April 2021

This was our second successful zoom meeting with 7 local members, 3 guests from the UK, and 9 guests from the USA in attendance.

Ray presented his build of the Muskoka power boat Lady Fay.  As there are no drawings he had to make a visit to photograph and measure the real boat and his model looks very much like the real deal!  The hull was built up in sandwich layers and shaped.  Then the features were added, deck planks and yellow caulking strips, cleats, lights, flag staff, windshield, exhaust pipes and rudder, upholstered cockpit seats, steering wheel, etc. - all from scratch!

Joe Lorenzo, a member of the Model Shipwrights of Western New York (Rochester, NY, USA) made a presentation on a model a member of his club (Lacy S) discovered in an Antique shop about 4 years ago.  He discussed the process of discovering it's identity: a Sharpie Fishing Schooner.  The restoration of this model is the next step and will be posted on the NRG Model Ship World forum.

David presented his ongoing build of a 28 foot cutter (which will be found on the NRG Model Ship World forum).  This began with making a plug of the inside shape of the boat, then building the shell of the boat over it.  The plug was waxed to assist in the clean removal of the boat shell, but that is not what happened!  David repaired the damage and carried on.  We hope to see the finished product soon.

Alan made a short presentation on his research into the history of his build, HMS Bellerophon (1786), which resulted in a 158 page document containing images and a transcribed collection from 86 era newspapers and genealogy research websites, 464 warship articles and letters, and 62 from her period as a convict hulk.
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These include vivid descriptions of the Glorious 1st of June, Cornwallis' Retreat, Battle of the Nile, Battle of Trafalgar, Napoleon's surrender, trials and court Martials, collisions at sea and run aground, the prisoner General Rochambeau accusing the Captain of theft, chasing the US frigate The President during the war of 1812, explosions in harbour.  His favourite is the report of a young boy, an officer's servant, temporarily assuming command during the Battle of the Nile.