9 replies to this topic

[schoon]

Fellow Captains,

 

I wanted to try something that would force some learning for my build, so I opted for soldered brass on the masts & bowsprit. It's been decades since I used a soldering iron, and doing the masts this way sounded like a good opportunity to re-learn the skill.

 

So I did the bowsprit as an experiment today. It's FAR from perfect, but all things considered, I'm pretty happy with it.

 

 

The picture is taken on the 1/8 inch hardwood base that I'll be modeling the water on.

 

Next comes the masts...

[ProfGRP]

Sean, that's very nice. I will probably try the same thing in wood.

 

Who is the manufacturer of the model?

 

Jerry

[schoon]

It's from Henry Turner's collection of 3D files: https://www.wargamin...44-gun-frigate/

 

I heartily recommend anything by him or Simon Mann.

[schoon]

Had a little time over the weekend and got all the masts done.

 

Next the yardarms and sails...

 

I'll have to take them out again to paint the hull though.

 

[healey36]

Nice, neat solder-work. Good progress.

[schoon]

Not wanting to "ruin" my model with the first sea base that I've ever tried, I decided to do a test base on a piece of scrap styrene.

 

 

The short version of the process:

1. Sculpt a basic swell pattern with wall spackle - let dry
2. Lay down a layer of PVA and put crinkled foil down on top - let dry
3. Paint a layer of "thick paint" consistency PVA/spackle mix on top - let dry
4. Airbrush with blues and green
5. Add foam with Modge Podge mixed with sandblasting powder (essentially tiny glass beads) - more drying
6. Add one more layer of Modge Podge on top

LOTS of learning involved, and will do a couple minor things differently.

 

This is the version I've just sculpted on the real base. I put a piece of cling wrap down and pressed the ship into it at the right angle.

 

[schoon]

Made some progress over the last weekend. All the sails are now attached.

 

 

The masts are at odd angles right now because I still need to take them out to paint the hull...

[ProfGRP]

Sean, are the sails photo-etched? Really nice work.

 

Jerry

[schoon]

Yes, Meridian makes a very nice line of photo-etched brass sails for 1:700 models.

[schoon]

Sitting on it's base before I take everything apart for painting...

 

 

I made the bigger swells out of insulation foam, and then made the "sea" with a mixture of spackle and PVA glue.