12 Gun Brig-of-War

[Sylph VI]

Your figurehead and bow arrangement is looking good, nice work.

Thanks Colin. I am not totally happy with the way they have turned out. The figurehead, as well as being anachronistic, is probably a bit too big. And my scroll work is a bit rough. I have tried to clean it up but it is probably the best I can do with the tools I have and my skill level. I confess that I get a bit discouraged at times when I compare my results with the incredible standard of workmanship that so many of the model-makers are able to achieve on this site, so I very much appreciate your positive comments.
Have now installed the rudder and fitted the beakhead grating.

 

[Namabiiru]

Thanks Colin. I am not totally happy with the way they have turned out. The figurehead, as well as being anachronistic, is probably a bit too big. And my scroll work is a bit rough. I have tried to clean it up but it is probably the best I can do with the tools I have and my skill level. I confess that I get a bit discouraged at times when I compare my results with the incredible standard of workmanship that so many of the model-makers are able to achieve on this site, so I very much appreciate your positive comments.
Have now installed the rudder and fitted the beakhead grating.

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I have found that trying to compare my work to others’ brings only discouragement, not encouragement. I try to limit myself to comparing my work only to my work. Thus, if I’m producing something I judge better than what I managed before, then I am on the right path.

I like how you tackled that grating. Looks very nice.

 

[Sylph VI]

I have found that trying to compare my work to others’ brings only discouragement, not encouragement. I try to limit myself to comparing my only to my work. Thus, if I’m producing something I judge better than what I managed before, then I am on the right path.

I like how you tackled that grating. Looks very nice.

Thank you for the encouragement. This being my first scratch built model at this scale (I built a couple of miniatures at 25 feet to the inch fourty years ago, but they are completely different creatures) I don't have any previous work to compare my current work to, so am groping towards what I am capable of and how long I want to spend working on this project. Generally my ambitions far exceed my abilities, but one has to have a go to find out what they are.
I had a look at your Fair America and was drawn to the figurehead - very nicely done - which made me realise just how bad my attempt at carving my Sylph has turned out. I was quite pleased with it initially but having looked at it now for some time I am increasingly unhappy with it, it is clumsy and just way too big. I reckon at some point it is going to have to be chopped off and done again. Perhaps I will revert to the regulation lion.
Once again, I very much appreciate your interest.

 

[Namabiiru]

Thank you for the encouragement. This being my first scratch built model at this scale (I built a couple of miniatures at 25 feet to the inch fourty years ago, but they are completely different creatures) I don't have any previous work to compare my current work to, so am groping towards what I am capable of and how long I want to spend working on this project. Generally my ambitions far exceed my abilities, but one has to have a go to find out what they are.
I had a look at your Fair America and was drawn to the figurehead - very nicely done - which made me realise just how bad my attempt at carving my Sylph has turned out. I was quite pleased with it initially but having looked at it now for some time I am increasingly unhappy with it, it is clumsy and just way too big. I reckon at some point it is going to have to be chopped off and done again. Perhaps I will revert to the regulation lion.
Once again, I very much appreciate your interest.

My hat’s off to you for carving your own figurehead. I don’t think I could ever try carving something like that from scratch because I know I have zero artistic skills. Instead I would root around the hobby shops and second-hand stores to find something close and then go all Dr Frankenstein on it till Ihad the look I was after.

 

[Sylph VI]

My hat’s off to you for carving your own figurehead. I don’t think I could ever try carving something like that from scratch because I know I have zero artistic skills. Instead I would root around the hobby shops and second-hand stores to find something close and then go all Dr Frankenstein on it till Ihad the look I was after.

Thanks for the tip. I reckon I will follow your lead and start "rooting around" looking for something that might be the foundation for my figurehead.

 

[Sylph VI]

I acquired some new tools recently (a Byrnes table saw, a milling machine and a mini wood lathe) which hopefully will improve some of my work. So far I have produced the steering wheel and a some cannons. Turning the cannons in timber so that they are close to the same dimensions is a bit of a challenge.

 

[Y.T.]

Very good results from your new purchases.

 

[AllanKP69]

Beautifully done ship's wheel.

What brig is the model, or at least what year and nationality?

Thanks
Allan

 

[Sylph VI]

Beautifully done ship's wheel.

What brig is the model, or at least what year and nationality?

Thanks
Allan

Hi Allan, Royal Navy brig of the preiod 1840, the plans are from Harold A Underhill. The brigs were, inter alia, used for supressing piracy and the slave trade and then later as training vessels. Attached is a photo of HMS Sealark from aorund 1890 when fitted out as a training ship (photo colourised by Frank Hellston). Thank you for your interest.

 

[AllanKP69]

Thank Sylph.
I am curious to know more about this era in general and thank you for your reply. There are a couple dozen drawings on the RMG Collections website for the brigs including ten of Sealark that may be helpful. I am guessing Mr. Underhill used these same drawings in his work, but it would be interesting to compare.

Is the cannon in your photo based on a drawing from Underhill as well? The reason I ask is that a drawing I have for Dolphin would have been appropriate for Sealark according to an annotation on the drawing and mentioned by RMG. https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-85012

I look forward to your progress!!
Allan