or I get stuck or feel overwhelmed. Then things stop being fun and the project turns into a chore. Having something else to turn to, even if it is a different pursuit, keeps my spirits elevated and i’m in a much better state of mind approaching whatever it is I’m working on.

These long projects that run years do require a particular personality and mindset to get through I think. That’s why having some short projects in the mix where the finish line is measured in days or weeks really helps. I just started playing around with turning pens and am having a blast. Turned a few pencils for my girls and I’m a hero to them. I’ve also started looking at other things, including ships in bottles which take significantly less time to complete and you don’t have to worry about absolute perfection at such a small scale (especially when the glass provides some distortion).

I also think that coming to MSW and seeing the incredible artistry is mostly a blessing, but sometimes is a bit of a curse. I get inspired for sure, but there are times when I feel like it becomes a lot of self imposed pressure to build the model at a high level. For me it’s not that I would feel embarrassed to post my work, just that you come here and see what can be done and want to do the same. In some ways it would be nice to just open a kit and build it from the box without really mentally torturing myself to get things perfect, historically accurate, etc.

Anyway, sorry for getting philosophical on this. Take care of yourself my friend. Looking forward to seeing whatever you end up doing.

Piet · March 3, 2019

So sorry to hear about your past situation, which can never be really forgotten but it seems that you are fighting it quite well. I wish you strength.

I'll try to keep up with your builds, looks interesting.

Cheers,

mtaylor · March 3, 2019

Thanks for the support.

The idea of a second build is working. I finally got my head wrapped around how to convert the plans to wood as basically it's just the equivalent of Navy Board drawings. After staring the light finally turned on. I'll be opening a build log once I get into sorting out my method... POB, POF, POB with balsa fillers? Decisions, decisions.

The stress hasn't subsided but it's manageable at this point. So I'll be continuing on Licorne while lofting what I need for Belle Poule.

Roger Pellett · March 3, 2019

Mark,

I’m sorry to hear about your inner turmoil. It sounds like you have found effective treatment that works for you. I’m glad that you are beginning to see a path out of the darkness.

Regarding Licorne; As the shipwright it is up to you to declare when she is finished and judging by your posts you have the makings of an impressive model even if you declare her finished now. So why don’t you clean her up, mount her on a display board and enjoy her. If in the future you decide to work on her that’s great otherwise display her as a wooden ship under construction.

Roger

mtaylor · March 3, 2019

Thanks Roger. That's one idea but I have a ways to go yet before I hit that point. Early one, I did consider stub masts and may opt for that on both Licorne and Belle Poule. Might be an interesting contrast to have them in the same case??? The masting sizes are different enough to that's still on the table just because they are different.

I'm still having those "ah ha" moments as I sort through things while working on Licorne as time permits.

mtaylor · April 6, 2019

Time for an update on Licorne. "Yippee!" he says.

The longboat has been planked and removed from the building jig. Overall, I pretty happy with it. It's not perfect but can be fixed. Worst case is bin it and the next one will be better but for now, I'm going to attempt the "fixes". I needs more sanding, perhaps a bit of filler. I go with filler, I'll find some stain or paint to resemble the planking wood. I need to finish cleaning it up inside and out, adding the rest of the internal ribs and the decking. I'm not adding too much internal detail as this one is on the bottom of the stack of 3 ship's boats. What's a bit scary is they get smaller...

Here's the photo's before and after removing it from the jig. Yes, there's a bit of damage, but after finding the bits in the trash pile, it's been fixed. The first three on "on jig" and the second three are after the jig has been removed.