Imai Catalan

all the lower deadeyes are ready. I'm using a brass rod bent at both ends to keep the spacing on the deadeyes.The alligator clamp holds the line until I can seize it.

The final thing the ladder to the look out is in place. the ladder was in place of ratlines to go above to work on the rigging and sail.

'Cargoes'

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,

Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,

With a cargo of ivory,

And apes and peacocks,

Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,

Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,

With a cargo of diamonds,

Emeralds, amethysts,

Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,

Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,

With a cargo of Tyne coal,

Road-rails, pig-lead,

Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

John Masefield

Rod,

I am glad the rings worked out, I was afraid that I overstepped the line.  The build is absolutely awesome and your future daughter in law will be thrilled with it.  You have to show me how you built the cover, I really need to get my models under cover, especially with the dust storms we get around here.

Steve

Looks great, Rod!

You're really flying through this build...

I'm still amazed at how your finishing technique looks...if I didn't know better, I would assume that this was a scratch-built kit from wood.

Is that a special kind of rigging line you're using?

Dave

I finished the rigging today. I ue CIM rope for my rigging. I get it from Cottage industry Models. William Blackmore produces it. I really like it. It has a little stretch to it. Looks taut but dosen't put alot of pressure on the mast and yards.Plus I haven't found that humidity dosen't bothers it.It comes in tan or stockholm tar. I used tan than soaked it in a india ink and denatured alcohol bath to give it more weathered look.

I put on a furled sail.I used sail cloth I get from Model Expo.My wife sews it up for me.Than I soaked it in tea for about ten mimutes.I sending a picture of the furled sail that come in the kit. you can see why i used the cloth one.

I ;m working on the anchors ,rope coils and touch up paint to finish.Steve you asked about my cases. I do my own bases . I worked in the building industry for over 35 years so I have access to lots of different woods. this base is out of beech. I get cases made here in West Michigan by a plastic company. I found for the time and work it takes me to build them they do a better job and the cost is not much different. Most of my cases come with rounded edges and usually only take about a week to get.

Hard to take picture of something clear . Hopefully you can make out what it will be like. Rod

Rod,

Thanks for posting the case, it does look very nice.  If you have the name of the company that makes them I would appreciate it, although I might try and build one myself first........ with all my spare time.  I am also trying to remember something I read awhile back about the plus and minuses of acrylic/plexiglass vs. glass cases.  Hopefully I can find it again.

I love the base wood you used as well as the finish.  This is an amazing build and like Scott, I never get tired at studying your builds.

Thanks again,

Steve

FINISHED!!!! I got her done last night. Thanks everone for the nice comments along the build. I know I'm not the greatest writter.I know I've left a hundred question's unanswered. Let me know what they are and I'll try to answer them. Dave and Steve thanks for your help.I'll shut up now and just send pictures Rod

I tried to get all the angles. I've said before Imai kits go together very well.The plastic is terrific. You can build them OOB or they also allow you to add to the detail you want.Thanks again for following along it was fun. Rod

All I can say Rod is ...... WOW

Steve

One of your finest works, Rod.

Simple, elegant, and very cool...your painting work is astonishing to me.

And I can't believe how quickly you've gotten it finished!

Well done, sir...well done.

Hi Rod-

I'm about to begin working on my Imai Catalan (German boxing and instructions, strangely)...I hoped I could ask you for some insight?

I know the main deck has to go in when the hull halves are assembled...

Normally, I glue my hulls together without the deck in place, then drill out two holes in the keel for the screws for the display pedestals, and screw them into pieces of wood on the bottom of the inside of the hull... and then put it in the deck.

Now that I have to install the deck when the hull goes together, I'm trying to figure out a good way to fasten the wooden display base and pedestals to the keel.

How did you attach your hull to the stand?

Thanks!

David