USS Ranger by mattsayers148 - FINISHED - Corel SM55 - 1:64 - 4th build, 2nd build log

[thomaslambo]

Hi Matt,

 

Great start...I love the contrasting colors on the hull (gets me thinking about what I'll do with my finish).

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the pirate theme

 

Boyd 

[mattsayers148]

Thanks George, CaptainSteve, Boyd and everyone for the likes.

 

Now that the hull turned out cool I might redo the deck as well. I think the same wood would be to much though, we'll see.

[thomaslambo]

Now that the hull turned out cool I might redo the deck as well. I think the same wood would be to much though, we'll see.

I would agree, the same contrast on the deck would be a bit much....after seeing the level of creativity on your launch I'm sure you'll step out of the box topside with something special    

[GLakie]

They did a wonderful job with the planking Matt!  It's a good thing you explained who you were right away because "old Salty" looks like he was ready to strike. It's good he came back with you so he can get to work with the boys and loose a couple pounds. He's looking a little a little pudgy. 

 

Cheers

[mtaylor]

Those mountains look familiar... Eastern Oregon, I'm thinking.  The Nutz brothers continue their fine tradition as that deck looks great.

[mattsayers148]

George, I think Salty has a chance to lose some weight now that he's picked up his rock hammer again!

 

You are correct Mark, SE ridge behind Money's Head at Smith Rocks. I told my son I'm getting too old for this! It was a great start for our mini vacation.

[CaptainSteve]

I love the planking job the Nutz brothers have done ... but, err, what's going on with the platform a-stern ??

(Looks a little like a rotunda for a band to play on)

[Salty Sea Dog]

Is anyone else thinking about making treenailed decking coasters from leftover planking?

[Canute]

It looks to me like maybe either a) a gazebo base or a pivot gun platform. This weapons guy likes b.

 

Matt, the decking looks great. My compliments to the Nutz brothers. And Uncle Salty is starting to look like a groundhog or gopher. Get him back to work!

[mattsayers148]

Thanks goes out to George, Mark, CaptainSteve, Buck, Ken and to all for the likes and words of encouragement.

 

Well CaptainSteve, Ken got it right. The rotunda will be made home by the carronade(s). I use the (s) because at this point I'm really not sure what heck I'm doing. My best estimation is that pivot platforms would be of great value on a ship of this size. The range of fire is greatly improved, giving the ability to send a punch in almost any direction.

 

Taking this in mind, I acquired a sea mortar(MS) at a very low price. I'm taking CaptainSteve's advice, to include this small project into this build log.

I will be scaling down from 1:16 to 1:64 but have yet to decide how many to make.

[CaptainSteve]

That be the business, indeed, Matt !!

I can just imagine the back-story already:
... the Nutz Brothers on their extremely dangerous and highly-classified secret night-mission
... their target ... the Imperial army's latest and most deadly weapon !!
... the tale of their stunning success !!
... followed by tales of their daring-do as they turn the weapon against them dreaded Red-Coats !!

 

(Whoops !! Wrong era !!)

Edited April 24, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[thomaslambo]

Matt,

 

You and the Nutz brothers did a great job on the decks.  I'm feeling the pivot platforms...great idea and looking forward to seeing how you guys handle the application 

 

Boyd

[mattsayers148]

Thanks CaptainSteve and Boyd for encouragement.

 

You know Boyd, this is becoming more of a scratch than a bash! Changes get made nearly every turn, so I too am interested how this will play out. My best thoughts seem to come in the a.m. after a quart or so of thick, dark coffee.

[mattsayers148]

With so many squirrels at boot camp, and several others needing life skills training, I've decided to take over the weapons detail. (No need for panic, this was all cleared by CaptainHarry). The mortar kit is an easy build and fairly self explanatory.

 

I decided to build the kit and the mini versions at the same time. Wood veneer was cut to the necessary size and laminated enough pieces together to achieve proper thicknesses.

After the glue dried, and the pieces were shaped, the whole assembly was then glued together. Next task, building the big guns.

[GLakie]

Wow----a big mortar and a bunch of mini's! Heavily armed to say the least. Better be careful when firing the big one, and make sure one of the squirrel crew didn't get drunk and climb in there and pass out! 

[thomaslambo]

Thanks CaptainSteve and Boyd for encouragement.

 

You know Boyd, this is becoming more of a scratch than a bash! Changes get made nearly every turn, so I too am interested how this will play out. My best thoughts seem to come in the a.m. after a quart or so of thick, dark coffee.

 

Speaking of "Bash', have you checked out my thread on the definition of "Kit Bashed", it's getting some very interesting comments (in the Wooden Model Ship Questions and Reviews section).

 

I too do my best and most creative thinking in the wee hours of the morning...and a good cup of Java gets the old brain in gear

 

Next up swivels perhaps....and maybe you can train the beavers to retrieve wood for the project   

[Salty Sea Dog]

Boyd- Thanks for the mention of your 'bashing' thread. That was a good read. I hadn't realized that the term was an issue with some.

 

Matt- Bash away buddy! I hope you took no offense with me mentioning drink coasters after seeing your gun swivel! I'm actually thinking of making planked drink coasters because of that!

[GLakie]

Boyd- Thanks for the mention of your 'bashing' thread. That was a good read. I hadn't realized that the term was an issue with some.

 

Matt- Bash away buddy! I hope you took no offense with me mentioning drink coasters after seeing your gun swivel! I'm actually thinking of making planked drink coasters because of that!

I actually like that idea. Planked coasters with a nibbing strake around it. Hey---get a patent, and sell the idea to Walmart and become the next millionaire!  

[mattsayers148]

George, that's exactly why I took over the ordinances! Them crazy rum drinkin squirrels would end up killing us all!

[Salty Sea Dog]

Well if I were to harvest wood from the 3 aspen trees I'm cutting down in the back yard...

[mattsayers148]

Now Buck, did you actually plant those trees! If not....you may be disqualified.

[mattsayers148]

I talked to CaptainHarry today and asked how the ship is goin. He said they're all waitin for me to finish the armaments! I almost busted a nutcracker over his head! "Tell Woodie not to wait! Put as many gun ports as the ship can handle! If I don't make enough, I'm sure you'll plunder more!"

 

Now I can get back to my job. The reason for five mortars, some may get bashed in along the way. This way I'll be assured that kit is bashed, maybe...if I follow the rules...wait if I follow the rules then it won't be a bash...ahh screw it.

The MS mortar kit, or any of the guns of history kits, I think would make an excellent build for a starter or a shifter from other modeling. It's a 5-10hr kit, which here at MSW means 5-10 days, minimum!

 

As has been seen, I'm doing all six at once. The full size carriage I'm aging, the smaller ones will most likely be painted.

 

So I've been soldering and fileing and came up with a halfway decent mortar barrel. I'm doing these the same as my carronade, except no CA, soldered. This one seemed to turn out better than my carronade, so I may redo that one, we'll see.

[GLakie]

Looking awesome Matt! That's the trouble with those squirrels. Sometimes you just have to crack the whip---or nut-cracker in this case. 

[CaptainSteve]

A nice motley collection o' gunnery there, Matt.

The mortar looks like it could take-out a small-to-medium-sized town all on its' own !! 

[Canute]

Nice little mortars and carronades you've turned there, Matt.

 

Guess those pirate squirrels can be a little touchy; may have to make an example of one or else the blighters will take over and you'll be "walking the plank".

[mattsayers148]

Thanks for the encouragement George, CaptainSteve, Ken and everyone for the likes.

 

I still am trying to decide if the guns will remain shiny brass or get blackened.

[thomaslambo]

I still am trying to decide if the guns will remain shiny brass or get blackened.

Matt,

 

I'm going through the same thought process....so far I've blackened every brass part on the ship but I'm heavily considering leaving the cannons brass just for the nice contrast (really not going for historical accuracy on my build - I think the viewing audience would like the brass look).

 

And nice progress on the mortars...looking forward to the end result on both weapons

 

Boyd 

Edited April 27, 2015 by thomaslambo

[Canute]

Matt, I'd leave them in brass. Seems appropriate for those piratical squirrels. Lots of "Flash".

[mattsayers148]

Boyd and Ken, I agree. They shall stay brass, and the minions shall keep them polished! And I've got one particular squirrel in mind.

 

Seems that the Nutz Bros put out a call to all in their family to go to basic training. If they succeed, they may be given a higher rank, but they have to prove themselves worthy. Well, their favorite nephew got discharged and was deemed inadequate. Harry and Woodie still want him here, so here Droopie will stay. Polishing brass will be his job, for a very long time.

[GLakie]

Oh Oh! Was Droopie the AWOL squirrel that I spotted in the bar? 

Edited April 27, 2015 by GLakie