Albatros - OcCre - 1:100 Scale

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Jul 27, 2018
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Location
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I received the Albatros as a gift over 4 years ago and didn’t have time or commitment to start it. With my recent retirement I have the time and the desire to get back to modeling. I started with a Revell Constitution, 1/96 Scale. It was a significant effort over 4 months but I learned a lot about ships of that period, rigging and nautical terms. I also learned that plastic for me was a bit limiting so I dug out the Albatros and started early September. The pictures I am posting start with the initial stages and go through where I am today. I have learned a lot with this build-woodworking skills, glue and clamping techniques, planking, and ratlines. So far the areas I have enjoyed are 1) building the body of the ship- shaping it and adding the details; 2) assembling the rigging- what a puzzle not only of where things go but the most efficient order of adding the rigging to the ship and 3) building the structures to add to the ship. The only area I have not enjoyed is adding the ratlines. Tedious and pretty boring. I wonder what others have as favorite areas vs least favorite areas of builds? I also think OcCre built a nice kit for moderate beginners. There customer service has been outstanding by providing rigging plans not included in the kit and broken parts replacement within a week from Spain to the US. While I do not have a lot of context I would recommend them. Well here are some pics. Not a piece or art but a nice first build project for me. 507FD464-1492-4E64-A04D-F39A78A7FA2F.jpeg7B987D0A-7AF5-462D-98B8-7D2A6D320513.jpeg5653B23E-52A7-482D-8BA1-00D175381F56.jpeg4E03EA6C-2698-44DD-8111-8BF614700E35.jpeg6501F793-5BB8-46EB-B764-FACD34CC92F1.jpeg1F9A4866-0457-4CA3-8AB0-081BB0FC60C0.jpeg009D017B-549B-45C8-9BB9-99E7AD201DC2.jpeg3DD38EF1-E574-46AE-81C2-B90D3AF17441.jpeg8F300DF4-BCF6-4B1B-B804-3FBC9CAA154D.jpeg39133B0C-B7F8-4189-B0C1-F6452032334C.jpeg5AA3F717-5575-4CA4-B6E9-9059639C7FD5.jpeg4966BCAE-7BEA-4332-B57E-026ACDA8C133.jpeg2D96008E-ECFA-4635-AF81-C5C63E91BB64.jpeg01562976-F2BA-439E-BFFA-703F72743A83.jpeg3ACC7C68-AD5E-4C45-B089-BE0E73C716E4.jpeg6EE66B65-21D7-4D2F-B9C5-E71EE7D3F012.jpeg082F38B4-190A-40E3-97A3-AFFBF6BA4AA0.jpegCEB63096-356A-4971-8F88-BE759E6D01C8.jpeg
 
As I noted I posted the pics of the Albatros after much of the work had progressed so not a great log. I finished the ship today adding the last sail, canons and small boat. While I learned a bit about prepping and rigging sails their scale is clearly off for the ship. I do think they help define the masts and rigging a bit so they are a net plus in my opinion. Pics are attached. Next up in the Ship Yard is the Swift. Another good practice and learning kit I think. I will start a log on Swift. Thanks for looking.
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Looking Good. For me the worst part is planking the Hull, I don't mind the deck planking so much though. my favorite part is the Rigging especially the ratlines. IMO the ratlines make the rigging the better you do those the better the total rigging job looks because they are the first thing that draws your attention in the rigging all the deadeyes and shrouds that are part of that have to be done with care. make sure deadeyes are as close to the same height as possible and none rotated that's a puzzle in and of its self getting those the right way. Pull your lines taunt, but not to taunt you down want lines that are under a load normally to be saggy looking and you don't want them so tight they pull things out of alignment the best method is to tie to the right side then the left for each line and keep an eye on the masts to make sure you not distorting them its a balancing act.
 
Barry, well done! I found a lot of satisfaction from building in card but something was still missing. Multi-media modeling was the answer for me and the purists be damned :) Bringing a masterpiece of engineering to life with materials you can really feel and smell and shape ...it sure helps give an understanding of a lot of those tarry nautical terms we read so often in our favorite novels. As to your question, I haven't gotten that far yet to develop any dislikes:)
 
Looking Good. For me the worst part is planking the Hull, I don't mind the deck planking so much though. my favorite part is the Rigging especially the ratlines. IMO the ratlines make the rigging the better you do those the better the total rigging job looks because they are the first thing that draws your attention in the rigging all the deadeyes and shrouds that are part of that have to be done with care. make sure deadeyes are as close to the same height as possible and none rotated that's a puzzle in and of its self getting those the right way. Pull your lines taunt, but not to taunt you down want lines that are under a load normally to be saggy looking and you don't want them so tight they pull things out of alignment the best method is to tie to the right side then the left for each line and keep an eye on the masts to make sure you not distorting them its a balancing act.
Thanks for the feedback. Agree on the deadeyes. They were all generally aligned until I got to the ratlining and had a couple rotate a bit as I tied them. Learned a lot re ratlining with this ship.
 
We learn from Doing better then from reading and watching for your first Wood ship build you did a fantastic job and I'm sure you now have confidence to build another the lessons learned on this one will be well served on the next and every build after will get better and better. its amazing how things look great then you do something else and it messes up all your hard work happens to every single Builder regardless of exp. The important thing is not to get discouraged and keep moving forward you will find way to fix thing and some things can wait till the ship is done then you can go back and do what's called Detailing. for deadeyes I will leave them if they rotate then go back when the ships done cut the line between the deadeyes rotate the shroud line at the deadeye one turn at a time and reline it to see if it will hold if not I go another turn, once I'm close I do half turns.
 
Sensational Job. Every kit is different & presents its own challenges & learning. That's the beauty of this hobby. Each manufacturer has their way of presenting a kit. ie there are 4 or 5 different Bounties ( Occre, AL, Caldercraft, Mantua...) Same ship, but very different approaches & kit builds.). Keep going. pick up a Moderate experience kit next ( 1/64 scale for more detail) and enjoy. Welcome to the completed club. Lots never make it or give up, but once your there the pride and thrill, no matter what the kit its worth it. Once gain Well done and congratulations on a great little ship.
 
A great looking ship. I think a lot of us are critical of our own work, especially when we compare them with others work on this site, the important thing is to try to improve on our own perceived shortcomings and just enjoy what we do.
Cheers Andy
 
We learn from Doing better then from reading and watching for your first Wood ship build you did a fantastic job and I'm sure you now have confidence to build another the lessons learned on this one will be well served on the next and every build after will get better and better. its amazing how things look great then you do something else and it messes up all your hard work happens to every single Builder regardless of exp. The important thing is not to get discouraged and keep moving forward you will find way to fix thing and some things can wait till the ship is done then you can go back and do what's called Detailing. for deadeyes I will leave them if they rotate then go back when the ships done cut the line between the deadeyes rotate the shroud line at the deadeye one turn at a time and reline it to see if it will hold if not I go another turn, once I'm close I do half turns.
Thanks. I appreciate the feedback and tips. Doing is what the hobby is all about. It’s an art form and a learning experience. I am looking forward to my next build.
 
Sensational Job. Every kit is different & presents its own challenges & learning. That's the beauty of this hobby. Each manufacturer has their way of presenting a kit. ie there are 4 or 5 different Bounties ( Occre, AL, Caldercraft, Mantua...) Same ship, but very different approaches & kit builds.). Keep going. pick up a Moderate experience kit next ( 1/64 scale for more detail) and enjoy. Welcome to the completed club. Lots never make it or give up, but once your there the pride and thrill, no matter what the kit its worth it. Once gain Well done and congratulations on a great little ship.
Thanks for the kind words. I am probably going to do one more beginning kit. I want to practice painting a bit on a simple ship. Then I agree I want to work on a bit of a larger ship. Any recommendations for an intermediate 1/64 scale ship?
 
A great looking ship. I think a lot of us are critical of our own work, especially when we compare them with others work on this site, the important thing is to try to improve on our own perceived shortcomings and just enjoy what we do.
Cheers Andy
Thanks. Completely agree. When we build we know where all the imperfections are even if not visible to most of our friends viewing our ships. Enjoying building and learning about the ships is the real fun.
 
If you want great highly detailed plans & instructions , go for something like Caldercraft Badger or the Supply or the slightly more complex Bounty. Lauck Street shipyard have a practicum on it. Bob Hunt is a member here. They are also reasonably priced .You could do another Occre, They also have a bounty with cutaway internals. Its is a very nice kit. either way you will be introduced to Square rigs, coppering & painting and LOTS of ratlines!( sorry you cant get away from them). One of these should keep you busy for at least 1 - 2 years ( YEP) and there are lots of builds around & help for them.

Until you have experience stay away from Panart, Sergal etc.

In the mean time I suggest you get hold of the two books by Lennarth Peterson on riggiing. ( see the book review section)


Enjoy.
 
Thanks for the ideas and rigging book recommendations. I’ll look into these kits.
If you want great highly detailed plans & instructions , go for something like Caldercraft Badger or the Supply or the slightly more complex Bounty. Lauck Street shipyard have a practicum on it. Bob Hunt is a member here. They are also reasonably priced .You could do another Occre, They also have a bounty with cutaway internals. Its is a very nice kit. either way you will be introduced to Square rigs, coppering & painting and LOTS of ratlines!( sorry you cant get away from them). One of these should keep you busy for at least 1 - 2 years ( YEP) and there are lots of builds around & help for them.

Until you have experience stay away from Panart, Sergal etc.

In the mean time I suggest you get hold of the two books by Lennarth Peterson on riggiing. ( see the book review section)


Enjoy.
 
As I noted I posted the pics of the Albatros after much of the work had progressed so not a great log. I finished the ship today adding the last sail, canons and small boat. While I learned a bit about prepping and rigging sails their scale is clearly off for the ship. I do think they help define the masts and rigging a bit so they are a net plus in my opinion. Pics are attached. Next up in the Ship Yard is the Swift. Another good practice and learning kit I think. I will start a log on Swift. Thanks for looking.
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As a new model builder (just retired), found the photographs very helpful. Easier to understand than the drawings.
 
As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. There are some great build logs on this site for many of the popular kits. If you have an interest in one of these ships it’s a big help to refer to the build logs and of course ask the builders for any info as well. Also think about some of the practicums that are available. I have used Bob Hunt’s practicums and they are very helpful for beginning modelers.
I hope you enjoy this hobby. I retired in 2018 and started with the Albatross and then the Swift.
 
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