Kingfisher 1770 1:48 POF

If you want to build the lower deck, you should also think to install the fore and after platform.
Well, you have opened up a topic that I would like to gain some perspective on from the members of the forum...

The big question is: how much of the lower structures will be visible on a model like this?

Christian has mentioned some platforms that form a floor of sorts in the hold (located only fore and aft). Then there is a lower deck that runs nearly the length of the ship (stopping at the next-to-last gunport location). Then there is an upper deck that runs the full length of the ship. Then there is a sizable quarter deck at the back end, and a smaller forecastle deck at the front end.

The construction of these decks includes beams, knees, carlings, ledges... you've all seen fantastic open deck structures on other models. Of course, all this woodwork obstructs the view of whatever lies below (never mind the obstruction created by decking - even if it is installed sparingly).

The kit only intends for the builder to install the upper deck, quarter deck and forecastle deck leaving off everything below. I have already departed from that with the limber strakes and limber boards. But do I continue to add every layer with all its details or is that just silly?

I guess I wasn't even really aware of all of this when I started - but I am now entering a season of decision-making. I want to end up with a visually attractive and interesting model - but I also don't want to waste my limited modeling time, nor was I thinking this would be a ten-year project.

I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts!
 
Well, you have opened up a topic that I would like to gain some perspective on from the members of the forum...

The big question is: how much of the lower structures will be visible on a model like this?

Christian has mentioned some platforms that form a floor of sorts in the hold (located only fore and aft). Then there is a lower deck that runs nearly the length of the ship (stopping at the next-to-last gunport location). Then there is an upper deck that runs the full length of the ship. Then there is a sizable quarter deck at the back end, and a smaller forecastle deck at the front end.

The construction of these decks includes beams, knees, carlings, ledges... you've all seen fantastic open deck structures on other models. Of course, all this woodwork obstructs the view of whatever lies below (never mind the obstruction created by decking - even if it is installed sparingly).

The kit only intends for the builder to install the upper deck, quarter deck and forecastle deck leaving off everything below. I have already departed from that with the limber strakes and limber boards. But do I continue to add every layer with all its details or is that just silly?

I guess I wasn't even really aware of all of this when I started - but I am now entering a season of decision-making. I want to end up with a visually attractive and interesting model - but I also don't want to waste my limited modeling time, nor was I thinking this would be a ten-year project.

I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts!
my vote is to only do the stuff that is visible. To me it's like the cannons on the gun deck. While most are hidden by the decking, some are visible and well worth rigging. I don't rig the ones that are not visible.
 
Well, you have opened up a topic that I would like to gain some perspective on from the members of the forum...

The big question is: how much of the lower structures will be visible on a model like this?

Christian has mentioned some platforms that form a floor of sorts in the hold (located only fore and aft). Then there is a lower deck that runs nearly the length of the ship (stopping at the next-to-last gunport location). Then there is an upper deck that runs the full length of the ship. Then there is a sizable quarter deck at the back end, and a smaller forecastle deck at the front end.

The construction of these decks includes beams, knees, carlings, ledges... you've all seen fantastic open deck structures on other models. Of course, all this woodwork obstructs the view of whatever lies below (never mind the obstruction created by decking - even if it is installed sparingly).

The kit only intends for the builder to install the upper deck, quarter deck and forecastle deck leaving off everything below. I have already departed from that with the limber strakes and limber boards. But do I continue to add every layer with all its details or is that just silly?

I guess I wasn't even really aware of all of this when I started - but I am now entering a season of decision-making. I want to end up with a visually attractive and interesting model - but I also don't want to waste my limited modeling time, nor was I thinking this would be a ten-year project.

I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts!

I think the reason a modeller builds obscured parts that will never be seen in a model is solely for his/her own satisfaction and the appeal of historical accuracy. As I read your last paragraph I think you have already answered your own question. Visually attractive and interesting without spending modelling time on the never to be seen internals.

My personal opinion is why bother if it will never be seen. The fact you have built to a visibly high and exacting standard persuades the future observer that the unseen internals are similarly constructed when in fact they are not.
 
I don't regret putting all the internals in the Discovery1789. You can leave a hatch open and people can look down inside just a bit.
If you are going to all the work of building a POF take the extra step and do the inside. If you aren't doing the inside you should have built a POB.
 
How many details you can see is a question of the planlking you will do. If you plank less you will see more.
If you later look at your finished model, you know that are details missing. If you than can sleep well, everything will be fine.
If you don't want to do the platform you should fully plank the lower deck, to minimize the risk to to much through the frames.
But than, why you are doing the deck beams ...

It's not an easy question and I am afraid that you have to answer it by yourself.
 
Dear Paul,
after that I have updated on the progress of the last few days, I would like to tell you that you are doing an excellent, beautiful and very accurate job!
It is a pleasure to look at the pictures that reflect the quality of your work!

My answer to your question is that you have to choose the detail and the construction method that will make you happy and satisfied with the model when you look at it in a few months and years and love what you did. I am sure you will choose the path that is right for you
 
For my personal taste, I would build as many details as my skillset and the scale permits, and it doesn't really matter if it would be visible or not. It is just the satisfaction behind those small add-ons and details. Contrary, if the scale is too small, oftentimes, additional details can make it worse. An example could be treenails.
Do you build for others to see and judge or you are building for your own satisfaction and pleasure? To show or not to show - it is only you who will make a decision and answer! ;)
 
Dear Paul. This is not an easy one to answer and as usual, there is no right or wrong. Most people suggest an either/or situation but it is actually more complicated than that. One of the main differentiating features between WB 1 and WB2 was the captain's cabin - so even though it is not visible at all, I chose to build the captain's cabin. That was after all, one of the reasons for building WB2. But by the same token, I did not rig the cannons which I should have done, if I had followed my line of thought consistently. However, if I had built the proper 3-wheeld gun carriages, I would have displayed them. So, I suppose it's a question of what you want to emphasize on your model - whether it will be seen or not.
 
Dear Paul,
I am fully with Jim (@Jimsky) on this.
Something potentially worth adding, if you go down the detailing path, are lights below decks. To my amazement I experienced rather good visibility of details added once I turned on the lights on my BN.
But still, when all is said and done: your build, your decision.
Kind regards,
Johan
 
Well, you have opened up a topic that I would like to gain some perspective on from the members of the forum...

The big question is: how much of the lower structures will be visible on a model like this?

Christian has mentioned some platforms that form a floor of sorts in the hold (located only fore and aft). Then there is a lower deck that runs nearly the length of the ship (stopping at the next-to-last gunport location). Then there is an upper deck that runs the full length of the ship. Then there is a sizable quarter deck at the back end, and a smaller forecastle deck at the front end.

The construction of these decks includes beams, knees, carlings, ledges... you've all seen fantastic open deck structures on other models. Of course, all this woodwork obstructs the view of whatever lies below (never mind the obstruction created by decking - even if it is installed sparingly).

The kit only intends for the builder to install the upper deck, quarter deck and forecastle deck leaving off everything below. I have already departed from that with the limber strakes and limber boards. But do I continue to add every layer with all its details or is that just silly?

I guess I wasn't even really aware of all of this when I started - but I am now entering a season of decision-making. I want to end up with a visually attractive and interesting model - but I also don't want to waste my limited modeling time, nor was I thinking this would be a ten-year project.

I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts!
I don't think my choice will surprise you: go for the inside, Paul.
Just a question: are you going to plank the entire hull? If so, do you still see anything from all the frames? Then why a PoF?
Then my choice is immediately clear.
Make a photo album with the pictures and text out of your build-log when your model is ready and you will be able to look back and show others who are really interested the details. I did it with my Lee and are now making it for my BN.
IMG_9025.jpegIMG_9026.jpeg
Regard, Peter
 
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But it is also a good idea to clean your nails before taking pictures ROTF ROTF
Ha …………….. ha …………… ha ………..
You have a good eye for details…. But you have started this issue. Found this somewhere on the SoS ………. Something about a 2-decker, page 3, post #42 ………
IMG_3847.jpeg
Regards, Peter
 
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My thanks to @Jack Sparrow, @Steef66, @RogerD, @Don Case, @AnobiumPunctatum, @NMBROOK, @shota70, @Jimsky, @Heinrich, @RDN1954, and @Peter Voogt for responding to my question and offering your thoughts and suggestions. I guess I'm not surprised that the comments ranged from 'just build what you can see' to 'build it all' - and nearly every suggestion came with qualifications. I guess, in our own way, we are all artists and build model ships in a manner that reflects our personal view of the craft.

The one idea that was shared that has been rattling around in my head the most regarded the purpose for which I build model ships: do I build for the eventual viewer? or for my enjoyment of the process? I have to 'back into' the answer to this by reflecting on how I react when people look at my completed Vasa. NO ONE has even truly noticed (seen, commented on, whatever) all the details I have included on that model. People are favorably disposed toward the ship - but they simply cannot take in all the details (indeed, unless someone has built a scale model the details are lost in the whole). It would honestly take hours to consume all the details, and no one has ever shown that level of commitment to a ship model in the entryway of my house. They look, they comment, and then they wonder what wines I'll be serving with dinner. So, do I feel like I wasted my time grinding on the details? Not at all. In other words, it turns out I built the Vasa for myself.

Building on that realization...I also know that the completion of the Vasa was a disappointment. Yes, I felt a sense of accomplishment - but I was also sad that it was over. The only way I can account for this is to accept (recognize) that I enjoy the process more than the outcome. I liked BUILDING the ship more than I liked having a completed ship.

To that end I'll continue to pour myself into the details of the Kingfisher because that's the part I like. The only hedge is that life is more than a model ship - so I don't want the ship (or the process of building a ship) to become an idol in my life. As long as I keep things in perspective and continue to enjoy the process of building (translation: as long as I remain challenged), I'll continue to do the best work I can - and that means adding details that only you and I will ever know are there.

Thanks for helping me think this all through.
 
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Building on that realization...I also know that the completion of the Vasa was a disappointment. Yes, I felt a sense of accomplishment - but I was also sad that it was over. The only way I can account for this is to accept (recognize) that I enjoy the process more than the outcome. I liked BUILDING the ship more than I liked having a completed ship.

Well that's the essence why I build ships myself. It's the building journey I love not the outcome in particular. That doesn't mean I don't like a finished project, in the contrary I'm proud to finished her, but I miss the building part. The only way to overcome this is to start a new project and It's like expanding your knowledge and honing skills and explore new "to learn" skills for that new project. It's a never ending circle....

The life of a hobby craftsman....
 
Well that's the essence why I build ships myself. It's the building journey I love not the outcome in particular. That doesn't mean I don't like a finished project, in the contrary I'm proud to finished her, but I miss the building part. The only way to overcome this is to start a new project and It's like expanding your knowledge and honing skills and explore new "to learn" skills for that new project. It's a never ending circle....

The life of a hobby craftsman....
Ditto
 
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