Newsletter. Work in Progress March 17, 2010 Reporter: Bill Russell. Contacts. Volume 37, Number 4, Apr The Brig PILGRIM by Fred Schaffner

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1 Newsletter Volume 37, Number 4, Apr Contacts President: Henry Bikhazi (949) Vice President: Don Dressel (909) Secretary: Paul Payne (310) Treasurer: Gary O Donnell (714) Clearwood Circle, Huntington Beach, CA Editor, Don Dressel (909) W. 22 nd Street Upland, CA dressel4@earthlink.net Web Manager: Doug Tolbert: (949) Web Site Meeting Wed., Apr. 21, 7 PM, Fullerton Senior Multi-service Center, 340 W. Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA Officers meeting Wed., May 5, 7 PM, Bob Beach s house, 130 Clove Place, Brea. (714) Work in Progress March 17, 2010 Reporter: Bill Russell The Brig PILGRIM by Fred Schaffner Fred Schaffner is nearing completion of his fifth model of the brig Pilgrim. You probably remember that Pilgrim was the vessel on which Richard Henry Dana served during the epic voyage from Boston to California and back to Boston beginning in 1834 and ending in This adventure is described in Dana s book Two years Before the Mast. Fred found the partly finished 1:48 model on Ebay. It was not precisely the Pilgrim, but was close enough for modification. Fred added various features (See last month s newsletter.) and coppered the plank on bulkhead hull. The keel was totally missing, so he added one. 1

2 Fred is considering the armament, which is still to be added. The U.S.S. CONSTITUTION by Paul Payne Paul Payne has completed the stern Carvings of his 1:96 model of USS Constitution as she was configured the first few years after launching. A glance at the model s hull would easily convince a person that the early Constitution was much more graceful looking than the Constitution that we can visit in Boston harbor. Granted, the changes made her a better fighting machine, but they did not help her lines. This is a beautiful model of the Constitution. Most if not all of us have never seen a model of the 1800 fit. The Schooner CALIFORNIA by Dennis Kachmarsky Dennis Kachmarsky is nearing completion of the hull of his 1:64 model of the replica top sail schooner California of 1849 vintage. She was one of seven revenue cutters patrolling the East coast, and later the West coast at the time of the California gold rush. Dennis scratch built plank on bulkhead model is based on the replica built for the San Diego Maritime Museum between July 1983 and April Keel and bulkheads are poplar, hull planking is alder wood, and the deck is holly. Great work, Dennis! 2

3 The Continental Brig FAIR AMERICAN by Don Dressel Don Dressel has nearly completed his mostly scratch built 1:48 plank on frame model of Fair American. He displayed the model in a mahogany case that he built himself. The main thing remaining to be done is the ship s boat, an 18 foot cutter which is under construction. This is an outstanding model by any standard. It is not surprising that Don won the gold medal for wood ship models at the 26 th annual California Show of the Southern California Historical Society on March 13. Congratulations Don. We are proud of you. Half Hull Model of H.M.S. Grimsby by Rob Boyens Rob Boyens has planked the thin plywood weather deck of (top and bottom) of his unusual half hull model of HMS Bounty. It is unusual in that it is intended to be viewed from the inside so that internal construction cargo and furniture are visible. We are watching this model with considerable interest. For example: How will it be displayed? HMS GRIMSBY by John Simmons John Simmons presented his model of HMS Grimsby, based on a Constructo (Spain) kit. As previously reported, John s kit did not include the hull or drawings of the hull. Requests to the manufacturer did not solve the problem, so John took Fred Schaffner s advice and modified a solid hull intended for a model of the Rattlesnake so that it could be used on HMS 3

4 Grimsby. John used a new variety of bondo that incorporates minute glass beads on the hull to achieve the desired shape. As far as I can see, John has produced a perfectly smooth hull with that material. John reports that the lower 2/3 of the hull is solid and the top 1/3 is built up. The hull is complete as is the rigging, and he estimates that 8 hours of work remains. Good work, John. John also brought in a new ship model kit from Model Expo of the SYREN, a US brigantine of He wanted to show everyone in the club what Model Expo is now doing with kits. The plans were exceptional, with a large instruction booklet (called a 140 page full-color practicum) provided with the kit. The kits have really gotten better, with many of the materials reflecting the latest technology, such as the self-adhesive copper tape provided for the copper platting. See picture at right. Jack Schlotzhauer s Rope walk Though not formally presented, Jack Schlotzhauer s rope walk deserves a few words of praise. He built it without drawings, and it incorporates a couple of features I have not seen in other rope walks. In particular, provisions are made for extending the length of the miniature rope by adding metal rods extending vertically at the end of the machine. Three or four strands can be used and the twist can be clockwise or counterclockwise. Everything can be tensioned with small weights. Overall this is a practical machine that any of us could make and use to reliably make scale rope. 4

5 Fred Schaffner s brig PILGRIM Paul Payne s U.S.S. CONSTITUTION Dennis Kachmarsky s schooner CALIFORNIA Don Dressel s brig FAIR AMERICAN Rob Boyens HMS BOUNTY John Simmons HMS GRIMSBY 5

6 BY Don Dressel The meeting of the Mayflower Group this month was attended by John Bakker, Greg Wilcox, Steve Jones, Jim Watts, Don Leyman, Don Dressel and Bill Wicks. The discussions and camaraderie were great as usual, with everyone asking questions and receiving answers. Greg Wilcox brought his HANNA, which he is making steady progress on. He discussed the methods used on the progress he is making with his scratch built model. The spars have been turned, his windless barrel and supports made, and deck beams are starting to be installed. One of the more interesting things to me was the method he used to make his upper bulkhead. The outside of the bulkhead is pear, while the inside is par marfin. He took 1 mil pear and 1 mil par marfin and laminated them together using diluted white glue, pressing them together with a hot iron. Since he only needed one mil for the final thickness, he took ½ mil off the pear side and ½ mil off the par marfin side before gluing the bulkhead to the frames. Thus, the outside was pear and the inside was par marfin. Very neat. Don Leyman talked about his CONFEDERACY. He is almost complete with the model and a beauty it is. He is still working on the lower quarter badge port and starboard, which he is in the process of carving. The figurehead carving really turned out nice. His anchors have been installed and other details have been completed, including his stern carvings. Jim Watts brought in his plans for the Artesania Latina model of the VICTORY which he just purchased over the internet after much searching. The plans appear to be very well done and there is a huge instruction booklet with full color pictures that comes along with the kit. It will be a large model when completed, especially if Jim decides to fully rig it. 6

7 It was compared to John Bakker s hull of the Mantua kit SAN FELIPE and was about the same size. Jim has a major project to complete over the next several years! John Bakker talked about his MYSTIQUE, which he is again working on. The Corel instructions for the kit indicated that the breeching rope went through a hole in the carriage instead of running through ring bolts and around the cascabel. John had already installed the ring bolts, so through the ring bolts the breeching rope goes, at least on John s model. More research on my part indicates that either method is OK, depending on nationality. According to Mondfeld, The breeching was a heavy rope, which was fixed to ring bolts in the ship s side; on French ships it was passed through the carriage, while on British ships it ran through ring bolts on the carriage, and finally, after the end of the 18 th century the breeching had a cut splice seized to the cascabel. The purpose of the breeching was to absorb the recoil of the gun when it was fired. Another common mistake crops us here: the breeching being shown taut with the gun run out. This does look neat, certainly, but it is wrong! Don Dressel brought in his beginnings for the construction of the 18 foot cutter based on a kit by Admiralty Models The kit consists of a resin plug or shell for the construction of the ship s boat plus some pieces of wood and written instructions. I freely admit that I have not got the skill to use a chisel and scalpel like David Antscherl does (There is an excellent article in the latest Nautical Research Journal on how to build this boat by David). So I explained to the assembled group how I did it with the assistance of Greg Herbert via the internet. Still a work in progress. The thicker block I used to hold the resin plug in a vice was much admired. There were a lot of other items that were discussed, Bill Wicks bringing a number of items up, as did Steve Jones. All in all, a very profitable meeting. It seems I learn something every time I go. I also brought a copy of the book LE GEQUIN by Jean Boudriot for Greg Wilcox to look at. The plans are awesome. 7

8 Steady As She Goes... THE LOG OF THE SMA Being an account of the launching of the Ship Modelers Association in 1974, and its continuing voyage (now in its 35 year), as seen by its first log-keeper, Tom Palen with additions after March 1996 by Don Dressel. (Continued from the month of February) First NRG Symposium held at Newport Harbor Nautical Museum April, 2008 For the first time on the West Coast, an NRG Symposium was held in the Southern California area, which was well attended. There were six presentations given at the Symposium. (1). Lloyd Warner, chairman of the NRG and a member of the SMA, gave a great talk on sharpening mini saw blades using his technique, holding the slitting saw blade in one hand and a Dremel tool in the other. The results are much better and cleaner cutting of your wood requiring little or no sanding. (2) Don Preul, NRG director and Curator of the U.S. Naval Academy Maritime Museum at Annapolis, gave a great talk on what materials are required and the methods used to make a metal mold and casting for the many small parts needed for ship model construction. (3) Richard Snyder, NRG secretary and SMA member, presented his method for making frames for plank-on-frame models using both Portia Takajian s method for HMY FUBBS as altered by Father Romero with additional improvements to the technique that Richard has come up with. (4) Kurt Van Dahm, NRG Director and contributing editor to Ships in Scale, described in complete detail all aspects of the Badger air brushes, airbrushing techniques, and tips and hints on using Acrylic paints. (5) Dave Yotter, past NRG Director and SMA member, gave fantastic descriptions and details involved in his sand casting methods used to make the beautiful cannon for his extraordinary model of the gondola PHILADELPHIA. (6) Don Dressel, NRG Director and SMA editor, gave a talk on ship hull planking methods from the beginning of the fabrication of the ship model up to complete planking of the hull and deck. All tools, materials and methods used were fully described and illustrated. All in all, a very successful event. The SMA also benefited in attracting a couple of new members. The site of the Symposium was also wonderful, surrounded by all the great ship models on display and the ocean right outside the door. Thank you to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum for hosting the event and providing the lunch. 8

9 New SMA Website It was announced in the October, 2008 issue of the SMA Newsletter that a new web site was being worked on for the club. Presently, the new web site, is up and running. There was a lot of effort put into the new website by Doug Tolbert, who is now our webmaster. Many thanks must be given to Monica Chaban for all her efforts in the past years along with the original Web page. New SMA Meeting Location December of 2008 was our last meeting at the Backs Building in Brea. The new meeting location is now the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center at 340 West Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, CA. It seems that the SMA has swung full circle, having originally had our monthly meetings at the old California Federal Savings building on the corner of Chapman and Harbor Blvd, which is only three or four blocks from our new meeting location. 3 rd SMA Member Trip to the ROPE in Japan, our sister club It was a great pleasure and wonderful experience for seven members (and two wives) of the SMA to again be invited to the ROPE exhibit in Tokyo, which was their 34 th Ship Model Exhibition. The SMA members were Yas Komorita and his wife Cleo, Lloyd Warner and his wife Etta, Gus Agustin, Bill Russell, Mike DiCerbo, Don Dressel and Dr. Henry Bikhazi. Three SMA members brought models for display, Yas bringing his CHARLES ROYAL YACHT, Gus contributing his 1:192 DUTCH FLUIT, 1:192 and 1:384 MEDIATOR- COLONIAL AMERICAN SLOOP, and Don Dressel his 1:48 FAIR AMERICAN. Unknown to Don Dressel at the time, a picture was taken of his FAIR AMERICAN and put on the international WEB site! He only hopes that similar pictures were taken of Gus Agustin and Yas Komorita s models and also put on the web site. The first day was very exciting, as those who had not been to Tokyo before taking the city tour with the Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Garden and other sites. The other SMA members went directly to the 34 th Ship Model Exhibit at ITO-YA in the famous Ginza district of Tokyo. It was again an inspiration to see the ship models on exhibit built by members of the ROPE. In the afternoon everyone went to Tokyo Maritime Museum, where the SMA members met Mr. Fuminori Morita, the director of the museum, and then had lunch there. The ROPE is very fortunate to have a display area set up within the museum as well as a work area. The afternoon was spent enjoying the many models of both the ROPE and the Tokyo Museum. (to be continued next month ED) 9

10 THE WESTERN SHIP MODEL CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT 2011 Positive progress is continuing to be made in the preparations for the upcoming WSMC&E. The Hyatt Hotel Newport Beach is going to take reservations at a reduced rate from their normal charge, and the Pavilion has been reserved for the period of the WSMC&E, where the model exhibit will take place. There is still currently a need for a professional or semi-professional photographer to take pictures of the fine collection of ship models that will be on display at the exhibit. Please contact Don Dressel as indicated on the front of this newsletter if you know of an available photographer. The exhibit will run for one week starting on March 28 th and ending on April 3 rd. All SMA members and ship modelers from other clubs are encouraged to prepare their best ship models in preparation for the large exhibit that will be held. A WSMC&E 2011 glass crystal will be given to every modeler who enters a ship model into the exhibit. In addition, all SMA members are encouraged to think about volunteering for different activities that will be conducted at the WSMC&E. The next meeting will be, again, at Bill Russell s home, So. Moorshire Drive, Cerritos, CA on May 18th, at 1900 hours. All are invited. Ships Plans by FH af Chapman Guy Bell brought to my attention the interesting computer sites relating to FH af Chapman naval architecture. The second site allows downloading of High-resolution pictures of each plate of Chapman s plans. The are: ns/chapman/ritningar/bild_1_och_2.aspx February SMA Newsletter Error The editor of the SMA Newsletter wishes to extend to Mr. Kiyoo Iizawa an apology for spelling his name wrong in the February issue of the SMA Newsletter section of the Mayflower Group. Mr. Bill Wicks indicated that he was working with his friend in Japan, Mr. Kiyoo Iizawa, on his computer aided drawings of frames for a 50-gun ship.. Mr. Kiyoo Iizawa is also a member of the Yokohama Sailing-Ship Modelers Club (YSMC) and not a member of the ROPE. Thank you to Mr. Masahiro Nishitani, my friend, for informing me of this error. 10

11 IPMS National Convention at Phoenix, Arizona For those SMA members who may be interested, the IPMS national convention is in Phoenix this year, on August 4-7, 2010 at the Phoenix Convention Center West at 100 North 3 rd Street. The convention Hotel is the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Check out the WEB site at Continued Southern California Area Historical Miniature Society Show The SCAHMS Show was again a great success this year. This show is an international event for miniaturists with people attending from all over the world. There were many exceptional miniature figures and displays to see along with a large number of other models types, including ships. The SMA again sponsored an award for the Best Ship Model and bronze, silver and gold medals were given by the SCAHMS judges to the various categories in the show. The editor is hopeful that more SMA members will attend the show next year and enter ship models. This year the results for the 2010 show were as follows for the SMA members who entered: Fair American by Don Dressel... Best Ship Model plaque, gold medal IJN Haruna (Fujimi) by Sean Fallesen Bronze medal USS New Mexico by Sean Fallesen Bronze medal Upcoming Nautical Research Guild Conference in Annapolis The Nautical Research Guild will hold their 37 th annual conference in Annapolis on August 24 th through August 29 th, There will be tours of the Washington Navy Yard, which is the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, the United States Naval Academy, and St. Michaels and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Also, of course, is the United States Naval Academy Museum, which houses the fantastic Roger s collection of Admiralty Models. There will also be one day of symposiums and the regular Saturday conference with speakers yet to be determined. There are very good rates for the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, which is $99.00 per night, the main reason for the early date for the NRG conference. You can learn more by going to the NRG website at 11

12 John Simmons GRIMSBY from the stern Donald C. Dressel 908 W. 22 nd Street, Upland, CA Next meeting Wednesday April 21, 7 PM, Fullerton Community Center 12