STS Leeuwin II by tallshiptragic - 1/56 as she is today 2015

[Omega1234]

Very nice!

[Tallshiptragic]

Both quarter gyro compass repeaters made up and attached. Plastic tube, strip and brass make up the main compass with the rose decal - same as on the helm station - also I've used black copper wire for the electrical cable that goes from the base of the compass to the gooseneck directly behind it on the bulwark.

 

We do also have two azimuth with prisms though only use one on the windward compass as we heal over quite a bit. These are removed at anchor or in harbour. I'll make one of these up in due course.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Tallshiptragic

[Tallshiptragic]

Azimuth and prism made up. I've attached it to the port compass - since the beginning I've always had in my head that the model would be displayed port side on. Don't know why but I just prefer to look at the profile from the port side.

[captainbob]

great detail work.  Showing a close up and then moving back to show how it all fits together gives us a feel for the ship.

 

Bob

[Jim Lad]

Crikey!  Even azimuth rings on the repeaters - well done, Anton.

 

John

[Omega1234]

I'm constantly amazed with this model. The more you look at the ship, the more details begin to pop up at you. So much so, that before you know it, if you stare long enough, you'll begin to see pipes, cables, Red fire extinguishers, decals, compass roses, black rubber seals around doors, not to mention the 'Watch Your Head' sign; in fact, all the sorts of things that are left off other models.

 

Amazing stuff!

Edited April 14, 2015 by Omega1234

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks very much bob, John and Patrick. This is probably the last updates for about three weeks now as we head off on Thursday to Monkey Mia and shark bay. If anyone's heard of Ningaloo reef and the population of whale sharks in WA, well that's where we're headed. Also hopefully a stop at the Abrohlos islands in the way - famous for the Batavia wreck and story plus the wrecks of other numerous Dutch ships.

 

I've done a little bit now before packing this away and tidying up my work space. Started to make up the mizzenmast. On Leeuwin all masts are steel apart from the top masts which are wood. For the mizzen, I've attached the top mast - it sits hard up and flush to the mizzen top with only a slither of a gap. The topmost is attached with a steel collar bolted at the top - one half is attached to the mizzenmast top and the other around the mizzen topmost. The base of the topmast is bolted to the cheeks which are welded to the mizzen mast itself. The main topmast and the fore top gallant masts are fastened in the same fashion.

 

Shrouds don't loop around the mast top as in pre 19th century ships but rather fastened by shackles to a plate just below the futtocks. You'll see a triangle shaped plate below this - the futtock shrouds are all metal bars which attach to this plate and go up to the futtock beams. Also attached are the eyes for the blocks for the throat halyard and peak halyards of the mizzen gaff.

[BANYAN]

Very nice detail and finish mate.  Swivel guns o a modern sail ship - are they used as signal/ceremonial guns?

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Tallshiptragic]

Very nice detail and finish mate.  Swivel guns o a modern sail ship - are they used as signal/ceremonial guns?

 

cheers

 

Pat

Thanks Pat, yeah they're just breach loading signal guns. We haven't fired them in a long time due to changes in firearm licensing. Though they should be back onboard soon. In the past used for saluting ships and leaving and entering port.

 

I've now attached the mizzen top futtocks and futtock shrouds - again the shrouds are steel bar - the 'ratlines' are seized and tarred for better grip, though the shrouds are just left as steel. The port aft futtock beam is longer than usual as it carries the GPS aerial dome. The ships radar is actually attached forward of the mast top with a frame above holding sat phone and UHF and VHF aerials.

[Jim Lad]

Have fun at Ningaloo, Anton.  Hope you get amongst the Whale Sharks.

 

John

[CaptainSteve]

... as we head off on Thursday to Monkey Mia and shark bay. If anyone's heard of Ningaloo reef and the population of whale sharks in WA, well that's where we're headed. Also hopefully a stop at the Abrohlos islands in the way - famous for the Batavia wreck and story plus the wrecks of other numerous Dutch ships.

 

 

Anton !!

You must really hate getting up in the morning to go to work !!!

(NOT !!!)

[Tallshiptragic]

Hahaha, well if it makes you feel any better I've got 2 months worth of stores arriving tomorrow to deal with...

[Tallshiptragic]

As usual, I couldn't resist. To be honest I started with the mizzen as I wanted to see how the radar and aerial arrangement would come out.

 

Plastic strip, rod and angle beams used throughout. The radar and radar platform are made up of angle bar and strip with rod for the lower brace. The hoop above the radar will have a canvas tarp attached - this is to prevent any of the rigging from damaging the radar. The hoop is two rods glued together and shaped to form the hoop - the real one is the made up of aluminum tube silver welded together for strength. Above this is the bracket and beam which hold the UHF, VHF and sat phone and gps pods.

[Tallshiptragic]

Was home a little earlier than I thought today and as I was home alone, put the main mast together. Minus the radar and aerials and with the addition of a band slightly more than halfway up the topmast, it went together the same as the mizzen.

 

Both mizzen and main now primed and stepped, though not glued in place.

[Omega1234]

Even the masts have exquisite details....Nice!!!

[Mirabell61]

Anton,

 

love that Detail work on the Aerial Equipment of the mizzen, Looks as if it realy could receive the sea weather Report......

 

Nils

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks Patrick and Nils.

 

Perhaps it may Nils once I've added all the wiring though the electrical wiring runs down the stays so I won't add those until they're rigged.

[captainbob]

Good detail work on the antennas.  She's coming along nicely. 

 

Bob

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks Bob, I have to say that I really enjoy working with plastruct materials. It works very well for me and comes together very easily.

 

So for a final update on the model for a few weeks, main and mizzen masts painted. Tops and caps painted white while the spars are in Leeuwin yellow - this is the same yellow as the scroll work, hull stripe and figure head.

[Omega1234]

Hi Anton

 

Great job as always. As you're heading back to sea, I wish you all the best over the next few months.

 

I'll keep an eye out for Leeuwin's next updates once you're back.

 

All the best and Bon Voyage!

 

Patrick

Edited April 16, 2015 by Omega1234

[*Hans*]

As usual, I couldn't resist. To be honest I started with the mizzen as I wanted to see how the radar and aerial arrangement would come out.

 

Plastic strip, rod and angle beams used throughout. The radar and radar platform are made up of angle bar and strip with rod for the lower brace. The hoop above the radar will have a canvas tarp attached - this is to prevent any of the rigging from damaging the radar. The hoop is two rods glued together and shaped to form the hoop - the real one is the made up of aluminum tube silver welded together for strength. Above this is the bracket and beam which hold the UHF, VHF and sat phone and gps pods.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the radar realy works as well!

[Tallshiptragic]

Hi everyone. No updates on the model but we've just dropped the pick on the eastern side of point peron in shark bay so a couple pics of life up here.

 

On and Hans.... I do have a micro motor to make that radar rotate

That fish we caught last night, a 15kg yellow fin tuna! Great eating

[Omega1234]

Fantastic! What a job...and to think they pay you to do this. I'm seriously envious. Enjoy.

Edited May 6, 2015 by Omega1234

[BANYAN]

You have such a terrible lifestyle mate; you should be back here on the east coast shivering with the rest of us jealous beggers

 

That is certainly a beautiful part of the world.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Tallshiptragic]

It does get a little wet up here, with the threat of a cyclone hitting the coral coast, luckily turned into swell and some rain.

[*Hans*]

Well - little bit of sun afterwards to get dry.... Man! what a life....

[mtaylor]

Those ought to be in the Amazing Photographs area.   Excellent pictures.  I love that last one.

[Tallshiptragic]

Thanks guys. Flew home on the weekend have a couple weeks off the ship as they - I - managed to find a relief. I took the foremast up with me on the ship and built up the futtocks while away. I've now shaped the foremast and fore t'gallant mast and added the futtocks, eyes and futtock shrouds. The basic mast is now painted and all three masts have been stepped into the model.

[Tallshiptragic]

Started the shrouds and stays on the mizzen. I'm using Barbour flax linen threads for the standing rigging and .35mm for the seizing. The stays and shrouds are then painted black to replicate the tarring and the seizing white.

 

The real ship the stays and shrouds are steel cable, seized in hemp then completely tarred. The white seizing is where the rope attaches to itself after passing through the eye of a turnbuckle/bottlescrew. These aren't tarred but painted white so can be cut off easily without damage to the shrouds/stays.

[Omega1234]

Hi Anton

 

The masts are looking great. You're gonna be finished in no time!

 

Are you able to say what's next on the slipway?

 

Cheers

 

Patrick