Building a Revell 1/96 Kearsarge

He was this guy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwi_0DEd_0

 GM he was the guy that blew the rockets up if they went off course. A super model builder, NASA engineer & professional diver. And a real nice guy.

   Bill, I used the 560 white glue to glue the deck down . I put a line of glue on everything that the deck touched & if any squirted up I just wiped it off with a wet Q tip. I glued all the deck parts with it. When it drys it is waterproof & very strong & a paint to paint glue job holds good too. Not like AC that breaks loose. I just cleaned out the holes & glued the stanchions on with it. I used AC to glue all the shrouds on , after I scraped the paint away where they go & drilled the holes out too. plastic to plastic glue joint with AC. 

   I noticed the hull that has the copper paint has been painted black above so you have to clean off glue joints with he painted hull.

Here are some new pictures of my progress on the Kearsarge. I glued small brass rings on rhe top block so I could drill it for the shroud.

 Here are more pictures. I used wire on the main gun door braces because I couldn't get thread to work. I also drilled the small post out on the fore deck & used a .010 wire on them too worked good.

Thats Lucy watching.

GM, this is the way I always notch out the inner brass tube on the pedestals. Just like you said & drew. Thanks.  I have all thre masts sanded & painted & as soon as I finish all the little deck stuff I will put them on.  I always drill out all the standing rigging holes before I install the masts. It makes it a lot easier to rig & I have a lot of control with just temporarily taping one end of a line . I then fix it permanently when all is straight.  For someone who has so much trouble with knots, ME, that is the only way I can rig. 

Gene, looks great.  I am wanting to do a combo power model next.  I am curious, if that much support rigging was used across the opening of the main gun deck hatches. How did they get a clear shot without hitting rigging. I have always been curious about the forward facing guns on the foredeck too. How did they avoid all that rigging ?  Dale

Gene,

She's beautiful!

Dale,

Your booklet and crew figures are in the mail.

Bill

Gene, was a real pleasure chatting with you today. Look forward to meeting up, when we both have the time to spend a few hours.

Bill, thank you much my friend. After watching a vid of a shooting exercise onboard the USS Constitution, I see why it took 7 crew members or more per cannon. Rather amazing how many steps it took per shot.   Dale

Sorry not PC, but I had to chuckle imagining that crew barefoot, stripped to the waist, covered in sweat and moving about twice as fast.

And an officer yelling at them too.

Now thats funny. I did find the vid interesting, but the gun crew was not exactly what I would call proficient.  Here is link to vid we are discussing.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSBxQiLSyQ   sure was a lot of steps to firing a round. I think that I read where it took around 3 minutes per round.

Gene, 

      I was away from your posts for a few days and I missed a lot. You even had time to coil rope!  Exquisite work!  Please show more pictures and include the Cat.

      Tell me about your favorite glue. Is that the Formula 560 Canopy glue?  I understood it took a long time to cure enough for handling.  I do like the idea of easy clean-up however.  How long have you been using it and do things stay together long term?  Any drawbacks other then long curing time?  As you know I 've only recently started to build again and I'm still collecting tools, paint and adhesives.

GMorrison

He was this guy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwi_0DEd_0

 

 GM,

 Thanks for the Video. It really drives home the adage of try try again. And that's me all over.  In regards to Cannon firing I fear If I attempted to load and fire a muzzle loader, a video of my efforts would look just as spectacular.  It was always obvious why it was necessary to smother any left over embers from the previous shot but I always wondered why sponging out the muzzle didn't leave the next power charge wet. A moot point I guess since it worked.

     Nino

Those sailors on the Constitution look like they have a wet vac.

i would imaging that the swab created steam immediately.

I would love to be part of firing a muzzle loading cannon. I’ve fired powder, but the rifle was handed to me loaded.

Powder was in a paper or linen bag.

So, how many men did it take to fight a 11” Dahlgren gun?

Jim, I have used Formula 560 for at least 15 years & it is very strong when it sets. It doesnt take long to set enough to keep working most things.It is the best glue if you are glueing 2 painted surfaces. It will hold where AC breaks loose easy on painted surfaces. The main thing is you don't ruin a paint job if it gets on it. I justuse a wet Q tip or wet rag & wipe the excess off. 

 I like to use it before I quit for the night or for at least an hour to glue things like the boat Davits on the Kearsarge. I always use AC when glueing things like the shroud Tables to the side of an unpainted ship. That will hold. If it will hold a remote airplane canopy on, it is strong. No bad drawbacks on it. I use it where ever I can.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahlgren_gun#/media/File:Dahlgren_gun_crew.jpg  GM you got me curious and this one is only a 9"  and this 1/32 https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Civil+War+Dahlgren+Guns&&view=detail&mid=48DA91D1D51D0D4B84E848DA91D1D51D0D4B84E8&FORM=VRDGAR

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Civil+War+Dahlgren+Guns&&view=detail&mid=A838D25C8AB81DDC23C7A838D25C8AB81DDC23C7&rvsmid=48DA91D1D51D0D4B84E848DA91D1D51D0D4B84E8&FORM=VDQVAP I shoot several different BP guns, I am into BP (blackpowder) revolvers, rifles and I have a couple of mini cannons. I would like to have that 1/32 11" replica.

Gene, I have also been using the 560 for many years and as you stated "it holds RC plane canopies on forever" I have never had a canopy on any of my radio controlled boats or planes come off and I been using it since its conception.

Livit, How do you find it on paint to paint glueing? AC pops off on paint to paint glues if you breath on it. 560 is the best I have ever found. Anytime I glue something that has been painted, it is the only thing to use.

  Gene, I can vouch that it holds.  A lot of my RC planes are prop Warbirds. So the canopies have framing, which was painted. If not then I would do so. So many of them had a painted to painted surface that I did not want to scrap the paint off of or it would show. Even if the manufacturer had glued on the canopy, I would always take it off and re-glue with 560. I have several RC electric ducted fan jets that exceed 150 mph and electric RC boats that have gone airborn at over 100mph, tumbled and the canopy part that was glued with the 560 held.  2 other things that I like about using 560, is the working time and the ease of the water clean up.  My application is alot heavier than what a static display model would require. So my drying time is 24 hrs plus.

I am getting ready to use it for the first time on a larger static display, my 1/32 P-38.

Dale, that is great for everyone to know. You have had some real torture tests with it. Bill, I hope you read this. I hate to use AC where it might ruin a paint job. I glued the decks into the hull with 560. That is my gift from warshipguy. 

  Bill, I have the masts up & standing rigging all up & one end just taped. I was going to use the kit shrouds, but the darn things didn't fit the base for it. I rigged the 2 big shrouds today & have them partly installed. It is Scotch time, so I quit.You can't drive me away from the Kearsarge except at this time.

  Hey, have you all seen Black Sails on Net Flix yet? Watch it, you won't be sorry, it is great in a lot of ways. Boats, boobs & lots of pirates & sails. You aren't dead at 87.

Hello Gene, Warshipguy very generously sent me a whole Kearsarge kit, free, after the one I got on eBay had two right hull halves. He is an extremely gracious man, wouldn't even let me send him the cost of postage! I hope one day I can do him a good deed. Your work is utterly amazing and I always enjoy following your builds, if I can do one tenth as good as you I'll be happy. (By the way, I love a good Scotch, the only alcohol I ever drink). Robert

Hi Robert, warshipguy, Bill, is one of the nicest people you will ever find, he served as a Navy  medic in Vietnam, & on 7 Nuclear subs. That is where my Kearsarge came  from.  He sent me one too. I might adopt him. Send us some of your pictures of it. I have learned a lot on building it & I will post pictures pretty quick of the masts up on it & a lot of the standing rigging done. If I can help you let me know. 

  I have had a fit with the premade shrouds & made my own & had some trouble with them too. They are mostly on now  & everything is straight. It looks great, to me. Everything else has gone really great & rigging is always a chore. Good luck with yours, it has been the most enjoyable ship I have built. Thanks again Bill.

Gene and Robert,

It was my pleasure.  I have benefitted from the generosity of others in my lifetime, one of which was a woman whose husband had left her, abandoning his stash of unbuilt model kits.  She sold me the lot for very little, including quite a few wood kits.  I strongly believe in passing any favors forward to others who might have a need.  Anyway, I am glad to have helped!

Enjoy your models of the Kearsarge, as I am enjoying making extensive modifications to my CSS Alabama!  I have relocated the gun ports so far,and have cut out the scuppers.  I will redesign the deck and masts next.

Bill

Bill, I got my early xmas gift from you. Thank you for the book and crew members. I agree, RVL should still include that book. I am also a Navy DAV. We need to chat sometime.

Gene, looking forward to more progress pics. I always find your work inspiring. I guess when I come over to visit I will have to bring some kind of a micro-brewed scotch with me :)  Maybe we can watch Blacksails together, sip scotch and drool a bit !    Dale

Bill, it sounds great, you working on the Alabama. Any chance of pictures? I would love to see what you are doing with the Alabama. My Kearsarge is really lookig good with the masts up & the 3 lower shrouds on & the top 2 made & nearly ready to install. I have been taking pictures & will put more on soon.

  These were the hardest shrouds that I have done. The shrouds were not hard but the thread I used was terrible as it got fluffy when you tried to put it in the hole at the bottom. My holes for the standing rigging & being able to adjust everything works great. I just glued every thing tight this afternoon. 

    Dale,, Micro brewed Scotch ? Any Scotch sounds good. Black Sails & Scotch sounds great. Have you watched that? My boys told me to watch it, now thats about all we watch. 

 I got to a point where I wantted to get some more pctures of my progress on the Kearsarge. It is still the nicest & best to work on of any ship I have built & that includes wood ships too. Here are some shots of the masts up & the running rigging half glued & half taped, so I can adjust them It does work great. 

 I also had to use my Aifix rigging tools to make my shrouds with ratlines. That is about as big as you can do with them.

 More pics next post.

 More pictures with the shrouds on & the bowsprit rigged. Anyone want to correct my terminology, please do, as age does stealmyour memory.

Now I will start with the spars & running rigging. warshipguy, thank you over & over for the Kearsarge. I have been on it a little over a month & I don't believe it is any harder than the smaller Airfix models. It does fit good & if you like it , get one as they are a joy to build. Mine is nearly out of the box, except for the shrouds.

  I am still learning to tie my shoes so I am not a great rigger anymore. I don't know what is wrong with me & knots. I do go with as simple a way to rig as I can. With my shaky right hand it is real fun to try to get thread in a hole. 

Looking good.

I built the CSS Alabama a few years ago, I understand that model is completely innacurate but I got it cheap.  I love these steam sail ships.  I would love to get one of the Kearsarge. Very nice painting here.

Wilbur, why don't you put pictures on. everyone enjoys them. Accuracy is not my #1 thing in building. Building a clean pretty model is first. Some times I do try for accuracy, but I have been doing this for 75 years & just enjoy building. I really appreciate anyone that goes for accuracy, but they are special. One of the guys gave me this & he is really special. 

Gene,

You're build is, as you're models that you've shown us here on FineScale, fresh, clean, neat, and well done. Love those 19th century sailer/steamers!

I also have the Kearsarge in my stash but, for some unfathomable reason, I just ordered the 1/150 USS Susquehanna from Hobbylinc. I think it'll be my next ship build with sails.

It's always a pleasure to follow your Works In Progress. Your OOB builds look smashingly good and I can only hope that in 10 years I'll still be able to see the instructions in my stash kits .

Bravo on this build! I'm following with great interest.

P.S. The terminology of the rigging of the bowsprit includes shrouds as well as bobstays, martingale/martingale stays, and jibboom guys. It looks like the Kearsarge used chain for part of the latter two items. I'm just trying to compare a picture I am looking at in John Harland's "Seamanship In The Age Of Sale". I'm not really competent to give nautical information other than in a general sense so don't rely on what I mention. Other members here are much more able to talk nautical terms. 

Coming along nicely!  I built the Constitution as a boy way back.  I'd like to try a tall ship after watching this build. 

Gene "as age does steal your memory" so does those extra scotches my friend :)

Your build just keeps inspiring me and fueling my wants of a Kearsage kit to do next. Looking forward to the pics of your progress.

Wilbur,

It is very possible to build an accurate CSS Alabama from the Revell kit, but you have to use a few after-market products and conduct a little surgery. I am using the Scaledecks wood deck set for the for the pivot gun rails, I am relocating the gunports, and am using the Cottage Industry set of accurate cannons.  I have also begun cutting scuppers and have altered the masts to provide the distinctive rake.  The hull lines are generally close enough but those openings at the stern must be filled in.  Although these conversions might seem difficult and complex, they really are not so.  There are several videos on Youtube that can provide guidance it you are interested.

Gene,

Your Kearsarge is looking GREAT!

Bill