Ryland Craze Posted June 16, 2014 #31 Posted June 16, 2014 I feel as if I am looking at the actual ship. I was aboard the Morgan at the end of April when she was docked at Mystic Seaport and several other times since 2010 during her restoration. You have made an excellent reproduction of the actual ship. I hope that I can achieve your level of craftsmanship. Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat
petervisser Posted June 16, 2014 #32 Posted June 16, 2014 Hi Gerald, Thanks for resurrecting your build log of the Charles W. Morgan. I remember poring over you original build log. A real masterpiece. Wish you well with the rest of your model. Peter Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Build Log: Billing - Cutty Sark In The Gallery: HMS Unicorn, HMAV Bounty, L'Etoile, Marie Jeanne, Lilla Dan, Zeeschouw "Irene" A Toast: To a wind that blows, A ship that goes, And the lass that loved a sailor!
Gerald Spargo Posted June 16, 2014 Author #33 Posted June 16, 2014 Thanks Russ, Ryland, and Peter. Some of the things I like to do, as far as weathering, and finishing, is go with some of the more obvious things. Like rust, there is always going to be rust,(iron, and water doesn't mix well). Nonperfect wood, these ships are old, so the wood is alittle softer, and more brittle than it was when the ship was first build, again...wood, and water doesn't mix well either. That's why I leave the small chips, and nicks in parts of my build, like the cathead in the last few pictures that I put up. That happened when I was putting the chain through the hole. I liked it, so I left it, and I'm glad I did. It helps to give it life. I think the wood should have rounded edges, rather than sharp ones. Plus when painting, I try to keep the wood grain showing. Moisture makes the grain in the wood swell, and since it spends its life in the water, it would just seem like a natural effect. Also you will notice that around the edges of structures, and other items on the deck are darker, simulating dirt. Many of the things you can do to a model to help give it some life, are things you see everyday, but yet never take notice of. dine and CaptainSteve 2 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Landlubber Mike Posted June 16, 2014 #34 Posted June 16, 2014 Hi Gerald, thanks again for posting this log. I have the Morgan on my shelf that I plan on building alongside the Unicorn. I'm also thinking of weathering the ship, so your log is a real inspiration! Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Mike Current Wooden builds: Amati/Victory Pegasus MS Charles W. Morgan Euromodel La Renommèe Plastic builds: Hs129B-2 1/48 SB2U-1 Vindicator 1/48 Five Star Yaeyama 1/700 Pit Road Asashio and Akashi 1/700 diorama Walrus 1/48 and Albatross 1/700 Special Hobby Buffalo 1/32 IJN Notoro 1/700 Akitsu Maru 1/700 Completed builds : Caldercraft Brig Badger Amati Hannah - Ship in Bottle Pit Road Hatsuzakura 1/700 Hasegawa Shimakaze 1:350 F4B-4 and P-6E 1/72 Accurate Miniatures F3F-1/F3F-2 1/48 Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat built as FM-1 1/48 Special Hobby Buffalo 1/48 Eduard Sikorsky JRS-1 1/72 Citroen 2CV 1/24 - Airfix and Tamiya Entex Morgan 3-wheeler 1/16 Terminated build: HMS Lyme (based on Corel Unicorn) On the shelf: Euromodel Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde; Caldercraft Victory; too many plastic ship, plane and car kits Future potential scratch builds: HMS Lyme (from NMM plans); Le Gros Ventre (from Ancre monographs), Dutch ship from Ab Hoving book, HMS Sussex from McCardle book, Philadelphia gunboat (Smithsonian plans)
Guest Tim I. Posted June 16, 2014 #35 Posted June 16, 2014 Gerald, This is quickly becoming one of my favorite build logs to follow. The authenticity that you take care to represent, really shines in your work and build. - Tim Quote
Captain Slog Posted June 16, 2014 #36 Posted June 16, 2014 Glad to see this log being redone. The Charles W. Morgan went on my to do list after seeing this build back on MSW1. Cheers Slog Gerald Spargo 1 Quote _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HM Bark Endeavour (First Wood, On Hold) Borodino (1:200 Card, Current Build) Admiral Nakhimov (card 1/200) Mazur D-350 Artillery Tractor (1:25 Card) F-8 Crusader (1:48 Aircraft, Plastic)
JerseyCity Frankie Posted June 16, 2014 #37 Posted June 16, 2014 With the real Morgan seaworthy and underway again I expect to see a lot more people building her. But I can't imagine many people doing a better job than you have done! You have et the bar very high. Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Quote Niagara USS Constitution
Gerald Spargo Posted June 17, 2014 Author #38 Posted June 17, 2014 Well guys, I hope to see you working on your Morgans at some point, and I do hope to see more modelers building this kit. Here are some pics of the foremast. jwvolz and schooner 2 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 17, 2014 Author #39 Posted June 17, 2014 Here are some pictures of the rigging. I serve my rigging with 80wt thread. jct, Senior ole salt, Ryland Craze and 8 others 11 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 17, 2014 Author #40 Posted June 17, 2014 More pictures of some rigging. CaptainSteve, Landlubber Mike, Archi and 3 others 6 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Guest Tim I. Posted June 17, 2014 #41 Posted June 17, 2014 Gerald, What paint / paint color did you use for your bulwark ceilings and deck fittings? Thank you, Tim Quote
Gerald Spargo Posted June 17, 2014 Author #42 Posted June 17, 2014 Tim, I want to say it is thinned down yellow ochre from Model Shipways, but I think it is more than just that. I have an old computer that I am going see if it will run long enough to get some info off of it tonight after work, it should have other info about the Morgan that I need to. I will get back to you on this. Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Guest Tim I. Posted June 17, 2014 #43 Posted June 17, 2014 OK, thank you. It looks a lot like the color I need for my current Niagara project, and also has applicability for when I start my Morgan. I appreciate is. As I mentioned above, I am really enjoying seeing your updates and your craftsmanship! - Tim Quote
Elia Posted June 18, 2014 #44 Posted June 18, 2014 Hey Gerald, I'm very glad to see you back at Model Ship World, and very happy that you're continuing this super fine build. Cheers, Elia Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Elia Rose Valley, PA Arethusa: 1907 Gloucester Knockabout
Gerald Spargo Posted June 18, 2014 Author #45 Posted June 18, 2014 Thank you John, and Elia. Tim, I found some stuff on that computer, but not the paint mixture, sorry. I did find the 2 bottles that I have mixed though. I also found the info on how I built the skylight, windlass, and how I coppered the bottom, along with a weathering guide that I made. docidle 1 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
jwvolz Posted June 18, 2014 #46 Posted June 18, 2014 Such beautiful, clean work. Very well done Gerald. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Joe Volz Current build: Model Shipways "Benjamin W. Latham" Completed builds on MSW: Caldercraft HMS "Cruizer" Caldercraft HMBV "Granado" Model Shipways "Prince De Neufchatel"
Gerald Spargo Posted June 18, 2014 Author #47 Posted June 18, 2014 Thank you Joe. The Cutting Tackle. The kit supplies blocks for the cutting tackle, but they look nothing like real ones on the ship. So I used the small reddish colored piece of wood from the kit (cherry I think), and made blocks for this. The hooks required some cleaning, and smoothing before I could use them. Once I had these made, I put the whole works in Black-in It, blocks, too. After the black-in it did its job, I used weathering powder to simulate the rust, and to get the weathered look on the blocks. Archi, bhermann, mtaylor and 5 others 8 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Mirabell61 Posted June 18, 2014 #48 Posted June 18, 2014 beautiful work Gerald, you have a talent for authentic Details in model.... Nils Gerald Spargo 1 Quote Current builds -Lightship Elbe 1 Completed - Steamship Ergenstrasse ex Laker Corsicana 1918- scale 1:87 scratchbuild - "Zeesboot" heritage wooden fishing small craft around 1870, POB clinker scratch build scale 1:24 - Pilot Schooner # 5 ELBE ex Wanderbird, scale 1:50 scratchbuild - Mississippi Sterwheelsteamer built as christmapresent for grandson modified kit build - Chebec "Eagle of Algier" 1753--scale 1:48-POB-(scratchbuild) "SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" four stacker passenger liner of 1897, blue ribbond awarded, 1:144 (scratchbuild) "HMS Pegasus" , 16 gun sloop, Swan-Class 1776-1777 scale 1:64 from Amati plan -"Pamir" 4-mast barque, P-liner, 1:96 (scratchbuild) -"Gorch Fock 2" German Navy cadet training 3-mast barque, 1:95 (scratchbuild) "Heinrich Kayser" heritage Merchant Steamship, 1:96 (scratchbuild) original was my grandfathers ship -"Bohuslän" , heritage ,live Swedish museum passenger steamer (Billings kit), 1:50 "Lorbas", river tug, steam driven for RC, fictive design (scratchbuild), scale appr. 1:32 under restoration / restoration finished "Hjejlen" steam paddlewheeler, 1861, Billings Boats rare old kit, scale 1:50
Gerald Spargo Posted June 18, 2014 Author #50 Posted June 18, 2014 Thank Nils, and Tim, those were fun to make. Here is the rigging of the cutting tackle. mtaylor, Mirabell61, Aussie048 and 4 others 7 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 19, 2014 Author #51 Posted June 19, 2014 A few more post, and I will be caught up to date. Here some pictures of whaleboat #1. This is made from the supplied bread-n-butter boats. I found it was easier,(for me anyway) to build up the hull with these, then cut them in half length ways. Shape the inside with my dremel, and glue the halves back together again. schooner, Mirabell61, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 19, 2014 Author #52 Posted June 19, 2014 This is where I am at on my build. I am working on the ratlines, and lower shroud battens. WackoWolf, boatntrain, rafine and 1 other 4 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 19, 2014 Author #53 Posted June 19, 2014 Lashing The Lower Shroud Battens The Morgan had wooden battens instead of rope ratlines on the lower shrouds. Instructions will show that they are tied on with a diagonal lashing, they where actually tied on with a square lashing. The battens are spaced the same as regular rope ratlines are spaced. On this model that would be right around a 1/4'', so that is the spacing I use. This is how I found it easiest to tie the battens onto the shrouds without actually gluing them to the shrouds. LETS GET STARTED: (Done in gray-scale for clarity.) Material I am using is 2 strands of DMC dark brown embroidery floss (waxed), and 1/32''x 1/32'' basswood strips. Step 1: To get the first batten in place, I measure up from the deadeye channel the same distance as on the plans. After this first measurement, I didn't find the plans to be of much help for spacing. The thickness of the battens are 1/32'', and all the plans show are single thickness lines. So after the first measurement from the deadeye channel, I space each succeeding batten a 1/4'' from the last one I did. At that measurement, I tie the end of a 6'' length of floss to each shroud, using a clove hitch knot. Step 2: I dab a little diluted white glue to the knots. Step 3 & 4: Cut off the small tails of the floss. Step 5: I cut each batten at least 1 mm longer than the width of the shroud. A little longer wouldn't hurt, as it give you more room for lashing. I hold in place, right at the top of the knots, and wrap the floss around it. I start with a shroud in the middle so the batten won't twist away while lashing it. Step 6: The first wrap pulls the batten, and shroud together. Step 7: The second wrap tightens, and holds the first wrap. Step 8: I finish off with a half hitch under the batten, pulling it tight. Step 9: I now apply a dab of the diluted glue onto the half hitch knot under the batten, and just barely touching the batten with the glue as I do this to prevent the batten from sliding out of the lashings. Important thing, is not to get glue on the battens, that will show up later. Step 10: Cut the remaining floss, and there is enough to do another batten. Step 11: To put a finish on the battens, and floss, I applied a coat of Micro-Mark age-it easy brown, and 2 coats of Micro-Mark railroad tie and bridge stain. These worked well for me, as this is the same solutions I use to color my rigging. The battens could be finished before rigging them. I find it easier to do it afterwords. rafine, mtaylor, Dragdonius and 4 others 7 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Guest Tim I. Posted June 19, 2014 #54 Posted June 19, 2014 Will you be positioning that whaleboat alongside your Morgan once you finish the model? - Tim Quote
Gerald Spargo Posted June 19, 2014 Author #55 Posted June 19, 2014 Actually Tim, there will be 7 of these on the Morgan. Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Gerald Spargo Posted June 19, 2014 Author #57 Posted June 19, 2014 Thank you Tim. Now to get the dust off the Morgan, and get setup to continue on with it. mtaylor 1 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Guest Tim I. Posted June 19, 2014 #58 Posted June 19, 2014 Eagerly awaiting the updates. If I did not already have four projects in process I would consider starting my Morgan. I opened my kit when I bought it several months ago, and was very impressed with the detail. When Model Shipways had the large 1:24 scale whaleboat on special, I also purchased that for a future project. Looking forward to seeing more! - Tim Quote
Gerald Spargo Posted June 21, 2014 Author #59 Posted June 21, 2014 Thanks John, definitely a model, I would have loved to have see the actual Morgan before its restoration. Now as far as the real ship, here is something I tried to duplicate, but decided not to go ahead with. Could be a challenge to someone else to try though. In these pictures, you can see how the old rigging was parceled around the mast. I simulated this with masking tape, and a little bit of serving like it is in the picture. With a little weathering, it looked really cool. But, since masking tape tends to dry out really bad, and fall apart, I figured I probably shouldn't risk the potential fix later on. I couldn't find anything else that would work at this scale, so I abandoned the idea. Littlebob and mtaylor 2 Quote Gerald Spargo (aka Dragon65)For a ship is the noblest of all men’s work--A cunning fabric of wood, iron, and hemp, Wonderfully propelled by wings of canvas, And seeming at times to have the very breath of life. Current Build: Charles W. Morgan - Model Shipways
Guest Tim I. Posted June 21, 2014 #60 Posted June 21, 2014 Gerald, The pictures you have from the Morgan. Would you be willing to share your source, or are these photographs you have taken? Thank you, Tim Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.