Extremely Small Scratch Built Ships

Joseph:

 Those are certainly Beautiful and Unique. Now,I do have to ask,What do you do, or what did you do for a living? Possibly an Eye Surgeon or Micro-Machinist?  Tanker-Builder

Hello!

Those are really nice! I can't help but wonder how you did all those riggings. Sure would be cool to see a WIP (work in progress) thread on one of your beauties. And I would like to see the scale put in more conventional terms (1:something).

Many years ago I used to build warships in 1:500, when we didn't have any kits, just a book of drawings and some wood and wire.

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

Great work.

I am humbled, not in a lifetime could I manage rigging on model that small, let alone scratch building something so magnificent, thank you for sharing!

Thanks everyone! The reason I use the old imperial scale notation is because to the layman, 1/1500 doesn’t mean anything. They can wrap their heads around 1” equaling 125’. So the 125’ to the inch ships are 1/1500 scale and the 83’ to the inch are 1/1000 scale. I he some WIP photos of a few of the ships, I documented the construction of HMS Dreadnought pretty extensively and those photos can be seen on my website at www.josephlavender.com.

Here is a collage I did a while back showing a selection of WIP photos from some of the builds:

You do very fine work. It must involve some serious magnification. 

Is that a Bath schooner? I plan to build one, a little bit bigger, say 1" equals 16 feet.

Thanks for sharing, and Welcome!

Thanks! Yes, that’s the Bath-built Gaff Schooner Wyoming, the largest wooden ship ever built. Oh and to answer the question above, I’m an air traffic controller.

I love your work. This is a realm of the hobby I am interested in and I look forward to attempting to scratchbuild in this scale.  Great tutorial.  

Scott

Hey thanks! Give it a go, it’s not impossible. I can recommend some very good books from Reed and McNarry if you’re serious and they’ll set you on the right path.

My mom got me "Ship Models in Minature" when I was about 8. It was the one book that got me hooked on ship modeling.  

Absolutely Outstanding!      

Jim  

PS - Do you give lessons?

I have that book as well, a very nice reference indeed. As for lessons, sure, I can answer any questions you might have. My inbox is always open.

Working on HMS Ramillies now,

Truly amazing work. I am amazed how such detail can be accomplished at such a miniaturized scale. I am at the moment building my PELICAN model at 1/8th scale. Even with magnification attached to my glasses, I find it difficult to work in detail.  I have to use a needle threader to thread lines to blocks.

Happy modeling    Crackers  

 

Thank you! It’s a lot of fun.

Amazing detail at that scale.  Well done!

Thank you,

I usually go the other way on my scratchbuilt ships.  Since materials costs are low I go larger scale.  Never scratched anything smaller than a 1:700 scale laker.

Those models are outstanding.  Maybe it is time for me to try something really small.  I am a big believer in "use it or lose it."

I find magnification no problem.  Optical systems were my primary profession so I know what works and doesn't.  My biggest problem is manual dexterity is degrading in these 81 year old hands, especially the left, but I keep trying to do small stuff 'cause I feel if I didn't it would get worse.  Getting small PE rigging is nice when I can get it for those 1:600 early sail kits.  I still have several in my stash.

 

Give it a go! You might be surprised how fun it is.

Hi!

 I have a problem with the size of your models for a reason. It's not a criticism though. If I did a Submarine in that scale It would look like an accidentaly dropped sliver of wood in the wave material! LOL.LOL. No, I really love your work. 

     I did a table top display( well,Actually inside the tabletop ) of the Battle of Trafalger! The biggest ship was maybe 1 inch tall at it's highest mast point! That was definitely a challenge, but a lot of fun.

      The looks on folks faces as they could see guns on deck with their gun crews! The crews were just raised dots ( pretty Much) but, I just had to do it. Haven't even tried it since. The table went away with the house, in the Thing they call Tornadoes!

My problem is that my old hands have the shakes, making it difficult to be precise with tools.

Happy modeling     Crackers   

Hi!

 Listen, My Doctor said the tremors originate in the arms. So,Build some kind of armrests, even if it is a pile of books.To rest your arms on. Don,t lean on them, just let them support your arms. This has worked for me.

      Note: Don,t stand at your work area. Sit comfortably with your back well supported too.

Those are absolutely beautiful.

As an ATC, you have certainly found a unique way to de-compress after a day at the console.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I try to keep the models all at a similar length so depending on the prototype size I use either 1/1500 or 1/1000. I agree about having a way to brace your hands, I Ha ego do so especially when painting and rigging.

A little update tonight. The gun turrets are finished. I’ve chosen to depict the guns in exercise, perhaps a dumb show drill since the railings are still up.

 

 

The parts count stands at 236 individual pieces

These are extraordinary models! Like some others who've replied, I couldn't work at that scale now - nor am I sure I ever could have.

Fascinating and delightful!

P.S. I may, at the age of 77 (on January 30th), consider continuing taking flying lessons in the spring when the weather becomes more friendly to flying. I've taken six lessons. I've not yet landed the aircraft - taken off 5X but that's the easy part. I fly out of Independence, OR which is an uncontrolled field. So, when the really scary stuff comes up - speaking to ATC - when I finally have to, I'll try to visualize an air traffic controller who builds models ... maybe it'll keep me from being nervous on the radio.

Glad you like! The best tip I can give you when talking to ATC is to talk slow and start out with your call sign and aircraft type. Rattling off some long VFR request will cause the controller to just glaze over. Just because the frequency is quiet doesn’t mean the controller is just sitting there eagerly awaiting your cold call! Haha. A lot of the time we’re changing flight plans, discussing the flow of traffic with other controllers in the room, or coordinating with other sectors outside the building. If you have a request, just say: “Approach, Piper N12345, with a VFR Request.” You’ll make it a lot easier on yourself and ATC at the same time. Get our attention first. Also, if you get into trouble, by all means get in touch with us! That’s what we’re here for! The amount of resources we can bring to bear is enormous. I once had a situation where we had an emergency and had the actual engineer who designed the aircraft on the phone running a troubleshooting checklist that we relayed to the pilot. Quite a few controllers are also pilots, myself included, and there will always be a pilot somewhere in the building to answer questions. One of the biggest issues especially in the pacific NW is finding yourself in IFR conditions as a VFR pilot. just remember we’re here if you need us, and 100% of the time it’s better to have someone to talk you through it.

JLavender

A little update tonight. The gun turrets are finished. I’ve chosen to depict the guns in exercise, perhaps a dumb show drill since the railings are still up.

 

 

The parts count stands at 236 individual pieces

 

 

I notice you seem to be building on the finished base, right?  I always fear to do that. I make two bases, a working base of particle board, and a good one that is stained and varnished.  I am afraid I will get gunk on a good base if I mount it too early in the build.  Do you cover that base with masking tape or anything while you build?