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BALDER, Vlaardingen Herring Lugger from 1912, scratch build scale 1:50 Plate-On-Frame

To be able to make the chainplates and place them in the right place, I decided to make the masts first.

Among the drawing files I received from the Vlaardingen Foundation was a drawing for all the masts and gaffs:
0955 Rondhout.jpg
The mizzen mast has a square foot, 200 mm, that extends to around 660 mm all the way to the deck. But when making the stub, I had already shown this photo from the Amsterdam restoration book:
0572 Mastvoet.jpg
It clearly shows that the mast foot tapers from square to round with the same diameter.

I made the square feet for both masts on the cross table:
0956 Rondhout.jpg
My Admiral enjoyed watching me concentrate:
0957 Rondhout.jpg
Always checking if the foot would fit in the mast socket.

The square parts on 2/3 of the masts were also turned to the correct position and size:
0958 Rondhout.jpg
The cushions for the shrouds will be placed there later.

The mizzen mast was turned to the correct size of 6.6 mm at deck height:
0959 Bezaan.jpg
The bed of the Proxxon DB250 is too short for the masts. Here's the shorter mizzen mast. I ordered an extra bed from the Proxxon representative in the Netherlands for a reasonable price. It will arrive today or tomorrow.

I also made a support for the longer pieces:
0960 Support.jpg
I still had some pieces of plexiglass left over from the display cases I'd already made. I glued everything together with chloroform. And some spare bearings from my roller skates are now getting a second life.
Regards, Peter
 
The main mast is square up to the top of the mast tube:
0961 Hofdmast.jpg

Because the mast can be lowered, I gave the bottom the necessary curves.
0962 Hofdmast.jpg
So that the bottom can pivot around the axle. Over the grayed-out piece goes a piece of brass that I glue into the kossing so that the axle is also supported on this outside and the mast also stays in position when both parts are taken apart. So, thinking a few steps ahead again...;)

The mast in lowered position:
0963 Hofdmast.jpg

The mizzen mast in place:
0964 Bezaan.jpg
The foot and the passage through the deck have been made to size.

Then the main mast hinges precisely along the mizzen mast:
0965 Hofdmast.jpg
Now they're against each other. Once they're turned to size, I hope they'll line up perfectly. In practice, the main mast was then pulled tight against the mizzen mast with the starboard backstay. This prevents the main mast from constantly banging against the mizzen mast in the swell.

I'd already posted this old photo:
0139 Mast.jpg
A while back, I was watching this video from @Kevink about life aboard tall ships:
And to my great surprise, at 13:32 I saw this:
0966 Videoshot.jpg
That's clearly a lugger with a lowered mast and mizzen sail. It's a good thing they sailed from the stern because of the sail set out at the bow.
So .... thanks for posting, Kevin. :)
Regards, Peter
 
Last edited:
Peter Voogt said:
To work out the dimensions for the main and mizzen masts, I had to take both sections apart again.
I took a quick picture, since it had been a while. And I checked whether the 11 parts on the main seam would stay attached.
View attachment 568983
I had them build ‘clamped a bit’, so that works pretty well.

I took a picture of the other part as well:
View attachment 568984
The few parts don't obstruct the view of the construction too much.

At the beginning of my build-log, I showed what partly inspired this project:
View attachment 568986
So this might be a sketch of how I could set up the model during a meeting:
View attachment 568985
That will take a while, so I'll just keep building.
Regards, Peter
Click to expand...
WOW! Extraordinary Peter. Cheers Grant
 
dockattner said:
Oh yes, you will definitely break those off more than once. Congratulations on reaching the stage where you will be going vertical. One of the most interesting builds happening right now!
Click to expand...
IMHO, THE most unique, engaging and interesting. Proving once again (IMHO) that the most prosaic and humble utilitarian vessels make the most compelling and interesting models. They are about the drama of the everyday lives of the people that risk it all to go to sea to provide for the indispensable, basic needs of the population of the planetExclamation-Mark

Pete
 
Peter Gutterman said:
IMHO, THE most unique, engaging and interesting. Proving once again (IMHO) that the most prosaic and humble utilitarian vessels make the most compelling and interesting models. They are about the drama of the everyday lives of the people that risk it all to go to sea to provide for the indispensable, basic needs of the population of the planetExclamation-Mark

Pete
Click to expand...
When I saw this post of yours, I was speechless for a moment ... Pete.Speechless First of all, thank you very much for these kind words and compliments.:) I also had to think for a moment about how to respond.
It was indeed hard work on these ships. And a 'working conditions law' ...? I'm also impressed by working on the Tall Ships. Partly because I was in touch with an old model builder in the ‘80s who sailed on those ships himself. He had impressive and wonderful stories to tell. I also learned to splice rope from him.
I don't really think about the fact that building my Balder 'releases something'. I was, of course, pleased that most of the carefully thought-out steps from the beginning were also well-executed in practice. Although it did take ‘some puzzling’ at times.
I still enjoy building every day and especially sharing it here on this SoS. The reactions are heartwarming, sometimes critical in content, which I greatly appreciate, but they also keep me on my toes.
Regards, Peter
 
Dear Peter. I have purposely delayed posting on your build log as I have been searching for the correct/most relevant comments on your build. How does one comment on a build that is so well researched, so innovative in its approach and so brilliantly executed in a material that some of us have not even heard of before? I know that this is probably the furthest thing from your mind, but I can't help but wonder how this model will be judged in a model building competition? I think they would probably have to rewrite the rule book!
 
Heinrich said:
Dear Peter. I have purposely delayed posting on your build log as I have been searching for the correct/most relevant comments on your build. How does one comment on a build that is so well researched, so innovative in its approach and so brilliantly executed in a material that some of us have not even heard of before? I know that this is probably the furthest thing from your mind, but I can't help but wonder how this model will be judged in a model building competition? I think they would probably have to rewrite the rule book!
Click to expand...
This is the second post in 2 days that made me speechless and quite for a moment ……. Heinrich.Sick You also thanks for those nice words and compliments.:)
I don’t know if there are competitions in the Netherland of nearby? Never thought about that option, but the first competition for Francois with his scratch build car models was very disappointing for him. Apparently, they couldn't/didn't appreciate it. Later he did get his appreciation and prices.
But who knows…….. ;)
There are still plenty of challenges ahead, especially with the upcoming rigging.
Regards, Peter
 
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