Saint Albans 1687 in Navy Board Style - 1 : 48 scale [COMPLETED BUILD]

I made the two figures at the corners of the stern as an enlarged plasticine model. That way I could get an idea of how the legs and arms need to be arranged to match the plans and photos.

Then I carved them out of boxwood. Here are a few pictures of the "making of":

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Heckfiguren4.jpg



The stern looks like this in a first adjustment test. Small structural carvings that adequately fill the space between the heads and the ship's body are still missing.

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Regards Alexander
 
Foxtrott said:
I made the two figures at the corners of the stern as an enlarged plasticine model. That way I could get an idea of how the legs and arms need to be arranged to match the plans and photos.

Then I carved them out of boxwood. Here are a few pictures of the "making of":

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View attachment 389763



The stern looks like this in a first adjustment test. Small structural carvings that adequately fill the space between the heads and the ship's body are still missing.

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View attachment 389765

View attachment 389766


Regards Alexander
Click to expand...
Wow, very impressive carving Thumbsup :)
 
Hello friends
Not much has happened lately. There were too many other topics.
I actually wanted to turn the cannons on the quarterdeck myself but apparently my lathe has a problem. The support has too much leeway and so after the first 3 copies have been completed no further copies can be made. So I purchased 10 Amati cannons and installed them first. I actually really like them, but the muzzle doesn't match the original.
As in the original, the carriages are simple box examples. No trunnions.
Maybe everything will stay like this and only the cannons will be fine-tuned once the paint is dry.
Then the question is whether I buy a new lathe. That depends on which other projects follow
Unfortunately, the question about the showcase is also open again.
So there are still a few points that need to be clarified. I may also re-carve two reliefs of the stern.
Cheers, Alexander

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Then I took care of the two reliefs at the stern.

This is what they look like on the left and right of the stern of the original model:

Medaillon0.jpg-------------------------------------------------- --------------------

This was my first attempt, which was based on the plan drawing:

Medaillons1.jpg

Medaillons2.jpg


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And this is now the second attempt. Here I created a high-contrast template from the photo, which I then ironed onto the wood. The resulting carving is now more like the original, I'm sure you'll agree.


Medaillons3.jpg

Medaillons4.jpg




So it's not such a bad idea to use the original pictures as a carving template. Now I'm much more satisfied with the stern and I have decided that the model is finished now.



After about half a year of preparation (research in London and drawing of the frames)
The effective construction time was just under 5 years.
The model now weighs a whopping 3 kilos!

I had a lot of fun building it and I would like to thank you for your interest and the diverse motivation I received from you.

Now I'm taking a creative break. Busy myself with a few other necessary things. But I'm sure things will continue here in the forum.

Best regards, Alexander
 
With my replica I wanted to stay close to the original model - without considering its historical accuracy. Navy board models, especially the older ones, were more or less stylized. They therefore did not correspond in every detail to the exemplary ships of the time. They have also been significantly changed through restorations over the centuries. So I suspect that the model of the Saint Albans was originally rigged and the bulwarks were painted green on the outside.

Regardless, I relied on the plans and the photos taken in London.

Many things had to be rethought and developed. The common methods for frame construction from the extensive model building literature could only be used to a limited extent. But that’s what made the work so interesting. Sometimes I felt like a detective on the trail of the old model makers and had many a sense of success when the things I had thought about actually worked. Robert Spence must have felt the same way when he created his replica.

However, the creation of the carvings was definitely disillusioning. Even though I was pleased with my results, as they were far above my previous level, I couldn't hold a candle to the top performances of the carvers at former time.

Maybe that's the motivation to try again with the next model.

Further information and plans for Saint Albans can be found in Richard Endsor's book: "The Master Shipwright's Secrets - How Charles II built the Restoration Navy" from 2020.

At last some pictures of the finished model:

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Also from my side my CONGRATULATIONS for finishing your amazing model
Do not make a too long break - I will miss your information and photos of the progress
I am looking forward
 
Foxtrott said:
With my replica I wanted to stay close to the original model - without considering its historical accuracy. Navy board models, especially the older ones, were more or less stylized. They therefore did not correspond in every detail to the exemplary ships of the time. They have also been significantly changed through restorations over the centuries. So I suspect that the model of the Saint Albans was originally rigged and the bulwarks were painted green on the outside.

Regardless, I relied on the plans and the photos taken in London.

Many things had to be rethought and developed. The common methods for frame construction from the extensive model building literature could only be used to a limited extent. But that’s what made the work so interesting. Sometimes I felt like a detective on the trail of the old model makers and had many a sense of success when the things I had thought about actually worked. Robert Spence must have felt the same way when he created his replica.

However, the creation of the carvings was definitely disillusioning. Even though I was pleased with my results, as they were far above my previous level, I couldn't hold a candle to the top performances of the carvers at former time.

Maybe that's the motivation to try again with the next model.

Further information and plans for Saint Albans can be found in Richard Endsor's book: "The Master Shipwright's Secrets - How Charles II built the Restoration Navy" from 2020.

At last some pictures of the finished model:

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Dear Alexander
you have created a wonderful model, it's a great pleasure to watch the song and also the impressive result. Enjoy your vacation/break
 
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