Catching up on your build Mark. You are doing an excellent job! 
The dockyard has been a bit quiet lately (thank you work) and it seems the longer you step away from your model the longer it takes to work out where you left off. Still, I do manage to nip in every so often and have now turned my attention to the rails and frieze works on the upper sides of the hull. The decorations are a tight fit between the waist, sheer and drift rails and precise measuring is the watchword. The kit suggests installing the lower waist rail first and working your way up, and to position the waist rail correctly I found it best to first align the decorations as per their cut-outs at the top of each port hole, and then position the rail below the row of decorations accordingly.
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The waist rail is 2 x 1mm walnut and is interrupted throughout its length by each of the nine port holes. I chose to install each segment separately, which in terms of effort was perhaps marginally better than laying the rail as a whole and removing the port hole sections afterwards. The section above the waist rail is painted black, and the section between the rail and the top of the wales is left in its natural walnut state. That said, I have decided to leave the entire hull below the wales au naturale as well. I just haven't got the heart to paint over all those lovely strips of walnut
View attachment 357773
The stern quarter gallery windows also require attention at this stage. Having a gallery piece in place assists with the alignment of the rails along the hull and also indicates where the rails should terminate. It also made sense to paint the gallery pieces before installing them, so the carpenter was given a rest and the painter called up for a tour of duty in the dockyard.
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I can't believe how a lick of paint can transform an otherwise dull and lifeless chunk of metal. All you need are a few impossibly fine paint brushes, a rather decent magnifying glass and, most importantly, a set of hands that aren't prone to shaking. Otherwise it was a lot of fun. The colours I chose were gold (top, bottom and mullions), ochre red (that narrow strip), ochre yellow (head and cill), matt white (frames) and dull black (window panes)
View attachment 357775
The quarter gallery piece just fits (thankfully) between the top of the wales and the top of the stern bulwarks. Some models use acetate glazing to give the window panes a more realistic look, and others to whom miniature painting must come naturally and have brought out all of the individual figurines buried in the metal moulding. Quite remarkable. For now at least, my Fly and it's dull black windows will have to do. I'll simply assume that it is night time and all the cabin doors are shut and the lanterns have run out of fuel
Looking great Mark ! you are very good at all the details , more so than me , congratsThe dockyard has been a bit quiet lately (thank you work
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The waist rail is 2 x 1mm walnut and is interrupted throughout its length by each of the nine port holes. I chose to install each segment separately, which in terms of effort was perhaps marginally better than laying the rail as a whole and removing the port hole sections afterwards. The section above the waist rail is painted black, and the section between the rail and the top of the wales is left in its natural walnut state. That said, I have decided to leave the entire hull below the wales au naturale as well. I just haven't got the heart to paint over all those lovely strips of walnut
View attachment 357773
The stern quarter gallery windows also require attention at this stage. Having a gallery piece in place assists with the alignment of the rails along the hull and also indicates where the rails should terminate. It also made sense to paint the gallery pieces before installing them, so the carpenter was given a rest and the painter called up for a tour of duty in the dockyard.
View attachment 357774
I can't believe how a lick of paint can transform an otherwise dull and lifeless chunk of metal. All you need are a few impossibly fine paint brushes, a rather decent magnifying glass and, most importantly, a set of hands that aren't prone to shaking. Otherwise it was a lot of fun. The colours I chose were gold (top, bottom and mullions), ochre red (that narrow strip), ochre yellow (head and cill), matt white (frames) and dull black (window panes)
View attachment 357775
The quarter gallery piece just fits (thankfully) between the top of the wales and the top of the stern bulwarks. Some models use acetate glazing to give the window panes a more realistic look, and others to whom miniature painting must come naturally and have brought out all of the individual figurines buried in the metal moulding. Quite remarkable. For now at least, my Fly and it's dull black windows will have to do. I'll simply assume that it is night time and all the cabin doors are shut and the lanterns have run out of fuel
Good morning Mark. You certainly did a transformation on the stern cabin windows. Tiny painting is a no go for myself. Night time and crew fast asleep on Marks Fly.The dockyard has been a bit quiet lately (thank you work
View attachment 357772
The waist rail is 2 x 1mm walnut and is interrupted throughout its length by each of the nine port holes. I chose to install each segment separately, which in terms of effort was perhaps marginally better than laying the rail as a whole and removing the port hole sections afterwards. The section above the waist rail is painted black, and the section between the rail and the top of the wales is left in its natural walnut state. That said, I have decided to leave the entire hull below the wales au naturale as well. I just haven't got the heart to paint over all those lovely strips of walnut
View attachment 357773
The stern quarter gallery windows also require attention at this stage. Having a gallery piece in place assists with the alignment of the rails along the hull and also indicates where the rails should terminate. It also made sense to paint the gallery pieces before installing them, so the carpenter was given a rest and the painter called up for a tour of duty in the dockyard.
View attachment 357774
I can't believe how a lick of paint can transform an otherwise dull and lifeless chunk of metal. All you need are a few impossibly fine paint brushes, a rather decent magnifying glass and, most importantly, a set of hands that aren't prone to shaking. Otherwise it was a lot of fun. The colours I chose were gold (top, bottom and mullions), ochre red (that narrow strip), ochre yellow (head and cill), matt white (frames) and dull black (window panes)
View attachment 357775
The quarter gallery piece just fits (thankfully) between the top of the wales and the top of the stern bulwarks. Some models use acetate glazing to give the window panes a more realistic look, and others to whom miniature painting must come naturally and have brought out all of the individual figurines buried in the metal moulding. Quite remarkable. For now at least, my Fly and it's dull black windows will have to do. I'll simply assume that it is night time and all the cabin doors are shut and the lanterns have run out of fuel
.The wood work finish around your gun ports is so good! I rather like the brass look of the decoration by the waist sheer.
The white bottom of the Fly is almost a given?
It like coppering on the Victory. I guess us SAFER’s go for the natural look. I also prefer the unpainted hull below the water line. You are building an awesome model here.Cheers Grant
A nice job, Mark. Always fun starting the decorations.The dockyard has been a bit quiet lately (thank you work
View attachment 357772
The waist rail is 2 x 1mm walnut and is interrupted throughout its length by each of the nine port holes. I chose to install each segment separately, which in terms of effort was perhaps marginally better than laying the rail as a whole and removing the port hole sections afterwards. The section above the waist rail is painted black, and the section between the rail and the top of the wales is left in its natural walnut state. That said, I have decided to leave the entire hull below the wales au naturale as well. I just haven't got the heart to paint over all those lovely strips of walnut
View attachment 357773
The stern quarter gallery windows also require attention at this stage. Having a gallery piece in place assists with the alignment of the rails along the hull and also indicates where the rails should terminate. It also made sense to paint the gallery pieces before installing them, so the carpenter was given a rest and the painter called up for a tour of duty in the dockyard.
View attachment 357774
I can't believe how a lick of paint can transform an otherwise dull and lifeless chunk of metal. All you need are a few impossibly fine paint brushes, a rather decent magnifying glass and, most importantly, a set of hands that aren't prone to shaking. Otherwise it was a lot of fun. The colours I chose were gold (top, bottom and mullions), ochre red (that narrow strip), ochre yellow (head and cill), matt white (frames) and dull black (window panes)
View attachment 357775
The quarter gallery piece just fits (thankfully) between the top of the wales and the top of the stern bulwarks. Some models use acetate glazing to give the window panes a more realistic look, and others to whom miniature painting must come naturally and have brought out all of the individual figurines buried in the metal moulding. Quite remarkable. For now at least, my Fly and it's dull black windows will have to do. I'll simply assume that it is night time and all the cabin doors are shut and the lanterns have run out of fuel
Regards, Peter
Your ship looks wonderful. Your approach to setting the frieze works is spot on and the way you painted the window badge is perfect.The dockyard has been a bit quiet lately (thank you work
View attachment 357772
The waist rail is 2 x 1mm walnut and is interrupted throughout its length by each of the nine port holes. I chose to install each segment separately, which in terms of effort was perhaps marginally better than laying the rail as a whole and removing the port hole sections afterwards. The section above the waist rail is painted black, and the section between the rail and the top of the wales is left in its natural walnut state. That said, I have decided to leave the entire hull below the wales au naturale as well. I just haven't got the heart to paint over all those lovely strips of walnut
View attachment 357773
The stern quarter gallery windows also require attention at this stage. Having a gallery piece in place assists with the alignment of the rails along the hull and also indicates where the rails should terminate. It also made sense to paint the gallery pieces before installing them, so the carpenter was given a rest and the painter called up for a tour of duty in the dockyard.
View attachment 357774
I can't believe how a lick of paint can transform an otherwise dull and lifeless chunk of metal. All you need are a few impossibly fine paint brushes, a rather decent magnifying glass and, most importantly, a set of hands that aren't prone to shaking. Otherwise it was a lot of fun. The colours I chose were gold (top, bottom and mullions), ochre red (that narrow strip), ochre yellow (head and cill), matt white (frames) and dull black (window panes)
View attachment 357775
The quarter gallery piece just fits (thankfully) between the top of the wales and the top of the stern bulwarks. Some models use acetate glazing to give the window panes a more realistic look, and others to whom miniature painting must come naturally and have brought out all of the individual figurines buried in the metal moulding. Quite remarkable. For now at least, my Fly and it's dull black windows will have to do. I'll simply assume that it is night time and all the cabin doors are shut and the lanterns have run out of fuel
Quarter gallery looks wonderful Mark. A tidy bit of work!
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Hi Mark, To paint below the waterline or not is always a difficult one - especially if the hull planking turned out great. As you know on WB1 I did not paint the hull and on WB2 I did - so it's very much a personal decision. I concur 100% with everything that has been said on the side stern galleries - they look great!
The sheer rail runs above and parallel to the waist rail the full length of the hull, level with the top of the bulwarks in the waist and only broken at the aft end to accommodate the quarter gallery windows. The gap between the waist and sheer rails is easily determined by the width of the decorative frieze works (not shown) that straddle the gun port holes.
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
Always a joy to see your work Mark.
Good morning Mark. You have taken a huge step up in your ship building, finish and detail. Brilliant showing of the rails and descriptions here . This is becoming a legendary HMS Fly. Awesome. I don’t get you guys who build so neatlyThe sheer rail runs above and parallel to the waist rail the full length of the hull, level with the top of the bulwarks in the waist and only broken at the aft end to accommodate the quarter gallery windows. The gap between the waist and sheer rails is easily determined by the width of the decorative frieze works (not shown) that straddle the gun port holes.
View attachment 363161
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
View attachment 363162
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
View attachment 363163
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
View attachment 363164
. My ships look like a dog’s breakfast until I get to the finishing stage and my shipyard like a Cape South Easter has given it a good wack .Cheers Grant
Beautiful! Great work Mark!The sheer rail runs above and parallel to the waist rail the full length of the hull, level with the top of the bulwarks in the waist and only broken at the aft end to accommodate the quarter gallery windows. The gap between the waist and sheer rails is easily determined by the width of the decorative frieze works (not shown) that straddle the gun port holes.
View attachment 363161
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
View attachment 363162
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
View attachment 363163
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
View attachment 363164
Nice progress on your Fly, Mark. With a nice color scheme.The sheer rail runs above and parallel to the waist rail the full length of the hull, level with the top of the bulwarks in the waist and only broken at the aft end to accommodate the quarter gallery windows. The gap between the waist and sheer rails is easily determined by the width of the decorative frieze works (not shown) that straddle the gun port holes.
View attachment 363161
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
View attachment 363162
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
View attachment 363163
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
View attachment 363164
Regards, Peter
She's beautiful Mark!The sheer rail runs above and parallel to the waist rail the full length of the hull, level with the top of the bulwarks in the waist and only broken at the aft end to accommodate the quarter gallery windows. The gap between the waist and sheer rails is easily determined by the width of the decorative frieze works (not shown) that straddle the gun port holes.
View attachment 363161
The drift rail is the third of the rails to adorn the hull, 1 x 1mm walnut strips that run above and parallel to the other two. The side steps, hull fenders and chesstrees are added to the hull, which, like the rails, are positioned according to the fixed placement of the decorations.
View attachment 363162
It seems that the rail fittings are all about maintaining symmetry, especially when viewed from the bow. And using CA to attach them to the hull meant, to me at least, that I only had one shot at it. I never thought it could be that stressful to glue one strip of wood to another
View attachment 363163
The quarter gallery windows are an attractive addition to the stern section of the hull. The decorations will no doubt add to the flair, if not a bit gaudy, but I am leaving those to the last possible moment in case of any outstanding hull work that might damage them.
View attachment 363164
Thanks Paul
Just the way it should be! Thanks GrantMy ships look like a dog’s breakfast until I get to the finishing stage and my shipyard like a Cape South Easter has given it a good wack
Thanks DeanBeautiful! Great work Mark!
Thanks Peter
Thanks Daniel
Very clean work nomad. Your fly will be wonderful.
Thanks for the encouragement Tobias