I love the doors. I'm going to steal your idea. So much nicer than the photo etch in the kit.
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HMS Beagle 1:60 scale Occre by embojo
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2026
- Messages
- 209
- Points
- 88
hear hear!!
Marquand shows them clearly in his book and they are labeled as "hammock rail" Cannot speak to their being on any other ship
Yes, it's interesting. I can only think he decided to follow PG Kings sketch. There aren't any detailed plans or drawings of the modifications to Beagle. What troubles me is the lack of any other depiction of other Royal Navy ships... other Brigs, frigates, ships of the line with similar decoration, and this makes me doubtful about his interpretation, and at least question the existence of diamond decorations. There's no doubt they do look beautiful and Marquardt is certainly a greater authority than me!! The absence of definitive evidence means we all have some latitude in how we build our models... which is quite nice really
While waiting to start planking, I worked on the azimuth compass and binnacles. I already had some 6mm mahoganny dowels. For the binnacle on the right, i marked the dowel out from the kit piece, did some rough carving then put it in the cordless drill chuck. I used small files to get the shape for the base.
For the binnacle head, I used a 6mm brass upholstery tack and filed it into shape. I drilled the top and added small pieces of brass rod for the lamp 'chimneys' I filed the flat window, then used a dremel to hollow it out. I drew a compass on a small paper disc glued it inside, then a drop of transparent glue to simulate glass window (It will be turned away so won't really be visible).
For the azimuth compass, I decided not to use the cordless drill. I carved the dowel and sanded while rotating between fingers. Its not quite as even I suppose. Then used a blade to cut the vertical grooves. I cut a thin piece of brass sheet, formed it into a circle and glued to the top of the wooden base. I used white acrylic paint and a marker pen for the compass then a drop of transparent glue for the glass cover. The upright sighting pieces were cut from another piece of thin brass sheet.
I wish I had a lathe... maybe one day!
For the binnacle head, I used a 6mm brass upholstery tack and filed it into shape. I drilled the top and added small pieces of brass rod for the lamp 'chimneys' I filed the flat window, then used a dremel to hollow it out. I drew a compass on a small paper disc glued it inside, then a drop of transparent glue to simulate glass window (It will be turned away so won't really be visible).
For the azimuth compass, I decided not to use the cordless drill. I carved the dowel and sanded while rotating between fingers. Its not quite as even I suppose. Then used a blade to cut the vertical grooves. I cut a thin piece of brass sheet, formed it into a circle and glued to the top of the wooden base. I used white acrylic paint and a marker pen for the compass then a drop of transparent glue for the glass cover. The upright sighting pieces were cut from another piece of thin brass sheet.
I wish I had a lathe... maybe one day!
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2022
- Messages
- 79
- Points
- 113
Congratulations, your modification is very successful. The details of Occres kit seems based on imagination, frustrating.
Are leaving the cabin walls a natural color? I've stained my deck with MinWax "weathered oak" so was thinking that I might just do one coat of stain on the walls, not too. But then I read somewhere, I don't remember, to use thinned sapele dye. I don't see anything in Marquat about colors.
Hi Cazzie, cabin wall (and inside bulwark?) colours? Thats a very good question. I've been thinking about this but haven't decided yet! I think it would still be possible to change cabin wall colours at this stage!.
My deck is a light walnut, same for cabin walls. I used pear strips for inside bulkhead. I'm wondering if it would look better with a bit more contrast... darker-stained cabin walls? Or alternatively, painted walls?
I've searched a lot for definitive evidence but there doesn't seem to be any, giving us some freedom for personal preference. I oscillate between darker staining for the cabin/bulwark walls... and painting them a light colour... dirty white... cream... yellowish ocre (like Nelson's ships) etc. I think paint, even if light, would add a textural contrast with the deck.
My deck is a light walnut, same for cabin walls. I used pear strips for inside bulkhead. I'm wondering if it would look better with a bit more contrast... darker-stained cabin walls? Or alternatively, painted walls?
I've searched a lot for definitive evidence but there doesn't seem to be any, giving us some freedom for personal preference. I oscillate between darker staining for the cabin/bulwark walls... and painting them a light colour... dirty white... cream... yellowish ocre (like Nelson's ships) etc. I think paint, even if light, would add a textural contrast with the deck.
Thanks for your endorsement Jackie Wolf
. I'm really enjoying trying to make improvements. It's my first ship build so I don't have anything to compare it with. Even built straight from the instructions though, I still think it looks pretty nice. And at least you make rapid progress. I seem to be going at a snails pace! I add a few (first layer) planks, then find some more exciting detail to work on!! Hopefully I'll get there eventually 