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Work in Progress February 16, 2011
Reporter: Bill Russell
It was a pleasant dry evening, after a day when there was occasional intermittent light rain. Attendance was good, but there were fewer models than usual. KATE CORY by Clyde Emerson Clyde Emerson brought in his newly completed scratch built 1:96 model of the small whaler KATE CORY. It is a beautiful little model, complete with sails. Clyde also brought in the case for KATE CORY that he recently completed. The base of the case is made of ipe wood, which I have never before encountered. It looks a lot like mahogany to my eye. The transparent cover of the case is made of acrylic. The surface immediately below the model is an acrylic mirror that allows the viewer to easily see the framing details of the model. The reason for using an acrylic mirror instead of glass is that Clyde need to drill holes in it (to mount the pedestals for the model). This is a beautiful model of KATE CORY. Great work, Clyde.
Newsletter
Volume 38, Number 2, Feb. 2011
Contacts
President: Don Dressel (909) 949-6931
E-Mail [email protected] Vice President: Bill Schultheis
(909) 949- E-Mail [email protected]
Secretary: Paul Payne (310) 544-1461
Treasurer: Mike DiCerbo (714) 523-2518
15320 Ocaso Ave, #DD204, La Mirada, CA. 90630
Editor, Don Dressel (909) 949-6931
908 W. 22nd Street Upland, CA 91784-1229
E-mail: [email protected] Web Manager: Doug Tolbert:
(949) 644-5416 Web Site
www.shipmodelersassociation.org
Meeting – Wed., Mar. 16, 7 PM, Fullerton Senior Multi-service
Center, 340 W. Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA. 92832
Officers meeting – Wed., Apr. 7, 2011, 7 PM, Bob Beech’s house, 130 Clove Pl., Brea, CA. 92821 –
(714) 529-1481.
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I wonder what Clyde’s next model will be?? H.M.S. PRINCE by Bill Russell Your faithful reporter, Bill Russell, brought in his partly completed scratch built 1:192 model of H.M.S. PRINCE of 1670. PRINCE was a first rate ship, so she not only had a great number of complex wood carvings, they were finished with actual gold leaf. This translates to many tiny wood carvings mounted on the miniature model. I made a conscious decision to use actual wood instead of forming the decorations from artists’ gesso as is common for miniature sailing ship models. The carvings closely approximate the carvings on the contemporary model of H.M.S. PRINCE which is in the collection of the Science Museum in South Kensington, London. My model is based on the contemporary model, modified where necessary to agree with the Van de Velde drawings and paintings of the actual ship. The carvings were mostly made by Clyde Emerson by scanning a master and then using a computer controlled milling machine to make the actual part. Considerable hand work was then done by me to sharpen the carving, to add small details that were missing, and to cut openings for windows, etc. Many wood carvings have been completed and many remain to be done. The model is being made as an admiralty model with open framing. This model has proven to be a major challenge, but so far it is looking good. H.M.S. ROEBUCK by Don Dressel
Don Dressel has largely completed the hull framing of his 1:64 model of H.M.S. ROEBUCK, using Hahn’s drawings. There is still work to be done on the stern and quarter galleries to complete the framing. The wales have been made of holly stained black. A second layer of holy stained black has to be added to the already completed first layer of wale (as was done with some of the actual ships), as the wale is twice as thick as the rest of the planking. Staining holly black instead of using ebony avoids problems with the fine ebony dust, difficulty in bending, etc., and when
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completed, looks exactly the same. (Your faithful reporter is doing the same thing in my PRINCE, for the same reasons.) Don recommends that anyone making this model obtain a copy of Harold Hahn’s book Ships of the American Revolution and Their Models because it contains useful pictures and instructions on constructing H.M.S. ROEBUCK as well as other models. The framing looks great, and no doubt, the completed model will be outstanding. T-2 Tanker SMOKY HILL by Paul Carter Paul Carter brought in his 1:192 BlueJacket kit model of the T-2 tanker SMOKY HILL. The ship was completed in 1942 in Portland, Oregon, and sold to a British company in 1947. Paul worked on SMOKY HILL as an apprentice when she was in a shipyard in 1956. This is an excellent model. Paul is completing some small details in preparation for exhibiting the model at the Western Ship Model Conference and Exhibit. This model is very well made and beautiful. U.S.S. LEHEIGH by Burt Goldstein
Burt Goldstein showed us several small 1:250 paper models. The design is by Magnus Mork. The primary model is of U.S.S. LEHEIGH, which is one of ten Civil War era Passaic Class monitors. The LEHEIGH was so unreliable that she was always accompanied by a tug (also part of the kit plans). One of the lifeboats was removed from the monitor and displayed next to her. This is a neat group of small paper models with historical significance. It was a little disappointing that there were
not more ship models brought in for the meeting. Check out the MAYFLOWER GROUP meeting that took place at John Bakker’s home a few days later – there were more models there than at the meeting! A challenge to the SMA modelers next month – bring more models! I will admit there was potential for rain, so maybe that had something to do with the turnout. Ed.
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CLYDE EMERSON”S KATE CORY DON DRESSEL’S H.M.S. ROEBUCK
BILL RUSSELL”S H.M.S. PRINCE
PAUL CARTER’S SMOKY HILL BURT GOLDSTEIN’S U.S.S. LEHEIGH
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BY Don Dressel
Old salts in port: Bill Wicks, John Baker, Steve Jones, Mike DiCerbo, Don Dressel, Don Leyman, Greg Wilcox, Guy Bell, Yas Komorita and John Vanderneut. Bill Wicks started off the construction discussion with the LADY NELSON scratch building project. The stern planking was discussed along with the jig that was made for the upper bulwark. Soaking in water before trying to bend the bulwark is highly recommended as the best way to do it, but the gunports have to be cut first using the paper template. Bill also talked about his method for planking the hull and answered questions regarding the construction of the model to this point. Greg Wilcox talked next, again about the LADY NELSON, the jigs he used, and how he made sure the frames and keel were true and square. Greg then talked briefly about the Artesania Latina kit model of the SCOTTISH MAID, which he had begun many years ago and never finished. Last, Greg talked about the progress he is making on the HANNAH, which is really turning out beautifully. His technique of dowel making was discussed using Mansonia wood and his Dremel with the Vanda-Lay
Industries dowel maker. Don Layman next discussed his scratch built Hudson River Sloop, the problems he encountered and his solutions to those problems. It is looking good so far! The lower hull is fully planked and you can see the inner bulkheads which will be invisible once the deck is installed. You can see a partial photo of Don’s model to the left above (note the deck beams). The
table to place the models on was very crowded. Guy Bell talked about his gun boat project, which is also scratch using plank on bulkhead construction. Guy is happy
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with the progress made so far (it is looking good), and discussion centered around the masting and rigging/rudder installation, which is the next step. Don Dressel talked about his H.M.S. ROEBUCK and the progress that is being made with the wales and stern construction. Planking was discussed and it was agreed that the wale was the first thing that should be installed, the rest of the planking follows. Techniques for bending
wood for planking was discussed. Photo on previous page of Guys model with Don’s model. John Vanderneut was the last person to discuss his Constructo kit model of a San Francisco Spanish Galleon. Also discussed was his Billings Kit model of the CUTTY SARK, which he is just starting to work on. All in all, it was a very good session of the
Mayflower Group. There were a lot of hints and tips given for model construction as well as a lot of demonstrations of ways and means of doing model work. There was also a lot of fun involved and it is always a pleasure to visit John’s home with all his models in progress. We did not talk about John’s models that much during the group meeting since we ran out of time, but he did discuss his works in progress on the SOLIEL ROYALE and the SAN FELIPE, both of which are under construction (photo to right). Additional photo’s of the guys at the meeting plus a rare picture of Bill Wicks model of HMS PRINCE, which is still under construction. Along with all the camaraderie, there is also the
added benefit that materials of construction are often given away to one modeler who needs something by another modeler who has excess material. Sources of supplies are also discussed. You will note Yas with his construction material at his feet as he listens to Bill describing the ways and means of LADY NELSON construction. There is nothing like having a number of modelers offering help with ways and means of building a model – some pitfalls can thus be avoided from the beginning. Steve is checking out the work done by Bill on his model of the LADY NELSON. Note the bulwark in Steve’s hand (already bent to shape).
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Yoshiya Okumura, Model Builder (First Honorary Member of SMA)
By Bill Russell
I first met Yoshiya at the Western Ship Model Conference and Exhibit in 1998. He was the President of The ROPE, the sailing ship model club of Tokyo, and the leader of the Japanese contingent. I was the chairman of the conference that year. I think we immediately became friends. Ever since then, we have stayed in touch, either by personal meetings at the conferences or when we attended The ROPE’S exhibits in Tokyo, or by means of letters. (Yoshiya does not do E‐mail.) Our communications was greatly helped by the fact the he speaks and writes English. Over the years after I first met Mr. Okumura, I became aware of an interesting fact. He was born right here in Southern California in Gardena in the mid 1920’s. By the time war came in 1941, he was a young man. Though he was a native‐born citizen, and had lived his entire life in California, he was taken to the internment camp at Manzanar, a couple of hundred miles north of here. In fact, he helped build the camp. At the conference in 2000, he asked to visit the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, so we took him there. On the second floor of the museum, there is an architect’s model of the Manzanar camp, and he immediately pointed to the building where he was required to live during the war years. After the war, Yoshiya was released back into the general population. Unfortunately most people still would not accept him as a fellow citizen, to after a while he emigrated to Japan, even though he had never been in Japan. His mother had preceded him before World War II. It was our loss. I once asked him if he had received the $20,000 that congress had authorized for American citizens of Japanese descent who had been interned during the war. He said: “Yes, but what I appreciated the most was the written apology signed by President Ronald Reagan that I received.” In 2000, The ROPE recognized Lloyd Warner and I as honorary members of their club. I think it was in recognition of our efforts to bring the two clubs together. At about the same time our officers voted to make Mr. Okumura an honorary member of the SMA. A few years later, Richard Keyes from Australia became our second honorary member. Another indication of our close connection with The ROPE is that we recognize each other as “sister clubs”.
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Yoshiya is an excellent ship model maker. He has built a variety of models, mostly of Western ships, but I remember one fine model of a Japanese inter‐island sailing merchant vessel. After he retired from being President of The ROPE, about ten years ago, he continued to build models, but also began to hold classes for prospective new members of The ROPE on the finer points of sailing ship model making. It was a little like our Mayflower Group, but more structured, with ALL
participants expected to build the same model on a strict schedule. Keep in mind: You cannot just join The ROPE. You have to submit two models to their exhibition over two years to be considered for membership. In 2006, I was in Japan with some of our SMA members to attend the annual exhibit of The ROPE that is held right on the Ginza. It is customary to exchange gifts
when visiting friends in Japan, so my gift to Yoshiya was a set of drawings made by draftsmen and engineers working for the WPA (Works Projects Administration) in the 1930’s during the great depression. These people were sent around the country to locate old ships and make drawings of them before they were lost. Eventually, the drawings became part of the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. The particular drawing I gave Yoshiya was for the sailing ship LUCIA A.
SAMPSON that was built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1875. I thought I was giving him an interesting set of drawings, but I never expected that he would actually build a model based on them. In late February, less than a month ago, I received a letter from him containing photos of his model of the LUCIA A. SAMPSON! A couple of photos of this model are incorporated in this article. In his last letter to me, he signs it as a Japanese Citizen and also as an American Citizen, as indeed he is.
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The Fully Framed Model, Rigging A Sixth Rare Sloop of 1767 – 1780 by David Antscherl
Florence, OR: SeaWatchBooks, LLC, 2011 8 ½ ” X 11”, hardcover, 214 pages
Photographs, appendices, notes, references, rigging ships plans Jacketed
ISBN: 9780982057988
For those of us who are fanatics about rigging ship models as well as those modelers who want a guide to rigging ships and the many techniques and methods for doing so, this book is a must have treatise on the subject. David starts off the book with one of the finest books on the subject of rigging ships and where it is still possible to still obtain a copy of the book (David Steel, The Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship), then proceeds to, in detail fashion, explain everything is terms that everyone can understand. The first chapter (actually chapter 13, as an extension of his previous books) deals with the construction of masts and yards and the many details that go into these elements. He indicates how to calculate the dimensions of the spars and the sizes required for all elements thereto, which extends into the next chapter. Along with the details David also describes just how these items are made and fitted and offers a number of insights into detailing spars. The next chapter starts off with a rope walk that he uses to make all his lines for the ship model, but explains that the rope walk does not have to be particularly fancy to work. The different lines and their sizes, as well as a chart to determine the size of block required for each size of line, is included. Left hand (laid) cable and right hand rope are fully explained. He then naturally starts off with the standing rigging, specifically the gammoning. He also fully explains serving a line, how to do it, where to do it, and why it was done. Photographs abound throughout the book as examples of what he is explaining. It is recommended that the reader also follow along using the using the standing and running rigging plans supplied with the book. I do not think anyone will have a problem following David’s written explanations of the necessary procedures to obtain a very high quality rigging. All the rigging blocks, collars, stops and other things required for the rigging are also fully explained and suggestions made as how to make them. The splicing techniques used I found very interesting, as well as his methods of making thimble’s and hooks. Ratlines, catharpins, tops, futtock plates, deadeyes, lanyard installation, and the making of blocks are done with clear and easy understanding. This continues into chapter sixteen and seventeen with details on the topmasts, stays jibboom, halliard’s horses, stirrups, all kinds of great stuff on spritsail yards, studdingsail irons, and other great stuff. David is very complete in his many details of the rigging process and again shows many details in drawings and photographs to help the ship modeler to fully understand the rigging process in all its details. One item which I personally found very interesting was his method of making the fore topmast staysail netting using a zig‐zagging line. David refers to Darcy Lever, The Young Sea Officer’s Sheet Anchor, for a clearer written understanding of this procedure, but I find David’s explanation and picture very adequate. It is at least one method I will try on my next rigging effort.
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Of course, the running rigging is also fully detailed, as well as extra little lines which, in most cases, are not included on models. Even the smallest details, like shroud cleats, are fully described and shown via fine drawings. His method of rigging the nun buoy (for the anchor) is another technique that I am going to have to try, as his method seems to be a lot easier than the one I tried to use. The extra detail goes to entering ropes, anchor stowage, fish tackle, cat falls and backs, stern ladders and other items which go to make up an exceptional model when completed. Extra added detail is one of the factors that make or break an otherwise excellent ship model. Finally, David goes into great detail with the main propulsion system of the wooden ship, namely, the sails. He starts off with the main course and has a very clear picture of the sail identifying all the elements of the sail and what they are used for. He also describes all the necessary lines for each sail and fully explains the parts of the sail including the head cringle, reef cringles, clue cringles, buntline cloth, boltrope, tabling, lining, leech, reef points, including the basic head and foot of the sail.
All in all, a very fine book and one of the best reference books for rigging a modeler can obtain. My experience has included rigging at least 12 ship models, an number of them large, with the aid or several sources including R.C. Andersons The Rigging of Ships In the Days of the Spritsail Topmast 1600‐1720 and James Lees book The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War 1625‐1860 to name just two. Also invaluable is Steel’s Riggins and Seamanship which I have learned to refer to. David Antscherl uses these references and more to fully document all his rigging procedures and techniques. This
book is strongly recommended for all serious ship model builders for rigging English ships fully and completely. I am sure it is destined to become a classic book on rigging of English ships. The book is available from SeaWatchBooks at www.seawatchbooks.com for $65.00 plus shipping and handling. Check out their web sit.
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THE WESTERN SHIP MODEL CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT – 2011
The WSMC&E is almost here – if you have not signed up yet for the conference, time is running out. The exhibit starts on March 29th, while the conference starts on April 1st. It is your (SMA) conference, so I urge all to attend. If you have not already done so, fill out the conference registration form on our web site. I urge all members to attend the banquet, also, as those who do not will miss the opportunity to bid on several excellent tools such as the Barnes saw and sander. A great speaker will give his presentation and excellent
food will be served. The Harold Hahn Award will also be presented at the banquet. There will be sign-up sheets at the upcoming meeting for both manning the exhibit site from March 29th through April 2nd, and schedules for bringing your models to Harborside (the Pavilion) for the exhibit. This is our premier event, so don’t miss it! Information on the source for plastic There were a number of SMA members who requested that Clyde give the source he used for his mirror underneath his model of the KATE CORY. The company that Clyde got the acrylic case from along with the plastic mirror is as follows: The Custom Craft Plastics website: www.customcraftplastics.com 14270 D Valley Blvd. City of Industry, CA. 91746 phone (626) 330-5500 SMA DUES Once again I remind all members of the SMA to renew their dues for 2011 if they have not done so already. The usual procedure will follow if a members’ dues are not paid by the end of this month, which will result in not receiving your SMA Newsletter for April. The treasurer, Mike DiCerbo, will be in attendance at the upcoming meeting on March 16th, so I urge all members to take advantage of the his presence. For those who are associate members (beyond 100 miles) and are unable to attend the meeting, please mail your check to Mike made out to the SMA. SMA Club Meeting Location There will be a change in the meeting location of the 3rd Wednesday evening meeting of the SMA starting in July of this year. Our present site will be torn down and new construction done for the next 18 months. Stay tuned for the latest on this developing situation and the announcement in a few months of the new location for the meetings.
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Details of Clyde Emerson’s KATE CORY
Donald C. Dressel 908 W. 22nd Street, Upland, CA. 19784-1229
Next meeting Wednesday Mar 16th, 7 PM, Fullerton Community Center
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