Washington 1776 by Mike 41 - FINISHED - 1:48 - row galley

[Chuck Seiler]

Hey Mike, maybe we can get Ken to make ROYAL SAVAGE. 

 

I kind of question the wisdom of all those swivel guns on the quarterdeck.  Seems kind of crowded.  However, that is where the Ernie Haas painting has them.

 

Philly is about 90-95% complete.  I have not had a chance to get any photos.  I will get some tonight.

[Mike 41]

Hi Chuck,

 

The Royal Savage would make a good first scratch build for Ken I’ll post a picture and see what he thinks.

 

Howard Chapelle’s drawings show the swivel guns on the quarterdeck also. It probably was a little crowded and noisy when the guns were busy.

 

Mike 

[BareHook]

Interesting, what kind of documentation/plan are available?

 

Ken

[Mike 41]

Hi Ken,

 

It seems like I spoke too soon, I found the picture of the Royal Savage on the internet but haven’t been able to locate any plans. There may be plans and documentation in the Smithsonian Institute but I haven’t ordered anything from them. Chuck may know if plans are available.

 

Mike

[Chuck Seiler]

I strongly suspect not.  WASHINGTON was captured and the Brits took the lines of of her.  Smithsonian has a couple pages of plans.  PHILLY was raised and surveyed.  Smith has a buttload of pages of plans for this....16 I believe.  I am looking at an old copy of the "Smithsonian Collection of Warship Plans" and find nothing for Royal Savage.  Since it burned, the British may  not hav gotten any info from it. 

 

C'mon....can't you build a model based just on the picture?

Edited May 14, 2014 by Chuck Seiler

[BareHook]

I probably could convert from any schooner, but when I start scratch building, I want to build as historically accurate as possible. Right now I'm "cutting my teeth" or building my skills on some ficticious kits that i'm renaming after each of my kids.

 

Ken

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the rudder and catheads installed.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the sweeps stowed on the quarterdeck.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the capstan, anchor and pump. The capstan was made from rosewood, the anchor is boxwood and walnut and the pump is beech wood.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the remaining four guns. 6, 9, 12 and 18 pounders the guns are ebony and the carriages are made from cherry. 

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the gunport lids being installed.

[patrickmil]

Very nice work Mike. The cannons look excellent.

[Mike 41]

Thanks Patrick.

 

It seems strange having the guns so many different sizes.

 

Mike

[Chuck Seiler]

I guess that's what happens when you slap a fleet together with what is available.  I have similar issues with PHILADELPHIA that I will explain on my blog when I finally get my ducks in one sock.   Long story short, there are alot of design flaws that make it look awkward.  Somethng apparently as simple as not having enough ringbolts/eyebolts forces them to double up the use of several bolts causing non symetrical rigging and (in my mind) a less than crisp looking appearance. 

 

They didn't build the shils/fleet to make life easier for modelers...but it sure does make an interesting build.

 

Great work so far Mike.  I'll see you at Valcour.

[Mike 41]

I used some popular dowel rods for the mast and yards. This set of photos shows the masts being made and stepped.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the yards being made.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows the channel being installed.

[Mike 41]

The shrouds are made from three strands of number 12 cotton thread. This set of photos shows the shrouds being installed.

[Mike 41]

This is a few more photos of the shrouds.

[Mike 41]

A few ratlines complete the shrouds.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos show the yards and anchor being installed.

[JesseLee]

Always learning something new. Thanks for showing how to make the extra long yards. I've never seen that before.

[Mike 41]

Thanks JesseLee,

 

I hadn’t seen this method of making extra-long yards before building the Washington either but they are shown like this on the plans by Jeff.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

The stand is made from mahogany with a brown stain. These photos show the stand and finished model and some of her friends.

[HIPEXEC]

Nice work!

[Mike 41]

Thanks, Rich.

[SawdustDave]

Mike:

Very nice work. So what was the reasoning for the extremely oversized yards on this ship? Never seen anything like this.

Dave

Edited June 25, 2014 by SawdustDave

[Chuck Seiler]

Is that HMS THUNDERER I see?   Ooops.  Can't be.  Has a US flag.

Edited June 25, 2014 by Chuck Seiler

[Mike 41]

Sawdust Dave,

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to you I needed to check with Jeff (the designer) about where the length of the yards came from. He used an existing model for the yard lengths. This is a photo that he used. I agree the yards are extremely long. The original drawings Jeff used show stub masts without the yards.

 

Mike

[ChadB]

Very nice work throughout Mike! Does Jeff sell his plans or have them downloadable somewhere? I've been interested in the Washington for quite some time and it looks like Jeff did a great job on the plans. I'm sure you've read it, but for anyone checking in who would like some good reading- Benedict Arnold's Navy by Jeff Nelson is a great book on the Battle of Valcour Bay, and really makes you understand why Benedict Arnold turned traitor.

Again, great work Mike!  -Chad