New Bedford Whaler - circa 1835

[spanner570]

Great work Ron, you're fast tracking this one. Derek

I have to Derek, I have a ship waiting for high tide at Liverpool!


Thanks James, I'm glad you approve of the build so far.

[takeslousyphotos]

As expected.........Miagi San is doing a "Reet blinding` job on the wee bort".

[flyjoe180]

Just caught up with this build Ron. Very nice work so far, the sails look convincing.

[Gern]

Nice!

[Guest]

Excellent work here Ron.

[spanner570]

Thanks chaps.....


Peter San....wax on, wax off!


Right, here is the latest update.


I've fixed the masts, bow sprit and the lower rat lines. I fitted the lower one's to help keep the masts nice and plumb whilst I do the rigging. The middle and top sets I will do later...I need as much room as I can muster for the rigging stage.


The ratlines look a wee bit heavy just yet, but when all the rigging is completed I'm hoping they will blend in better.






The bow sprit.






A couple of general shots. She's starting to look something like now.






This gives a better view of the copper work weathering.






I've decided it will be easier to do 90% of the rigging with the sails removed from the cross trees / yardarms, whatever. (These I will glue to the masts, leaving off the sails, thus giving me more room to rig the ship) I will fix the sails at a later stage to enable me to complete the ropework.


Here are a set of sails and crosstrees all moulded together.






I cut each sail and crosstree off and scoured along the top freehand, and very carefully separated them. Take a note to remove those circles Ron!!






Here is the main mast set cut up. I sweated buckets doing the cutting, but it will be worth the effort in the long run, leaving me loads of space. It will also allow me to re-shape the individual sails a bit, rather than them all looking a bit 'samey'






I can now fix the crosstrees to the masts and start the rigging....


I will leave any further weathering until the ship is finished.


That's it for this installment.


Thanks for looking in and posting your excellent comments.


Ron

[Guest]

I really like what you have done so far on this small scale! I will watch the progress!

[colin m]

Thanks for the comments chaps....
Nice Titanic Ralph.


Yes Si, it is copper and nicely detailed for a hull that's only 6" long.

Hence the phrase, "Copper Bottomed Guarantee"

[spanner570]

Thanks for the comments boys.....


I have managed to remove the sails from all the yardarms without mishap and glued them into position. I am hoping by doing things this way round, I will have plenty of room to do the rigging...Sez he!


Here's a shot of the masts and yardarms ready for the rigging. I've made a start on the rigging whilst the yards were in the clamps.They are the ropes the sailors use when scrambling along the yard's to reef in the sails ( I don't know what they're called) They still need to be straightened up ....


I've also given the ratlines a diluted coat of dk. green to try and tone them down and blend in a bit more.


I really should remove that naff moulded in flag!






There you go.


Now I can start the rigging with no thought for what state my peepers will be in on completion....


Ron

[spanner570]

Here's another update for you....


I've finished the heavier standing rigging and got everything tight and plumb. I've still to fix the remaining rat lines. I will leave these off for now, as the next stage is to add a load more running rigging, using the same lighter thread I used for the rigging running down the masts ( which can't be seen in the pictures below!)....Sorry.














I hope you like the progress so far and thanks for looking in.


Ron

[Guest]

That's really nice Ron, beginning to look the business.


When I was in WH Smith a fortnight ago there was a photo on the cover of a Magazine, not sure if it was Modelling Magazine or Miniature Modelling Magazine showing a ship like your, and with tattered sails. Went in again to Smiths yesterday but it was gone, sorry I didn't get it to show you. Would have looked gret for what you are planning. Derek

[Gern]

That was quick!


Looks really good so far and the overscale ratlines are blending in with no problems. Just goes to show that kits do not have to be absolutely 100% accurate in scale to look right - something that's been discussed here many times when talking about panel lines and hard/soft camouflage edges..


What did you use for the rigging?

[yak face]

This is looking amazing Ron , all the more because of its diminutive size. Loving the copper bottom effect and the rigging really brings it to life . Cant wait to see the finished article , dont forget to add the scratchbuilt 1/200 scale bucket too!! cheers tony

[spanner570]

Thanks chaps....


Derek, I appreciate the thought and thanks for trying to get a copy of the mag.


Dave, the standing rigging is the black twine included in the kit - almost miniature polypropylene to look at.


The running rigging is that thin stuff the fishermen tie the bait on with. then painted beige.


Tony, one bucket locked in the memory!


Apart from a bit of tweeking, I've finally finished the rigging. There was very little instructions for the standing rigging and none for the running, so I've used a bit of licence and a wee bit of knowledge from my sailing days and I've done the best I can....


Here is the standing rigging.






The running....some baggy, on purpose - honest!






A couple of general shots. Minus the remaining ratlines.








...and the ratlines completed






Next up I'll do the ships cutter's davits and start work on fitting out the five cutters themselves. Also, I'll see if any more rigging is required.


Thanks,


Ron

[Guest]

That looks a really nice kit Ron, it is really taking shape. Derek