Zvezda 1/72 English Medieval Ship Thomas - Fin 28 April 2014

looks great  from here

Good to see you back.  Our pictures will come in real handy when I get to that step.  I can't wait to see the final product, nice work.

After a long period away from the work desk, I was able to actually start the rigging on this "ship that will never be finished".  After four attempts at rigging a rope ladder I decided to put that on the back burner for a bit.  I now know four ways not to rig the ladder!  So, beginning with the starboard shrouds I rigged wooden deadeyes instead of the plastic ones included in the kit.  I will use the blocks from the kit as they are actually rather nice.  Here is the sequence I took for the first two starboard shrouds.

Enjoy,

Steve

Yes, I did sneak in a port side shroud, since I did not take a photo of that step on the starboard side.

Thanks Dave and I agree, it is better to err on the side of smaller than larger.  After trying so hard not to rig the line I end up having to, I guess I should never have said that I wasn't going to tie this ladder..... Karma in a weird sort of way.

Steve

I like it!  I remember a piece of advice I've heard here on the forum....and I'm paraphrasing:

"If in doubt about the scale, err on the small side."

Your first ladder didn't look too bad to me, but the smaller one definitely seems to fit into the scene better!

Well done, my friend!  Can't wait to see the finished product!

After trying different approaches I tore out the ladder and then tried to remember how to tie tiny clove hitches to make a "real" rope ladder.  The first knot took me about 20 minutes total and the second….. about 15.  When I go to the fourth line, I was humming along tying a clove hitch in about  a minute tops.

These shots are just a practice rope ladder to see if I could still do it and what would be the most efficient process.  It is a bit hard seeing the rungs but they're there.  I am now soaking the line to get the kinks out before I wax it.  Then we'll be in business to make a rope ladder.

Steve

GM,

Now that you mention it, they are a bit.  Although they are close to the ladders on the fore and aft castle which look a bit over scale too.  Back to the drawing board…….

Thanks,

Steve

Steve, not to be a pill but maybe the rungs are a bit over sized? Just a gut thing...

Here are some pictures of the rope ladder I constructed for the Thomas.  Octavius is there as usual for scale perspective.  I'll take some better pics later and post them since I still have not oiled the rungs and they look a bit flat.

Steve

Jake,

I sent you a PM.

Steve

Steve,

Can you please post a quick list of the oils and colors you used.  I sent you a PM but you may not have had a chance to read it yet.  I've used mainly enamels and have no experience with oils, so a tutorial is needed.  

I'm cleaning out my stash and am focusing on just historic and time line ship in my collection.  I got the Thomas and would like to do mine as close to your as possible.

Thanks

Jake Groby

Lacombe, LA.

Thanks IF, I appreciate the kudos.  Regarding the pictures, I am finally getting the hang of my digital camera so that I can actually see the progression following my other posts.

Steve

What a awesome build .Super great photos

Thanks Capn'  My navy training wants things squared away and even though I know it is a push me pull you rig, I think it works quite well.  That is, until we actually have to take in an anchor!

Steve

Most elegant progress--congratulations!

One thing that caught my eye was the elegant way the anchor line went round the capstan..  It keeps things neat and orderly.  So, I'd keep it that way even though turning the capstan would heave one line in while paying the other out.  Pushme-Pullyou!

I found that with the anchors secured as per instructions, the forecastle would not sit right.  There was a gap between the deck and the aft vertical supports.  So I painted some stock styrene and after priming, painting and cutting I glued them in.  Not perfect but better than the gap.  Here is the sequence if interested.

Steve

Secured the anchors and glued the knee on.

Steve

Working on the anchor lines.

Steve

Here is a really bad photo of the shields.  They had a gloss coat on and are not weathered or placed on the ship (DUH).  I'll need to try and take another picture but in the meantime try not to be TOO blinded by the reflection.

Steve

Dave,

Thanks!  I agree, Zvezda makes good looking blocks and I will use those on this build like I did on the Hanse Kogge.  But I just could not bring myself to use the ready made deadeyes or the kit provided rigging line.  I also used the decals for the shields and they did not come out too bad especially after I weathered them.  I think it shows on one of the pictures of the fore and aft castles and if not, I'll post one.

Steve

Looks great, Steve!  When I did my Thomas, I replaced the kit blocks with walnut hearts (from Cornwall Model Boats, in the UK....SUPERB fittings, BTW!)...though Zvezda does a great job with their blocks, I felt that rigging my own was a good idea, and they look way better...as do yours!  I don't remember if I posted any progress pics of the Thomas on here...been awhile since I contributed at Finescale...

Makes me consider starting a thread for the Chebec build...

Dave

Thanks for catching that Professor T!  Although, it being the King's ship and all ....... You just never know.

I actually placed the 1/72 figure for size comparison and the thought has crossed my mind during this build.  I have seen some rather nice figures by Zvezda and Ceasar.  What I haven't found are bombards, although again, I am not sure if the English carried them on board during the battle of Sluy.  If I do go with the figures I am definitely going to put Longbowmen in the fighting top.

Although I was going to do this built out of the box, when it came time to start rigging I couldn't bring myself to rig her that way. I put the kit block in the picture so that a modeler you is thinking of building the Thomas or another Kogge can see the difference between the two methods.

Finally, thank you for the compliment, I always appreciate your input.

Steve

Happy Thanksgiving everyone in the U.S.

These pictures show the evolution of the painting technique and shows the start of rigging.  I put the kit block in to show the difference between the handmade rigging vs. the kit version.  Since I am using the sail, the sequence of the build is getting weird.  I need to do the anchor ropes before securing the fo'c's'le so that I can secure the rope around the bits, the capstan and then down below.  

The sail/yard needs to be rigged next so that I can run the halyards around the wench ( oops, I meant windlass! ), as well as the lift, brace, tack and sheet blocks.  I'll probably rig the back stays next since it will be immensely easier without the sail than with it.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

Steve

Sub,

Oh yes, quite so old boy.

Thanks McBean.

Steve

Very nice work.

Looking quite proper.

I finally got to weathering the sail.  It is a bit shiny due to the fact I just painted the oils on it.  I'm still toying with the idea of using a bit of yellow ochre but I'll sleep on it for now.

Thanks Arnie, like I said, I am REALLY glad that part is over.  You rarely encounter decals building sailing ships but it is always good to stretch your limits.

Steve

Wow. If there are any breaks, I just can't see them. Nice save.