Build log The Whaler Essex

Rpope

Rpope

Joined
Feb 18, 2023
Messages
76
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Location
Cincinnati Ohio
I am starting a build of the Whaling ship The Essex. First launched in Nantucket Massachusetts. After being built as a merchant ship in 1799 was refitted as a Whaler . 85 feet in length the ship was rammed by a Sperm Whale November 20, 1820. Initially the entire crew of 20 survived the attack but after an arduous journey only 8 survived to tell the tale.
This true event is what Herman Melville based his book Moby Dick.
This is my second build since joining ships of scale.
I will post pictures as I go and love to learn from others.

Before I begin with the Essex , I have been playing around with a ship in a bottle and here is a picture as I get ready to shove it in the bottle then onto the contents of The OcCra Essex

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Tobias said:
Hello Rappe, great project. The Essex was my first model and I had a lot of fun building it. I will follow your progress with interest. Here is a link to Occre and the Essex on YouTube. he was very helpful with the rigging.


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That is a beautiful job I hope I hope I can do as great a job. I love the hull and would like to pull it off as good as you did. Thank you for the build website I will definitely take advantage of it
 
Finished with the frame and deck, now onto the rail/ gunnels and the dreaded bending of the wood. When I built the Endurance I had never used contact /cobblers cement so I opted for white glue and weighed it down overnight. This time I went with the contact cement on the deck and am very happy with it. I will use the contact cement on the second skin of the hull like I did on the last build but now I realize I don’t have to be in such a hurry.

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I am presently building the Essex from Ocree. The model is fully assembled and now working on the rigging including sails. This is my first build of an Ocree model and I like their instructions and the rigging diagrams seem clear and easy to use. I can post pictures when I comlete the model.

Bill W.
 
Yes, pictures please. I want to build all 5 ESSEXES. There were 3 sailing Essex's, The Aircraft Carrier CV/CVA/CVS-9 and the LHD-2.
I have built a 1/700 Hasegawa plastic kit of her in WWII configuration, I have a plastic 1/540 vintage Revell kit in 1959 configuration, a Trumpeter plastic 1/350 kit in WWII configuration, A Gallery models 1/350 plastic kit of the Wasp LHD-1 to be built up as ESSEX LHD-2.
My interest is in the fact I served aboard USS ESSEX CVS-9 1960-1966, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Crisis, Cuban blockade.
The old vintage Revell kit is a fair representation of her when re-fitted in 1959 as an ASW ship, so that is the one I really want to do right.
Meantime, I've been looking for kits of the first three Essex's, the sailing ships. One was a whaler, one was a US warship (frigate) and one sailed on the great lakes. I want to get them in in the lineup to build them all.

Any suggestions for which kits might be suitable?

EJ
 
Rpope said:
Finished with the frame and deck, now onto the rail/ gunnels and the dreaded bending of the wood. When I built the Endurance I had never used contact /cobblers cement so I opted for white glue and weighed it down overnight. This time I went with the contact cement on the deck and am very happy with it. I will use the contact cement on the second skin of the hull like I did on the last build but now I realize I don’t have to be in such a hurry.

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Good morning. I am pulling up a chair here. All looking spiff and ready. Cheers Grant
 
Started work on the gunnels and the hull planking. Starting from topside and working down 6 planks. Next step is to start from keel and work up what will be the same course toward the mid point of hull . For the middle coarse there will be planks cut short and angled to keep the hull lines, so it will get a little more tedious. Hopefully I can get some bench time today.
Thanks

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MM2CVS9 said:
Yes, pictures please. I want to build all 5 ESSEXES. There were 3 sailing Essex's, The Aircraft Carrier CV/CVA/CVS-9 and the LHD-2.
I have built a 1/700 Hasegawa plastic kit of her in WWII configuration, I have a plastic 1/540 vintage Revell kit in 1959 configuration, a Trumpeter plastic 1/350 kit in WWII configuration, A Gallery models 1/350 plastic kit of the Wasp LHD-1 to be built up as ESSEX LHD-2.
My interest is in the fact I served aboard USS ESSEX CVS-9 1960-1966, Bay of Pigs, Berlin Crisis, Cuban blockade.
The old vintage Revell kit is a fair representation of her when re-fitted in 1959 as an ASW ship, so that is the one I really want to do right.
Meantime, I've been looking for kits of the first three Essex's, the sailing ships. One was a whaler, one was a US warship (frigate) and one sailed on the great lakes. I want to get them in in the lineup to build them all.

Any suggestions for which kits might be suitable?

EJ
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Are you going to build the starship model from Star Trek also?
 
Vfordyce, thank you for your post I served on the USS Guadalcanal LPH 7 during the Yom Kippor war in 1973 so I understand your passion. I have been looking for a model of that ship but I think they are all bought up.
This build of the Essex whaler is by OcCre and is a good kit . The following pics are my progress on the first hull sheeting, leaving the required gaps for the next course

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Primary hull planking done, now for a fair amount of filing and sanding. After that I will build up the bow and the stern and loads more sanding. My pin pusher finally gave out so I ordered a new one from OcCre and while I was at it I went ahead and ordered the 3 sanding blocks I have been thinking about for some time now. My homemade blocks are just not flexible enough for the lines of this hull, but still be of use in other areas. Will post more pics of progress and how the new tools are.

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