Kingfisher 1770 1:48 POF

GrantTyler · 2025-03-14T12:11:22-0500

dockattner said:
Well, it's time for something new.

Ship modeling asks a lot of us: learning how to read plans, learning a new lexicon, working in wood / metal / textiles / plastic, working at drastically reduced scales... on and on it goes. In the case of the two models I have built/am building (Vasa and Kingfisher) there are also decorative elements (wood carvings). On the Vasa at 1:64 scale I was happy to use the metal castings and paint them in a color scheme I took from the 1:10 model at the Vasa Museum.

On the Kingfisher there are many fewer carvings (over-against the Vasa), but the swan class ships were still rather ornate given their small size and utilitarian function. I chose to try my hand at carving - others might choose 3D modeling with subsequent printing or CNC milling. I suspect with adequate training and experience the best results would come about with the 3D modeling approach. But working with my hands (not my computer) is the part of the hobby I am drawn to.

Anyway, this is my first attempt at wood carving. Of course, I searched far and wide on our forum (and elsewhere) trying to pick up whatever I could learn from others. Some prefer chisel/gouge carving, others prefer handpiece carving. Some use both. Notably (here on our forum) I found the work of @Maarten, @Ptèr, and @Steef66 to be quite helpful. Of course, Ivan has set the standard, but he only shows the finished result (when you have a museum dedicated to your work you get to do whatever you want ). In addition, Bill Short has written an excellent tutorial on handpiece carving that I would commend to you (a link can be found with the advertiser's banners).

After a bit of practice on scrap pieces I took a shot at the decoration on the lower portion of the tafferel. It is a relief carving of a bird (presumably a Kingfisher bird) and some leaves and other swirly-gigs.

View attachment 507091

View attachment 507092

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The current state of things under different lightings:

View attachment 507094

View attachment 507095

View attachment 507096

View attachment 507097

I'll need to get better ...

But it was fun to work on this piece, so I think I keep at it for a while longer and see if I can learn this new skill.

Thanks for stopping by!

Good evening Paul. Kudos on your first carving. I am in no position to comment as I do not have your fine art skills and carving will never be on my agenda. If your first attempt is this good, I am sure with a few more hours you will get to that Dockattner standard.

rtibbs said:
And Novocaine not required required

Hi Ron. If I ever had to present a carving plenty Novocaine would be required ROTF

Cheers Grant

Daniel20 · 2025-03-14T12:57:37-0500

Paul, you are a natural in this endeavor as well. Your result looks like one with a lot of experience, well done!

Dean62 · 2025-03-14T13:54:09-0500

Great first effort Paul, you can add detail in the wings and leafs with an xacto knife, rifler file, or a tiny v gouge. practice on a scrap piece first.

miguel92gom · 2025-03-14T14:43:22-0500

dockattner said:
Well, it's time for something new.

Ship modeling asks a lot of us: learning how to read plans, learning a new lexicon, working in wood / metal / textiles / plastic, working at drastically reduced scales... on and on it goes. In the case of the two models I have built/am building (Vasa and Kingfisher) there are also decorative elements (wood carvings). On the Vasa at 1:64 scale I was happy to use the metal castings and paint them in a color scheme I took from the 1:10 model at the Vasa Museum.

On the Kingfisher there are many fewer carvings (over-against the Vasa), but the swan class ships were still rather ornate given their small size and utilitarian function. I chose to try my hand at carving - others might choose 3D modeling with subsequent printing or CNC milling. I suspect with adequate training and experience the best results would come about with the 3D modeling approach. But working with my hands (not my computer) is the part of the hobby I am drawn to.

Anyway, this is my first attempt at wood carving. Of course, I searched far and wide on our forum (and elsewhere) trying to pick up whatever I could learn from others. Some prefer chisel/gouge carving, others prefer handpiece carving. Some use both. Notably (here on our forum) I found the work of @Maarten, @Ptèr, and @Steef66 to be quite helpful. Of course, Ivan has set the standard, but he only shows the finished result (when you have a museum dedicated to your work you get to do whatever you want ). In addition, Bill Short has written an excellent tutorial on handpiece carving that I would commend to you (a link can be found with the advertiser's banners).

After a bit of practice on scrap pieces I took a shot at the decoration on the lower portion of the tafferel. It is a relief carving of a bird (presumably a Kingfisher bird) and some leaves and other swirly-gigs.

View attachment 507091

View attachment 507092

View attachment 507093

The current state of things under different lightings:

View attachment 507094

View attachment 507095

View attachment 507096

View attachment 507097

I'll need to get better ...

But it was fun to work on this piece, so I think I keep at it for a while longer and see if I can learn this new skill.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's looking great for a first time carving Doc. I'm sure by looking at the quality of your crafstmanship, and with a little practice you'll get great results.

dockattner · 2025-03-14T18:37:07-0500

Peter G, Stephan, Russ, Peter V, Ron, Tobias, Grant, Daniel, Dean, and Miguel - I thank you all for the nice posts - and to all the others for the likes.

I have continued to work on the lower tafferel decoration (and have now added some curtains to the upper portion of the tafferel).

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Improving...but still...

This wood carving is exhausting business. The smallest lapse of concentration ruins the piece...

bowwild · 2025-03-14T18:50:16-0500

Very nice work Paul.

I'll bet your patients have the finest teeth in all of society! Now, if I were them I'd put a mirror in the mouth to see what you have carved on the backside?! I mean a man's gotta practice on something that matters?

bowwild · 2025-03-14T18:55:11-0500

Just in case you decide to go Technicolor, the brown head is Europe's version of a Kingfisher. The more beautiful one here in the U.S. is my favorite bird and I think the better looking of the two. Notice the very long, stout, and pointed beak.

These birds have a very distinctive call as they fly a quite low and bouncy trajectory along stream courses.

Roy

Dean62 · 2025-03-14T19:06:13-0500

dockattner said:
Peter G, Stephan, Russ, Peter V, Ron, Tobias, Grant, Daniel, Dean, and Miguel - I thank you all for the nice posts - and to all the others for the likes.

I have continued to work on the lower tafferel decoration (and have now added some curtains to the upper portion of the tafferel).

BEFORE:

View attachment 507281

AFTER:

View attachment 507278

View attachment 507279

Improving...but still...

This wood carving is exhausting business. The smallest lapse of concentration ruins the piece...

I knew you would be good with dental bits, and you have good 3D perception, along with artistic craftsmanship. So you will be amazing all of us soon. It’s in your DNA! ROTF

BradNSW · 2025-03-14T19:07:10-0500

Dean62 said:
Great first effort Paul, you can add detail in the wings and leafs with an xacto knife, rifler file, or a tiny v gouge. practice on a scrap piece first.

Agreed! Micro Jewler's files can add deep details that are difficult to achieve with rotary tools. The added bonus is they do not cause deep gouges when they slip, like a rotary bit can do so quickly! Your carvings are exceptional and show your comfort with rotary tools!! Thanks for sharing such detailed photos.