ShipbuilderMN Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 The giant five-masted barque France. This huge vessel was completed in 1911. Although she was initially fitted with twin screw diesels, these were eventually removed, leaving her, at 5,806 gross tons, the largest pure sailing vessel ever to sail the seas. Bob 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Another stunning model Bob, beautifully built, rigged & finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 What I said in the Peebles & Lake Erie thread but +++. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Utterly awesome as always! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Outstanding work as usual Bob,lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMA131Marine Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Most impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Beautiful. The rigging is ace. A very beautiful ship. Oh, and the plating runs...nicely done! Fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 Thanks, The plating is only writing paper stuck on in strips with a gap between to represent the raised and sunken strakes. It is very effective, but not difficult. In fact the whole thing was fairly simple, although I admit, it was rather repetitive. It is far more difficult to build a steamer, especially a passenger liner with multiple decks, portholes, windows and lifeboats. The France took me 99 hours to build. That included making the display case and carrying case. I time the work on a stopwatch, and if I stop for any reason, I stop the watch. Generally, when I took models like this to the local model club, they scarcely attracted more than a casual glance from most members. Those who were interested would usually say that they could never do anything like than and there the matter ended. The odd person who did "have a go" generally found it a lot easier than they thought. Sadly, this type of model is not very popular because it didn't carry guns, and there is a fallacy that ships engaged solely in peaceful trading did not have any romance about them. I don't build many these days simply because of a general lack of interest amongst fellow modelmakers, although collectors can't get enough of them. The continual demand for models such as this has tended to turn it more into work than a hobby, so at the age of 71, I am just about ready to "call it a day," and no longer accept private commissions, but I still get "If you ever think of building....., I will be interested!" Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I fear the lack of interest is just part of the times we live in (instant results etc.) . Having just moved to the Isle of Wight, I'm struggling to get my workspace sorted so I can get back to the 1/144th scratchbuild I'm doing of 'Fair Rosamund'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 That is what surprises me, as I like quick results myself. Other ship modellers often tell me that they do not have the time to scratchbuild. When I ask how long it takes to complete a kit build, the answer is usually in months or even years! I rarely take over 100 hours to build a model, forty or fifty is nearer the mark. But small ones only take a few days and cost virtually nothing in materials. The glue, and acrylic for the display cases are the most expensive items. Bob 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 The glue, and acrylic for the display cases are the most expensive items. Bob Bob, could I ask what glue you use for your acrylic display cases? I'm still struggling to find something that makes clean bonds on acrylic. Thanks Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I use Evostk contact adhesive and then cover the join with thin strips of veneer, also glued on with contact adhesive. Bob 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 And cases have to look good too, like this one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngstROM Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I don't build many these days simply because of a general lack of interest amongst fellow modelmakers... Bob Wouldn't let that put you off -build whatever erm, floats your boat! Ultimately, the only interest and approval that counts is your own; any other way, madness lies...! This is another truly astonishing piece of work. Don't know how you do it...but rather pleased that you do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Incredible job on the rigging Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 The rigging is the easiest part! All wire, no fiddly knots. Most of it is put on in short lengths, and just glued in position. The only exception being the ratlines that are wound on a frame and the shrouds soldered to them. Not a very long process, and one set (port and starboard) can be made in about 15 minutes. I have completed 266 of them since I started counting in late 1992, so you can see why I have grown weary of it all! Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I use Evostk contact adhesive and then cover the join with thin strips of veneer, also glued on with contact adhesive. Bob Thank you Bob, that does look very nice. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul178 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 No interest! Well I think this forum thinks otherwise. Exceptional build and a beautiful subject Bob.(as always) Keep them coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 Sadly, the interest only goes as far as enjoying the images. Very few, if any, will consider having a go at building such models. Consequently, I have no-one to compare notes with, or discuss evolving techniques. I remain very interested in the subject, which is why I am here, but the actual building of them has largely become a thing of the past for me. We do have a few dotted around the house, but they seldom attract more than a casual glance from visitors. On the other hand, I am continually under unintentional pressure from "collectors" who are always asking what I am doing next, and all this has combined to make me back off somewhat. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 IMPRESSIVE!! Regards, Orion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Here is the actual ship: http://images.mesdiscussions.net/pages14-18/mesimages/3512/FRANCE---5-mats---V-1..gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 BIG! and very sleek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 That is what surprises me, as I like quick results myself. Other ship modellers often tell me that they do not have the time to scratchbuild. When I ask how long it takes to complete a kit build, the answer is usually in months or even years! I rarely take over 100 hours to build a model, forty or fifty is nearer the mark. But small ones only take a few days and cost virtually nothing in materials. The glue, and acrylic for the display cases are the most expensive items. Bob Bob You say you're 71 but those hands look much younger - I believe these to be the hands of a true craftsman - your work is outstanding - I don't suppose you fancy rigging up my delprado Victory for me if you ever get bored !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 The above photo was only taken a few days ago, but I do indeed date back to March 1944! I wouldn't know where to start rigging Victory, I do not, as a rule build warships, but I have made the heavy cruiser Norfolk and the battleship Dreadnought of 1906. I also keep well away from well-known ships, preferring the obscure, or semi-obscure merchant ship types. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now