Zvezda Black Swan 1/72

   oooh kaaa another week eh?    

well I guess all good things come to those who wait, and wait and wa.....  

Uh sorry dozed off for a mo,  Any way    lookin' forward the you next installment

P.S. sounds like you have it mastered for this one.

I thought I would post a pic of the Running rigging lines as they stand on the mizzenmast BEFORE I place the sails....as I mentioned before, installing the sails and rigging in the order prescribed in the instructions would prove to be a struggle, so I opted to run all the rigging line throught the blocks (per mast), so I wouldn't have to deal with *reaving* (?) them through with all the sails in the way....here's an example of it:

Looking good David.  Smart move regarding the rigging, I always do the same.  I also attach all the blocks I'll need on the yards before attaching them to the masts.

Steve

Thanks, Steve!  It's funny, all the little details, shortcuts, and tips that can make building a model so much easier...

Getting closer to the end!  Depending on how much time I get to work on it this weekend, I might even be done by Monday!  Although, they never really *feel* done, do they?  There's always more touch-up, or other work that can be done to a kit...but I guess once I reach the end of the instruction book, I can call it quits!...And I'm on the last page...

I wonder if I'll get into that Wooden Corel Berlin kit after this...

You are welcome, but you've done a bang up job on that ship.  I agree there is always something you find after you "finish" a project that you want to fix or you want to add, but that's the cool part of modeling sailing ships!

And by the way, you' re a braver man than I , Gunga Din for tackling a wooden ship.  I can hardly wait to see it!

Steve

K

Well, it's been almost 5 months, and the Black Swan is finished!  I'm very happy with the end result- in fact, I think I'm going to contact Zvezda and let them know how much I enjoyed the build.  Maybe they won't care, but I think they deserve to know how much the experience meant to me.  I learned a lot!

Here's a handful of pics...I wish they were a little better, but for some reason if the light was directly on the sails, they would reflect and I couldn't get the exposure down low enough!  They're really not that bright!  I took special care to get them a very mellow tan with dark shading throughout, I hope it comes through okay visually in the pictures...  

Special thanks to everybody who helped me with advice and suggestions, and with words of encouragement during the last few months...and especially to Paul (2whl), who began this thread...I may never have gotten my kit if he hadn't posted about it here!

And I really hope anyone who builds this kit in the future will find help from reading this post!  (feel free to contact me if you have any questions, future builders!)

Now to find a good spot for the display case!

Dave....

Beautiful job Dave.  It looks fantastic.  I see you chose to leave the lanterns off.  The rigging looks nice and taught all over.  Once again, great job!

So you're taking on a wood kit next?  I can't wait to see the build log.  I would say you would be motivating me to work on a wood kit but I have two builds on my workbench, a November craft show I'm getting ready for (I carve Welsh Love Spoons when I'm not at my model workbench), and I have the Premium Edition of Academy's 1/400 Titanic coming from Santa this year and I'm setting aside an entire year for that build.   So I don't think I'll be looking at taking on a wood ship build for quite some time.  

And with the care and attention to detail you put into the Black Swan I know your wood build will be great.   I can't wait.

Phil

Thanks, Phil!  Your previous work on the Pearl helped me a lot with the build!

Yeah, no lanterns...I fooled around with them a little, but I couldn't get a finish that a) looked good; or b) seemed to fit well on the ship...so I left them out.

Funny, for the past several months, I've gotten very accustomed to thinking about this project during my down-time...now that it's finished, I don't know what to do with myself!  haha

About the wooden kit.  Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves....that Berlin kit is giving me trouble already....I bought some 1/4" plywood to cut out new keel/frame parts, searching through everything Home Depot had, and found 1 piece that wasn't warped beyond usability....two days later, it had warped, too!  So, I'm thinking maybe this isn't the time to get into something that's going to frustrate me every step of the way...we'll see, though...I have a few other projects in mind (maybe some Sci-Fi figures, I have my eye on a Frankenstein and Bride kit that looks cool!)....but I expect I'll come back to ships again at some point....Truth is, I'm not much of a ship enthusiast, I just wanted to try a few out, see how it went....

Either I'll move on to something new (which is my style), or I'll find that I have the *bug*, and come back for more shipbuilding....it has been a great challenge, and I really enjoy the comraderie of this forum!

I really liked building a Zvezda kit, I wonder if their other ships are as good of quality?  And there's always the Revell big Constitution, or the Heller Victory, or maybe a Model Shipways wooden kit, or even an old Scientific beginner wood kit....there's a lot of options!  It'll be fun to see where the *muse* takes me!

Thanks again, Phil!

By the way, I'd never heard of Welsh Lovespoons....just did a little reading about them...pretty neat stuff!  Those things can be very intricate!!!

Sir,

Well done!

A fine ship!

Most capital.

David_K

About the wooden kit.  Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves....that Berlin kit is giving me trouble already....I bought some 1/4" plywood to cut out new keel/frame parts, searching through everything Home Depot had, and found 1 piece that wasn't warped beyond usability....two days later, it had warped, too!  So, I'm thinking maybe this isn't the time to get into something that's going to frustrate me every step of the way...we'll see, though...

or even an old Scientific beginner wood kit....

I would certainly recommend you give Model Shipways a look, after reading some reviews.

Scientific kits are quaint old curiosities- a big step back for you unless you are specifically interested in that kind of thing. Kind of like restoring an old tube radio.

I'd recommend that you try another from this "period" which is more like a galleon than anything else. You have a flair for the "drama" of the thing  and what I like best about your build is that you really brought some life into it. Now about that capstan...

Very nice work and a real show piece. Well done.

Thanks, GMorrison!  Haha...you know, I'll never live that blasted capstan down!  I believe there are some members who have a *lesser* opinion of my work because of my indifference to inauthenticity...ho-hum...:)

My reason for buying the plywood at Home Depot (1/4" is actually a bit thinner than that, and ended up  the same thickness as the kit's original material, closer to 3/16"...do you really recommend thinner? 1/8") because that way I could see it in my hands and know it was straight....do you think ordering wood online is a safe bet in terms of quality assurance?  Is Midwest a reputable online seller of modeling wood?

It's true, I really do prefer the "dramatic" design of galleon-ships (thanks for noticing my style!), and although Model Shipways seem to offer great quality kits (many people recommend them), they aren't really my style, visually.  Are you like many others, and would you recommend I stay away from the Corel Berlin, for fear that I may get frustrated and lose interest?  I really like the style of it (of course), but I also *kinda* like the Rattlesnake, from Model Shipways....just not as much...

I'm on the fence!

I guess this conversation is in the wrong context for this thread, but I'm really just looking for suggestions and advice anywhere I can!  Thanks a bunch!

Dave

Pretty neat!  I sent an email (and a pic of my Black Swan) to Zvezda to share with them how much I enjoyed building their kit, and a rep responded this morning, asking me for more pics so they can display them on their website, with full accreditation to me, of course! Very cool!

No more than you deserve David, it has been an absolute joy following you in your build and she looks amazing mate! I had a lot of fun building Zvezdas Varyag protected cruiser and have just bought their Kursk Sub. Your build is worthy of a credited feature and if I had the room, I'd consider putting her in my stash. Well done David.

Thank you kindly!

Just a quick bump to mention that anyone who's interested in buying a Zvezda Black Pearl kit, there's 2 on eBay right now for 47 plus 30 shipping....from Russia, so shipping will probably take awhile....but that's a LOT cheaper than you'll find this kit anywhere...I almost want to buy one!

If you want it, you better be quick, they won't last.

www.ebay.com/.../181732595808

Dave

   Hi David, I am new here, but not new to model building. I have followed your build of the Black Swan as I have one ordered. You have done a beautiful job on it & I have some questions.

  I have been building models since WW2 as I am 85 & still love to do it. I have built all types of wood & plastic ships, but I have not done a rigged ship in a long while. I wanted to know exactly what your hull colors were as they are just what I want on mine. Also if you can list some of the other colors too.

  I imagine by now you are into wood ships to. I have built a bunch of them, including Mamoli's Constitution. It took about a 1000 hours with a full copper hull bottom. You are an excellent model builder & I really enjoyed all of your build posts & pictures. Thanks in advance, & I would be glad to send you pictures of my models.

                 Gene Foster

Hi Gene!  Welcome to the forum, and thanks for your compliment on my Black Swan!

I'm glad you liked it.  I'll admit, I've learned a lot since I built it (though I still consider myself a newb, compared to many of my peers on the forum!) but all in all, I'm happy with how it came out....it's a great kit, and I'm sure you'll enjoy building it, especially if you already know the basic premise of the kit itself...

I'm happy to tell you the colors I used.  And this is why I always keep my old instruction books, and the notes I take when building a kit...I can go into my *kit archives* box, pull out the old instructions, and voila!  Here I am, looking at a few pages of notebook paper that I can reference to help me remember paint colors, construction tips, notes etc.

Anyway....

The paints I used were Model Master Acrylics, by Testors.

The lower hull was Light Grey (or maybe Ghost Grey)

Upper Hull was Earth Red

Wales and other trim were Panzer Shokladbraun (or some other spelling!)

Decks were Wood

Masts were Wood (though I think I went over them again with Vallejo Wood)

I also used a typical liquid wash for the parts, some thinner and black oil-based paint.

Hoep that helps!  Good luck, and please post some updates on your projects!

DavidK

Hi David, Thank you very much for the quick answer to my question on color. We have to go into Asheville on Monday 7 that is my closest hobby shop. I will pick up the colors you listed .They were really excellent. I have also seen the work on your Santa Maria today & it is really great.

 I see you are doing the S R now. I built the big wood one 30 + years ago & it was a bear. It was about 40" long & had a ton of brass castings. I think the kit then was about $800. We had another excellent builder at the big hobby shop I went to in Miami & he had built it & gold plated all the brass. He had it for sale for $25,000. I didn't finish mine but sold it to my 68 year old neighbor. He suprised the heck out of  me by finishing it & did a very good job. I had the hull complete with all the brass on, but no masts or rigging. He had never built a model much less one like this.

   I will stry to send a couple pics of mine, but can send a bunch if I have your email. I am very impressed with your work & believe me I have seen a bunch. I started my best friends son in law in model building 40 years ago & he is now one of the best in the country. He took several best in show in the Tokyo Verlinden/ Tamiya contests.He did the plastic Victory and took first placethere too.

  This was just the small end of this layout. This was 35 yeras ago. One thing I meant to mention to you was,on plastic ships from subs to sailing ships, I always epoxy or CA a piece of 1"x2," or more, in the hullbefore I close it up so I can screw it to a wood base & use brass finials ( I'm not sure of the spelling on that).

This is my scratch built 1911 Indy winner, the Marmon Wasp

I will quit now before I bore you.

 All the best, Gene Foster

Fantastic work Gene.  I too spent a lot of time building model railroads(Mountain scenes) and honed my skills over 40 years..it is good to see you here and getting ready for another build.

good luck.

Rob

Thanks Rob, I will be posting a lot more of my models as soon as I learn a little more about the how to. Also how do I send a private message? I don't want to tie DavidK's site up. He has been super nice & helpful.

Gene,

At the top of anyone's post is the statement: "Posted by ............" . Just click on the poster's name where you'll be redirected to a page that has "Private Message" written on a link. That's the private email for users of this site.

As an added caution, I'd not post my own email address on any public site unless I was very, very certain that I trusted all who visit the site.

Mike

Thanks Mike for the advice & I don't ever do that but I guess I got carried away. I should take it off, if I can.

Hi David!

I´m new to this forum and joined when I saw your build. Its one of the best looking plastic ships I have ever seen! I was so amazed by your build that I got one myself and am currently at the rigging.

I am completely new to rigging and ran into problems immediately. On the masts under the platforms there are five blocks. Three short tied and two longer. In the instructions I can only see the use for the longer and two of the short ones. What is the third used for?

I´m also having trouble seeing how the line going from the bowsprit to the foremast under the platform is tied down. The instructions only shows it making a loop around the mast.

Hope you want to help me out on this. Have been googling like crazy to find pics but none shows exactly what I want to see.

Best regards, Martin T, Sweden

Hi Martin-

Thanks for the compliment! 

It is a fine kit, plenty of detail and quality molding.

Happy to help, but I'm not 100% sure I can visualize what blocks you're talking about...my model is currently at a friend's home on display, so I can't reference it right now.

BUT, I do have the instructions here, so I looked at them quickly...It seems that depending on which mast you're looking at, there could be different lines running from the top.  My guess is that 2 of the blocks under the top are for the sheets (lower corners) of the sail above them, and 2 others for the Halyards (the lines that hold the yard at the desired height)....the 5th block could possibly be (depending on which mast) a single halyard for the topgallant yard way up on that mast.  OR, it could be a block to manage the staysail running lengthwise in front of the mast.

I hope that makes some sense?  I'm sure if you leaf back and forth through the plans, you should be able to track it down.  If neither of those suggestions prove to be true, please le tme know and specify which masts (and which step in the plans?) and I can keep trying to help you track down the purpose of that pesky block!

Also, for the stay line:  It does indeed loop around the masthead.  I usually wrap it around, alligator clip it into a loop, and tie a couple seizings around it to secure it in place, then a dab of glue to hold the seizings (I use the term seizing loosely)....

Feel free to ask me if you have any Qs, I'm happy to help if I can.

Dave

Martin, it's an imaginary ship. A well done one, for sure. Looking at how other modelers solved any questions will only get you, ...that. Although in all the world I would suggest David's advice will come from his knowledge outside of the instructions, from the reading he's done.

The lower fore stay would loop around the mast, going around and over the lower cross trees, and be seized and served back to itself. The framing you see under the top isn't there to hold up the little platform so much as it's there to transfer force to the mast and the shrouds that are also there, both terminating from below and extending above. That porch, sun deck, shooting platform, top, is a convenient thing making use of the cross trees, which are a sort of vertical bitt.

I've got two big reservations about that kit. One is the capstan that wraps around the mainmast. That one would be hard to fix.

I became aware of the other problem when I read the instruction book on the Revell Germany website: those big posts sticking out of the hull above the hi ports. The instructions tell you to run a short rope between the post and the gunport lid. This obviously is ridiculous. (How are the port lids supposed to be shut?) Fortunately this one's easy to fix.Just leave the posts off, and use the holes for them to run ropes directly from the port lids to the holes. I notice that Dave did this on his model.

That will make the model look a lot more rational.

Thank you all for the answers. I see that I have to buy a good book with all nautal terms and preferably lots of pictures. Even if it is an imaginary ship I like to learn something when it comes to rigging. Its a little difficult with all technical terms in english though but on the other side I get to practice my second language too :) 

I did put the ropes through the holes above the cannon doors. Those little pins would not have survived to the end of the build so I decided to ignore them. I also thought they looked impractical. I will probably return with more questions as I move forward on the rigging.

Just waiting for some thread I ordered. Did not like the ones supplied in the kit. 

Best regards, Martin