Unicorn by ameletters - Corel

[ameletters]

Got my kit today - started well!

[ameletters]

I know how to clamp the first planking - but its a miracle to me how to clamp the second one! Any clever answers?

[GuntherMT]

I'm brand new to this as well, but until one of the experts chimes in with a better solution, here is what I did for the first few planks (until I ran out of room on the bulkheads to use these).

 

I found these clamps - http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=MX104 and I thought they were pretty neat, but between my impatience to progress, and being cheap, I used the concept of those clamps, and made my own ghetto version.

 

I took some small binder clips, and cut small pieces of craft sticks (the tongue depressor looking sticks) and chopped them up and glued them to the inside of the binder clips with super glue.

 

Here is what they look like in action, and they worked really good while the space on the bulkheads allowed them a good grip.

 

[ameletters]

This is fun!

[hornet]

Modellers Shipyard in Sydney will sell you planking screws. They are a little expensive for what they are but they do work. Have a look at their website, you may be able to make up something similar. I have used pushpins with a plastic piece glued to the underside of the plastic on the pushpin. I hammer rather than screw them into the bulkhead below the plank being attached.

[dragzz]

welcome to msw the dry docks are now open

[ameletters]

This site is perfectly situated for creative input and some piracy! Dark black tall ships were roaming the seven seas, drifting silently through the endless fog, spreading horror and despair! If I ever grow up I wanna be a pirate! Got myself a license plate today - have a look!

[ameletters]

If I would like to change my brown rigging thread to a black one, how many meters do I need for the Unicorn? I got three rolls but no idea how much is on each? Can you enlighten me?

[ameletters]

Because I decided to half the armory on my Unicorn - is there anybody out there willing to take over 16 cannons 1:75 for a reasonable reinbursement?

Edited October 9, 2014 by ameletters

[ameletters]

Modern days pirate ships use more skylights and portholes - I guess? A big one for the dining room and one for the galley . . .

[riverboat]

You certainly have accomplished a lot in such a short time... it's looking real good. ... have fun!!

Frank

[ameletters]

Thank you, Frank! I need encouragement because te task seems to be an endless one! The scond time I'm working on the rudder hole - rather a detail, but the lovely tear drop shape is a must!

[ameletters]

TWISTED TALES OF THREE UNICORNS . . .

The H.M.S Unicorn was designed by F.H.Chapman for the British fleet. As a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, in his admirable volume “Architectura Navalis Mercatoria” printed in Stockholm in 1768, he gives an extremely detailed account of the calculations relating to the study of hydrodynamic resistances - altogether with a most beautiful drawing of the elegant frigate. The results of Chapman’s hydrodynamic investigations are clearly visible in the sleek lines of the hull, which were quite advanced for the epoch in which the ship was built. The Unicorn was definitely designed for speed and maneuvrability as well as superior fire power - one of the most dangerous tall ships of its time!

The H.M.S. Unicorn was built at Chatham Dockyard in Kent, and was finally launched in 1794 to keep the French at bay, but was unfortunately snatched by the clever enemy not even a year later in the early revolution war - with no survivors recorded. The French seemed to be happy with their fine catch, stocked the ship up with a second cannon deck, a rather pompous golden after castle, and they proudly renamed her as “La Licorne”! As we all know from Hergé and Spielberg was that the English pirate Rackham the Red was more than eager to get his hands on that improved war horse - and that Monsieur Captain de Hadoque rather blew his unique ship up than to relinquish it to the bloody pirate. Hadoque escaped in his launch and is recorded as the only survivor of the fiery battle. That was the Golden Unicorn . . .

But the stubborn Brits were grumpy, and they never give up! Immediately they started the construction of a new Unicorn, which was launched in 1812. She was well underway, until she got in trouble with the pirates of the Caribbean - only to be saved by the cunning Spaniards, who threw all souls over board. They were in a desperate need for fast and lethal carriers to ship the shiny Inca gold to their greedy King. They painted the frigate black and blood-red to deter further pirate attacks, and they renamed her in their tongue “Unicornio Negro” - the Black Unicorn! Sadly a furious storm on the way home with a heavily over-loaded hull knocked off the rudder and ripped the sails - she was blown past Ireland, half way up to Newfoundland, must have hit an iceberg and sank with man and mouse about 1840 in the freezing waters of the arctic seas near Bear Island . . .

But the Brits won’t ever give up: The third one - the White Unicorn - was launched in 1824. She was built with lighter timber and fitted with a rounded stern. Historically she left no big tales of outstanding battles or important missions which so often mark the career of a tall man-of-war. The Unicorn is now preserved as a historic ship and visitor attraction in Dundee, Scotland - without masts and rigging, but a rather ridiculous roof!  But she is one of the six oldest ships in the world, is Scotland’s only preserved warship and is the most completely original ship in the entire world to have survived from the golden age of sail!

Clive Cussler tells us that the American salvage company of Dirk Pitt scanned the waters off Spitzbergen in 1991 for a sunken Viking boat recorded full of silver and copper, but the tireless engineer Al Giordino spotted the Black Unicorn on the radar screen instantly - only two hundred feet under on a mud bank. She was floated with huge airbags, the hull was perfectly preserved by the icy water and all thirty-seven sailors were still looking like alive. The tons of pure gold and precious gem stones in her belly paid fully for the restoration - to fit her out as a modern pirate ship for apprentices and whale watchers, with amenities, a spacious dining room and sixteen comfortable cabins on the lower deck . . .

 

Edited November 27, 2014 by ameletters

[ameletters]

Thank you, Brian - every encouragement is welcome! And: yesss - the Australian bush is full of sunshine, wildlife and pirates!

[schnu]

Nice progress, I like the coloring on the stern. If you haven`t figured out how much rope you have, you might go through the painful progress of measuring it. I am also a big fan of Tinin by the way 

[ameletters]

I got myself now a tough sea-going vessel to start my pirateship - should be called Captain Lubber from now on!

I fought the fear of planking and battled with the rudy rudder for a long time until I won - can tackle everything now!

[ameletters]

Ich cha schwarze Hemp-Fade chauffe z' Australie - isch zwar doppled so dick aber das chan ja nur hälfe - so hoffi wenigschtens, Schnu!

[ameletters]

Have to ad a row of planking on the top - to place the upper cannon holes properly - but also for a sleeker look - I guess?

[mtaylor]

Ich cha schwarze Hemp-Fade chauffe z' Australie - isch zwar doppled so dick aber das chan ja nur hälfe - so hoffi wenigschtens, Schnu!

 

Please... this is an English Language forum.  If you need to, use Google Translate.

[ameletters]

Pirates have no boundaries, no rules and no law - just the Code - and the Code makes sure every language and religion is treated fair!

[schnu]

It`s nice to see someone who knows Swiss German on this forum  . I am not sure if it is a good Idea to buy it if it is thicker. It might become a problem with the rigging blocks. But you might find rigging line on the internet. I believe that chuck sells rigging rope on his company website.

http://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/miniature-rope.php

 

By the way how did you end up on the other side of the world?

 

[ameletters]

Needed a healthier place for my kids to grow up and a good location to build the house I wanted! Have a look at www.lillifield.com, Schnu!

[ameletters]

Just getting organised for battle . . .

[schnu]

Your community seems very active and socially oriented, here in Switzerland in my village it`s every man for himself. 

I hope that no one had to pay the fine. 

[ameletters]

What fine, Schnu? - Finally my luxury cabin is finished to move in . . .

[schnu]

Nice progress, what material did you use for the windows?

 

I was talking about the 50 dollar fine if someone dared to damage your vessel. 

[ameletters]

okay, okay - you're smart, Schnu! Here some more pics of the black Unicorn! Have a happy New Year!

[ameletters]

It's a 1mm plastic mirror that you can buy cheap on Ebay, Schnu! It is thought as a creative wall decoration, but it definitely is very practical for models! You can cut and break it with a paper knive - give it a try . . .

[schnu]

Thanks, I will give it a try on my next build.

[ameletters]

I know it looks a bit like Christmas - Pegasus, the flying unicorn - but I quite like it !!! Hope, you like it too, Schnu?