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

[thomaslambo]

Matt,

 

Simply superb work 

[gerty]

Nice work Matt !

[Cathead]

You singed the sails while on the ship? Your squirrels have bigger, um, acorns than I imagined.

 

Glorious, creative work.

[src]

Love it!

Sam

[mattsayers148]

Thanks George, Frank, CaptainSteve, Mark, Ken, Boyd, gerty, CH, Sam and all those hitting the like button. You kind words are a great encouragement.

 

The sails are finally completed. Now I can focus on deck furnishings.

 

[GLakie]

Seeing them in an over-all shot, puts a better perspective on those sails Matt!  Nicely done! 

[Cathead]

Yeah, I really like that angle.

 

This was going to be my next kit. Now I'm wondering if I should just print these photos out and stick them on the bookshelf instead.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks George, CH and all for the likes.

 

CH, the acorns were large and bountiful with the Nutz and Bawlz Clans. Burning the sails after they were in place was a white knuckle event. Many modelers leave the sails off or furl them so they don't block the view. I decided to go this route with the fore and aft main sails angled towards the port side. The square sail was, however, too much so it got furled.

 

I think you'd like this model, even though the instructions aren't the greatest.

[thomaslambo]

Wow, nice effect...looks like a ghost ship out of Pirates of the Caribbean    

[Salty Sea Dog]

If a ship looking like that was coming for you, it would definitely strike fear. It would be like death had come calling. Great work Matt! Definitely a fearless move to torch the sails while on the ship!

[Cathead]

Matt, yeah, the instructions are what they are, and I intend to refer to this log heavily. I was annoyed to discover, shortly after buying this kit, that BlueJacket had come out with a similar one that's probably better. But it'll be a good learning experience whenever I get to it. I want to rework it to my vision, too, so your heavy customizing will be helpful.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks Boyd, Buck, CH and those who punch the like button.

 

Work in the shipyard has been moving steadily. Starting to button up with all of the rope coils and other furnishings.

 

 

I search through many photos for culverins/swivel guns that were in use during this time period and came up with a lot. So I took the liberty of letting my mind wander through the ages. Not sure if there's not enough or too many. Wait a minute...can a pirate ship have too much artillery? Nope!

 

[mattsayers148]

Thanks to everyone for all the likes and encouragement.

 

Things are finally getting close to the end. For the stand, I repurposed an old oak door I got from the rebuild center for $2. Last year a trip was made to an obsidian flow in eastern Oregon where I got both mahogany and rainbow obsidian. The volcanic glass was broken into shards and and set in cement patch to represent water. I wasn't really sure of the outcome, but it seems to look ok.

 

 

The door was distressed with alternating red mahogany and natural grey Minwax, hand scraping between each coat and finished off with steel wool.

 

 

After much contemplation, I resolved on a location for the ebony skull. At first I thought of putting it on the point of the bowsprit, but it really looked out of place. This spot made it blend in much better.

 

 

I used my extra barrels, sailcloth, timber and botched cannons to fill up the cargo hold. There's still a couple minor details to work out, but overall it's mostly complete.

 

[riverboat]

Nice!!..... really different...... Nice Matt

 

Frank

[thomaslambo]

Matt,

 

Just beautiful work, perfect placement of the Skull...and so creative on many levels 

 

Great idea using the botched Cannons, I've butchered a couple myself, as well as purchased a couple different types...into the hold they go 

[mtaylor]

Sweet work, Matt.  Historically, old damaged cannons were used for ballast so thumbs up for that also.  

[CaptainSteve]

Bravo !! Looks good, Matt !!

[mattsayers148]

Thank you Frank, Boyd, Mark, CaptainSteve and to all for the likes and continuing encouragement.

 

So the final chapter of the Pirate Ship has been written. The Nutz and Bawlz Clans are ready to embark on their maiden voyage. Once on the high seas, they shall bring terror to all who encounter them.

 

It's hard to pick an exact ending point to this build, but I think I've arrived. Early on I had the idea of adding lighting, but realized that I would need a lot of advanced planning to accomplish this, which I didn't do. So I settled on just one simple lantern. The inspiration for this came from the Syren Ship Model Company's stern lantern kit. I modified it to a hand held lantern and added a red LED, well, to add at least one light feature.

 

 

I came up with an unusual solution to disguise the battery and switch which I added to CaptainSteve's Kit Bashers Guide. I'll let those who are more proficient at electronics to correct any errors in this process. The battery and cables are hidden in the cargo hold.

 

It may take a few days for me to work up photos for the gallery, but I assure you they will come. I want to thank everyone so much for the continued encouragement and help that you've given me through this "flying by the seat of my pants" build. I wonder, as most have, on what comes next, so it's been a journey with many turns.

 

As it sits right now, my next build will be the Benjamin W. Latham American fishing schooner by MS. It's a nice 1:48 scale so there's room for a lot of details and a reasonable amount of bashing. Off to the Dark side!!!

[mtaylor]

Well done on the entire ship and that ingenious battery box.   Looking great.  Wish the brothers for me and much nuts and booty.

[Cathead]

Hearty congratulations! It's been a fascinating project to follow, full of creativity and education. Many thanks for the time you spent sharing it with us.

[Canute]

Congratulation, Matt. I really like the electronic addition. Nicely done concealing the battery and switch.

Edited May 8, 2016 by Canute

[mattsayers148]

Well I added the pictures to my gallery. Thanks again to everyone for all of the encouragement that was given. I can be found at my new build log Benjamin W. Latham by Matt

[Salty Sea Dog]

Congrats Matt! I think you may have set the record on how far out of the box one can go! Nice job!

[LeftyNighthawk]

Hi, I found this thread while searching the internet for help with plans of the Corel USS Ranger. I got this unbuilt second hand model. Sadly the kit isn't complete, the keel is missing and also some of the ribs but the keel I can make from the only drawing included in the kit. Have you kept the complete plans and building instructions and if so have the possibility to scan these?

 

BR

Thomas

Sweden