Ray S Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Hello all! I have just finished a scratch build of a steam coaster which I did for the Made In Britain Group Build here on BM, and thought you might like a look. This was my first 'proper' scratch build of a ship, I had done one some time ago but it was a plastic version of a paper model. This one I had to work out myself, and largely succeeded, but I am aware of a number of mistakes, misinterpretations and areas I could improve. I still need to give her the name plates, and pop her on a sea base. There is a build thread: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234994334-ss-ophir-steam-coaster-finished/ I make no bones about who inspired this project, and that was fellow BM'er ShipbuilderMN whose Merchant Marine models were such a factor in me choosing this ship to do. I also had tons of help during the project, (Longshanks, Murdo, Lashenden amongst them) and plenty of encouragement. Thanks to everyone who chipped in! This was one of my most pleasurable builds I have ever had. Thanks for looking, Ray 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 That's very nice, I really like it! Unfortunately I completely missed the build thread, so off for a read of that now! Lovely little ship! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 That looks seriously good! I like it big time! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aginvicta Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 A great looking ship, nice to see something different. I'll have to read your build thread as well, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 You've done a grand job Ray looking forward to your next production Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Cracking little build Ray,beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul178 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Now that is nice Ray I like that a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cellarfrog Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 very nice! crisp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipbuilderMN Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Congratulations - well done - a really beautiful model, and very impressed. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moaning dolphin Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Very nice indeed, she is a beautiful model. I know what you mean about Mr 'ShipbuilderMN'. He is a bit of a tinker as he has me looking at plans to do some scratchbuilding as well! Thanks for showing Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hello all, thank you all for the kind comments, they are very much appreciated. Take care, Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 what a great piece of workmanship - clean, tidy and beautifully built Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Stunning work I need to check out the GB more often completely missed this just went through the WIP great stuff Beefy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 She's come up very nicely! Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 Hello all! It has taken some time, but I finally finished up my model of the SS Ophir. I added some extra detailing - I added an inverted V of rigging on the front loading boom (as suggested by BM'er Murdo in the build thread) and some tyres to act as anti-rubbing over the sides, along with some rudimentary weathering to make her look a bit grubbier, although I did keep it understated somewhat. The nameplates were printed in 9 point size with the nearest font I could find (Ariel I think) onto white paper with a black surround (a story in itself considering my lack of skill with computers). A black Sharpie took care of the white paper when I cut them out. Next time I will try decal paper. The next issue was how to display her on a watery base. I had build ships and put them in ocean settings, but was a bit fed up with bluey grey water. Ophir sailed out of Liverpool for nearly 50 years, so I googled 'Ships on the Mersey Estuary' for inspiration, and found a photo of a Mersey Ferry, the MV Snowdrop, on an incredibly brown water. http://depositphotos.com/72058885/stock-photo-river-mersey-dazzle-ferry-in.html So that gave me an idea, and I ended up with this: The base was MDF, I epoxy'd the ship to it after finding that in the time since I originally 'finished' it and finally finishing it, that Ophir had bowed a bit, and was slightly curving upwards towards the bow. That is one of the reasons she has such a bow wave and wake. I do not think she would have gone quite so quickly in real life. The 'water' was textured card, with normal polyfiller making up the wake and agitated water, then non-sanding polyfiller to make the froth and foam along the hull sides, and the splashy bit at the bow. Well, that is it, and I am happy with how she turned out. Now I want to build the MV Snowdrop just for that colour scheme in the link! Thanks for looking, Ray 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 She certainly looks the part..... Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwa66 Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Hello, Very well done a lovely model. Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Nice job Ray, that base reminds me of sailing up the Yangtse, not known as the yellow river for nothing! Good luck with Snowdrop, hope MF come through for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Superb build Ray! I followed the WIP with great interest and having seen the success of this and the horribly brilliant post of his models by ShipbuilderMN (aka Bob) I finally decided to try my own scratchbuilt model. I've taken pics throughout the build so I think it's time to embarrass myself and start a thread showing it. Your build has been an inspiration to me! Well done mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilneBay Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 That's a fine job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoscar Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hello, It is absolutely splendid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 What a delightful little model. Thank you for sharing it. I look forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Beautiful build! Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray S Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 On 3/16/2017 at 10:01 PM, Murdo said: I finally decided to try my own scratchbuilt model. I've taken pics throughout the build so I think it's time to embarrass myself and start a thread showing it. Your build has been an inspiration to me! Well done mate! Murdo, I would love to see that! I am thinking of doing another ship soon, the Knight Templar - built on the Clyde in 1872, she sank in 1873. I have plans in one of my books so it may well appear here soon, and I can see if I learnt from Ophir! Thanks for all the comments from everyone! Cheers, Ray 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Excellent build and I love the base. The ratlines really set it off. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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