I saw this model built at a modeler’s convention a few years ago and I just had to have one. This is a big model, too, 1 /56 scale. I’m not sure where I’ll put it when it’s finished, but I’ll think of something by then. Schooners are always pretty models, with or without sails. Personally, I think they look better then most ship models with sails on, so I decided to build this one with the sails rigged.
Welcome to my Web site
I chose Revells’ Cutty Sark as the launch project because there are a large number of these kits out there in closets, attics and modelers collections, waiting to be built. Also, this kit builds into a pretty impressive ship model, no matter where the modelers’ skill level is.
The plan is for this site to grow over time, featuring a different model about every month. Previous models will be archived for reference and new visitors to the site. As you may have already noticed, this site is written in a blog foremat with the latest post on top and previous posts in decending order. I hope that modelers will find this website enjoyable and useful and will visit often……………..John
Revells Yacht America
I saw this model built at a modeler’s convention a few years ago and I just had to have one. This is a big model, too, 1 /56 scale. I’m not sure where I’ll put it when it’s finished, but I’ll think of something by then. Schooners are always pretty models, with or without sails. Personally, I think they look better then most ship models with sails on, so I decided to build this one with the sails rigged.
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Labels: Revells Yacht America
The Model was attached.........
The model was attached with the wood screw I mentioned earlier and tightened down. Be careful here, not too tight. White glue is applied along the gap where the model and foil meet. A toothpick works good for getting the glue into the small gaps. After the glue is dried, paint the wake. I use testors Flat White. with pretty good results . Some modelers may like to experiment with different colors. Studying photos of ships to see how the wakes look for different ships and different conditions e helpful here. Again, step back and enjoy your accomplishment!
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Labels: Modeling Tips
After the cement has dried........
After the cement has dried, use an exacto knife to trim away the excess foil . I extended the masking to the bottom of the base for painting. A spray can of Model Master Glossy Dark Sea Blue works best for me to paint the water surface. It is available in jars ,too. It takes two coats to get full coverage.After the paint dries, remove the masking and check out the ocean!
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Labels: Modeling Tips
When the contact cement is tacky........
When the contact cement is tacky (read the directions on the can) carefully and slowly place the foil, glue side down, onto the base, using the edge traced before with your finger as a guide. Press down along the edge with your fingers to get a good bond, but just along the edge. Set it aside for a while to let it dry
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Labels: Modeling Tips
Place the foil over the base.....
Place the foil over the base, it doesn’t matter which side is up, and trace the outline of the base into the foil with your finger. Lift the foil from the base and flip it over. Masking off the sides of the base will prevent sloped over cement from spoiling the appearance of the base. Apply contact cement to bottom surface of the foil and the top of the base. Contact cement gives off pretty strong ,flammable fumes and should be used only with very good ventilation. I use this stuff out in the garage to be safe.
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Labels: Modeling Tips
Building a realistic display for waterline models
How to build a realistic display base for waterline models.
will b There are a lot of ways to do this. I’ve had good results with this. The front of a drawer, purchased at a local lumber yard or home improvement store , is the base itself. The routed sides will make for a nice finished look. I gave this one a light oak stain and a few coats of varnish. I’ll be using a wood screw to hold the model onto the base. I located where the screw will line up with the hole I already drilled in the bottom of the model and drilled and countersunk a hole in the base The water will be aluminum foil, roll out a piece of foil a little longer then the base. Carefully crinkle it up a few times and stretch it back out to give the surface its texture. Be careful and work slowly since the foil rips easy. If it rips a little its ok anyway but if it rips pretty bad just throw it away and tear off another piece and start again.
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Labels: Modeling Tips
Weathering
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Rigging Pt.2 and flag
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Rigging Pt.1 and ships boats
I like to use stretched spru for rigging on small scale ships like this one. There are plenty of outher materials available but I've had good luck with spru, so far. As always, i start from the inside and work outboard. A pair of dividers is used to measure the length I'll need for each piece. White glue, mixed with water (50/50) works great for attaching the rigging. Using tweezers to hold the cut legnth od spru, dip the ends inthe glue and place it where you want it. I usually cut the spru a little bit long and and install it with the excess lenght in a convient place so I can trim it off after the glue dries.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Photo etched parts Pt.4
Since the sides of this ship are a long smooth curve, the railings along the main deck were relatively easy to install. The boat davits help support the railings too. Some may call this cheating but, I also removed a few small cleats from the deck edge with an exacto knife. The larger cleats were out of the path of the railings and were not removed. After the railings were installed and the glue dried, I used a small brush and light gray paint to paint the space between the rail and the deck edge for a finished look.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Photo etched parts Pt.3
I start installing the railings from the center of the ship and work toward the out side. This helps (but doesn't always prevent) railings which have been installed from being damaged. On small scale models like this one I like to use white glue to attach the railings. Super glue is good but is very unforgiving of errors. White glue allows time to get the position right and if necessary, the glue can be removed with water and tried again. A needle , mounted in a dowel, is the tool I use to apply a small amount of white glue to the deck edge. When installing PE railings, i also try to keep the number of bends to two. I've found that trying to make one long length of railing with many bends in it usually results in fit problems. Better to use smaller lengths with one or two bends.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Boat davits
I left the boat davits off until now to prevent them from getting broken off. Liquid cement from a squeeze bottle was used to attache them to the deck. Having them on now will be helpful for positioning the PE railings.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Photo etched parts Pt.2
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Photo etched parts Pt. 1
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Labels: HMS Rodney
A new funnel cap
As usual, I managed to goof something up. In this case I completely destroyed the funnel cap (part # A36) while trying to open up the center for the photoetched grill. I made a passable replacement funnel cap from sheet styrene and installed it on the funnel.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Painting the hull and deck
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Labels: HMS Rodney
Hull and Main Deck
To make it easier to handle the model during assembly I attached a piece of balsa wood to the bottom of the hull with a small wood screw. A small hole was drilled in the bottom of the waterline plate for this purposeand main deck are molded in one piece so this step mostly concerns clean up and painting. After sanding off the molding flash and gluing the waterline onto the hull, I washed the hull in a solution of lukewarm water and dishwashing soap. This is to remove sanding residue, mold release agent and skin oils. A toothbrush helps in this process, too. This was set aside to dry overnight after dabbing with a paper towel.
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Labels: HMS Rodney
HMS Rodney in 1/700 scale
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Labels: HMS Rodney
The Wrap-up
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Labels: Cutty Sark
Boats & Flag
The ships boats are left off until the all the rigging is finished, otherwise they will be in the way of the belaying points for the rigging. The boat skids and davits were all painted white. The insides of the boats were painted two shades of brown. The boat exteriors were painted white with blue trim. I don’t know if the blue trim is historically accurate but it does add a bit of needed color. The oars were painted tan.
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Labels: Cutty Sark