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Work in Progress November 16, 2016
Reporter: Dave Yotter
The meeting started off with a good group of happy ship modelers being presented a very good presentation by Larry Van Es on the Mary Rose, visited by Larry recently. The Mary Rose Museum is very well done and a trip to visit her at the Portsmouth Dockyard in England is well worth the trip. The SMA projector and sound system
Newsletter
Volume 42, Number 12, Dec.2016
Contacts
President: Donald C. Dressel (909) 949-6931
E-Mail [email protected] Vice President: Bill Schultheis
(714) 366-7602 E-Mail: [email protected]
Secretary: Paul Payne (310) 544-1461
Treasurer: Larry Van Es (714) 936-0389
E-Mail: [email protected]
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., Dec, 21, 7 PM, Red Cross Building, 1207 N.
Lemon, Fullerton, CA. 92832
Officers meeting –Wed., Jan. 4, 2017, 7 PM, Graziano’s Pizza,
17487 Imperial Hwy, Yorba Linda
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worked very well. Pilot Boat Hesper – Clyde Emerson The work functions of the maritime pilot go back to ancient Greece and Roman times, when incoming ships’ captains employed locally experienced harbor captains, mainly local fishermen, to bring their vessels safely into port. Eventually, in light of the need to regulate the act of pilotage and ensure pilots had adequate insurance, the harbors themselves licensed pilots for each harbor. Although licensed by the harbor to operate within their jurisdiction, pilots were generally self-employed, meaning that they had to have quick transport to get them from the port to the incoming ships. As pilots were often still dual-employed, they used their own fishing boats to reach the incoming vessels. But fishing boats were heavy working boats, and filled with fishing equipment, and so a new type of boat was required. Early boats were developed from single masted cutters and twin masted yawls, and latterly into the specialist pilot cutters or schooners.
Clyde is starting work on two models of the Lawler design New York Hesper of 1884. The plans for the boats are from Erik A. R. Ronnberg, Jr. He converted Ronnberg’s plans using a CAD program suitable for use by the 3-D printing company Shapeways. He had two hulls completed in different scales using the 3-D printing method. The hulls are two different materials. The larger one of a nylon like material which
requires more finishing due to the stepped finish resulting from the curved surface of the hull. The smaller hull is smoother and has more refined detail requiring less finish work. Cost of the printing process is largely related to the amount of raw material used for the finished product. The 14-inch hull was in the $100.00 range. The hull exteriors will be painted and coppered. The bowsprit, rudder and cavels were CNC milled from wood. The bowsprit was challenging in that it has complex sections – round, octagonal, square and rectangular with tapers included. Epoxy will be used to attach the dissimilar materials. Caravel Niña – Don Dressel
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La Nina (Spanish for The Girl) was one of the three Spanish ships used by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in his first voyage to the West Indies in 1492. As was tradition for Spanish ships of the day, she bore a female saint’s name, Santa Clara. However, she was commonly referred to by her nickname, La Nina, which was probably a pun on the name of her owner, Juan Niño if Moguer. She was a standard caravel-type vessel. The other ships of the Columbus expedition were the caravel-type Pinta and the carrack-type Santa Maria. Niña was by far Columbus’s favorite. She was originally lateen sail rigged caravela latina, but she was re-rigged as caravela redonda at Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, with square sails for better ocean performance. There is no authentic documentation on the specifics of Niña’s design, although Michele de Cuneo, who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage, mentioned that Nina was “about 60 toneladas” (60 tons), which may indicated a medium-sized caravel of around 50 feet (15m) in length on deck. Often said to have had three masts, there is some evidence she may have had four masts. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
Don brought in his Columbus ship of the Niña which he is building for a friend. The Amati kit instructions leave a lot to be desired, particularly for novice ship model buildings. The plans refer to many details that are not included on this ship with generic instructions as part of the kit. The materials supplied in the kit are also not very good, much of the wood material falling apart when cut. The gratings are over scale, but were used for this model, as Don wanted to try and build
the model with the materials supplied in the kit. This effort was already compromised, due to the fact that the stem of the model had to be replaced (using holly wood) since it had been damaged in the box when received. One of the good points with the model is the sails supplied with the kit, which will give the model a nice presentation when completed. So far, the hull and deck have been planked and the next step will be to install the rudder and deck furniture. Don is interested in the rigging, which is a little different, as there are no deadeyes or channels on this ship. Whale Catcher Kayo Maru #1 – Burt Goldstein Burt’s cardstock model of the whale catcher Kayo Maru #1 is built in 1:100 scale. The kit was printed free off the internet. The hull was done with athwart ship
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sections below the waterline which met up nicely with the rest of the hull at the waterline. For these models the edges of the individual pieces need to be touched up with paint. Hull details include stabilizing keels on the side of the hull. The model represents a vessel of 812 tons at 140 feet long.
Burt is running out of types of ships to model. His quest to have a model of every ship type is nearing completion after twenty-five years of building. A whale catcher was not among his previously completed fleet, hence this model. Even though RESEARCH is clearly lettered on the deckhouse it’s hard to conceal the true purpose of the vessel with the elevated bow sporting a large harpoon gun. The catchers were designed to kill
the whale and then transfer it to a large processing ship. There are lots of pictures of whale catchers on Wikipedia, often being chased by Greenpeace inflatables or the inflatable’s being doused with a fire hose from the catcher. Lockheed C121Super Constellation – Burt Goldstein The Lockheed Constellation (“Connie”) was a propeller-driven, four-engine airliner built by Lockheed Corporation between 1943 and 1958 at Burbank, California. Lockheed built 856 in numerous models – all with the same triple-tail design and dolphin-shaped fuselage. Most were powered by four 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclones. The Constellation was used as a civil airliner and as a military and civilian air transport, seeing service in the Berlin and the Biafra airlifts. The USAF had ordered 33 L-1049F Super Constellations in 1951, designated the C-121C. Unlike its Naval equivalent, the C-121C resembled the USN R7V-1 aircraft. The C-121C also featured a reinforced structure to handle turboprop engines if necessary. Other features of the C-121C included an Auxiliary Power Unit Turbo-compound R-3350s and ability to carry 75 passengers, 72 fully equipped troops, or 47 stretchers. The seats could be stored under the floor of the aircraft when needed for cargo use. The first flight of a C0121C was in 1955. Deliveries began in August 1955, with aircraft being assigned to the MATS Atlantic division. The aircraft were later in service with the Air National Guard (ANG) and were retired in 1973. Burt found a cardstock model of a 1:75 scale Constellation and had to build it as it was the first airplane he and his father ever flew on. In 1945 Burt was 15 years old
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and they were flying from New York to Tucson to meet his mother and sister who had preceded them on a move. The constellation’s original designer was Kelly Johnson. John Simmons had worked with Kelly Johnson at Lockheed at one time. Unfortunately, at Burt’s request, no photo was taken of the model or his presentation. Japanese C-1 class Submarine I-16 – Steve Lund The type A KO-hyoteki class was a class of Japanese midget submarine used during World War II. They had hull numbers but no names. For simplicity, they are most often referred to by the hull number of the mother submarine. Thus, the midget carried by I-16-class submarine was known as I-16’s boat, or “I-16tou.” The submarines were each armed with two 17.7 in. torpedoes in muzzle-loading tubes one above the other at the bow. In the Pearl Harbor attack, the specially designed type 97 torpedo was used, but problems with the oxygen flasks meant that all later attacks used a different torpedo. There was also a demolition charge which it has been suggested was large enough to enable the submarine to be used as a suicide weapon, but there is no evidence that it was ever used as one. Each submarine had a crew of two men. A junior officer conned the boat while a petty officer manipulated valves and moved ballast to control trim and diving. Five of these boats participated in the Pearl Harbor attack, with two actually making it into the harbor. Of the five used at Pearl Harbor, No. 19 was captured with its pilot Kazuo Sakamaki where it grounded on the east side of Oahu. A second Pearl Harbor midget submarine, No. 18, was located by U.S. Navy divers off Keehi Lagoon east of the Pearl Harbor entrance on 13 June 1960. The submarine had been damaged by a depth charge attack and abandoned by its crew before it could fire its torpedoes. The midget submarine attacked by USS Ward (DD-139) at 6:37 AM on 7 December, No. 20 was located in 1,312 feet of water five miles outside Pearl Harbor by a University of Hawaii research submersible on 28 August 2002. A fourth submarine, No. 22, entered the harbor and fired its torpedo at USS Curtiss (AV-4) and USS Monaghan (DD0354). Both of those torpedoes missed and are believed to have hit a dock at Pearl City and the Shore of Ford Island. This submarine was sunk by Monaghan at 18:43 am on 7 December. In 2009, a research team assembled at PBS Nova positively identified the remains of a midget sub found outside the Pearl Harbor entrance as being the last, No. 16, of the 5 Ko-Hyoteki that participated in the December 7, 1941 attack. It was discovered in salvage from the wreckage of the West Loch Disaster of 1944, dumped three miles south of Pearl Harbor. Secret war records show that submarine crews had been ordered to scuttle their subs after the attack and provisions were made to recover
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stranded crews. It is believed the fifth sub successfully entered Pearl, fired on Battleship Row, and escaped to the relative quiet of neighboring West Loch, where it was scuttled by the crew. When a series of explosions sank an amphibious fleet being assembled in the Loch in 1944, the remains of the sub were collected and dumped in the subsequent salvage operation, which was dept classified as secret until 1960. The torpedo tubes in the bow section were empty, indicating that the fifth midget had fired its torpedoes prior to being scuttled. A photograph taken from a Japanese plan during the Pearl Harbor attack appears to show a midget submarine inside the harbor firing torpedoes at Battleship Row. This new evidence suggests that the capsizing of the USS Oklahoma may have been accelerated by a torpedo hit from a submarine-launched torpedo, the warhead of which was roughly twice the power carried by the air-dropped torpedoes. In the photo, where the torpedoes’ paths had supposedly started, were sprays that indicated a midget-submarine rocking up and down due to the force of the torpedo being launched, causing the propellers of the stern to be exposed, kicking up clouds of water spray. A war time report from Admiral Nimitz confirmed the recovery of dud torpedoes of the type employed by the midget submarines. This discovery is covered in PBS Nova television program Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor and companion website, I-16tou.com. (Wikipedia)
Steve’s model of I-16tou is a 1:72 scale representation built from a Fine Molds kit and appears to be finished. He had the model displayed as if on the deck of I-16 with the crew getting ready for a launch. The cruiser would submerge to 20 feet at two knots and the midget would be released. The mother ship is being built from a Lindberg kit. The sub is in the process of being heavily modified and will be radio controlled. The conning
tower and bow were wrong in the kit and deck detail is being added. The hull is free flooding with water tight modules for radio, battery and motor. Black Ping-Pong balls will be used for flotation. The model will be equipped to operate on the surface only as it would cost about $1000.00 for the equipment for submerged operation. The paint scheme is yet to be applied and Steve has an anti-aircraft gun for the conning tower. There is little information available on the deck gun except for a few photographs.
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80 Gun Ship Friesland – Crawford Westering
The Friesland dates from about 1663, when she was launched as part of the fleet of the “Seven Provinces” of the Netherlands. As part of the allied Anglo-Dutch fleet, she took part in the Battle of Solebay in 1672. Crawford started this 1:72 scale kit from a partially completed hull, done up to the planking stage by John Bakker. Deck furniture and guns are in place on the deck as is the ship’s boat. Much of the ornamentation made of lead
castings are in place. The gold plating has worn off of many of these and they needed to be touched up with gold paint. The base was made from picture frame material with Mahogany planking. Prototype Airships – John Simmons Two prototype airships were presented by CEO and Chief Engineer of the Simmons PineWorks. Each at rather extreme ends of aircraft design in terms of speed, fuel consumption and passenger carrying capability. The first was an intermediate range supersonic transport (SST). Design speed is M1.6-2.6 and with a range of 5000 to 6000 miles. It features a minimal cross section with two imbedded F-135 A/B engines. Cargo is modularized and loaded between the engines through the landing gear bay. Passenger accommodation for eighty, 16 in first class and three across seating and 66 in business class with four across seating. I didn’t see a mention of the crew required but the pilot and copilot are seated in tandem due to the narrow structure of the craft’s forward end. For landing purposes, the nosecone is lowered 15’ for visibility and there is a retractable canard to help with low speed maneuvering. Sonic boom reducing measures include canted fins and a bifurcated exhaust. Fuselage
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length is 130 feet. The model scale is 0.2”=1’ and it was carved from a solid pine block.
The second prototype is a solar powered home-built single place craft. Solar panels cover the upper surfaces of he wings wingtips and horizontal stabilizer. Batteries are used for power storage. Construction is very light with dry wings of spar glass. There are two single plain motors with propellers that can reverse for slowing. The landing gear is in a bicycle configuration with pogoes that come off upon takeoff. The
tip wing planes have gear on the bottom for landing. The scale for this model is 1:48 and this too was carved from pine and plywood. HMS Surprise – Chris Carl HMS Surprise was the name the Royal Navy gave to the French Navy’s corvette Inité after her capture in 1796. She was launched on 16 February 1794 and in 1802 was sold out of the service. Under Captain Edward Hamilton, Surprise sailed in the Caribbean for several years, capturing several privateers. Surprise gained fame for the cutting-out expedition in 1799 of HMS Hermione. Hermione’s crew had mutinied, and had sailed her into the Spanish possession of Puerto Cabello. Captain Edward Hamilton of Surprise led a boarding party to retake Hermione and, after an exceptionally bloody action, sailed her out under Spanish gunfire. The Spanish casualties included 119 dead; 231 were taken prisoner, while another 15 jumped or fell overboard. Hamilton had 11 injured, four seriously, but none killed. Chris continues to make progress on his 1:75 scale model of Surprise being built using a Mamoli kit. The headworks are finished. All three channels are in place Port and Starboard s is the bowsprit, jib boom and foremast. Wolding is in place on both spars. Currently Carl is working on the deadeyes.
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HMS Pegasus – Don Leyman
Don is building his scratch built Pegasus in 1:48 scale using the Antscherl-Herbert books on the Swan-Class Sloops and plans from the National Maritime Museum on Pegasus herself. Several plan versions were available and he chose to use the one with the most available decoration detail. He is using wood purchased from HobbyMill and has used boxwood for the frames, alder planking and holly for the deck planking. The rails and gratings are walnut. The main deck is complete as it
stands now, leaving it half un-planked to allow viewing of the below deck details and the main deck framing. The guns are completed and installed as are the channels and molding. He is working to complete the head details which he has found to be tricky and still needs an iron railing installed in addition to netting and boomkins. Don mentioned that he had just completed a jewelry making class to improve his skills in small metalworking. The rudder and stern work is next and the jewelry making class is helping out with the ironwork on the stern. Morgan’s Whale Boat – Hank Tober Whaleboat or whaler is a type of open boat that is relatively narrow and pointed at both ends, enabling it to move either forward or backwards equally well. It was originally developed for whaling, and later became popular for work along beaches, since it dies not need to be turned around for beaching or refloating. Hank brought in a nearly completed model of a whaleboat like one used on the whale ship Morgan. The model is built using an Artesania Latina kit in 1:25 scale. He got the kit for $14.00. In use the boat was crewed by a boat header, harpooner and five single banked rowers. Hank indicates that he is having a lot of FUN.
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Niña – Don Dressel HMS Pegasus ‐ Don Leyman Hesper – Clyde Emerson Kayo Maru #1 – Bert Goldstein
Prototype Airships – John Simmon’s
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Friesland – Crawford Westering HMS Surprise – Chris Carl Japanese C‐1 class Submarine I‐16 – Steve Lund
Japanese midget Submarine – Steve Lund Morgan’s Whaleboat – Hank Tober
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By Don Dressel
Old Salts in Port: John Bakker, Don Dressel, Steve Jones, Mike DiCerbo, John Vanderneut.
Ships in Port: Nina, Washington Galley, Robert E. Lee, whaleboat.
John Bakker started off the meeting with a discussion of his slight progress on the Washington Galley. John indicated he had major problems with the construction of the stern of the galley and finally had to build the stern as a separate structure off the actual model, and then incorporate the two. John is not happy with the way the model is turning out and is not sure he wants to refer to it anymore as the Washington Galley. Everyone in the Mayflower group thought it looked fine. There are two views of the model, the first above showing the model together with the stern attached and the second photo showing the view of the stern itself. Note the careful
installation of the frames along the hull with the use of the building board that John carefully constructed, with the plans laid on top of the building board to assist in location of the frames. The floor boards are in and the deck clamps have been installed. Everything lines up nicely, and if John had not indicated he had all the problems with the stern construction, I don’t know if anyone would have noticed.
John Vanderneut was next up with his discussion of the model of a whaleboat, three of which he requires for his model. John cut a plug for the boat and worked for the first time with lap strakes, which he had never done before. He indicated he was making a lot of mistakes, but was persevering with his efforts and
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will try different methods with his next effort. The model is coming out to his satisfaction and he is having fun. The current method he is using is very slow since he is gluing the plank with Titebond style glue and then has to hold the plank until the glue takes hold. He stated that 50% water and 50% vinegar dissolved the Titebond glue when a mistake is made. The keel for the boat is attached once the hull is planked. See photo of Johns Effort. Some suggestions were made to assist him in
his construction of the ships boats. Don Dressel suggested that he may want to investigate the latest SMA Newsletter, which has an article of the latest book from Sea Watch Books on the method for making ships boats.
Don was next up and brought in two models to discuss, since he had completed the masting and rigging of the Halifax in time for the NRG Conference in October. The first model discussed was the Nina, an Amati kit model that Don is building for a friend as a gift. Don decided to build the model as much as possible using the materials provided in the kit. As a consequence, the grating material supplied in the kit, which is really too large, was used. See the photo. The material in the
kit was subpar, much of the wood used to plank the deck being thrown away since it split when cut. Fortunately, there is plenty of this wood, so much of it can be thrown away and still leave enough wood to complete the deck. The “instructions” that come with the kit were also discussed. No scale is indicated anywhere on the instructions or on the kit box. The plans supplied in the kit refer to placement of square gun openings (there are no square gun openings on this ship), installation of cannon (there are none), and various other items which are generic to all ship models. There were other details that were basically useless for this model. It is hard to see in the photo, but the stem has been replaced with a replica made from holly, since the original part of the head had fallen apart, which is one of the dangers of purchasing an old kit that has been on the shelf for a number of years. Fortunately, the kit is still produced, which makes it simple to obtain parts from Amati if required. Many times it is worth the effort to apply to the manufacturer of a kit model of parts that are missing and in some cases the manufacturer will replace the parts for free. It never hurts to ask.
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The second model Don brought it was also an Amati kit – the Mississippi River Boat Robert E. Lee. Unfortunately, the same problem with the Nina Amati kit is evident with the
Robert E. Lee kit, with the exception that the material supplied in the kit has been very good. The instructions leave a little bit to be desired, so it is best to read the instructions fully, study the drawings, and then proceed with the construction of the model. You will note that in some of the plans of the model there are a line of windows, where in another plan there is a door between some of the windows. Apparently all the necessary windows AND doors are supplied in the kit,
bhowever – at least so far, as the model is still under construction. If you decide to build this model, Ages of Sail is an excellent vendor and will help obtain anything in the kit that is missing. They were also an excellent vendor at the recent NRG Conference in San Diego – if you missed the conference, you missed a good one. The next one will be in Florida.
General discussion followed with lots of items of interest brought up for discussion with the group that was present. Once again, the invitation is open for anyone in the SMA to attend this little get together and bring their problem model techniques to the group for helpful hints and suggestions. Many questions can be answered at the Mayflower Group meetings that may not be addressed at the Wednesday club meetings due to time constraint. The meetings at John Bakker’s home start at about 1300 hours (1 pm) and usually go to 1500 hours (3 pm) on the Sunday following the Wednesday club meeting. Contact any officer or John himself for the address. A great time is had by all and I can attest that you will leave each group meeting having learned something worthwhile. It is also great fun!
NOTE THAT THE COST FOR MEMBERSHIP WILL IN THE NRG WILL CHANGE IN 2017! Yearly membership for the USA will be $52.00, Foreign will be $62.00 – so join NOW!
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NRG Conference – San Diego – 2016
By Don Dressel
This is the conclusion of the article began in last month’s SMA Newsletter on the wonderful NRG Conference held in San Diego last month. There are still more models to describe which participated in the model exhibition that was held at the Doubletree Hotel. Your reporter will endeavour to continue to describe the models that were on display.
The model of the Serenity by Brian Welkert is a fine example of a heavily modified Model Shipways kit. The model is based on a Virginia armed sloop kit by Model Shipways but was heavily modified, almost everything from the deck up being replaced with non‐kit wood and parts. Holly deck, boxwood masting, guns, rope and blocks from Syren. According to Brian, the spars are not pinned to the masts but held by functional rigging. The time frame is 1768 with the model being built to 1:48 scale. Enjoy the picture of the model to the left nicely mounted
on a unique stand. All information on the model and the following models were provided by the builder of the model and mounted on individual plaques.
Jon Sanford brought in a model of an Armed Launch of the Royal Navy of 1803 built to 1:16 scale. Again, we have a modified Panart Mantua kit. Various 19th Century navies used this type of craft. It was 10 meters long and armed with various caliber naval guns. These boats were employed in coastal and riverine patrols or as escorts in surprise action coastal landings. The model was constructed by using triple planking on a false frame. Most of the wooden fittings were scratch built using mahogany, walnut and bass woods. Kit directions were in Italian, but the in‐scale drawings were very good. Working 1‐4 hours daily, it took about a year to complete. This is a very nicely detailed model with well done sail.
This modified Billings Boat kit of the Norden is the next model that was brought in by Jon Sanford. The model is built to 1:30 scale based on the period of 1930 to the present, being primarily a Danish fishing boat. The Norden is a typical coastal fishing vessel on the western shore of Denmark. It is a stable and seaworthy boat with a top speed of 6 knots. Little change has been made since the 1930’s
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except for its lengthening and addition of an enclosed wheelhouse. The use of fishing pots and seines are the primary methods used on these vessels for their craft. The model, shown in the photo here, took approximately 150 hours to build over a three year span. Most of the kit materials (bass, walnut and mahogany woods, brass, rigging line and plastic fittings) were used in its construction. Framing was plank on half frames, which were joined together on their completion. A very colorful and unique model with lots of detail incorporated into the ship.
The next model brought in was the Halifax, finally completed by your reporter. Based on a kit model by Lauck Street Shipyard (which is no longer in operation), the model was begun back in 2014 in order to bring the model to the ROPE exhibition in Tokyo, Japan in 2015. The basic hull structure was completed with many modifications (the carvings were scratch done in boxwood, thus avoiding using the cast plastic parts supplied in the kit) and other parts of the kit were replaced as required. Since then, the masting and rigging had to be completed, which was not done until this year, completing the masting using Degame and rigging using linen, completely scratch built using the plans by Harold Hahn and the book The Colonial Schooner 1763‐1776. Thus, the model was not completed until 2016! The life of the actual ship started off as a packet boat. Halifax was purchased by the British Royal Navy in Boston (1775) and was famous for her role in burning Port Falmouth. The original kit was composed of Aspen, pinewood, walnut and cherry woods. Added to the
kit were the boxwood carvings and the Degame spars with linen line. The flags were made by Gus Agustin. The model case was made by your reporter with wood material from Lloyd Warner.
The Dunbrody Irish Famine ship was scratch built by Frank McMahon in 1:48 scale, the period being 1845. The ship was used to carry wood from Canada to England and Ireland. On its return trip she would carry Irish emigrants who were trying to escape the Irish famine. She is a midship section model showing the details of
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plank on frame construction and the deck timbers. A replica of the Dunbrody was built under a grant from the Kennedy Foundation and is open to the public at New Ross in Iceland.
The next two models were brought in by Robert Hewitt, even though he had a number of his models on display on the Berkley at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Unfortunately, he did not furnish information for a plaque for each ship, so information on these two models is scarce. The photo
to the right, with a name plate visible, is theChang‐Kon‐Tzu, an open mouth boat, used on the Yuan River, Mayarn, Hunan, China. The model on the left is also from China, I believe, but have no other information. Both are miniatures, built to the scale of 1”=20’.
The “Final Battle” is a diorama of about 1500, scratch built, with no scale indicated. Built by Jay MacMaster, this scratch built cutaway model depicts the final battle from the novel Raptor’s Revenge by Jim Malloy The model, which includes interior lights, highlights the cutaway construction of ships that ruled the sea in the Fifteenth Century, on the aft deck. The scene shows the hero, sword at his hip, standing in front of his enemy, kneeling with both hands chopped off and lying on the deck. A quote from the book – “There are the swords that sent your father to hell.
He waits as you watch yourself die”.
Le Fleuron is an exceptional scratch built French 64 gun ship‐of‐the‐line in 1:96 scale built by Gordon L. Stiller. The original French ship was built by Blasé Olivier and his father and the first example of a “modern” vessel of the French Navy. Laid down in 1729, launched in 1730 and completed on July 16, 1730, her carvings and sculptures were completed on October 11, 1730. On May 5, 1732, she departed to take part in the Grand Banc campaign, armed with 60 guns, 12 each 24 pounders and a crew of 400 sailors. She was also involved In the 1733 North Campaign, the 1734 Danzig campaign, the 1737 Guinea campaign, the 1739 campaign in the Baltic and the 1840 campaign in the West Indies. She
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burned at anchor in the Port of Brest on February 1, 1745. Below is a few photos’ of the model for your enjoyment.
The next model is of the Hacchoro, a Japanese ship model of the Edo period (1603‐1860) based on a Woody Joe Kit built by Clare Hess. This is a model of a traditional fishing boat from Yaizu, on the Pacific Coast of Japan, about 120 miles southwest of what is now Tokyo. Several boats were commissioned as escorts for the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Because of restrictions limiting the number of oars that boats were allowed to use, they had difficulty keeping up with the Shogun’s boat. Special permission was granted for these boats to use 8 oars, hence the name Hacchoro,
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meaning 8 oars. The crest on the large sail is that of the Tokugawa family. The model is built to 1:24 scale.
Clare Hess also brought in another Japanese model of the Edo Period in 1/10 scale based on a Thermal Studio kit. The model is the Tosa Wasen. It is a model of a traditional 20 Shaku (about 20 feet) Japanese fishing boat (which is still used today) from the southern coast of the island of Shikoku. The model uses the same kinds of woods used in the actual boat: Sugi, or Japanese cedar and Hinoki, or Japanese cypress. The 1?10 scale of this model is a common one used by traditional Japanese boat builders in their models and their “plank drawings” – simple plans drawn on
wooden planks. Minor modifications were made to the kit to represent a boat from the Edo period (1603‐1860).
The Baltimore clipper Lively of 1812 in 1:58 scale is a modified Lumberyard kit designed by Jim Roberts. The model is under construction by Mitch Michelson. Baltimore Clippers were topsail schooners – meaning they had a V‐shaped hull that could efficiently cut through the water – with strongly raked stem and stern posts and masts, which created the speed they were famous for. These vessels could sail closer to the wind then all of their contemporaries and faster than most. Jim Roberts designed this kit to represent a typical Baltimore clipper used during the War of 1812. The model shown in the photo is under construction.
There are 18 more ship models that your reporter took pictures of which will be included in a final conclusion of this article in the next SMA Newsletter. The main reason for the existence of the NRG is ship models and research for ship model builders, which is shown in abundance with the exhibition of models at the conference. Also shown is the many techniques and methods used to create these ship models. Perhaps more SMA members will be interested in joining the NRG and attending the future NRG Conferences. Your reporter has always learned something every time he attended one of these conferences and always had fun.
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The ROPE Tokyo Honorary SMA Members – Part IV
By Don Dressel
Mr. Masahiro Ando
Mr. Ando is the second honorary member of the SMA to be acknowledged to all the members of the SMA. Back in 1977, he first attend the ROPE exhibition (the Second one held by the ROPE) and became fascinated with the many ship models on display and the fine workmanship and detail he saw at Ginza Itoya. Prior to that visit, Mr. Ando thought that all ship model kits were offered in plastic by various companies like Revell, who offered the large USS Constitution and Cutty Sark. He was impressed with the handmade models constructed with wood, much like your editor was when he first went to the Ship Shop owned by
Craig Coleman, one of our founding members. Much like me, Mr. Ando was “hooked”, finding the models very creative and original. This is the trigger that started him down the road to becoming a fine wooden ship modeler and member of the ROPE. Mr. Ando worked on an Italian kit model and presented his work to the next ROPE Exhibition in order to become a member of the ROPE. He indicated that he learned a lot from the more experienced members of the ROPE in the methods, tools and materials to use when constructing a wooden ship model.
Mr. Ando started off, as many wooden ship modelers do, with building kit models. As time passed, he began to scratch build models using plans and monographies from Vincenzo Lusci, Jean Boudriot and A.A. M. M. Having gained experience, he thought that he could not reach the level of the very skilled ROPE ship modelers and thus started building cut‐away models, since these models were not commonly built models.
Mr. Ando relates that three members of the SMA brought their models to the 28th ROPE exhibition in 2003. He was impressed by the unique style of the Sovereign of the Seas long boat by your reporter, the HMS Iris by Bill Russell and the 6 models of Gus Agustin in 1:192 and 1:384 scale. He thought that each model had a different style not usually seen in Japan. He then participated in the 2004 Queen Mary Conference and Exhibition sponsored by the SMA (Mr. Ando brought his model of the Harriet Lane built from scratch using the Model Shipways plans in 1:96 scale). He was overwhelmed by the size of the SMA exhibition aboard the Queen Mary as well as the craftsmanship of the displayed models. This unique encounter has become an encouragement and a stimulus in my keeping a strong interest in the wooden ship modeling hobby to this day. His favorite “nitch” is to make wooden ship models which members of the ROPE usually do not work on and/or unique models not commonly found in the ROPE
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Exhibitions. His cutaway models which follow are an excellent example of this type of ship model construction, which are exceptionally well done and display a high degree of craftsmanship.
Mr. Ando’s Ship Models
In my possession is a disk of the 28th ROPE Exhibition showing a model of the Jylland that he built and displayed in the exhibition, which is the first model picture I have of one of his ship models. I assume it is based on a Billings kit, and if so, the work is exceptional. In the background is shown part of the exhibition. For those interested, there are close up photos of this model on the disk which can be accessed if an SMA member is interested in the details. I also have a disk of the photos of the ROPE 29th and 30th exhibitions, but no identification as to who built what model.
Cutty Sark
The next model by Mr. Ando is the Cutty Sark, which is based on a kit by Woody Joe in 1/100 scale, produced with reference to the drawing sold in the actual ship storied in Greenwich (which can still be seen and boarded today). Parts of the kit are abundant compared with foreign‐made kits and the details are also good, but still the part that was not “up to standard” was scratch made by Mr. Ando. I believe the Woody Joe kit is still available from Woody Joe for those who may
be interested. This model was in the ROPE 30th Exhibition in 2005.
HMS Golden Hind
The 2006 models (he exhibited two models) are shown here, which were exhibited in the ROPE 31st Exhibition. You can see the wonderful cut‐away view of the ship he built, as well as the full size model. This ship was an English galleon known for her circumnavigation of the globe as well as attacking Spanish colonies while under the command of Sir Francis Drake with the backing of Queen Elizabeth of England. The Golden Hind departed Plymouth in 1577 and returned with treasures and spices three years
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later. His cut‐away model was built based on plans by Franco Guy. He built a full hull model simultaneously so that his cut‐away model could be interpreted easily. Note the detail of the cut‐away model!
Viking Boat Diorama
THE 2007 ROPE 32nd Exhibition featured a diorama model by Mr. Ando of a Viking long boat. From the 9th to the 11th century it was an era in which the Scandinavia Viking was active and it was a boat like the boat shown here with no cabin embarking on a trip across the sea for both plunder and trade. One characteristic of the Northern European ship represented by this Viking ship was the armor shields placed on the sides of the clinker built hull. The rudder was always on the starboard side of the ship. The model hull was scratch built and the
rowers and crew of the ship using figures of Andrea, Spain, a well established doll model manufacturer of very high quality
Schooner America
A yacht race around the Isle of Wight in England was held in 1851 as a commemorative event of the first world exposition of London. The Schooner America on the race and a trophy was awarded by Queen Vitoria. The trophy was renamed America’s Cup and it has become the largest yachting competition in the world. Coppering was done on the model. Structural frames were arranged. The model was built as a skeleton so that it can be viewed through the frames. Mamoli’s kit of America at the scale 1:66 was built in parallel with the Billings kit in 1/72 scale to show the sails deployed, as Mr. Ando things the yachts show their true beauty with a full set of sails. These models were displayed in the 33rd ROPE Exhibition in Tokyo in 2008.
HMS Resolution
This ship was a cutter of the Royal Navy in the 18th century known for their great speed and sailing qualities. The same type of ship was used by smugglers, thus the Royal Navy used the same craft to catch the “bad guys”. Basically, the Royal Navy used these cutters for coastal duty, catching
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smugglers and as a passenger and supply ship for the battleships. The models were scratch built using the plans supplied in the Corel kit with a scale of 1/50. There were many fittings inside the ship which were made based on consultation with scale models of cutters exhibited at various museums in the world. Note that the Corel kit of the HMS Resolution was also built, thus again showing the cut‐away model as well as the full ship under sail to gain a full understanding of the details of the ship herself. She was a part of the ROPE 34th Exhibition, again held in Tokyo,
Japan in 2009. So, in essence, 4 ship models were built in two years, much of the work being scratch!
The Flemish Galleon
The Flemish Galleon is a scratch built wooden ship model in 1:72 scale of a highly decorated ship of 1593. This ship is reputed to be one of the most beautiful ships of the 16th century. The original model was presented to King Phillip II by some Flemish vassals in 1593 and
is now on exhibit at the Naval Museum in Madrid. Masahiro Ando, Vice‐President of the ROPE (the finest ship modeling club in Japan and sister club of the SMA) in Tokyo, Japan built the model. He based
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the model on a speculative reconstruction suggested by the Swedish naval specialist Bjorn Landstrom and spent a lot of effort making the ornamentation of the model identical to Landstrom illustrations. The hull planking is made with Japanese cypress and pear wood, the wale is pear and the deck planking is Tanganyika. The decoration was made by using costing resin. Then original parts were handcrafted out of styrene strip and silicon rubber molds were made. The Polyurethane resin was injected into the molds resulting in parts to be used on the model. The Alphabet characters are also styrene sheet carefully cut out using 400 degree F, (melting point) heat pen and a stainless steel template. This model was exhibited in the ROPE 35th Exhibition in Tokyo in 2010 and also exhibited in the Western Ship Model Conference and Exhibition in Newport Beach, California in 2011.
Le Fhénix
Having worked on some cut‐away models, I decided to accept the challenge of building a full frame structural model. Le Fhénix was a second rate ship with 86 guns of the French Navy constructed in 1664. She was the last fighting ship fitted with tiller at her rudder. Ships wheels were adapted after this time. This model was the first one Mr. Ando worked on based on the plans Vaisseau of A.A.M.M. Mr. Ando was not confident yet of his skills in making carvings of her bow and stern, so he used the available Stab’s ornaments at 1:75 scale. This model was displayed at the 36th ROPE Exhibition.
Horatio Nelson figure
The 37th ROPE Exhibition in Tokyo in 2012 featured a set of figures painted by Mr. Ando of Lord Nelson. As everyone knows, Lord Nelson was an Admiral of the Royal Navy who was instrumental in defeating the French and Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar. Unfortunately Lord Nelson was killed by a sniper during the battle. The figures are in 1/32 scale by Andrea and are hand painted.
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Vasa
The Vasa was featured in the 38th ROPE Exhibition in 2013. The model is based on a Corel 1:75 kit with many changes based on a drawings attached to the shipboard published in Germany. She was a galleon battle ship built by King Gustaf of Sweden to strengthen his fleet in his efforts to control the Baltic Sea. She was sunk by a gust of wind on her maiden voyage and brought back to the surface 333 years later. She now
resides in the Vasa Museum in Sweden and is well worth a trip to visit. The ship is awe inspiring!
HMS Victory
The triumphant ship of the Royal Navy is very popular among the ship modelers of Japan and other countries. At the ROPE Exhibitions in the past, many models of the HMS Victory at various scales ranging from 1:48 to 1:300 were exhibited. Mr. Ando built his cut‐away model at a scale of 1:100 referring to the book HMS Victory by
Alan McGowan. The book had rich illustrations in its 106 pages and details of fittings at each deck were described. VICTORY by John McKay of Anatomy series of Conway Press was another book he consulted for determining quantities and sizes of frames and beams. More to follow in the next installment.
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Randy Billde Library and Plans Collection Randy Biddle is thinning his library and plans collection. He does not have an inventory to share but…if you have been looking for a book or a plan, contact Randy directly. If he has it and will part with it, you can come to terms directly. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the club and Randy will bring your selection to a future meeting. Contact information: [email protected] – 661-645-5742. Randy lives in Valencia so not too close to most SMA members. Merry Christmas and Blessed Hanukah. Christmas Meeting The Christmas meeting this year would be more festive if SMA members brought along something to eat and/or drink for the meeting along with their latest “Works in Progress” ship model. Treasurer’s Report Larry Van Es reports that there is $4,302.38 in the SMA account for the end of November. Mike has become the advisor and helper for the new SMA Treasurer, Larry Van Es. Web Manager’s Report The Webmaster, Doug Tolbert, informed us that the SMA web site is back up and running fine. There will be additional details added to the web site as time goes by and members may wish to visit the web site occasionally to see what is new. The Planking demonstration given at the SMA meeting in January has been added to the web site. San Diego Ship Modelers Guild For those SMA members who may be interested, the San Diego Ship Modelers Guild now has their meetings on the BERKLEY on the second TUSEDAY of each month, instead of the second Wednesday. Your editor and reporter routinely attend the meeting which is usually very informative and enlightening. Tony Devroude cast figure There have been several requests about the Tony Devroude figure on my Halifax model. It is available from Tony Devroude for only $10.00 if you contact him and order the figure. He also does carvings and other figures if desired. Tony can be contacted at [email protected].
NOTE: Prices go up in January 2017 to: $52.00 US - $62.00 foreign.
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Friesland – Crawford Westering
Donald C. Dressel 908 W. 22nd Street, Upland, CA. 91784-1229
Next meeting Wednesday, December 21, 7:30 PM, Hillcrest Park Red Cross Building
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