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Le Saint Philippe 1693 after Jean-Claude Lemineur (Ancre) in scale 1:48

dockattner said:
Hello Friends!

After a bit of an internal struggle as to whether or not I wanted to create another build report, here I am back in a familiar spot (but on an unfamiliar side of the forum).

One of my particular flaws is I don’t like to do the same thing twice. My first ship model was a plank-on-bulkhead adaptation of the DeAgostini Vasa. Next, I was privileged to get my hands on the discontinued Lauck Street Shipyard plank-on-frame Kingfisher. If you are familiar with those build reports, you know I am very comfortable modifying/replacing/adding to the kit parts to make the model my very own – scratch building felt like a natural extension.

So that’s one fully rigged 17th century galleon, and one unrigged 18th century swan class admiralty model. Each of these are prominently displayed in my house and are summarily ignored by most everyone who enters ROTF. Good thing I build for the enjoyment of the process rather than the response I get to the final product :rolleyes:.

This current project will be a stern section model of the French warship Saint Philippe – primarily in European pearwood. It will be fully finished on the exterior – and left in frames on the interior (that is, there will not be any planking or build-out on the open interior of the hull).

FAQ

Why a stern section model rather than the whole ship?

Several thoughts come to mind here. First, the entire ship is beyond my current level of experience and knowledge. Mr. Lemineur’s monograph is famously difficult to interpret. Michele Padoan is currently building this ship, and we all know that I am no Michele Padoan. Nigel Brook has started this model in 1:36 but has set it aside in favor of other projects (and we all know that I am no NMBrook). Concurrent with the development of the monograph two builders also completed this ship and a few photographs of those models accompany the monograph but there are no construction diaries. I am unaware of anyone else successfully completing the Saint Philippe in POF (though I am not on many international forums).

Second, I am not really wanting to take on an 8 to10 year project right now. There are other ships I want to build if God allows me to linger…


Why a stern section of the Saint Philippe?

This is a beautiful ship. As a flag-carrying vessel of King Louis XIV she sits alongside the Royal Louis and the Soleil Royal as representative of a special time in French ship-building history. The ornate stern will require my best work and the challenge appeals to me.


Why not simply build plank-on-bulkhead and finish out the interior?

I believe there is much to be gained by forcing myself to learn how to read plans and fabricate parts from scratch. Surely the experience will make future projects more approachable.


Why build to 1:48 scale?

In one sense, a 1:36 presentation would allow me to get the most out of the stern décor. At 1:48 there will be some compromises. But even at 1:48 this is still a fairly large model, and the space necessary to display it is a factor to be considered. Plus, the Kingfisher was built to 1:48 and I think this will be an effective comparison of relative ship size.

To be continued...
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I get the same reaction from visitors...90% have no perception of the craft and details. They walk right on by. I think it has to do with the degree of artistic sensibility. At first this shocked me, but by now I have grown to expect it. It doesn't bother me any more.
 
Bluemaxone said:
I get the same reaction from visitors...90% have no perception of the craft and details. They walk right on by. I think it has to do with the degree of artistic sensibility. At first this shocked me, but by now I have grown to expect it. It doesn't bother me any more.
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Plus what we do is more than a little esoteric...
 
dockattner said:
I had the day off today, so there was bonus time in the shipyard.

This now brings the previously aborted fabrication of rider frames and flat crotches to a satisfying conclusion (notwithstanding the part where I sanded off a little bit of my finger :oops:).

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Everything is just sitting there loose and will now be removed to a safe place pending final installation.

Next up: back to the monograph to research stern planking along with the wales and hull planking.

Thanks for stopping by!
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You obviously know how you can please us with you pictures of your build, Paul. It looks very very nice.
Regards, Peter
 
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