Brig Fair American circa 1780 by Pete Jaquith - Model Shipways - 1:48 scale

[Ronald-V]

What a beautiful clean paint job! Lovely!

[Pete Jaquith]

Mugje,

 

Thanks for your interest.  Its been a long project as construction on this build started in October 2011.  "Fair American" construction was delayed from 2012 to 2019 due to competing full scale shipbuilding assignments and moves from Hancock NH to San Diego and Indio CA.  With painting in hand, progress should move along a little faster,

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[Pete Jaquith]

Progress continues on the head structure.  More pictures to follow when this work area is completed.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[BobG]

I just found your build, Pete, and it is stunning! Beautiful work in every way. I'm following along now.

[Pete Jaquith]

Bob,

 

Thank you for your interest.  I find the work rewarding and she is a fine looking ship.  More to follow in the coming days.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[captain_hook]

Very nice painting! I like the way the planking run can still be seen under the paint. 

[Pete Jaquith]

Captain Hook,

 

Thank you for the likes.  I typically break the edges on hull planking and try to minimize sanding in order to retain plank runs.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[Pete Jaquith]

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of the head rails and bow fittings:

• Head rails were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 3/32” laminated stock (3 layers of 1/32” sheet stock with opposing grain)
• Middle rails were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 1/16” sheet stock
• Cheek knees were previously fabricated/installed from 1/16” sheet stock
• Boomkins were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 1/8” sheet stock
• Catheads were previously fabricated/dry fitted from 3/16” sheet stock
• Head and middle rails were pre-painted and installed

• After checking the head rails from all angles; they were primed and finished painted.  Gold trim was applied with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens

• After completion of the head rails, catheads were painted/installed
• Figurehead was painted/installed
• Boomkins were painted/dry fitted

 To avoid potential damage, the boomkins will be left loose for later installation during the rigging phase.  To allow construction access, the bowsprit, bowsprit bitts, and fore bitts will be left loose until completion of bulwark interior fittings and cannon installation.

 

With completion of the head structure and gold trim she is starting to look like a fine little armed brig from the 1780’s.  Next steps will continue with installation of exterior hull outfit.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

Working exterior hull outfit.  Progress put on temporary hold due to CA heat wave and resulting high temperatures/humidity in my garage work shop.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[etubino]

It is always a pleasure to see your clean and beatiful work Pete!

 

[Pete Jaquith]

Etubino,

 

Building up the Brig "Fair American" stern structure was an interesting challenge. Once complete with windows, ship's name, and quarter badges it should be impressive and representative of these beautiful ships from the past.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[Pete Jaquith]

Limited progress due to CA heat wave (~116 outside and high 80's in my shop).  Working P/S exterior hull outfit:

• Gangway steps - complete
• Aft gunport hinges - in process
• Quarter badges - in process
• Chain plates, lower deadeyes, and channel caps - next up

Pictures will follow completion.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[BobG]

19 minutes ago, Pete Jaquith said:

Limited progress due to CA heat wave (~116 outside and high 80's in my shop).

We've been cooking up in Sacramento too, Pete, and the air quality is so unhealthy from all the wildfires that it's really not safe to venture outside. Covid, wildfires and a record heat wave....ugh!

[Tim Murphy]

Pete, so sorry! You see you should have stayed in New H., and or Mass.. Today its been clear and the 70’s. Also, I would have been a closer a Teacher!

Tim

 

[Pete Jaquith]

Bob, Tim,

 

A little cooler/less humid this morning.  Looking forward to some progress in the coming days.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete

[Pete Jaquith]

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of exterior hull outfit:

• Gangway steps were painted/installed
• Gun port hinges were fabricated, painted, and installed based on a mini-kit from Syren Ship Models

• Quarter badges were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing)

 Next steps will continue with installation of chain plates, lower deadeyes, and channel caps and then it’s on to complete the transom outfit.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

Shop conditions have improved significantly.  Now working to relearn past skills (i.e. silver brazing, window glazing, etc.); however, overhanging potential of a large full scale shipbuilding project.  I will have to work to balance priorities.  Pictures will follow completion of chain plates, lower deadeyes, channel caps, etc.

 

Regards from the shipyard

Pete 

[Pete Jaquith]

Shop conditions have improved allowing further progress.  With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:

• Chain plates were fabricated from 22 ga. silver soldered brass wire rings (1/2” and 7/16” dia. respectively), formed around the deadeyes, and closed with soft solder.  A simple jig was used to check the forming of deadeyes.
• Deadeye/chain plate assemblies were painted/installed
• Channel caps were painted/installed

 With the bow and P/S side zones complete, next steps will address completion of transom details.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

[BobG]

Gorgeous, Pete!

[Pete Jaquith]

With the Brig Fair American hull painting complete, construction continued with installation of hull outfit:

• Transom trim and carvings were highlighted/painted with Deco Color Prime-Premio gold metallic paint pens
• Transom windows were previously formed to follow the curve of the transom trim and planking
• Transom windows were painted, glazed, and installed (Micro Kristal Klear was used for window glazing)
• Ship’s name was installed (prepared and printed with MS Word)

• Rudder chains were blackened and installed

 Next steps will continue with installation of the quarter deck rails.

 

Regards from the shipyard,

Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

I recently purchased the CAF Model 130mm ships boat kit.  With some additions as recommended by Allan, this builds into an interesting 18' lap strake cutter.  I plan to display it stowed on the gallows in traditional fashion.

 

Next step is on to the quarterdeck rails.

 

Regards, Pete

[Reg]

Beautiful work!!

 

Greg

[Pete Jaquith]

Shipbuilders,

My ship modeling has been limited in recent months due to:

• Preparation of a major Technical Paper on "Warship Design and Acquisition" to be published in the Naval Engineers Journal Sept. `21 issue, an American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) publication.
• Incredibly hot weather which prevents work in my garage shop.

With the paper complete and weather improving, I look forward to getting back to the shop.

 

Regards, Pete 

[Tim Murphy]

Peter, very good to see your post. Looking forward  for your next progress on your ship. Your hull work on Fair America is so clean and crisp. It always amazes me.

By the way, what are the paint colors that you used? The colors look so correct for this period ship.

Take care, and all my best!

Tim Murphy

[Pete Jaquith]

Tim, the paint colors are period marine acrylics by Model shipways (Model Expo).  Not perfect but I like the color selection.

 

Good to hear from you.

Regards,

Pete