Hi out there!!
I have been a member of this site for a few months now and have a look at bods that are building the Bluenose I and II, there seem to be quite a few!!
(Few Posts though.... ) (Maybe I am alone in my efforts, nah, can't belive that....)

I'd be interested in hearing moddeling experiences and comparing notes if people are of like mind to do so.

I, personally, am on what I think is about 2/3 the way to completing the Hull/Superstructure, (Deckhouses, sorry), on the AL Bluenose II

I cannot say that it has been a trouble-free experience and that there are mistakes, but, I move on regardless.
Missing kit wood stock has been just one of the problems....

Anyway, if you care to "Regail" me with your problems, maybe we can all find "Workarounds" that will help all.

Looking forward to your input!!

Cheers....HOF.

 

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For all you ''Bluenosers'', especially the II, these photos (if you haven't seen them already) may be of interest to you. They are of the real Bluenose II taken at the Tall Ships Challenge, in Greenport, Long Island, New York, July 11th, 2004:
Photos (approx. 100) - Tall Ship Challenge of 2004 - Bluenose II (open in a blank window)

To download all of the photos (zip file, approx. 18 MBs) - Photos - Bluenose II (open in a blank window)

Post with info on the Tall Ship Challenge 2004, Greenport, NY (open in a blank window)

Scanned Images of the Bluenose II Pamphlet, To view Images, just click the links. To download Images, right click the links and use - ''Save Image As'' or ''Save Target As'':
Bluenose II Information - Sheet 1 (open in a blank window)
Bluenose II Information - Sheet 2 (open in a blank window)
Bluenose II Information - Sheet 3 (open in a blank window)

To download the fact sheets in one file (zip) - Bluenose II Fact Sheets (open in a blank window)

Enloy, John

 

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Thank for the info John but have found the gallery by yourself very useful also.
The web site of John Earl on this build is very factual also.

One thing that I can say about this model, (And probably have already said it....), is that it is anything but scale.... There are so many "Correct" ways to build this ship, so many "Right's" and so many "Wrong's" that I was starting to loose faith in what I had done/was doing.
I can say that most of the insparation that I got initially with the build was from a member's model of this AL kit, Aka, HMSBounty. (Thanks Chris!!)
Chris had done a very, very fine and "Clean" build and to this I am still aspiring to do.

I can say that it was with great trepidation that I embarked on the second layer of planking.... "What if I stuff it up?" "You won't chap," I tried telling myself....
Well, even with the second layer of planking, and my "Whizzy" propotional dividers, I still managed to make mistakes.... Back to the books.... Ahh, "Tic" strips!! The penny more or less dropped. All in all, the planking effort wasn't too bad, the hull turned out smooth and wholesome. (After a damn good sand!!) (Some filler helped :) )
After the false Keel was fitted, things looked better and more like a proper Hull.

I had built most of the deck fittings as some "Light Relief" after the the arduous fist layer of planking, this was anything but!!
Skylights, hmm, 32 individual pieces and three attempts to build them, 1st attempt, "No, don't like that much Harry, take it apart." 2nd attempt, "Ditto." 3rd attempt, "Much better chap, but if you are going to do this again, use much thinner wire for the Skylight bars, remember, there are seven bars on each window pane, got it?"
(I don't talk too much to myself in reality, just in case readers think I am at one of the more advanced stages of MADNESS!!)
Planking the deckhouses was a doddle, nice and straight, what could possibly go wrong? (Nothing.... :) )
To complete the structures I used brass Port Holes from Loyalhanna Dockyard, 6mm on the rear Deckhouse and 3mm on the front.
(John Earl had said that they were not scale, but, I'm one of those people that like a little bit of Brass, and hey, I am aware it's not 100% scale....)
Hand Railing on the rear Deckhouse, again the brass, and yes, not scale but I like the look.

I am however reasonably happy with how my second model ship is shaping up, in my books, not too bad so far.

Problems resolving wood types and quantities were very interesting, Ramin, as AL would have it, comes in various colours.... Never mind, I thought, just carry on, try and have fun and learn everything you can, remember, this is a step to even greater challenges!!

Material for the Taff-Rail/Stanchions/Forward Bulwark rails were non-existant, solution, use basswod, (Lime), planking strips left over.... I hate to waste things, and like to try and use what is available, I hate to give up/admit defeat also....

My latest challenge is to start to paint, I have a Compressor and Airbrush but the Bulwarks/Stanchions/Rails must all be hand painted, on the second coat tonight and rubbing down between each to try for the best possible finish.

I am looking forward to the deck fittings after the Warter-Line is marked and then I'll really know that things are coming together.

John Earls documentation is going to be invaluable for the finer points, Knighthead, etc.
I'll take some photos soon and keep you all posted on my wonderful little ship....

Cheers....HOF.

 

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Back again,
Not much tonight, sick Abbysinian, (Cat), is taking the limelight....
Nevertheless, alother coat of white on the Rails after rubbing down, just wonder how many more it'll take.... Paint is a Matt finish, much easier to apply than a gloss/semi-gloss. Will have to finish with satin waterbased "Endothane" to keep those nasty finger marks off it.

Thoughts on scale, Mastini has said in his book something like that it was very much up to the modeller how he/she wished thier ship model to look, painted or unpainted, the model is the product of the modeller and thier own peice of art.... Couldn't agree more.

Cheers....HOF.

 

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AL Bluenoser here,

I'm currently only a 'weekend modeler' But started this kit only last week, and am making good progress. You're way ahead of me then, so looks like you'll be dispensing more advice then receiving from me i'm afraid.

I do have a copy of Jensen's book, which is invaluable. I'm going to try my best at making as accurate to Jensens drawings as possible.

 

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Hi there Robert,
Pleased to make your aquaintance!!
Dispensing advice? Well, I try, as much as my limited experience will allow me to, I am certainly no expert when compared to some of the members creations on this site.
Knew that somewhere in the world, someone would be building this model.
It will be a definite advantage for you to have the "Jensen" book. I have read much about it but unfortunately never laid my eyes on it.
Have you seen this site? http://www.modelboatyard.com/bluenose2.html 
Wished I'd seen it before I started, never mind.... Download the article and let me know what you think.... I would be making a much more "Scale" version if I had seen this!!
I built a 1/115 scale AL Bluenose I to see if I enjoyed the hobby, I did but found the scale too difficult to work with, or, that I needed new glasses....

I am using the current model to "Hone" my skills before embarking on other projects, it has taught me much.

How was the supply of wood stock in your kit? Mine was fine for Planking/Doweling for masts but lacked quite a bit in the Bulwark/Handrail department.
I belive that there also should have been a video included in the kit, (Maybe), of Frank Mastini building this kit? I certainly didn't have it....

If your kit instructions were the same as mine, you will notice that the blocks of Walnut for various bits and pieces of deck superstructure are missing, damn shame that.... The Laser-Cut plywood pieces that were supplied are rather "Flimsy" and I used small pieces of balsa to give these structures a base while I was constructing them. (Gluing the ply to the balsa base.) Made life more tolerable I guess. :) )
It will help also when you form the deckhouses to the camber of the deck.

How are you getting on with the Bulkhead arrangements? I found that a couple of these were virtually identical, around Bulkhead 7/8

In the times when I was waiting for things to dry, etc, I made up sub-assemblies, Deckhouses/Deadeyes and Chainplate to fit later, to my mind, it gave me a better sense of achievement and helped when I was a little despondent about things.

I posted some more photos this morning, have a look if you are of a mind to and take a look also at the member HMSBounty (Chris's) photos.

I guess that's all from me for the moment....
Let me know how you get on and would be interested in your comments from John Earl's web site. (URL Above.)

More than happy trying to "Dispense" advice and share opinion, this is what it's all about chap!!

Cheers....HOF.

 

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Yes I've been trying to go off a combination of the book, and those articles, plus i purchased a few other recommended books, I've started reading. The Jenson book is superb. All the tiniest details inside and out are all laid out in great prescision. The diagrams of the rigging alone is the most comprehensive I've ever seen.



Wow I salute you.



Me too, I figured this is a popular first model to start out with.



Doesn't seem to, although i took the articles advice and didn't take a thorough inventory of the parts.



Good to know, I'm probably going to end up trying to scratch build most of the deck structures. The Jensons book has me very inspired to try and get the model accurate.



Not bad so far. I nervous about taking too much wood off when it comes time to fair up the bulkheads. and the slot on pieces 6 and 7 were completely off center. strange.



I will, especially his single planing recommendation. We'll see about that. I'm pretty sure it's going to be two layers for me. I'll be sure to get some pictures up of my own soon.

 

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