Bluenose by Scientific

Wow, that's nice.

(voice from the back-"how's that America coming?"}.

The sail looks just great. All of the little details are just clean, like the sail gaskets.

You might consider replacing the mast hoops if you can. They look out of scale to me, and as you note are causing problems.

They can be easily made using strips of manila file folder envelopes. Ther real thing was a long strip of willow or similar bent to a hoop and spliced together with nails. So a lap joint with white glue, held together one at a time can be put together.

I really respect that model. it's pretty.

GMorrison - 1st off, it's good hearing from you and YES, your America was looking great. Wonderful job with the wood decking!!!

I know what you are saying about using the black mast hoops. I picked them up at HobbyLobby when I first started this build. I now realize how large in scale they appear. One of my mistakes (learning curve) that I've done along with reversing the upper masts, but I was able to correct that mistake in time.  Thank you for this tip on using manila folder. Possibly a thin cardboard stock? I will cut off these plastic rings and go with your idea. Cheers on that one!

For an inexpensive model, this has turned out to be an excellent project for my 1st time wooden kit and, with the help of other modelers such as yourself and these sites, I am very happy with my results. Cheap kit but a wealth of gained knowledge. Thank you for your advice and comments. Here's to more adventures for us both!!! 

I had some time off from the day job and worked on my schooner. I cut off some of my mast rings to reduce the bulkiness look. Definately a lesson in keeping with scale! I then moved on to getting my foresail in place and most of the running line taken care of. 

Like I've said before, this model has been a great learning experience for me and it's helped me along with learning terminology, scratch building, researching and trying to go that extra distance with adding interest with my current skills that I have. 

 

I did some work on my rigging at the stern area of schooner. I attached the flying backstay lines from the top of mast which will connect up th the deck at stern of ship. I have the start of my main throat halliard awaiting connection to the main gaff. I also worked on the main pel halliard lines that will hook up to main gaff.

 

Here I am about a week later now with work on the mainsail. Attached my boom, sail and gaff to the main mast. I connected the main throat halliard from gaff to mast. Hooked up all of the line(s) and tackle for the gaff's main peak halliard. Installed my flying backstays from top of mast down to ring on stern deck and belaying pins. Boom crutch tackle is in place. Finished by installing the main topping line from main mast to end of main boom. 

With all of that, I will now try to finish up the furled sails and lines on bow of schooner. I am really happy in the way this boat looks and how far I've come along on this project!

 

Very nice build. Picked up a couple of tips along the way. Thanks for the WIP.   

Jim  

Jim - many thanks for taking a look on my 1st wooden kit. I realized, after I started this post, that most of the models on this site are plastic. I put my Revell 1:96 USS Constitution on a holding pattern while I've worked on this schooner. I finally got the gun deck mounted and was starting to install the long guns on the Connie when I stopped.

It's nice to know that you picked up on a couple of tips with this post. I sure did as well!!! LOL I've had some really good advice and helpful tips from other moderlers that have gotten me this far. Many thanks to all of them I've learned quite a bit with this kit and that's what this is all about anyway. A learning process and an enjoyment in what we create

I hope to finish the Connie but my next kit will be another wooden model. I would like to purchase (and build) Zvezda's Black Swan plastic kit but, so many wonderful kits and so little time! LOL Here's to more builds for us both. Cheers!!!

 

Currently got in some work on the bow section. I now have my jib sail and jib balloon sail in place. Now working on some lines and rope coils for decking and belaying pins. Have my lines for the Canadian flag coming off of the main mast. I believe at sea, it would be found atop the main gaff. Also made my port and starboard lights for the rigging. Getting close to finishing and then I notice something else to include! 

Port and starboard lights now lashed to the foremast's rigging. 

So I've come to an end on this adventure in wood. I'm waiting on a new printer so I can make my decals to install on the bow and stern, and also to make an iron-on transfer to use for the Canadian flag which will be flown from the main mast. I've made some errors along the way, but this 'old' kit has taught me some valuable skills that will help me with future kits. I would also like to thank everyone who has followed along on this thread and were kind enough in offering tips and advice to save me from many a wrong turn!!! I'm very happy with the way she has turned out - now on to more adventures!

 

Hmmm;

 See , even the old standby , Wood , yields some spectacular results ! Well , actually the patience of the builder . Great job . To Quote an Officer I formerly knew ." Well Done , Sailor " !

Tanker - Builder - many thanks for following along with me on this kit. I'm taking a break for a moment on building another wooden kit and I've started work on Trumpeters plastic Nantucket lightship but, I'm then going to try my hand with Model Shipways HMS Bounty Launch to learn some skills with planking. 

While I was working on this schooner, I found that working with wood gave me a feeling like I was actually 'building a real boat'. I learned quite a few new skills and techniques working with wood as opposed to plastic assembled kits. I also am grateful for the feedback that I received from other modelers who offered me advice from time to time to help me reach the end on this project I'm very pleased with the way this 'old' kit turned out and looking forward to building the wooden Launch. Thanks again!

Well, it came out a beauty. Very inspiring. There's nothing quite like a wood model of same as a ship.

Thanks for posting your build.

Hi ;

 I find that posting a build with photos to be a daunting endeavor . I see the flaws and I am sure someone is going to catch me out on something . We all do . I admire your courage and the final result . Building in wood is , to me , refreshing and besides I love the smell of sawdust in the morning . Even if it gets in my coffee , reminds me of the " Good Old days " 

 Anyone remember them ? If there's no kit , Build it yourself , Ta Da ! reminds me of a big Boo - Boo from younger days . 2 1/2 inch dowel , dad's , solid White Oak from work .I sawed it up  and created eight subs from various navies all about 11 inches long .

 The Punishment was worth it . All that shaping and filing and sawdust and I had all those submarines , that none of my buddies had . And I did them from scratch ! 

 Isn't working with wood satisfying ? T B. 

GMorrison - thank you for your comment and for your input along the way. My compliments to you on your beautiful build with the America. Hat's off to ;)

Tanker-Builder You're right about the feel of working with wood. One gets a better feel of creating the part when one has to cut, file, shape it. And YES.... the sawdust! There's nothing like hearing my 'helper' cat, Monster, sneezing away after breathing in leftovers. LOL I built a few AMT car models as a kid but, at that time in my life, I hadn't learned the true meaning of patience. Time has changed. I now find that working on model ships is, not only a learning experience for me, but provides me with a type of relaxation by focusing on what I am working on... o.k., there are those rare moments of verbal outbursts from time to time but... ahhh, after a couple of cleansing breathes, I'm almost a human being again. Thanks again and have yourself a good weekend!