Great Republic 1853, 1/128 Extreme Clipper Barque by Rwiederrich [COMPLETED BUILD]

Step by step
- the problem with such bigger ships like clippers, first rates etc. is the fact, that you have to make these things, like belaying points, blocks, guns etc. not 5, 10 or 20 times - it is immediately dozens or even hundreds times.
My great respect to you and all other modelers building these models - I know very well, why I built a bomb vessel with only 8 guns, reduced rigging etc.
 
Love this ship Rob. I'm a big fan of the Great Republic and found a huge amount of info on her in a book called "The American Built Clipper Ship" by William L Crothers. He covers every Clipper built in America from 1850 to 1856 including the GR. If you haven't seen this book it really deserves your attention if your into the Clippers and there're lots of details for the Great Republic. I'm enjoying your work here very much. It's beautiful. Pete
yes that book is excellent !!!
 
Thanks for all the likes and fine comments.
I figure I have the stays and shrouds/ratlines up next....then finish off with some final details(flags and rope coils) and boom and gaff braces.

Not much longer and she'll be dome.....5+ years in the making.
 
I thought it would be interesting to share some of my observations and point out some inconsistencies so the readers can have a greater respect for the complexity needed when researching and evaluating that research.

First lets look at the contemporary drawings made(probably by Duncan Mcann and referenced by many, such as Crothers.
Here is an example of several interesting inconsistancies….we know the GR sported a modified Forbes double topsail rig as represented here. the mast and topmast doublings are extremely long....outlined by Forbes. to were he slung the lower topsail..and so it could run up and down the outer topmast doubling.
inconsistency #1, by measuring the height of the mast(In scale) it is determined the main yard is not long enough....thus creating a sequential step error in subsequent sail dimensions.
Inconsistency #2, this drawing depicts her with a bulwark, NOT a flush spar deck with her turned post railing. She did not have Forbes rigging when sporting bulwarks...she had Howes topsail rig.
Inconsistency #3, eyewitness accounts say she had no higher sails then Royals....which causes me to question this drawing because of the other blatant issues to include the extra long Royal masts.
View attachment 91634
another inconsistency is that according to Mathews and howe there was a topgallant gaff sail
 
how do you get the staysails to stay flying like that ?

Welcome clipper Randy....I assume that name is because you like clippers.....?

Well I suspended the stay and jib sails by means of using extremely thin stainless orthodontic wire for the sheets, then painted running rigging colors.

Thanks for the question....

Ron
 
yes BIG clipper fan since a lil kid- read read read any clipper books I can get
just today ordered 1/48 scale NIGHTINGALE plans
 
yes BIG clipper fan since a lil kid- read read read any clipper books I can get
just today ordered 1/48 scale NIGHTINGALE plans

That will be a wonderful model and adventure. I will surely be following that build when you get to it,

I test fit the GR on the base of the case stand I'm building...and an image of the case built.

RobIMG_9299_JPG_98ea0aa6ea8ed8fcb0b047e02cc19fd4.jpgIMG_9310_JPG_dc295616cf21a0f9d0a11fcdb4cfb424.jpg
 
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