Fair American 1:48 by Model Expo

[Na Daeyong's Apprentice]

Initially I did not intend to do a build log for my latest project, Model Expo’s Revolutionary War Brig Fair American, for several reasons. The first is that my skills are not developed to a point as to attract much interest.

I felt the same way when I joined and started posting my own build. Honestly, with my skill level, I sometimes wonder if it’s alright I even maintain an account on here, let alone a log. Although I may not be raking in the views, there does seem to be room and appreciation for all skill levels here.

I look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Namabiiru]

I felt the same way when I joined and started posting my own build. Honestly, with my skill level, I sometimes wonder if it’s alright I even maintain an account on here, let alone a log. Although I may not be raking in the views, there does seem to be room and appreciation for all skill levels here.

I look forward to seeing your progress.

Thank you and Agreed. While it’s the big, spectacular builds by highly accomplished experts that get the most attention, it’s the neophytes such as us that benefit the most from having build logs. Both in terms of encouragement and practical advice.

 

[Namabiiru]

In keeping with Nama’s corollary to Murphy’s law—that is anything I can break, I will break—I have remade the stem to align the wood grain better. New stem is on the left (notched for the figurehead)

Yes, I know the shape of the timbers is not an accurate depiction of ship construction, but it’s going to be painted so the joins won’t be visible.

The other tip to Nama’s corollary is the addition of some reinforcing timbers on the four bulkheads I cut down IAW Bob Hunt’s practicum for the great cabin:


The grain of the middle ply of the plywood is running transversely so without the stiffeners, the only thing holding the stanchions together is the veneer.

 

[Namabiiru]

Also pleased to report that as I dug through my parts to see if the window frames from the old kit could used as the basis for a skylight a la @The Gavel Chuck’s Lovely Renee, I discovered that I still had not only the original brass ship’s bell, which has been replaced with a brittania bell in the newer kits, but also, the nicely-made pintles and gudgeons that I thought had long ago been sacrificed to another build. The downside to that is it means I have to wait to try the @dockattner method for constructing rudder hinges.