HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50

[Peter Voogt]

Hello Dear Friends

Building continues.

View attachment 317136

I started the day by beginning the boxing of the hull in anticipation for planking. At this point it will just be a partial boxing until the fairing of the hull has been done. The pic above shows the opening for the main mast left open.

View attachment 317137
I borrowed the main mast from WB #1 just to make sure everything is in order.

View attachment 317138
A very nice and tight fit - just as it should be.

Sawing 28mm long pieces of Paulownia wood and then gluing them to the underside of the hull was perfectly ok for a while, but hardly stimulating or challenging. Cannons sounded much more interesting!

So, what did the cannons on the WB actually look like? Well to start with, they were three-wheelers and in all likelihood 6-and 3-pounders.

View attachment 317146

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When the replica's rudder was hung, the occasion was celebrated by the firing of one of the cannons.

View attachment 317149
Onboard the ship.

Now those of you who have followed my log will know that I also cut open gunports on WB #1 but somehow never got around doing something about it. When I start planking, I become so engrossed with it that the hull was closed before I did anything about the cannons. This time, I wasn't going to let that open - those gunports gave me too much trouble not to utilize them properly!

The main problem was how to fix the cannons to the carriages in a way that is absolutely permanent and 100% secure (if there is such a thing), because once the next deck is on, that's it - there is no further access. The issue was compounded by the fact that I don't have any soldering and/or flux and I can only order that on the weekend when the admiral is here to do it for me. Then it struck me - on WB #1, I used the @Kolderstok-supplied brass nails as a makeshift trunnion just for fitment purposes. Somehow, the thought of these brass nails remained stuck in my mind.

What I did was to create a wooden bed for the cannon inside the gun carriage which would mean that the barrel will be absolutely level. Moreover, it also provided the opportunity of creating a 100% uniform result - in other words, making sure that both barrels are mounted at the same height and angle. The cannon was then laid down on top of its bed and rotated so that the trunnion hole was vertical instead of lateral. And yep, you guessed, nailed down from the top into the wooden bed by the brass nail.

View attachment 317139
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Cannons done. I am pretty confident that those barrels will not separate from the gun carriage for as long as the model exists. Obviously, the severe lack of space made things like gun carriage wheels, hooks, rings, tackle, trunnions and trunnion caps impossible to incorporate into the space that I have available. At the back I I even had to shorten the cannons to make sure that they would fit between the two bulkheads. The picture below, shows them dry-fitted on their special decks.

View attachment 317144

And this is what they look like from the business end (dry-fit).

View attachment 317145
With that I am really, really happy and all of a sudden, the combination of the brass cannons, the red gunport linings and the oak, looks great to me! They will be glued down permanently - each on its own mini-deck - once the hull fairing has been completed.

That looks very nice, Heinrich. Looking forward when you show us both WB’s side by side.
Regard, Peter

 

[RDN1954]

Now those of you who have followed my log will know that I also cut open gunports on WB #1 but somehow never got around doing something about it. When I start planking, I become so engrossed with it that the hull was closed before I did anything about the cannons. This time, I wasn't going to let that open - those gunports gave me too much trouble not to utilize them properly!

I'm afraid you're not entirely correct with this statement, Heinrich, you definitely considered four options and as far as I understand a decision taken after ample consideration; see post #793 and further.

 

[Heinrich]

That looks very nice, Heinrich. Looking forward when you show us both WB’s side by side.
Regard, Peter

Thank you very much, Peter. I am just as much looking forward to that day, but in the meantime, I am just enjoying the opportunity to spend some time in the shipyard at my own pace without interruptions.

 

[RDN1954]

I'm afraid you're not entirely correct with this statement, Heinrich, you definitely considered four options and as far as I understand a decision taken after ample consideration; see post #793 and further.

It wasn't until post #888 that the gunports issue was laid to rest, when you bonded the gunports in place#

 

[Heinrich]

I'm afraid you're not entirely correct with this statement, Heinrich, you definitely considered four options and as far as I understand a decision taken after ample consideration; see post #793 and further.

Hi Johan. I am specifically referring to the stern guns - not to the broadside gunports. You are absolutely correct - after the great input of everyone the decision was taken to cut out the gunports and then seal them back into their positions with the red background. But even now, the stern ports on WB #1 still remain open. I have left them open for a specific reason which I am still contemplating.

 

[GrantTyler]

Hello Dear Friends

Building continues.

View attachment 317136

I started the day by beginning the boxing of the hull in anticipation for planking. At this point it will just be a partial boxing until the fairing of the hull has been done. The pic above shows the opening for the main mast left open.

View attachment 317137
I borrowed the main mast from WB #1 just to make sure everything is in order.

View attachment 317138
A very nice and tight fit - just as it should be.

Sawing 28mm long pieces of Paulownia wood and then gluing them to the underside of the hull was perfectly ok for a while, but hardly stimulating or challenging. Cannons sounded much more interesting!

So, what did the cannons on the WB actually look like? Well to start with, they were three-wheelers and in all likelihood 6-and 3-pounders.

View attachment 317146

View attachment 317147

View attachment 317148
When the replica's rudder was hung, the occasion was celebrated by the firing of one of the cannons.

View attachment 317149
Onboard the ship.

Now those of you who have followed my log will know that I also cut open gunports on WB #1 but somehow never got around doing something about it. When I start planking, I become so engrossed with it that the hull was closed before I did anything about the cannons. This time, I wasn't going to let that open - those gunports gave me too much trouble not to utilize them properly!

The main problem was how to fix the cannons to the carriages in a way that is absolutely permanent and 100% secure (if there is such a thing), because once the next deck is on, that's it - there is no further access. The issue was compounded by the fact that I don't have any soldering and/or flux and I can only order that on the weekend when the admiral is here to do it for me. Then it struck me - on WB #1, I used the @Kolderstok-supplied brass nails as a makeshift trunnion just for fitment purposes. Somehow, the thought of these brass nails remained stuck in my mind.

What I did was to create a wooden bed for the cannon inside the gun carriage which would mean that the barrel will be absolutely level. Moreover, it also provided the opportunity of creating a 100% uniform result - in other words, making sure that both barrels are mounted at the same height and angle. The cannon was then laid down on top of its bed and rotated so that the trunnion hole was vertical instead of lateral. And yep, you guessed, nailed down from the top into the wooden bed by the brass nail.

View attachment 317139
View attachment 317140
Cannons done. I am pretty confident that those barrels will not separate from the gun carriage for as long as the model exists. Obviously, the severe lack of space made things like gun carriage wheels, hooks, rings, tackle, trunnions and trunnion caps impossible to incorporate into the space that I have available. At the back I I even had to shorten the cannons to make sure that they would fit between the two bulkheads. The picture below, shows them dry-fitted on their special decks.

View attachment 317144

And this is what they look like from the business end (dry-fit).

View attachment 317145
With that I am really, really happy and all of a sudden, the combination of the brass cannons, the red gunport linings and the oak, looks great to me! They will be glued down permanently - each on its own mini-deck - once the hull fairing has been completed.

Good evening Heinrich. Stunning. I still believe the oak finish is going to WOW us all. Let’s see. Cannons. A historically correct cannon is a magical aspect to a model. I also believe that these ,once completed, bring great satisfaction to the modeler. Being an ignorant rookie, I just built mine per kit and seeing others get these “just like” the real thing is such a pleasure. Look forward to your 3 wheelers here. Cheers Grant

 

[Heinrich]

Good evening Heinrich. Stunning. I still believe the oak finish is going to WOW us all. Let’s see. Cannons. A historically correct cannon is a magical aspect to a model. I also believe that these ,once completed, bring great satisfaction to the modeler. Being an ignorant rookie, I just built mine per kit and seeing others get these “just like” the real thing is such a pleasure. Look forward to your 3 wheelers here. Cheers Grant

Thank you so much my friend! I compared a picture I took of WB #1 with a test-fit of the cannon (see below).


I honestly cannot say which one I prefer - they both look equally good to me. BUT, I can tell you from which wood the real ship was built!

The three-wheelers ... Grant, what are you doing to me?

 

[RogerD]

A clever solution to your problem with the fixed in place cannons. They do look good at the aft end in combination with that red and the oak. I might have missed it but are you “blackening” the brass cannons before permanently fixing them?

I am intrigued with the three wheel arrangement. It makes you wonder how good the overall stability was during and immediately after firing.

 

[GrantTyler]

Thank you so much my friend! I compared a picture I took of WB #1 with a test-fit of the cannon (see below).

View attachment 317150
I honestly cannot say which one I prefer - they both look equally good to me. BUT, I can tell you from which wood the real ship was built!

The three-wheelers ... Grant, what are you doing to me?

Heinrich- you will make beautiful 3 wheelers as long as they don’t resemble the one Mr Bean hates so much.

Re the oak- once the hull is planked, the overall view will be gorgeous.... and yes historically 100%. Cheers

 

[RogerD]

Ok, so I was so interested in the three wheel trucks/carriage I had to look up a little more info on line. I’ve not had time to read this, yet, but there may be some interest in the article:

http://www.adviesoudewapens.nl/Three-wheeled%20Gun%20Carriages.pdf

 

[RogerD]

http://www.adviesoudewapens.nl/Three-wheeled%20Gun%20Carriages.pdf

…and the answer to my stability question appears to be answered on pages 7 and 8 of the article.

 

[Alexander74]

Hello Heinrich. I have never worked with oak, so I’m just watching from the outside, without comments. As always, your work is amazing.

 

[Heinrich]

A clever solution to your problem with the fixed in place cannons. They do look good at the aft end in combination with that red and the oak. I might have missed it but are you “blackening” the brass cannons before permanently fixing them?

I am intrigued with the three wheel arrangement. It makes you wonder how good the overall stability was during and immediately after firing.

Thank you, Roger. I will leave them exactly as they are, Roger and I will tell you why. I have used three different blackening solutions that I were recommended to me by Chinese modelers. I didn't have any luck with any of them. Even after following all degreasing instructions and then the blackening process itself, meticulously, the black still came off and was blotchy. I would love to give Caseys and Jax (@Kolderstok Hans also has his own blackening solution) a go, but flight regulations do not allow the importation.

 

[Heinrich]

Heinrich- you will make beautiful 3 wheelers as long as they don’t resemble the one Mr Bean hates so much.

Re the oak- once the hull is planked, the overall view will be gorgeous.... and yes historically 100%. Cheers

Thank you for that vote of confidence Grant - both as far as the three-wheelers go and the oak! It is much appreciated!

 

[RDN1954]

Excellent modeling, Heinrich, unfortunately for you I'm expecting no less...
With, amongst others, the opened gunports, this model screams "Lights"!

Given the fact it's full size origins lies in the Netherlands, I'm suspecting the three-wheel configuration of the gun carriage was cost driven; less parts...

 

[Heinrich]

http://www.adviesoudewapens.nl/Three-wheeled%20Gun%20Carriages.pdf

…and the answer to my stability question appears to be answered on pages 7 and 8 of the article.

Roger that is an amazing document - THANK YOU! And what is so interesting is that the discovery comes from the wreck of the Scheurrak SO1 - a ship that played a leading role in the research by Gerald de Weerdt. In fact, he used characteristics of the hull shape of the S01 wreck to determine the hull shape of the WB! And the double cherry on top is that the restored gun is on the replica of the WB.

 

[Heinrich]

Hello Heinrich. I have never worked with oak, so I’m just watching from the outside, without comments. As always, your work is amazing.

Hello Sasha. I am also on a learning curve with the oak - it is also a first time for me. I think the real fun will start when I start the planking. Thank you for the very kind words - they are much appreciated!

 

[RDN1954]

Hello Sasha. I am also on a learning curve with the oak - it is also a first time for me. I think the real fun will start when I start the planking. Thank you for the very kind words - they are much appreciated!

Anxiously waiting for the first planks to go on the frames. Hoping to learn some new, colorful SA swear words.

 

[Heinrich]

Excellent modeling, Heinrich, unfortunately for you I'm expecting no less...
With, amongst others, the opened gunports, this model screams "Lights"!

Given the fact it's full size origins lies in the Netherlands, I'm suspecting the three-wheel configuration of the gun carriage was cost driven; less parts...

Thank you very much Johan for the compliment! I have no problem with high expectations - it keeps me on edge! Don't laugh now, but I have seriously considered lighting - mainly underneath the midships canopy (agterste opbouw / overkapping) to highlight the front wall of the captain's cabin. Otherwise, I am afraid that not much of it will be visible. However, me and anything that is remotely connected to electricity is like expecting me to fly a P51D. Disaster!

 

[RogerD]

Roger that is an amazing document - THANK YOU! And what is so interesting is that the discovery comes from the wreck of the Scheurrak SO1 - a ship that played a leading role in the research by Gerald de Weerdt. In fact, he used characteristics of the hull shape of the S01 wreck to determine the hull shape of the WB! And the double cherry on top is that the restored gun is on the replica of the WB.

I am so pleased the document is of interest to you. The link to your own WB and the fact the restored gun is on the replica is very interesting indeed.