Rattlesnake by KenW - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - American Privateer

[Martin W]

Very nice work on a handsome ship!  The detailing around the head is lovely.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Martin, and the 'likes'.

[KenW]

I finally finished with the Iroquois figurehead.  I knew that I wouldn’t be able to carve it, but luckily I have a good friend who is a war gamer.  He told me about a site that sold Native American figures that can be included as part of a revolutionary army.  I bought twenty figures, and was very impressed with the sculptor.  The problem was that all the ‘indians’ were holding a rifle, which I didn’t want on the model.  Since the dye cast metal is soft, I cut away the rifle as best I could from the figure I chose.  But, that left the left hand unusable.  So I took a left hand from another figure, cut off the bad hand and glued the new left hand (which was holding a hatchet) onto the ‘stump’.  I also replaced the head because the head feathers were too high.  The result looked good.  I then painted the figure the same way my friend paints his armies:  paint the figure black and when it's dry, add a white dry brush.  Next apply several coats of a yellow wash, followed by a black wash made of acrylic floor wax, water and calligraphy ink.  The figurehead is not glued to the model yet since I have to make sure the hatchet doesn’t interfere with the bob stay.  Over all, I think it looks just fine.  I only hope my explanation makes sense.

 

[DocBlake]

Beautiful job, Ken. You should be proud!

[Jack12477]

Nice !  I like the figurehead. Great job, Ken

[JSGerson]

Blue Ensign did something very similar on his Pegasus stern carvings starting at posting 1372. Now if you can keep the technique a secret, you will really impress your friends!

[KenW]

Thanks Dave, Jack and Jon and the 'likes'.

And Jon, what I say here stays here.

[KenW]

WOW!  I just read through Blue Ensign's Pegasus blog.  He did way more fancy stuff than I did!  His is really impressive.

I'll have to read more of his logs.

Thanks.

[KenW]

Well, I finished the stern planking.  I like the look – colors, etc.  But the real work is just beginning.  I’m going to try and use the die cast metal decoration.  I filed the MS piece so it is thinner (about 1/16^th of an inch).  I will paint the die cast metal using the same techniques as I used on the figurehead.  I added two pins to help hold up the metal decoration (it also makes it easier to work with). The bigger problem is that on Hahn plans, there is another piece of decoration behind the supplied metal one.  There are also fashion pieces with decoration that need to be created.  Since they aren’t supplied, I’m going to have to create/carve them both. 

 

 

Edited February 23, 2016 by KenW

[JSGerson]

 

 

The bigger problem is that on Hahn plans, there is another piece of decoration behind the supplied metal one.  There are also fashion pieces with decoration that need to be created.  Since they aren’t supplied, I’m going to have to create/carve them both.

I assume you mean the two side pieces that fit in the corner of the transom below the decorative arch. They are going to be a bit tricky. In Robert Hunt's practicum, he chose to use Primo or Sculpey clay more as an example of technique rather than prime choice of method. It enabled him to form the pieces to fit the model easily. Carving was simplified because until the clay dried he could work it till he got right. Looking at his results, there was a slight change in color and texture due to the change in material I didn't like and since my model wasn't being painted, I couldn't cover that up. I decided to continue using boxwood and carve them like I did the decorative arch.

 

What ever method you use, you are going to have to deal with a compound curve as the pieces curve in and back under the transom. It took me numerous attempts to get it right and don't forget, you have to make each one an exact mirror images of each other; and then you will have to form or carve the decorations.  Good luck

 

Note: The Mamoli kit does provide those decorative pieces.

 

Jonathan

Edited February 23, 2016 by JSGerson

[Martin W]

Very, very nice Ken.  Your build is looking lovely.

 

Like Jon, I used wood for those lower transom pieces.  I just traced the 2 curves on a piece of thick stock, cut one curve somewhat roughly, then the second -- both using the jeweller's saw -- and then I trimmed it with chisels & files.  It was a bit tricky, and I never got them to fit the upper decoration as well as I'd have liked.  But I think they look better than clay.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Jon and Martin.  I gave Jonathan a 'like' even though it's more like an 'dislike' since I realize how hard it's going to be to create those pieces.  You guys just reinforced my feeling of dread.  However, this is a hobby and I will take my time and hope for the best.  Like Angie said, 'Tain't a hobby if you hurry".

Cheers.

[JSGerson]

Oh, don't dread! This is fun remember? When I started my decorations, I was looking forward to it even though I've never done anything like it before. It was a fun challenge. If you were to look at what I was trying to copy (Robert Hunt's decorations) and compare those to what I made, you would see the difference between a master and a novice, but since most people won't, I look good! Try making some decorations on scrape wood (or clay if that's your plan) how bad can it be? Look at other builds, no two are alike so you can't be wrong in what you make. I would still like to see you attempt the whole arch. At worst, you use the metal one if you don't like your work.

 

Jon

[KenW]

Thanks Jon.  Good advice.  I'm also not sold on clay.  I also don't think I can produce the carvings that are on the Hahn or MS plans.  But, there must be something in the middle.

Your carvings look great, by the way.  I would definitely be happy with your work.

Cheers.

[JSGerson]

Here are four build decorations I've found on this site and the web plus the Harold Hahn (B&W) version.  Each one is different; there is no correct one. Some harder/easier than others. Give it a shot, you got nothing to lose, and if you like what you made, you'll feel better that you did.

 

I copied Robert Hunt's who copied Harold Hahn. Mine is a far cry from the original

 

Note: the images are from Jim McCurdy, Pasi Ahopelto, Raul Guzman, and Paul Bishop in that order

Edited February 23, 2016 by JSGerson

[KenW]

This past Tuesday I displayed the Rattlesnake at the monthly meeting of the SMSNJ.  During my talk, I mentioned that I intended to use the MS kit supplied dye cast metal stern decorations since I didn’t think I could make those intricate carvings.  Chuck Passaro felt that was a mistake.  His suggestion was to have a background or ‘back splash’ and laminate carvings onto it.  The stern carving is really a bunch of small carvings, so it isn’t necessary to do one big carving.  I liked the idea.  So I decided to order a couple walnut sheets from Jason at Crown Timberland for the back splash.  And last night, I carved the rattlesnake.  I’m pleased with the carving, and everyone in my family could tell what it was.  It certainly is better that the snake on the kit supplied metal decoration (although I guess I should have a higher standard than that).  So on to all those floral carvings.

 

[EJ_L]

Your build is looking fantastic! The Rattlesnake, this exact kit actually, was the first wooden ship I built. I think that that was probably a mistake as I should have started with something simpler but that is not what I typically do. Still, I am very proud of how it came out overall and I learned a lot from building her. I have to say that yours looks a lot better than mine does. The clean lines and beautiful carvings are great. I've enjoyed reading through your build log and will continue to follow along as I look forward to seeing her come together.

[KenW]

Thanks EJ.  I'll check out your La Couronne.

[JSGerson]

Wonderful! I glad you decided to at least making the attempt to create your own decorations. Based on your carved snake, it should look great. Believe me, you will feel a whole better about the model than if you had used the cast metal part. I look forward to following the process.

 

Jonathan

[Martin W]

Woohoo, Ken!  That snake looks terrific!  You're lucky to have access to a good modelling club, and to folks like Chuck.  That's terrific advice about laminating carvings onto a background -- the carving I did for my Rattlesnake was a thrilling discovery of doing something I enjoyed but had never thought I'd be capable of.  As I've been contemplating the carving for my Fly, I've begun to consider the idea of doing laminated pieces, which would avoid the anxiety of ruining one complete decoration.  Seeing your work has convinced me that's the way to go.

 

So did you carve the snake with hand tools or with a Dremel?

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Jon and Martin.  I definitely agree that the SMSNJ is a great club.  And not only because of Chuck.  There are a lot of top class modelers there.

I think laminating is a great idea.  Look at the MS model Confederacy's stern.  You will see that the large decorations are individually made.  The documentation for that model is available free from the Model Expo site.

Cheers.

 

Oh yeah, the snake was made using a drill, needle files and an x-acto knife.

Edited February 26, 2016 by KenW

[KenW]

The walnut sheets arrived from Crown Timberland and I proceeded to create the ‘back splash’.  I made some small floral-type carvings and put a trim around the ‘back splash’.  Then glued the all carvings glued in place.  The look is similar to the transom of several models including the Confederacy and Syren.  The question is whether the carvings are one piece that extends beyond the width of the stern, or is the transom wide, like the kit supplied piece, with the carvings added.  My solution assumes the later, and I like the look.  However, I don’t know if what I did is historically accurate.  Going by the MS and Howard Hahn plans, it’s hard to get an absolute answer. 

 

[DocBlake]

Very nice job on the carvings, Ken.  A challenging part of the build, no doubt.  Keep up the great work.

[JSGerson]

Great job, I knew you could do it! There, now don't you feel better knowing you did it and didn't use the kit's cast metal part?

 

Jonathan

[EJ_L]

Ken, those carvings look great! Way better than the cast mold looks, I know cause I used it and have been seriously considering redoing it one day. Definitely worth the effort. Great job!

[DocBlake]

Here's another technique for replacing metal decorative castings.  The explanation starts at 2:30 on the video: 

Edited March 9, 2016 by DocBlake

[rafine]

Very nicely done on the carvings Ken.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Thanks Bob, Dave and EJ_L for your encouraging words.

And thanks Jon for the push to attempt the carvings. 

I'm working on carving the forward part of the transom and the fashion pieces.  Then everything will be glued together and, hopefully, look great.

Cheers.

[Martin W]

I have to echo everyone else here:  good work on those carvings.  I like the idea of the contrasting background.

 

Keep at it!

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Martin, and for the 'likes'.