Building from scratch my 1/280 Clipper Great Republic

love this build , that bell is just awesome .

What Bill said +1.

Time spent on the GR is limited, but I did fashion the 30ft eagle that rests on the stern.

Rob" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">

your amazing rob .

Well I don't know about that Steve...however I appreciate the fine remarks.

Being the scrounger that I am...it just took some time and a lot of searching to find the right eagle pin to take its place on the Great Republics stern.

Lots of mods and alterations to the piece...but it worked out well and I feel it's a  agreat representation of the 30ft spread wing eagle that was on the GR's stern.  Plus it has the American crest in the eagles clutches as was the original.

I painted the crest and then weathered the entire ornament.

I could have carved one...but the time and energy that was required just didn't work for me...plus I was certain I could re-engineer what I could find.

Now...on the look-out for the scale eagle's head for the figurhead.  I'll carve that one if need be.

Rob

Rob,

I can't wait to see you tackle the Flying Cloud I sent you!  Your skills should do it justice.

Bill

Thanks Bill...I suspect hat might be some time..since I have 3 other incomplete vessels on the ways in front of her. " target="">........I do appreciate your overwhelming generosity.

I did spend an hour this evening working on the largest of the GR deck houses.

Rob" target="">" target="">" target="">

Spent about an hour last night building the main fife rail.  I had just painted the pumps and had not installed them for the image.

Man I feel as if I'm building small pieces at a time.  slow going for sure.

It's looks obvious that the aft house is next.  I almost started it last night..but I was called away.  I'll finish the aft cabin and the helm together next.

Rob" target="">" target="">

Aha!;

  You now know what modeling in 1/96 is like . Especially on a warship . Every time you turn around another part of the ship needs doing , just like another kit too !

   I must say though , by taking your time she's looking sweet !  T.B.

Model of the GREAT REPUBLIC clipper scratch build really impressive and worthy of continued observation.

Happy modeling  Crackers   

 I APPRECIATE THE FINE COMMENTS.

I recall..it only took me 3 months to build my award winning 1/96 CS in drydock for rudder repairs diarama.  Now that is building at a fevered pase.  I miss those days.

I simply need to reorganize and rethink my building paradime.

Rob

Thanks Crakers.....I'll be at it till she is finished.  Sooner then later I pray.

Rob

Rob,

I just received my copy of the Winter 2016 Nautical Research Journal.  It contains a nice article titled Restoration of Great Republic: A Brief Account of the History and Restoration of this Ship Model  by Carla Z. Hinkle.  If you are interested, I will send you a copy or the article.

Bill

Please do if you can...I'd appreciate that for sure.

Rob

Rob,

Please send me your email address to:   bmorri6409@sbcglobal.net.  I am having difficulties opening my Messages on the FSM website.

Bill

Did a bit of work today...added the name board...the pump to the main fife rail and the addition of the mizzen fife rail." target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">

And some generic images.

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Sorry about the cluttery mess about the project.  She is resting on her display base..resting on the Workmate.  I wanted a bit more height.

Putting doors and the pannels on the aft cabin and the helm. I'll finish them both at the same time..then the domed sky light.

I prefer scratch built scale models way more then plastic these days.  Short of my Seawitch and Swordfish 1/96 scale plastic kits...I won't be schedualing to build anymore plastic kits...I'm feelin.

Fair winds and following seas.

Rob

Finished up the aft cabins...." target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">

Really impressive modeling work. Love the detail.

Happy modeling   Crackers 

Thanks Crackers....

I have been scratch building clippers for over 40 years and it remains the same....I supose I have refined my scrounging skills and ability to see what I need in the most common item..or even in complex engeneered things as well.  Like I have said before;  I will use anything and any material I can get my hands on to build my clippers.  I'm not after the building purists ideals....I'm after the end result.

Again...thank you for your fine comments.

Rob

I have plans for several clipper ships. At my age, I have sincere doubts I will ever scratch build all of them.

Happy Modeling  Crackers  

Rob,

I never received your email address. Please send it to bmorri6409@sbcglobal.net and I will send the article.

Your Great Republic continues to amaze me!

Bill

I'm Sorry ;

   I got to looking closely at the Eagle . You know , that reminds me of two eagles ( mine were smaller ) that I put on my R.C.Tug stack . I got mine from a small Budweiser sign ! Beautiful job on that one though . I can't give you enough Kudos for this build . It's coming along swimmingly . T.B.

I have to open my big mouth again .

    The very idea of using a variety of materials , I am sure , Just makes some folks tremble with fear . You are obviously not to be deterred .Very nice cabin work ! T.B.

Thanks T.B.  I have boxes of ship parts from old kits that I can draw from as well as material from my wood shop and my machine shop.  I collect all manner of metal for building my Telescopes and such.....as well as loads of wood from my wood shop that I cut to scale and use.

Not to mention whenever I go out to pawn shops or second hand stores or garage sales, I'm always looking for items that can be re-engineered for my purposes.

Over the years(Beginning with my first large scale scratch built clipper...Cutty Sark(1973)....) I have honed certain skills..namely the ability to see into something and envision what it needs to be, and developing the dextral skills to accomplish it.

Owning a Dental laboratory and being a skilled machinist..I have drawn from these disciplines, material and knowledge.    I believe the greatest contributer is the ability to adapt any medium that is usable.

I'll include an image of one of many telescopes I built.  I built the vaulted cieling roll off roof observatory to house it as well.

Any...I try to inject into my model ship building attributes learned from my other hobbies and interests.

I hope this explaines my methods a bit more.

Thanks for all your fine comments.

Rob" target="">

Rob,

I don't know if you saw my post from this morning, but I never received your email address. Please send it to bmorri6409@sbcglobal.net and I will send the article.

Your Great Republic continues to amaze me!

Bill

Took care of it.......

Rob

Finished up the sky light and some extra details on the aft cabin." target="">" target="">" target="">" target="">

gee !, I'm enjoying this build rob . love seeing stuff being created .

Thanks Steve.  I love building all the deck furniture from scratch...or with some aid of predesigned items.

I'll get the crab winches finished up and then the rail.  I'm not looking forward to the rail..because it is the outline of the vessels lines and if I screw that up the lines will look wonkie.  So a true straight rail is a must.

I'm planning out the built masts and how I will turn them right now.  I think I'll have to adapt my wood lathe to hold a chuck to hold the mast for this process.

Rob(fine scale modeler)