Shipbuilder

I am making good progress now, and have completed all the fore-and-aft sails.   The next task is to complete the standing rigging, and fit the running rigging on the mainmast.   Then, all that remains, will be to fit and rig the two square sails on the foremast.      This model is fitted with the tiny deadeyes described in another thread.
Bob
 
 

I didn't say I was not interested in ships in bottles because I am - I just do not build them myself!      I was very interested in Dave Fellingham's project, but he has disappeared, I am very interested in Chasseur's Preussen as well.     I am here because I was asked to join.     I believe I have contruibuted quite a lot of information that is relevant to building ships in bottles, because in or out of bottles, they are still miniatures.       But if nothing much is going on, it tends to make me lose interest!
Bob
 
 

Thanks Alan, same to you!
The deadeyes are small round paper punchings from telex tape.   In years gone by, when I was sending telex messages on a regular basis, I felt that a bottle full of punchings would come in useful at some later date for model making.       I saved a couple of hundred thousand of them!   I blackened them by dumping them in black spirit dye. I wound the wire on a frame in groups of three, and stuck the punchings on with spots of white wood glue.    After they were dry, I cut the outside wires off with a scalpel.     I hope to be able to solder the top deadeye wires to the bottom of the wire shrouds.     After they are fitted to the shrouds, I will lightly spray the whole lot black, so they should look better!

At last, got a bright sunny day for a better photograph!     Nearly finished now, as the rigging is the easiest part.
Bob
 
 

Thanks Alan,
I only thought of this method a few days ago, it is easy and quick, and looks good as well!
Bob

I have now set and rigged the four jibs.    This took about 1 hour 30 minutes, but just as I was putting one of the last blocks on, I accidentally knocked it over.    This damaged all the standing rigging under the bowsprit and jibboom.    The only solution was to rip it all off, and re-rig it, as wire, once bent, cannot be straightened when it is glued in position on a model.   This took a further ten minutes to get the model into the condition shown below.   That is enough for today, and I will do a bit of drawing this afternoon.    Day off tomorrow, and on Wednesday, I hope to fit the mainmast,  then set and rig the mainsail and gaff topsail.
Bob
 

At last, got a bright sunny day for a better photograph!     Nearly finished now, as the rigging is the easiest part.
Bob
 
 

I have now put eight sets of tiny deadeyes on a small topsail schooner.
Bob
 

I only build what I feel like building these days, and I am well-aware that most ship modellers do not really like merchant ships.    But I am also building for collectors, of whom a large number prefer miniature merchant ships above anything else, probably because they are scarce.    Some people will notice fine detail where they will not notice glaring errors.     I often find my models being descrbed as "perfect in every detail," but that is not so, because I am far from being a perectionist.        I really haven't the patience to go in for super-detailing such as glazing portholes, or putting doorhandles on.     But I do try to stick to scale  and have fine masts and rigging rather than thick chunky ones and over-sized rigging.     When comparing the two models, you were spot on with these differences.      A model of the Bidston Hill (see below)  that I completed, and sold in the early 1970s for £16, turned up on Ebay recently with a starting price of 99p with no reserve.      I put in a bid for £16 just out of interest.    Eventually, it sold to a buyer in the US for just over £400.     When I contacted him later telling him when, and where I built it, and sending him a photograph of the Donna Francisca, (above), he said it was no better than the Bidston Hill, that he had just purchased!        I have come across a lot of instances like that!    Just can't understand it.   
Bob
 

They certainly do get easier with practice.     I find they also take much longer.     In the 1970s, I could build one in a week, but now, it takes me weeks on end to produce one.    A lot of the reason for this is that I do not work on them every day, and even when I do move myself to start building, some days I will only do half an hour, and other days maybe up to three hours (1 1/2 in the morning, and 1 1/2 in the afternoon).       This is one of the last models I built using wooden masts and spars, and cotton for rigging.   I completed it in about 1972.   The steel barque Afon Alaw.   It does not look very good to me now, but I thought it was great at the time.     Sadly, a very large number of people tell me that it is just as good as what I produce  now, which make me wonder why I bothered trying to improve for all those years if very few could tell the difference!      The colured picture is the Donna Francisca, that a number of people claim is no better than the Afon Alaw!     Bob  
 

I only build what I feel like building these days, and I am well-aware that most ship modellers do not really like merchant ships.    But I am also building for collectors, of whom a large number prefer miniature merchant ships above anything else, probably because they are scarce.    Some people will notice fine detail where they will not notice glaring errors.     I often find my models being descrbed as "perfect in every detail," but that is not so, because I am far from being a perectionist.        I really haven't the patience to go in for super-detailing such as glazing portholes, or putting doorhandles on.     But I do try to stick to scale  and have fine masts and rigging rather than thick chunky ones and over-sized rigging.     When comparing the two models, you were spot on with these differences.      A model of the Bidston Hill (see below)  that I completed, and sold in the early 1970s for £16, turned up on Ebay recently with a starting price of 99p with no reserve.      I put in a bid for £16 just out of interest.    Eventually, it sold to a buyer in the US for just over £400.     When I contacted him later telling him when, and where I built it, and sending him a photograph of the Donna Francisca, (above), he said it was no better than the Bidston Hill, that he had just purchased!        I have come across a lot of instances like that!    Just can't understand it.   
Bob
 

I only build what I feel like building these days, and I am well-aware that most ship modellers do not really like merchant ships.    But I am also building for collectors, of whom a large number prefer miniature merchant ships above anything else, probably because they are scarce.    Some people will notice fine detail where they will not notice glaring errors.     I often find my models being descrbed as "perfect in every detail," but that is not so, because I am far from being a perectionist.        I really haven't the patience to go in for super-detailing such as glazing portholes, or putting doorhandles on.     But I do try to stick to scale  and have fine masts and rigging rather than thick chunky ones and over-sized rigging.     When comparing the two models, you were spot on with these differences.      A model of the Bidston Hill (see below)  that I completed, and sold in the early 1970s for £16, turned up on Ebay recently with a starting price of 99p with no reserve.      I put in a bid for £16 just out of interest.    Eventually, it sold to a buyer in the US for just over £400.     When I contacted him later telling him when, and where I built it, and sending him a photograph of the Donna Francisca, (above), he said it was no better than the Bidston Hill, that he had just purchased!        I have come across a lot of instances like that!    Just can't understand it.   
Bob
 

I only build what I feel like building these days, and I am well-aware that most ship modellers do not really like merchant ships.    But I am also building for collectors, of whom a large number prefer miniature merchant ships above anything else, probably because they are scarce.    Some people will notice fine detail where they will not notice glaring errors.     I often find my models being descrbed as "perfect in every detail," but that is not so, because I am far from being a perectionist.        I really haven't the patience to go in for super-detailing such as glazing portholes, or putting doorhandles on.     But I do try to stick to scale  and have fine masts and rigging rather than thick chunky ones and over-sized rigging.     When comparing the two models, you were spot on with these differences.      A model of the Bidston Hill (see below)  that I completed, and sold in the early 1970s for £16, turned up on Ebay recently with a starting price of 99p with no reserve.      I put in a bid for £16 just out of interest.    Eventually, it sold to a buyer in the US for just over £400.     When I contacted him later telling him when, and where I built it, and sending him a photograph of the Donna Francisca, (above), he said it was no better than the Bidston Hill, that he had just purchased!        I have come across a lot of instances like that!    Just can't understand it.   
Bob
 

They certainly do get easier with practice.     I find they also take much longer.     In the 1970s, I could build one in a week, but now, it takes me weeks on end to produce one.    A lot of the reason for this is that I do not work on them every day, and even when I do move myself to start building, some days I will only do half an hour, and other days maybe up to three hours (1 1/2 in the morning, and 1 1/2 in the afternoon).       This is one of the last models I built using wooden masts and spars, and cotton for rigging.   I completed it in about 1972.   The steel barque Afon Alaw.   It does not look very good to me now, but I thought it was great at the time.     Sadly, a very large number of people tell me that it is just as good as what I produce  now, which make me wonder why I bothered trying to improve for all those years if very few could tell the difference!      The colured picture is the Donna Francisca, that a number of people claim is no better than the Afon Alaw!     Bob  
 

272 completed since I started counting in October 1992, but I built a considerable number in the 20 years or so  before that.       Have only kept a small number, as I sell them.    I don't take private commissions, and don't advertise them.   Collectors just ask me what  is available from time to time.   The hobby is self-financing.     A few years ago, I was producing 13 or 14 per year!     
Bob

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob  
 

They certainly do get easier with practice.     I find they also take much longer.     In the 1970s, I could build one in a week, but now, it takes me weeks on end to produce one.    A lot of the reason for this is that I do not work on them every day, and even when I do move myself to start building, some days I will only do half an hour, and other days maybe up to three hours (1 1/2 in the morning, and 1 1/2 in the afternoon).       This is one of the last models I built using wooden masts and spars, and cotton for rigging.   I completed it in about 1972.   The steel barque Afon Alaw.   It does not look very good to me now, but I thought it was great at the time.     Sadly, a very large number of people tell me that it is just as good as what I produce  now, which make me wonder why I bothered trying to improve for all those years if very few could tell the difference!      The colured picture is the Donna Francisca, that a number of people claim is no better than the Afon Alaw!     Bob  
 

They certainly do get easier with practice.     I find they also take much longer.     In the 1970s, I could build one in a week, but now, it takes me weeks on end to produce one.    A lot of the reason for this is that I do not work on them every day, and even when I do move myself to start building, some days I will only do half an hour, and other days maybe up to three hours (1 1/2 in the morning, and 1 1/2 in the afternoon).       This is one of the last models I built using wooden masts and spars, and cotton for rigging.   I completed it in about 1972.   The steel barque Afon Alaw.   It does not look very good to me now, but I thought it was great at the time.     Sadly, a very large number of people tell me that it is just as good as what I produce  now, which make me wonder why I bothered trying to improve for all those years if very few could tell the difference!      The colured picture is the Donna Francisca, that a number of people claim is no better than the Afon Alaw!     Bob  
 

They certainly do get easier with practice.     I find they also take much longer.     In the 1970s, I could build one in a week, but now, it takes me weeks on end to produce one.    A lot of the reason for this is that I do not work on them every day, and even when I do move myself to start building, some days I will only do half an hour, and other days maybe up to three hours (1 1/2 in the morning, and 1 1/2 in the afternoon).       This is one of the last models I built using wooden masts and spars, and cotton for rigging.   I completed it in about 1972.   The steel barque Afon Alaw.   It does not look very good to me now, but I thought it was great at the time.     Sadly, a very large number of people tell me that it is just as good as what I produce  now, which make me wonder why I bothered trying to improve for all those years if very few could tell the difference!      The colured picture is the Donna Francisca, that a number of people claim is no better than the Afon Alaw!     Bob  
 

272 completed since I started counting in October 1992, but I built a considerable number in the 20 years or so  before that.       Have only kept a small number, as I sell them.    I don't take private commissions, and don't advertise them.   Collectors just ask me what  is available from time to time.   The hobby is self-financing.     A few years ago, I was producing 13 or 14 per year!     
Bob

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob  
 

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob  
 

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob  
 

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob  
 

Pass of Brander - 32 feet to 1 inch (1:384).    Bob