Nice build Jack. Like the kind of shell first building methode.
-
Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering. -
PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!
The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.
NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026
Gaeta Falcata (Gajeta Falkusa) by jack.aubrey - Marisstella - 1:20 Scale [COMPLETED BUILD]
- Thread starter jack.aubrey
- Start date
- Watchers 9
Yes, this is true for the model, but in the real world this boat isn't built with shell first . . see the many images shown in https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/italian-boats-of-the-adriatic-sea.3102/
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
A new small step forward: I have corrected a blunder that I discovered in the execution of the two floor decks at bow and stern. Now these two "decks" have the right length, 'cause before were too long, although on the plans there aren't the two small lateral extensions which unfortunately I could not totally eliminate.
I hope that the replica shipbuilders will forgive me. For me this detail introduces an aesthetically improved element [cursing] [cursing] [cursing]
Previously I installed, not without some difficulty, the two side counterwales. Unlike the stringer, the engravings on the counterwale are two. Now I became a master in its execution. When the boat will be completed with the so-called "falke", there will be three wales/counterwales per side, two outside of the hull, one inside.
Now it's time to study in deep the assembly instructions in cojunction with the plans to setup a proper planning for the next steps.
They are not so obvious . .
Salutoni, Jack.
01 - 20170328_174827.jpg
02 - 20170328_174722.jpg
03 - 20170328_174815.jpg
04 - 20170328_174759.jpg
A new small step forward: I have corrected a blunder that I discovered in the execution of the two floor decks at bow and stern. Now these two "decks" have the right length, 'cause before were too long, although on the plans there aren't the two small lateral extensions which unfortunately I could not totally eliminate.
I hope that the replica shipbuilders will forgive me. For me this detail introduces an aesthetically improved element [cursing] [cursing] [cursing]
Previously I installed, not without some difficulty, the two side counterwales. Unlike the stringer, the engravings on the counterwale are two. Now I became a master in its execution. When the boat will be completed with the so-called "falke", there will be three wales/counterwales per side, two outside of the hull, one inside.
Now it's time to study in deep the assembly instructions in cojunction with the plans to setup a proper planning for the next steps.
They are not so obvious . .
Salutoni, Jack.
01 - 20170328_174827.jpg
02 - 20170328_174722.jpg
03 - 20170328_174815.jpg
04 - 20170328_174759.jpg
Thursday, March 30, 2017
More details, the job begins to get interesting and fun. Now I'm back for 4/5 days in Milan, I plan to return to Pisa next Tuesday. So do not expect news soon.
01 - 20170331_095742.jpg
02 - 20170331_095753_HDR.jpg
03 - 20170331_095735_HDR.jpg
04 - 20170331_095729.jpg
05 - 20170331_095805.jpg
06 - 20170330_130908.jpg
More details, the job begins to get interesting and fun. Now I'm back for 4/5 days in Milan, I plan to return to Pisa next Tuesday. So do not expect news soon.
01 - 20170331_095742.jpg
02 - 20170331_095753_HDR.jpg
03 - 20170331_095735_HDR.jpg
04 - 20170331_095729.jpg
05 - 20170331_095805.jpg
06 - 20170330_130908.jpg
Very accurately build, Jack! Please share your secret with us (if any)! 
Hi Jim, many thanks for your appreciation . . but I haven't any secret to share, I simply try to do my best using a lot of patience and testing always every step before proceeding. Regards, Jack.Very accurately build, Jack! Please share your secret with us (if any)!
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
The work is progressing well, not at high speed, but it goes well and I'm having fun.
Today I finished the two decks at bow and stern and then I better refined the gunwale. I'm glad I guessed the suitable wood for decks. When I was back to Cinisello I did a little research in my personal timber store and found these light walnut strips that make a good contrast with the color of the other boat elements. Those supplied by the kit seemed me too dark for these task.
01 - 20170412_090753.jpg
02 - 20170412_090744.jpg
03 - 20170412_090736.jpg
04 - 20170412_090715.jpg
05 - 20170412_090724.jpg
06 - 20170412_090729.jpg
Now I must understand what are the next steps, so I have to study the plans/instructions to decide the correct sequence for installing the other details. However, the date of my return to Cinisello approaches and I definitely will not be able to finish this model in time. I must then decide whether to let him in Pisa waiting to complete it on my return next fall or bring it with me in Cinisello and finish it there, similarly as I did with the Viking ship model.
Should I decide for the latter, of course the other model (Brick de 24) I have in the shipyard at home would still remain idle.
Sincerely yours, Jack.
The work is progressing well, not at high speed, but it goes well and I'm having fun.
Today I finished the two decks at bow and stern and then I better refined the gunwale. I'm glad I guessed the suitable wood for decks. When I was back to Cinisello I did a little research in my personal timber store and found these light walnut strips that make a good contrast with the color of the other boat elements. Those supplied by the kit seemed me too dark for these task.
01 - 20170412_090753.jpg
02 - 20170412_090744.jpg
03 - 20170412_090736.jpg
04 - 20170412_090715.jpg
05 - 20170412_090724.jpg
06 - 20170412_090729.jpg
Now I must understand what are the next steps, so I have to study the plans/instructions to decide the correct sequence for installing the other details. However, the date of my return to Cinisello approaches and I definitely will not be able to finish this model in time. I must then decide whether to let him in Pisa waiting to complete it on my return next fall or bring it with me in Cinisello and finish it there, similarly as I did with the Viking ship model.
Should I decide for the latter, of course the other model (Brick de 24) I have in the shipyard at home would still remain idle.
Sincerely yours, Jack.
Thursday and Friday, April 13-14, 2017
At the end I decided to install the seats . . .
There were some difficulties to solve, so I decided to do a test with some unused material. The first difficulty was to bend the strip which constitutes the seat, giving it a humpbacked curvature that was stable and, above all, reproducible in four equal pieces. At the end I opted for bonding two strips held to dry in a jig having a proper shape which gives it, once the glue is dried, an right curve.
Then I had to solve the problem of how to insert the seat in the right place. The following photo shows the solution I found.
01 - 20170413_143920.jpg
Picture 02 shows the method I used to obtain the required shape for the seat.
02 - 20170413_142148.jpg
The remaining images show the final result. I think it's a good achievement . .
03 - 20170414_191057.jpg
04 - 20170414_191154.jpg
05 - 20170414_191145.jpg
More significant images will follow soon. Salutoni, Jack.
At the end I decided to install the seats . . .
There were some difficulties to solve, so I decided to do a test with some unused material. The first difficulty was to bend the strip which constitutes the seat, giving it a humpbacked curvature that was stable and, above all, reproducible in four equal pieces. At the end I opted for bonding two strips held to dry in a jig having a proper shape which gives it, once the glue is dried, an right curve.
Then I had to solve the problem of how to insert the seat in the right place. The following photo shows the solution I found.
01 - 20170413_143920.jpg
Picture 02 shows the method I used to obtain the required shape for the seat.
02 - 20170413_142148.jpg
The remaining images show the final result. I think it's a good achievement . .
03 - 20170414_191057.jpg
04 - 20170414_191154.jpg
05 - 20170414_191145.jpg
More significant images will follow soon. Salutoni, Jack.
Further images, greetings, Jack.
01 - 20170414_191118.jpg
02 - 20170414_191107.jpg
03 - 20170414_191130.jpg
04 - 20170414_191136.jpg
05 - 20170414_191050.jpg
01 - 20170414_191118.jpg
02 - 20170414_191107.jpg
03 - 20170414_191130.jpg
04 - 20170414_191136.jpg
05 - 20170414_191050.jpg
Monday and Tuesday, April 17/18 2017
It 's time to get myself dirty with brushes and colors . .
More precisely I painted with a matt acrylic white part of the gunwales.
For the first time I experienced the suggestion I received sometime ago from a friend modeler (expert in plastic modelling) that explained me the trick to prevent paint managing to sneak under the masking tape. The trick is to apply a coat of transparent (and matt in this case) paint on the border area between the masking tape and the part to be painted before using the final color paint. This clear paint seals the microscopic cracks that inevitably form . . It works great, thank you rudy.
01 - 20170417_171203.jpg
02 - 20170417_171155.jpg
I have also painted two wood strips in white: these are the wales to be applied immediately below the gunwale. My only problem: I do not know why but the acrylic white covering was poor and I had to apply many coats before obtaining a proper color. Luckily with the hairdryer trick I did not have to wait the paint getting dry between coats.
03 - 20170417_171323.jpg
Finally I proceeded to color with black acrylic the outer part of the hull, leaving for the moment unpainted the part where the wales will be installed, still to be completed and glued. I will do this task in the coming days.
04 - 20170418_174811.jpg
05 - 20170418_174804.jpg
Greetings, Jack.
It 's time to get myself dirty with brushes and colors . .
More precisely I painted with a matt acrylic white part of the gunwales.
For the first time I experienced the suggestion I received sometime ago from a friend modeler (expert in plastic modelling) that explained me the trick to prevent paint managing to sneak under the masking tape. The trick is to apply a coat of transparent (and matt in this case) paint on the border area between the masking tape and the part to be painted before using the final color paint. This clear paint seals the microscopic cracks that inevitably form . . It works great, thank you rudy.
01 - 20170417_171203.jpg
02 - 20170417_171155.jpg
I have also painted two wood strips in white: these are the wales to be applied immediately below the gunwale. My only problem: I do not know why but the acrylic white covering was poor and I had to apply many coats before obtaining a proper color. Luckily with the hairdryer trick I did not have to wait the paint getting dry between coats.
03 - 20170417_171323.jpg
Finally I proceeded to color with black acrylic the outer part of the hull, leaving for the moment unpainted the part where the wales will be installed, still to be completed and glued. I will do this task in the coming days.
04 - 20170418_174811.jpg
05 - 20170418_174804.jpg
Greetings, Jack.
Wednesday 19 April 2017
I installed the wales on top of the hull, just below the gunwales. Then I had to do some minor adjustments to cover the small damages caused during the gluing of these strips and, finally, a coat of matt transparent paint, or rather, slightly satin.
The real boat is completely polished black, but in a model I think a polished finish is not much suitable, so I opted for a compromise: a satin matt finish.
01 - 20170420_104900.jpg
02 - 20170420_104943.jpg
03 - 20170420_104932.jpg
04 - 20170420_105001.jpg
05 - 20170420_104917.jpg
06 - 20170420_104924.jpg
07 - 20170420_104910.jpg
Regards, Jack.
I installed the wales on top of the hull, just below the gunwales. Then I had to do some minor adjustments to cover the small damages caused during the gluing of these strips and, finally, a coat of matt transparent paint, or rather, slightly satin.
The real boat is completely polished black, but in a model I think a polished finish is not much suitable, so I opted for a compromise: a satin matt finish.
01 - 20170420_104900.jpg
02 - 20170420_104943.jpg
03 - 20170420_104932.jpg
04 - 20170420_105001.jpg
05 - 20170420_104917.jpg
06 - 20170420_104924.jpg
07 - 20170420_104910.jpg
Regards, Jack.
It is looking very good - often I do not like painting of the timber (personal taste), but here it is really looking good
Thursday 20 April 2017
My stay in Tuscany is now approaching the end: next week I will be to the island of Elba for a short vacation that will allow me to see the island in the spring; people say it's very beautiful. Then again another 15 days and then I will return to Cinisello.
The next important step for completing this model is the construction of the so-called "falke" (I think it is translated in frisate), but for me this is an activity that is still to be understood, so I prefer to delay it when I'll resume work on this model.
So now I'm carrying on small "integrative" activities like the one described below with images. These are tables that are positioned fairly freely, between seats and having different functions . .
01 - 20170420_191655.jpg
02 - 20170420_191702.jpg
Surely an important function is to serve as a table for the food, which is necessary to bring on board as these boats were in the sea from early morning to late evening . .
03 - 12027496_1215228315169422_275117200362761938_n.jpg
Another usage was to make life a little more comfortable on board, adding more seats . .
04 - 13245380_1414127791946139_4658153669254213566_n.jpg
But, I think, the main function is to allow rowers to do their job, the picture below shows how the rowers work and we can understand that these boards put them in the most suitable position for rowing effectively . .
05 - 11229305_1140508929308028_5158174534400611462_o.jpg
These are details not provided in the kit, but can be seen in the photographs of the real boats, so why omit them ?
06 - 20170420_191712.jpg
07 - 20170420_191723.jpg
To next time, Jack.
My stay in Tuscany is now approaching the end: next week I will be to the island of Elba for a short vacation that will allow me to see the island in the spring; people say it's very beautiful. Then again another 15 days and then I will return to Cinisello.
The next important step for completing this model is the construction of the so-called "falke" (I think it is translated in frisate), but for me this is an activity that is still to be understood, so I prefer to delay it when I'll resume work on this model.
So now I'm carrying on small "integrative" activities like the one described below with images. These are tables that are positioned fairly freely, between seats and having different functions . .
01 - 20170420_191655.jpg
02 - 20170420_191702.jpg
Surely an important function is to serve as a table for the food, which is necessary to bring on board as these boats were in the sea from early morning to late evening . .
03 - 12027496_1215228315169422_275117200362761938_n.jpg
Another usage was to make life a little more comfortable on board, adding more seats . .
04 - 13245380_1414127791946139_4658153669254213566_n.jpg
But, I think, the main function is to allow rowers to do their job, the picture below shows how the rowers work and we can understand that these boards put them in the most suitable position for rowing effectively . .
05 - 11229305_1140508929308028_5158174534400611462_o.jpg
These are details not provided in the kit, but can be seen in the photographs of the real boats, so why omit them ?
06 - 20170420_191712.jpg
07 - 20170420_191723.jpg
To next time, Jack.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
It's since April 20th that this log isn't updated anymore. The reason is relatively easy to explain: in this period of time I went back to Milan from Tuscany and, as often happens after long absences from home, I found myself to be involved in everything and more. So nothing or very little modelling, save a timid resumption of activity over the past ten days.
Now my ultimate goal is to build the second part of the boat sides, the famous elements that could be removed after sailing and reassembled after fishing. The so-called "Falke". I do not think it will be an easy task, so I'm moving very carefully.
I started preparing the removable extensions on the bow and stern. I think the next four images can explain by themselves: these extensions are fixed to the protruding part of the keel and clutched on two metal pins holding this accessory firmly fixed. .
01 - 20170624_102723.jpg
02 - 20170624_102733.jpg
03 - 20170624_102906.jpg
04 - 20170624_102714.jpg
By the way I built the rudder, though it will be needed a lot further. Below is a photo of this item.
05 - 20170624_102639.jpg
And here's the most demanding part: the picture below shows all the bulwark stanchions on which the "Falke" planking will be applied. Here are presented after the long treatment received. The pieces were laser precut and obviously, on the cutted side, they were all black and burnt. The first activity was to remove the burns to get the original color of the wood.
Afterwards I had to work to fit the openings of the gunwale, where to plugin every single stanchion, a rather delicate and boring task: 24 square holes to fit.
Finally, when everything was fine, I could stain all the stanchions with a medium wood color. Now they are drying and finally the next job can start, provided the necessary checks to assure everything is properly set up.
06 - 20170624_102617.jpg
Hopefully, I hope not have to wait two other months to post the next message. Cheers, Jack.
It's since April 20th that this log isn't updated anymore. The reason is relatively easy to explain: in this period of time I went back to Milan from Tuscany and, as often happens after long absences from home, I found myself to be involved in everything and more. So nothing or very little modelling, save a timid resumption of activity over the past ten days.
Now my ultimate goal is to build the second part of the boat sides, the famous elements that could be removed after sailing and reassembled after fishing. The so-called "Falke". I do not think it will be an easy task, so I'm moving very carefully.
I started preparing the removable extensions on the bow and stern. I think the next four images can explain by themselves: these extensions are fixed to the protruding part of the keel and clutched on two metal pins holding this accessory firmly fixed. .
01 - 20170624_102723.jpg
02 - 20170624_102733.jpg
03 - 20170624_102906.jpg
04 - 20170624_102714.jpg
By the way I built the rudder, though it will be needed a lot further. Below is a photo of this item.
05 - 20170624_102639.jpg
And here's the most demanding part: the picture below shows all the bulwark stanchions on which the "Falke" planking will be applied. Here are presented after the long treatment received. The pieces were laser precut and obviously, on the cutted side, they were all black and burnt. The first activity was to remove the burns to get the original color of the wood.
Afterwards I had to work to fit the openings of the gunwale, where to plugin every single stanchion, a rather delicate and boring task: 24 square holes to fit.
Finally, when everything was fine, I could stain all the stanchions with a medium wood color. Now they are drying and finally the next job can start, provided the necessary checks to assure everything is properly set up.
06 - 20170624_102617.jpg
Hopefully, I hope not have to wait two other months to post the next message. Cheers, Jack.
Wednesday 28 June 2017
I put the items shown in my last message of June 24 (and displayed into its last image) in their proper locations so that, once the glue will be well dryed, I'll can start to install planks over these new hull elements.
I thought for a long time to find a method of building these "falke" in order to allow them to be removable, instead of leaving them permanently held but, although I had some idea, I didn't feel confident to try it. There were too many unknown things, one for all: did these so assembled falke maintain their correct shape once extracted from their beds ?
So, though with a little reluctance and remorse for my defeat, I decided to fix them. In the photos here below I show all the bulwark stanchions in their room, obviously well glued, indeed rather than well.
01 - 20170628_110441.jpg
02 - 20170628_110355.jpg
03 - 20170628_110435.jpg
04 - 20170628_110428.jpg
05 - 20170628_110416.jpg
06 - 20170701_172050.jpg
07 - 20170702_122726.jpg
Cheers, Jack.
I put the items shown in my last message of June 24 (and displayed into its last image) in their proper locations so that, once the glue will be well dryed, I'll can start to install planks over these new hull elements.
I thought for a long time to find a method of building these "falke" in order to allow them to be removable, instead of leaving them permanently held but, although I had some idea, I didn't feel confident to try it. There were too many unknown things, one for all: did these so assembled falke maintain their correct shape once extracted from their beds ?
So, though with a little reluctance and remorse for my defeat, I decided to fix them. In the photos here below I show all the bulwark stanchions in their room, obviously well glued, indeed rather than well.
01 - 20170628_110441.jpg
02 - 20170628_110355.jpg
03 - 20170628_110435.jpg
04 - 20170628_110428.jpg
05 - 20170628_110416.jpg
06 - 20170701_172050.jpg
07 - 20170702_122726.jpg
Cheers, Jack.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
I am now building, even if not removable, the so-called "falke". We are still far from completing them, but we already have an idea of how the hull completely changes . . From a boat low on the water we are now facing a high-sided boat, much more suitable for sailing.
Enjoy these images. These should be forever . .
01 - 20170704_144401.jpg
02 - 20170704_144407.jpg
03 - 20170704_144416.jpg
04 - 20170704_144423.jpg
05 - 20170704_144431.jpg
Regards, Jack.
I am now building, even if not removable, the so-called "falke". We are still far from completing them, but we already have an idea of how the hull completely changes . . From a boat low on the water we are now facing a high-sided boat, much more suitable for sailing.
Enjoy these images. These should be forever . .
01 - 20170704_144401.jpg
02 - 20170704_144407.jpg
03 - 20170704_144416.jpg
04 - 20170704_144423.jpg
05 - 20170704_144431.jpg
Regards, Jack.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Completed the planking of the top sides on the hull, in particular I raised, as planned, the height of the sides in the stern and, above all, in the bow area.
Now I've to start the cleaning and refining tasks before proceeding with new details of these "falke".
01 - 20170708_084910.jpg
02 - 20170708_084920.jpg
03 - 20170708_085047.jpg
04 - 20170708_085103.jpg
05 - 20170708_085141.jpg
See you soon, Jack.
Completed the planking of the top sides on the hull, in particular I raised, as planned, the height of the sides in the stern and, above all, in the bow area.
Now I've to start the cleaning and refining tasks before proceeding with new details of these "falke".
01 - 20170708_084910.jpg
02 - 20170708_084920.jpg
03 - 20170708_085047.jpg
04 - 20170708_085103.jpg
05 - 20170708_085141.jpg
See you soon, Jack.
Saturday, July 15th, 2017
The hull practically finished. Now, only minor details are missing, and a final black paint coat on the outside.
Next planned activity: building the oars. My starting point is a nice walnut stick 7 x 7 mm. I'm thinking about the right procedure to make them.
Regards, Jack.
01 - 20170715_162949.jpg
02 - 20170715_162644.jpg
03 - 20170715_162634.jpg
04 - 20170715_162606.jpg
05 - 20170715_162626.jpg
06 - 20170715_162617.jpg
The hull practically finished. Now, only minor details are missing, and a final black paint coat on the outside.
Next planned activity: building the oars. My starting point is a nice walnut stick 7 x 7 mm. I'm thinking about the right procedure to make them.
Regards, Jack.
01 - 20170715_162949.jpg
02 - 20170715_162644.jpg
03 - 20170715_162634.jpg
04 - 20170715_162606.jpg
05 - 20170715_162626.jpg
06 - 20170715_162617.jpg
Further images . .
01 - 20170715_162715.jpg
02 - 20170715_162740.jpg
03 - 20170715_162913.jpg
04 - 20170715_162929.jpg
05 - 20170715_162936.jpg
06 - 20170715_162729.jpg
01 - 20170715_162715.jpg
02 - 20170715_162740.jpg
03 - 20170715_162913.jpg
04 - 20170715_162929.jpg
05 - 20170715_162936.jpg
06 - 20170715_162729.jpg
Wednesday 19 July 2017
Completed, with the latest details, the hull, inside.
01 20170721_111025.jpg
02 20170721_111041.jpg
03 20170721_111052.jpg
Friday, July 21, 2017
Built the oars on Thursday, today I did some color 'cause all clear walnut was a bit too serious !!
04 20170721_111121.jpg
05 20170721_111126.jpg
06 20170721_111135.jpg
Regards, Jack.
Completed, with the latest details, the hull, inside.
01 20170721_111025.jpg
02 20170721_111041.jpg
03 20170721_111052.jpg
Friday, July 21, 2017
Built the oars on Thursday, today I did some color 'cause all clear walnut was a bit too serious !!
04 20170721_111121.jpg
05 20170721_111126.jpg
06 20170721_111135.jpg
Regards, Jack.