How dare your colleague concentrate on the bite and overlook the teeth!
Vasa - 1:65 DeAgostini [COMPLETED BUILD]
- Thread starter dockattner
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I think you have it right Dean. This has been a tricky business joining metal (unforgiving) with wood (forgiving). Despite the best efforts of the kit designer we (the modeler) can never reproduce in perfection what the kit intends for us to produce. I took some liberties with this stern section as a concession to build-ability that are now causing me some difficulties (not just the height issue I mentioned previously).
I did track with your ideas. The rotation of the lion will be important because it is the 'rear' of the lion that is the area of constriction. I appreciate your suggestions!
I was afraid this would happen one day, and surely it happened today! I have used all my known epithets in previous posts, and technically cannot express my fillings, I mean... she is...one...she is one... Well, I am speechless, doctor Paul!
Hi Paul!
A true delight! Great wood colours, painting of the figures and all in all a very fine finish!
I am thrilled
Thomas
A true delight! Great wood colours, painting of the figures and all in all a very fine finish!
I am thrilled
Thomas
Wow, yes, now I see the problem. I think the solutions presented, here, should do the trick, though. These baroque ships are complicated monsters, at the stern. Trying to reconstruct these things only deepens my appreciation for the actual carpenters.
Looking very good - very accurate work
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Wow so good, compared to me it looks like a master at work, beautiful.
Many, many thanks for all the kind words and likes.
Installation of tiny painted bits continues with attention now turning to the bulkheads. Each of the following required building a base, a shelf, and/or a cover - and in some cases all three. The froufrou molding began as a photoetched and stamped brass strip that I painted to accentuate the design.
Working from midships toward the stern...
Installation of tiny painted bits continues with attention now turning to the bulkheads. Each of the following required building a base, a shelf, and/or a cover - and in some cases all three. The froufrou molding began as a photoetched and stamped brass strip that I painted to accentuate the design.
Working from midships toward the stern...
Excellent, that adds a lot of detail.
Jan
Jan
Next, I turned my attention to the forward rail system.
Let's begin with the goal:
Here is the kit version from the official build:
I decided it was best to replace the kit supplied parts. I was particularly challenged in fabricating the lower rail element. I started with a 6x6 mm pearwood stick and tried to bend it into the arc seen on the resurrected ship. Soaking alone didn't work - and soaking it, clamping it over shims, and heating it with an air gun created a V-shape rather than a nice smooth curve. But after some careful work on a spindle sander I ended up with something I could use.
Notice this little 'bumper'. I have rarely seen it reproduced on Vasa models but it seemed like a cool detail. We'll see if my main stay sits on it correctly or if it will need to be removed...
Next, I made a pair of catheads. Once again I had to replace the plywood kit parts with 5x5 mm pearwood stock from my coveted supply. I cut in the slots for the pulleys (sheaves?) with a thin sawblade and files, and made myself some little wooden pulleys.
Finally, I added an anchor lift assist bar (which is oddly left completely out of the DeAg kit). There was apparently only one on the actual ship and it was configured to be usable on each side of the ship.
In the following images these new parts are just sitting loose...
I do apologize for not knowing the names of these things. I hope no one is offended (indeed, no offence is intended). I know many of you take this stuff very seriously and my clumsy use of ship terms likely drives you crazy. Anyway, I'm just a guy trying out a new hobby - one that I am enjoying very much. Thanks for letting me join the club!
Let's begin with the goal:
Here is the kit version from the official build:
I decided it was best to replace the kit supplied parts. I was particularly challenged in fabricating the lower rail element. I started with a 6x6 mm pearwood stick and tried to bend it into the arc seen on the resurrected ship. Soaking alone didn't work - and soaking it, clamping it over shims, and heating it with an air gun created a V-shape rather than a nice smooth curve. But after some careful work on a spindle sander I ended up with something I could use.
Notice this little 'bumper'. I have rarely seen it reproduced on Vasa models but it seemed like a cool detail. We'll see if my main stay sits on it correctly or if it will need to be removed...
Next, I made a pair of catheads. Once again I had to replace the plywood kit parts with 5x5 mm pearwood stock from my coveted supply. I cut in the slots for the pulleys (sheaves?) with a thin sawblade and files, and made myself some little wooden pulleys.
Finally, I added an anchor lift assist bar (which is oddly left completely out of the DeAg kit). There was apparently only one on the actual ship and it was configured to be usable on each side of the ship.
In the following images these new parts are just sitting loose...
I do apologize for not knowing the names of these things. I hope no one is offended (indeed, no offence is intended). I know many of you take this stuff very seriously and my clumsy use of ship terms likely drives you crazy. Anyway, I'm just a guy trying out a new hobby - one that I am enjoying very much. Thanks for letting me join the club!
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The contrast between your execution and the stock kit pictures is astounding. I wonder if they painted the hull on the prototype because the kit supplied planking was not nice enough to be left natural.
I think you have it right, Marc. The kit supplied hull planking is nondescript 'white' wood - could be basswood or perhaps bamboo. It is actually somewhat transparent at 0.5 mm. In addition, all laser cut sheets are plywood which (of course) leaves an unsightly edge. Painting conveniently covers up that edge.
I have seen this kit built using stain on the hull but I chose to go in another direction and swapped out the lot.
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Your meticulous work is just astounding Paul. Jim said a few days ago he had run out of words to describe your build. I totally agree with him, you set us all such a high standard to chase. I think the word “rookie” should be struck from your self descriptive vocabulary.
You’ve been busy Paul…great work! The ship looks better all the time!
In comparison, I really like the pear; it has great depth and warmth.
I have to say that, out of the box, the D’Ag Vasa seems like it should be better than it is. The promotional pics and video paint a contradictory picture - a little mis-leading, me thinks.
You have done everything possible, though, to pimp her out, Paul. Your model has all of the qualities of a full scratch-build.
I have to say that, out of the box, the D’Ag Vasa seems like it should be better than it is. The promotional pics and video paint a contradictory picture - a little mis-leading, me thinks.
You have done everything possible, though, to pimp her out, Paul. Your model has all of the qualities of a full scratch-build.
Ha! The promotional images are of the 1:10 model at the Vasamuseet. More than a little misleading...
Then again, the ROI for me has been unmatched. I have discovered a hobby that fits in my wheelhouse, and this introvert has managed to make a few 'friends' along the way. Time and money well-spent!
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Great job Paul, wonderful details.
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This is astounding work. I know how long it takes to scratch-build those items - I suppose only superceded by the tens of hours that have gone into the painting. Both items are superb additions to an incredibly well-executed and clean-built model.
DeAgostini uses photos of an Italian made scratch built model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas. The promo model photos are quite different in detail than the actual model kit. The DeAgostini aim is to make a model than inexperienced modelers can make that is about 80% as detailed as the promotional photos, which combined with a step-by-step illustrated instruction magazine series is, for many inexperienced people, a decent marketing strategy. The historical articles mixed in with the instructions are an interesting bonus. The kits are expensive and the material quality is fairly low, but a decent looking model, not at professional level, can be achieved with careful fitting, gluing, and accurate painting skills. The model will look fairly detailed, but the decoration details are not historically accurate. The Wasa model they make is far more accurate than HMS Sovereign of the Seas. Still, you can bash your way to accuracy with lots of additional scratch building. Paul is truly stretching the envelope with his Wasa. My model will stretch the envelope in different directions, since I am looking to add more internal details just for fun and practice. I don't think the iron and trenails on my hull exterior will be as detailed as Paul's. Luckily all the decorations on my ship are all gold, so I don't have to keep up with Paul's fine micro-painted figures, which are just plain sick detail-wise. 