Good looking opening Heinrich. The wall looks like it belongs there and that's the trick to an authentic looking model.
HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50
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Thank you very much for the support, the following along and the honesty, my friend. All of that is highly appreciated, adds to the build and keeps me motivated. Maybe, I need to explain better why I follow this picture in particular. Throughout his book, Ab emphasizes the small size of the WB - in fact so small that the thickness of her hull planking is not even mentioned in Witsen and Van Yk's guides of determining the length of a ship by looking at the width of the hull planks., However at the same time he also emphasized how strong and stout she was. If I had left the front wall open, the overall visual effect was that of a longer and sleeker ship, which is not correct.Heinrich, if this drawing is wat you wanted to achieve then you have done a great job, it is looking excellent now, but i am afraid i still preferr the open looks
To be honest, I also prefer the open wall from an aesthetic point (and it was also historically correct) but the open wall does not create the effect I was after.
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Frank, now that I look at the overall effect, I agree 100% with you. In hindsight I should probably also have made those parts from oak and not walnut as the oak would have blended it more. However, to remove that front wall now and re-do the beams is almost as big a job as building the wall was. Also bear in mind that as far as the top beam goes, it actually casts (creates) a shadow which makes it look wider than it really is.
With this picture I have tried to position the model so that there is no shadow.
I managed to create a good fit relative to the center canopy. I would hate to ruin that by removing the wall.
As always, your comments are highly valuable my friend. Through your contributions this has now also become the first model of a Willem Barentsz build I have seen to feature the correct front wall configuration - that of a single door opening, with arch, but without actual door.
Interestingly, that picture by De Veer is not published in the Dutch publications, but only in the German translation, "Warrhafftige Relations ..."
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Thank you so much for your comment, Ken. The Admiral wanted me to keep the front wall open - specifically because of that light from the upper deck which is reflected on the deck - obviously with the wall left open, that effect is even more pronounced. Now it creates more of a "voyeurism" effect.
However, your comment that a model ship can never suffer because of realism is an exceptionally important one. With this build, it was always going to be a case of function before form.
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Thank you so much, my friend! As long as it looks like it belongs and is in line with the overall authenticity of the build, then I am happy - mission accomplished. I have really toiled about this part, and it has consumed lots of time. It was not a decision that was lightly taken.
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Thanks for answering me, now it was a matter of light, Congratulations
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Dear Friends
Progress continued today. The hole for the bowsprit was filed out of the front bulwarks on the Port Side of the keel.
With the foremast fitted, things are getting busy in the bow and there is still the belaying rack that has to follow. The nail in the deck is just there to indicate the exact position of an extra feature that will be added later, and which will sit underneath the belaying rack.
The beakhead which will form a structural part of the galleon has also been put in place. This called for quite an extensive taper - from 8mm at the base to 4mm at the tip. I narrowed the base to 6mm and then tapered the tip to 4mm. This was done to allow the decorations to sit flusher with the width of the keel.
The view from the port side.
Lastly the beakhead decorations were added and she gets to wear her lipstick.
That brings to a close another weekend in the shipyard.
Progress continued today. The hole for the bowsprit was filed out of the front bulwarks on the Port Side of the keel.
With the foremast fitted, things are getting busy in the bow and there is still the belaying rack that has to follow. The nail in the deck is just there to indicate the exact position of an extra feature that will be added later, and which will sit underneath the belaying rack.
The beakhead which will form a structural part of the galleon has also been put in place. This called for quite an extensive taper - from 8mm at the base to 4mm at the tip. I narrowed the base to 6mm and then tapered the tip to 4mm. This was done to allow the decorations to sit flusher with the width of the keel.
The view from the port side.
Lastly the beakhead decorations were added and she gets to wear her lipstick.
That brings to a close another weekend in the shipyard.
Lovely work here Heinrich. Respect.
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Thank you, Paul!
You have really hit a home run here Heinrich! I'm using the baseball metaphor here as it also applies to our wonderful Houston Astros now playing in the World Series!! I digress, I know you are excited to move on with all the topside mast work and I'm excited for you as well.
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Thank you very much, Daniel! I do not know much about baseball (I thoroughly enjoyed "Field of Dreams" though), but now seems like a good time to start cheering for the Houston Astros!
Heinrich, you are making this ship to be a piece of art. That can only be done by a few modellers.
Proficiat.
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Thank you so much my friend. I have never thought of her as a piece of art, but I like that. Art also has imperfections, but it is the overall effect that counts!
I’ve just this morning read through your last few pages with all the accompanying comments. It’s been fascinating seeing your initial messy (sorry ) test wall construction morph into that fine looking, very practical closed-off result. I really like the look of it and I too think it works well with the visual flow of your fine vessel.
) test wall construction morph into that fine looking, very practical closed-off result. I really like the look of it and I too think it works well with the visual flow of your fine vessel.
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Hi Roger! Calling that initial front wall "messy", is being kind my friend! I think my words were "cringe-worthy".I’ve just this morning read through your last few pages with all the accompanying comments. It’s been fascinating seeing your initial messy (sorry
That part did not phase me too much - as long as the fit was right, I knew I could make something of it.I just long for the days I can build a kit without having to change so much (not the kit's fault - my own entirely) - just a normal kit where I can follow instructions. That is to say, if I ever find the energy to do another ship after this one. The WB has pretty much taken its toll.
Good morning Heinrich. I’m going back a few post to your door- I really like it and certainly fits your WB. More importantly it slid what you wanted to achieve in your study and vision for your WB. Nice one H. The beak head, bowsprit and foremast certainly make for a good weekend production. Cheers Grant
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Thank you very much my friend. I am glad that you concur with the rationale behind the front wall. Funny thing is, yesterday while I was busy with the bowsprit and beakhead, I did not even notice the front wall anymore - it was just another fixture.
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Hello Dear Friends
Work at the bow continues ...
The covering of the roof has started by laying the two end beams. The fact that they are 2mm x 3mm thick and have to be curved over a short distance, means plenty of PVA, clamps which can supply concentrated pressure at specific points and an overnight drying time. The rest of the roof beams will then be laid down lengthwise creating a criss-cross roof pattern.
I have also placed the first side railing (starboard side) of the construction that will eventually become the galleon. These are placed on the wales and then have to meet at a dedicated point on the beakhead. As you can see the railing follows a beautiful line - further testimony to the accuracy of the hull.
Work at the bow continues ...
The covering of the roof has started by laying the two end beams. The fact that they are 2mm x 3mm thick and have to be curved over a short distance, means plenty of PVA, clamps which can supply concentrated pressure at specific points and an overnight drying time. The rest of the roof beams will then be laid down lengthwise creating a criss-cross roof pattern.
I have also placed the first side railing (starboard side) of the construction that will eventually become the galleon. These are placed on the wales and then have to meet at a dedicated point on the beakhead. As you can see the railing follows a beautiful line - further testimony to the accuracy of the hull.
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Progress continues.
The first galleon railing on the port side has been placed and the second one on the starboard side. What is important here is that these railings should be mounted on the wales - something that was not possible in WB#1 simply because it did not have the extra wale just below the top railing.
The outside frame for the actual roof beams has been laid down and now the actual roof planking can start. I am fully aware that it is slow-going and nothing spectacular at this stage, but these are crucial steps in determining the overall appearance of the ship.
The first galleon railing on the port side has been placed and the second one on the starboard side. What is important here is that these railings should be mounted on the wales - something that was not possible in WB#1 simply because it did not have the extra wale just below the top railing.
The outside frame for the actual roof beams has been laid down and now the actual roof planking can start. I am fully aware that it is slow-going and nothing spectacular at this stage, but these are crucial steps in determining the overall appearance of the ship.
Nicely done. I like the looks of the "final" touches. It must be very satisfying to have all the pieces come together to bring the little ship to life.