Topic: FALLS OF FOYERS iron 4-masted full-riggd ship 32'=1" (Read 8137 times)

Positive · « **on:** November 13, 2009, 01:34:41 pm »

I started this off in the Yachts and Sail section, but eventually came to the conclusion it was in the wrong place as the other all seemed to be R/C yachts etc.

Anyway, I have now completed the hull and that was the hardest part. I am now about to begin the masting and rigging which is more repetirive than difficult at this scale. The ship is square-rigged on all four masts. She carried a total of 25 square sails. She is to be shown riding at anchor with all the sails furled on the yards and stays.

Bob

Positive · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2009, 12:59:43 pm »

I have now assembled, painted and fitted the four masts. This is the most depressing time for me when it comes to building a sailing ship model. The bare masts are standing alone on the hull without a scrap of sail or an inch of rigging in sight. It will soon start to look better when I commence the rigging. Unfortunately, ship model builders have little or no interest in this type of ship these days and I sometimes wonder if I am the only one left in the UK building them.
Rigging will commence tomorrow.
Bob

ZZ56 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:36:58 pm »

Probably because of the difficulty of getting all that rigging correct. You make it look so eaasy!

Positive · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:55:58 pm »

The rigging is the easiest part. It is the hull that is the most difficult. Sailing ships are always easier than steamers because they have fewer decks, fewer rails, lifeboats and portholes.
The rigging of the FALLS OF FOYERS may be a bit repetitive, but certainly not difficult by any standards. All the rigging, including ratlines, will be made from fine copper wire. There are no knots involved at all. The ratlines are soldered across the shrouds, but the remainder of the rigging is just glued on. All the masts and spars are also made from metal.
It is the special techniques that make it easier than conventional rigging.
Bob

gondolier88 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2009, 10:38:20 pm »

If you are the only one left makinf these then your making unique models and they are the best ones being made!

Greg

Positive · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2009, 09:46:58 am »

There are one or two around the world that I know of who are making them and I am certainly not the best. The best, in my opinion, is Donald McNarry (UK), but he is now in either his 80s or 90s. Two of his miniatures. ALABAMA and KEARSARGE were offered for sale at a London auctioneers earlier this year for £26,000 to £28,000 each. They didn't sell, but that was probably due to the present state of world finances. Lloyd McCaffery (USA) is another, but he never does steamships, only sail. One of his models (3 1/2 inches long, once sold for $100,000!) There are a couple of others in the UK, but don't tend to see them on forums.
I am extremly lucky to get a few hundred for mine. I suppose I lose out because I only build what I like and that excludes all the well-known subjects. It would just be nice to have someone that I could exchange techniques and views with on the subject of miniature scratchbuilt, but I am not in contact with any of them.
Bob

dreadnought72 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2009, 11:00:10 am »

I've just gone for a wander to see some of Lloyd McCaffery's work:

I just hope that that's a giant pencil.

Andy

Positive · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2009, 07:11:04 pm »

That is the one I meant, but have you found Donald McNarry yet?

Today, my little shipyard is as seemingly chaotic as a real one. I have now fitted and rigged the furled main, mizzen and jigger topmast staysails, the spencer and spanker as well as the lines from under the tops down to the fife rails. I have also set up the shrouds and ratlines on the fore, main and mizzen masts and the ship is beginning to look like a big square-rigger in the process of rigging.

Bob

gondolier88 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2009, 09:43:42 pm »

Just had a look at a few of Donald McNarry's boats- love his steam pinnace- my kind of thing.

Ever fancy doing a model of SY Gondola? 150years old next year, and one of the few things in this world that is totally unique...?

Greg

Positive · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2009, 07:49:03 am »

Hi Greg,
I never build anything like that, my preference being for either powered ships from coaster upwards, but preferably ships in the 8,000 ton range or iron and steel square-riggers with the occasional wooden schooner or tea clipper for a change.

The last two McNarry models that fall into the "boat" class were two state barges of 1680 era. The sold for £11,400 and £9,600 and were both thirteen inches long.

Bob

Positive · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:25:34 pm »

I have now completed the shrouds and ratlines on all four masts. The next task is to move upwards, fitting and rigging the remaining furled staysails. Then I will complete the standing rigging and finally fit the 25 yards.
Bob

Positive · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2009, 01:07:56 pm »

Followowing computer problems (getting new computer to work), I am now moving ahead again on FALLS OF FOYERS. I have now completed fitting and rigging all the furled fore-and-aft sails and also the topmast shrouds and ratlines.
Bob

DickyD · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2009, 01:57:45 pm »

That is looking really nice Bob.

Positive · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:14:52 pm »

Thanks.
A lot of progress has been made today. All the shrouds and ratlines (lower, topmasts & t'gallant masts) have been made and fitted with well over 1,000 soldered joints in them. The remainder of the rigging will be glued on. The topmast & t'gallant halliards have been rigged on all four masts and the standing rigging on the bowsprit has been completed.
Too dark for photographs at the moment!
Bob

Positive · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2009, 12:10:54 pm »

I have now completed the standing rigging on all four masts and trimmed the spreaders down to size. I now have to make and fit the 25 yards with their furled sails.
Bob

Positive · « **Reply #15 on:** November 26, 2009, 12:50:29 pm »

I have now fitted and rigged the four lower yards.
Bob

Positive · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2009, 01:42:46 pm »

I have now fitted and rigged the four lower topsail yards. Only 17 more yards to fit and rig now.
Bob

Bradley · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2009, 01:56:30 pm »

That rigging work is fantastic - must have gone to Specsavers

.
Derek.

Positive · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2009, 02:02:24 pm »

Thanks, the rigging is all wire, much easier than messing about with thread and knots!
I am hoping to complete the model by the end of next week in time to take it to the next North West Model Shipwrights meeting at Grimsargh, Lancs.
Bob
PS
Yes, I do use Specsavers reading glasses, but no other visual aids!

Positive · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:49:41 am »

I have now completed rigging the 8 topsail yards. I have fitted, but not yet rigged the lower t'gallant yards on fore, main & mizzen. The jigger mast only carries a single t'gallant and that has been fitted, but not yet rigged. The model is now approaching completion.
Bob

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Author Topic: FALLS OF FOYERS iron 4-masted full-riggd ship 32'=1" (Read 8137 times)

ZZ56

Bradley