The start of my next build, the four-masted iron full-rigged ship FALLS OF FOYERS has suffered a small delay.    As soon as the motorship DESEADO was disposed of, we “blew” most of the proceeds on a holiday in Ambleside, Lake District.    On our return, I  involved myself in a labour-intensive effort to complete my latest e-book,  “Miniature Sailing Ship Construction.”    Completed it this afternoon at 30,614 words, 262 illustrations.    All that remains is to make the box label and then I can begin the FALLS OF FOYERS (32’=1″).

 

It will be a welcome change to get back to model shipbuilding again, although the subject (an iron-hulled square-rigger) is not expected to raise a great deal of interest.    It is to be shown at anchor with furled sails.     Twenty-five  yards -Aaargh!

 

Bob

I have at last made a start by assembling the display case.    At this time of year, I have to work when I get the chance as I do the large work like this outside.   I managed this yesterday morning between rain showers.    Like to get the case out of the way as soon as possible as it is not my most favourite model building task.   The blue cast is the protective backing on the acrylic.

Bob

I have now made the base and sea and assembled the carrying case.    The maindeck planking has been fitted and the raised poop and forecastle cut out.   Some rough (very rough) shaping has also been commenced.

Bob

Made some progress over the past week with the plating and painting of the hull and the fitting of the main deck structures and lower masts, but find I am unable to enter the picture here (although I have done it with other pictures).   It is in my album for anyone interested.

Bob

I have done some more work on it.   Rails fitted round forecastle head and poop decks.    Mooring bits and wheelbox fitted.   Water tanks, winch and lifebelt lockers fitted. Just trying it in the sea again.   Soon be ready for rigging.

Bob

The hull is finally complete and that was the hardest part.   I am now about to begin the masting and rigging which is more repetitive than difficult at this scale.      

Bob

 

All four masts have now been completed and fitted.   I have also fitted three furled staysails, the spencer and spanker and rigged the shrouds and ratlines on all four masts.

Bob

Hi Bob,

There wasn’t one, I was just wondering if anyone would be interested enough to comment.   Anyway, here it is.

Bob

I do enjoy building them one after another.   I produced them throughout my 31 years at sea and they were always visible in my window frame on the boat deck.    Passengers taking the air would often see them progressing and seek me out.       After I left in late 1992, (I took voluntary redundancy), I continued to build them full time and added writing about how to build them to add to my income.    When I retired and took my pension, I tried to stop building them, but after less than a week, I was on the go again.    I have now given up trying to stop although the income is not all that important (but still welcome).    The field is wide open to me because 99% of ship model makers would never even consider building miniatures and a lot say they don’t have the time or skill and therefore stick to kits.     Collectors, on the other hand, can’t seem to get enough of them.     I have never had the skill to complete a kit successfully although I did try one a couple of years ago.    Ended up giving it away after it defeated me (Plastic HMS VICTORY).     I only tried it because someone gave it to me!    As for time – I rarely take more than 60 hours building  a model and all my modelmaking friends seem to take months or even years over their kits.    Haven’t got the patience for that sort of thing!

Bob

Have now made more progress by completing fitting and rigging all the fore-and-aft sails.   Also fitted the topmast shrouds and ratlines.

Bob

This morning, I completed all the standing rigging on the four masts.   I also trimmed the topmast spreaders down to size.    The next task is to make and fit the twent-five yards, together with their furled sails.

Bob

 

The whole lot is metal.    The lower masts are brass tube, the topmasts, t’gallant, royal & skysail poles are copper rod.   The bowsprit is brass rod.   Spanker boom, gaff and spencer are brass rod.   All the rigging is fine copper wire.   The ratlines are soldered across the shrouds, but the remainder of the rigging will be glued on, but it will still be fine copper wire.   The 25 yards will be a combination of brass and copper rod and silver steel for the finer ones.

Bob