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Post by James M. Norton on Dec 8, 2012 17:42:40 GMT -5
I brought the Pitcairn longboat model to the monthly MVSMC meeting on December 8, and the picture below shows the status of the model as presented to the group. The mast is stepped, shrouds are in place, the gaff is finished and the boom almost so, and blocks are in place on the mast and gaff for the throat halyard and peak halyard. I have made a draft of the first figure, which I also brought to the meeting. I will probably have 8-10 figures in place when the model is complete, including 6 rowers, the helmsman, a lookout at the bow with a pole to avoid rocks, and a few passengers. Attachments:
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Post by James M. Norton on Dec 8, 2012 17:47:37 GMT -5
Another view of the interior of the model as shown to the MVSMC on December 8, showing the rowing oars, the steering oar, the gaff, and the attachments of the shrouds to cleats on the inboard strake just below the gunwale. Attachments:
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Post by Kirby Francis on Dec 11, 2012 10:24:25 GMT -5
So sorry I missed the meeting - this is a terrible time of year to be ill.
The boat looks fabulous. There's a lot of symmetry in that design.
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Post by James M. Norton on Dec 12, 2012 13:12:10 GMT -5
I've made a new figure of the crew member at the tiller, using SuperSculpey for the hands, feet, and head, and "Bake'n'Bend" flexible Sculpey for the torso, arms, and legs. The colors are the colors of the clay, so the figure is unpainted at present. The pose is more natural than that of the figure I brought to the December 8 meeting. Using the flexible version of the Sculpey polymer clay makes the figures much less fragile. Attachments:
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Post by Kirby Francis on Dec 18, 2012 13:52:44 GMT -5
I'm really impressed with the amount of detail you're able to get out of the figures.
Have you tried ink-washing as a final step in painting?
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Post by James M. Norton on Jan 12, 2013 17:54:40 GMT -5
The longboat model is shown below in its current state, with triced rudder, furled sails, gaff, boom, and mast lying down the center, and a few stored oars. This appearance matches well with pictures I have of Pitcairn longboats alongside visiting vessels. I will add a few more interior details, such as bags of mail, barrels, etc., and will leave room for rowers and passengers. Attachments:
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Post by Kirby Francis on Jan 17, 2013 8:34:10 GMT -5
What era do you intend to model? In other words, when you make your figures, what reference will you have for their dress, hairstyles, etc?
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Post by James M. Norton on Jan 25, 2013 21:35:53 GMT -5
I have a number of photos like the one here, of Pitcairn islanders in 1930's garb, and I'll try to create this look in my figures. Attachments:
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Post by James M. Norton on Jan 29, 2013 18:02:57 GMT -5
I've created some cargo items for the longboat model, in the form of oil drums, mailbag, and wooden box. In accordance with some of the vintage longboat photos in my collection, I've tucked these items under the thwarts. The interior is getting crowded, which is an historically accurate condition, from what I can see. I'll next work on the figures of the rowers and passengers. I don't want to make too many more cargo items until I'm sure I have room for the figures! Attachments:
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Post by Kirby Francis on Jan 29, 2013 22:40:53 GMT -5
Looking good already. Detail that is "hidden" like that (under the thwarts, visible between passengers) makes the difference between a model you look at, and one you can spend a good while just studying. I like the weathering on the barrels.
The passengers' clothing in the pic above looks pretty straightforward. The hat on the guy in the lower right (the white one) has a lot of character. It would be interesting to see how hard it is to mold one of those at that scale.
It's fun to watch a work in progress like this.
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Post by James M. Norton on May 24, 2014 17:49:02 GMT -5
The Pitcairn longboat model is now completed. Attached is a picture of the model in the oak case I made for it, sitting on my workbench where the model was constructed. The model will be sent to the Pitcairn Islands Study Center at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, where it will be surrounded by other models, artifacts, paintings, prints, books, and papers related to Pitcairn Island and the Bounty saga. More folks will see and appreciate it there than in my living room, that's for sure.
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Post by Kirby Francis on May 25, 2014 19:56:36 GMT -5
That's a real achievement. It must be hard to part with it - although your point about having displayed for public viewing is well taken. I've always found that models are well complemented by historical information that puts them in context.
I like the case - is that your own design?
Be sure to pick Bill's brain about shipping it, if you haven't already. No easy feat to get ship models across the country intact.
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