Fair American 1:48 by Model Expo

[The Gavel]

Namabiiru!

You are doing amazing things with your Fair American build! I really wish I had your log to follow when I built Lovely Renee! First, NICE work on the stern. It is amazingly crisp and your solution to the decoration problem is inspired. I am stealing the idea of creating a stencil. As to making the scrollwork raised - if you still have the stencil and the will (I won't hold it against you if you don't) consider filling the stencil with wood filler or some sort of compound that you can press into the space and smooth. A wise man would probably leave that experiment for "the next one."

Your framing and planking look excellent. I particularly admire the parquet floor! In reality, and here I am relying on Patrck O'Brien's Master and Commander and other books in the Aubrey/Maturin series, perhaps a checkered deck cloth is more accurate? As to the stern block - you can't go wrong, but you took a lot of trouble to frame the stern to show the cabin. So, go ahead and show the cabin . How far to carve the stern block? Well, how much can you see as things are? Based on Gunther's pictures and how I imagined the cabin of the Sophie, I had the impression that the floor to ceiling height would cause a man of average height to have to duck his head to get in and he would not be comfortable until seated. I also imgined that there were lockers immediately below the windows that served as a bench/sofa. In any event, the captain's quarters on a brig-of-war would not have been too handsom. On the other hand, you are the captain and how opulently you choose to furnish your cabin is mearly a matter of your heart's desire!

I can't wait to see what you conjure up next!

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck

 

[Namabiiru]

Namabiiru!

You are doing amazing things with your Fair American build! I really wish I had your log to follow when I built Lovely Renee! First, NICE work on the stern. It is amazingly crisp and your solution to the decoration problem is inspired. I am stealing the idea of creating a stencil. As to making the scrollwork raised - if you still have the stencil and the will (I won't hold it against you if you don't) consider filling the stencil with wood filler or some sort of compound that you can press into the space and smooth. A wise man would probably leave that experiment for "the next one."

Your framing and planking look excellent. I particularly admire the parquet floor! In reality, and here I am relying on Patrck O'Brien's Master and Commander and other books in the Aubrey/Maturin series, perhaps a checkered deck cloth is more accurate? As to the stern block - you can't go wrong, but you took a lot of trouble to frame the stern to show the cabin. So, go ahead and show the cabin . How far to carve the stern block? Well, how much can you see as things are? Based on Gunther's pictures and how I imagined the cabin of the Sophie, I had the impression that the floor to ceiling height would cause a man of average height to have to duck his head to get in and he would not be comfortable until seated. I also imgined that there were lockers immediately below the windows that served as a bench/sofa. In any event, the captain's quarters on a brig-of-war would not have been too handsom. On the other hand, you are the captain and how opulently you choose to furnish your cabin is mearly a matter of your heart's desire!

I can't wait to see what you conjure up next!

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck

Chuck,
Thank you, as always, for your wonderful comments. I’m not sure my log would have been all that useful for your Lovely Renee build, considering how much I’ve been relying on your log!

I had considered the idea of using the stencil to try to make some appliqués, as you suggested, but the stencil is very fragile (already broken twice!). If I destroy it, I’m SOL in the event the transom has to be re-done. I’ll have to give that some more thought.

Agree with you on the layout of the cabin. In fact, I’ve already got it in mind to make the counter ceiling into a sort of tiered bookshelf.

Thank you again for the input and feedback. Valued beyond measure!

 

[The Gavel]

Namabiiru!

Well, as you know, Lovely Renee was my second build of the ship - maybe I do her again and incorprate the new things I've learned from you!

As to the "raised" decoration - first - if you could cut the stencil once I'll bet a sack of dabloons you could do it again - second - the effect you achieved is beautiful please don't take my two cents for more than they're worth.

I love your book shelf solution - reminds me of the voyage Jack and Stephen took on La Fleche - their host as captain had fitted his cabin out with book storage. It was, however, the start of the War of 1812 and Jack and Stephen end of prisoners of war in Boston.

Blessings.
Chuck

 

[Namabiiru]

I suppose it was only a matter of time. The shipyard owner, having received certain reports of mismanagement, ineptitude, malingering and other “shenanigans”, was forced to curtail a tour of his other business interests and oversee construction personally.

I have the honor to introduce Mr. Harold Basswood, esq., or, as he is better known by the other members of the Newport Sport Club, “Fuzzy” Basswood.

In truth, I needed something to help me visualize scale as I thought through designs for the great cabin and other issues. In fact, he’s already helped me confirm that the addition of another run of bulwark planking (if needed) would not look horribly over-sized.

 

[GIG1810]

Hey Namabiiru,

you can do it. Nice figure you've got there.... Almost my body shape ...

I'm curious to see how it goes on ...

Best regards

 

[Namabiiru]

Things are getting serious now. It felt like a shame with all the windows not to have appropriate lighting in the great cabin (and stern lantern, of course), so I ordered a batch of micro-LEDs, which arrived today. That means I really need to get the base sorted out, a plan for wiring, and of course a layout for the lights themselves.

Have I over-reached? Quite possibly. Have gone overboard? Most certainly. Mr. Basswood, however, is somewhat non-plussed.

“Hrrmph. Don’t see a need for new-fangled lighting. Tallow candles and oil lamps have worked just fine for centuries. Never be able to justify such outrageousness to the commissioners.”