Rattlesnake by MS

[TKAM]

Crossjack topsail all rigged up. Time to move on to the main mast lower course yard. I'm actually kinda sad, if I worked every day a few hours each day I'd be done in less than two weeks. I'm always like this at the end of a project. No hurry.

 

[Mr.Deep]

Why doesn't anyone tell the author that he was wrong to hang the mizzen sail.Seams of panels should be located vertically.Or completely alter the sail.Such a gross mistake.

 

[TKAM]

Main lower course yard rigged with footropes. All necessary blocks rigged but not mounted yet.

 

[PGN]

The extra gun carriage laser cut sheet and cannon finally arrived from Model Shipways. It took awhile as they are not too responsive to customer call outs but in the end they didn't charge me for the extra materials, that's a win in my book. I plan on filling 8 of the remaining 10 gun ports that this kit has closed with these cannon, the port in the front was not normally used when Rattlesnake was sailing the seas so that port will remain closed.

View attachment 122645

How did you go about ordering these extra guns? Do you have a link?

 

[TKAM]

How did you go about ordering these extra guns? Do you have a link?

I take back my previous comment about MS customer service being unresponsive. When I was trying to order this laser cutout was during the initial Covid lockdown, I was unfair. Since then they've stepped up sending me two more shipments of replacement parts gratis. Kudos to Model Shipways.

Model Expo - Historically accurate wooden model kits made in the USA

 

[PGN]

Thanks. I'm in the middle of correcting my 2 dimensional thinking now.

 

[TKAM]

Sewing the reef bands for the main lower course sheet.

 

[TKAM]

Main lower course sail mounted. I am conducting another experiment. I have 25 gauge wire disguised and glued into the bunt line. I'm hoping this will allow me to create more realistic looking sail when fully rigged out.

 

[TKAM]

Main lower course secured to the mast, lanyard to keep the yard pinned tight. Slings and jeer tackle belayed down to the bitts.

 

[TKAM]

Braces and lifts for the main lower course.

 

[PGN]

Your build is so good. ... that I almost want to stop my build......

 

[TKAM]

Your build is so good. ... that I almost want to stop my build......

I'm just taking my time, a lot of time.

 

[TKAM]

Finished with the main mast lower course sail and rigging. I took somebody's advice and inserted a length of 26 gauge wire into the bunt. It works pretty good to form a more realistic looking sail. I sure wish I had this knowledge when I installed the spirit sail, that would have really made it look better. Ah well, onward to the main mast topsail.

 

[TKAM]

Main topsail yard. Tomorrow I'll work on attaching the blocks and foot ropes. Perhaps even attach the sail. I think I'll install this and the fore mast topsail partially furled....maybe. Still thinking about it.

 

[TKAM]

Ready to mount the main mast top sail. This model, if nothing else, is one experiment after another. This time I've added 26 gauge wire to both the bunt and the leech. Let's see how it works out.

 

[TKAM]

Main top sail "rib and tuck" parrels to keep the yard firmly attached to the mast. Tie halyard that raises and lowers the yard, plus the fall tackle port and starboard down at the rail.

 

[TKAM]

Main top mast sail rigging complete with sheets & tacks, clew line, bunt lines, and leech lines.

 

[TKAM]

Time to head back home and work on HMS Surprise some more. I brought the finished acrylic case and wooden base with me this time so no more dust while I'm back home. The base is cherry wood. I had some leftover cherry from the case I made for Syren but there wasn't enough to make a wide enough base. I purchased another plank and joined it with the leftover piece, you can see what 8 months of oxidation does to the wood. I'm gonna have to leave it without stain or protection for another 8 months so the new piece can catch up, it'll slowly darken with time and only then can I lock in the color hopefully uniform between the two joined planks.

 

[TKAM]

For each mast these are the leavings after rigging.

 

[TKAM]

Finished up with the main mast top gallant yard (furled). Starting up with the fore mast yards which will finish Rattlesnake except for the anchor which I'm saving for the very last. The lanyard for this yard was to be belayed down to a single block hooked to an eye bolt next to the mast coat then belayed to a cleat attached to the mast. I didn't think I would be able to get the job done with the sail in the way....but I managed.