October 2021

This was our second meeting of the 2021/22 season with 14 modellers participating from Canada, the USA and the UK

Mike made a presentation of Pond Boat design of 1904-1906, and his plan to build a replica of the Lulworth racing yacht (1920).

He discussed the knife edge (for minimum water resistance and speed) and lead filled keel shape, and described the need and care in keeping her hull balanced (metacentre, centre of gravity and buoyancy) and so keeping the boat stable. A detailed discussion of the Brane Gear steering device and how it operates followed.

John presented a few elements his 1:36 scale model of the 64 ft. gun boat Caustic (1814) as built by the British on Lake Champlain during the war of 1812.  She had three long guns on rotating tracks.  Lead ships had carronades in the midships location instead of the long gun.

He described how he solved a holding problem when turning the guns from aluminium stock as it was difficult to grip the part as there were three angles to the outside along it's length.  He separated the barrel into three parts that allowed him flat sections to grip on his lathe.

He also likes to add figures to his builds to give it visual scale.  He found a set of plastic Revel German gun crew figures that he modified with an X-Acto knife to remove details (boots, pockets, etc.) and foil from a wine bottle to build other areas back up.

Ray presented his build of three 1:24 scale Lowell Grand Banks Dory kits as gifts for neighbours who have been working at hospitals helping the sick during the Covid pandemic.

The design of this model was created by David Antscherl (a MSON club member) and is sold by Model Expo.  Ray described the laser cut beginner level kit as a real joy to fit together, with no surprises and well written instructions.  Ray added a pull out "storyboard" to the underside of the replacement base that he also added to the kit.  His base has a recess into which his acrylic case nests.

Alan presented the carving of the Figurehead at 1:64 scale for his scratch build of HMS Bellerophon (1786).

He explained that the original figurehead was destroyed in a collision at sea in a gale storm.  As there are no sketches or paintings of the original figurehead, only a description, he created his version from the description.  A Clay Marquette was then made to assist in visualising the work in 3D.  The actual piece was carved in Castello boxwood using rotary tools, mini chisels, files and sandpaper. 

The colour scheme was quite simple in this era: the body of both figures were white, javelin black, cloak red, and helmet gold with white plumes.