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September 2022 Volume 12 number 9

ShipShape

News, Tips and Happenings
I am still looking for a successor to carry on this fine old company. There have been several inquiries, but not the right person, timing is off, etc. I won't settle, it has to be the right person.
NRG'S MODEL SHIP WORLD
Model Ship World is an on-line forum of over 40,000 ship modelers. Topics range from kits to scratch builds, in-process continuing stories, tips, manufacturer information, technical topics. Too many to list here. Go take a look!

www.modelshipworld.com
Nautical terms and origins
Beat - To sail to windward on successive tacks, or boards. The origin in the nautical sense is uncertain, as is the time; the latter no doubt related to improvements of ship design and rigging, resulting in improved ability of ships to work windward.

Farthel - An old word for furl, particularly for the courses and spritsail. It could have the same derivation as fardage, or that of furl.

Nun Buoy - A buoy that is conically shaped in its visible portion. It appears to have gotten its name form the early English word nun, for a child's toy that was tapered on both ends. The word comes from the Old English nunna, of the latter meanings.

Yard - A 'thwartship spar for any square sail. The term comes from the Anglo-Saxon seglegerld, meaning sail yard.

Yardarm - (1) The outer portion or the tip of a yard. (2) Now, too, a 'thwartship spar on the mast of a naval or merchant ship or a smaller powerboat, for signals, etc.

Information is from the book "Origins of Sea Terms" by John G. Rogers
copyright 1985 Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. and available from BlueJacket. 
Model of the Month - Disney Launch 3-D printed
Our friend Jason T. of WI created a 3-D printed model of one of Disney's motor launches. His entire fascinating process is documented here:

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/31351-disney-motor-launch-by-jason-builder-finished-plastic-3d-printed/#comment-888968
Real Boat Names
Let's see YOUR workbench
From Ian P. of ON

"The workshop is a long narrow room across the back of the garage, well lit, but no natural lighting. On one side are two old desks used as seat height workbenches, one for the project and one for drawings. On the other side is a standing height work bench for machine tools - lathe, milling machine, table saw, drill press etc.
On the workbench is the Barque Stefano in final stages of rigging."
 
What's on the workbench?
Nic's bench - Took a break from the Wyoming to repair this cute little Seine boat.
Al's bench - Al is excitedly getting into the final stages of the Oregon prototype. Next comes all the associated documentation, etc.
Something Fun (from San Diego Ship Modelers Guild newsletter)
Tip of the Month - Making test pieces
After over 100 tips of the month, with about 15-20 sent in by our readers, this is the last one I have. I'm sure I'll find something here and there, but I appeal to you to send in your clever ideas so we can all benefit.
This tip is from Neil D. of the UK

"Hi Nic,

Apologies I don¹t have more photos of this but thought your readers might be able to learn from this as I did.

Whilst pondering how to build the curved superstructure of a 60s cargo ship, I hit upon the idea of building a ³test piece² to try different methods without ruining the model.

I built a basic structure from 1mm styrene sheet, leaving front & sides exposed. I then used a card template to make an exact piece of 0.4mm sheet styrene to wrap right around the whole structure. This worked very well and the 0.4mm sheet was an ideal compromise between
strength, flexibility & ease of cutting.

I then wanted to practice some detailing techniques so made random doors, vents, hydrants etc from more styrene & 1mm aluminum wire. Next I experimented with some photo etch (Bluejacket) and a Plastruct ladder.

Next I wanted to practice painting so I primed the piece and then had a spray with my airbrush in red & white Humbrol enamel. Spraying white all over, spraying decks red, masking off decks and then respraying white gave a nice finish.

An experimental compass platform from 1x1mm mahogany coated in varnish worked well so that was put on the monkey island. Next I experimented with weathering using Tamiya powders and some Flory Models clay washes, seeing how they reacted with various varnishes.

Finally I tried different windows, the bridge windows being black vinyl strip from BECC and the other windows I created in MS Word, printed out & stuck on with Pritt Stick. Again I tried different varnishes for compatibility.

So essentially, all these different things tried on one small superstructure. I learned a great deal and enjoyed it without risking a precious model with lots of time & effort invested in it. In the end I binned (scrapped) the piece but I could equally have kept it for airbrush practice, testing
paint schemes of camouflage. The main thing I¹ve learned though - if you¹re unsure of something make a test piece first!

Yours aye,"
Blatant Publicity
A Final Thought...
Both of our soon-to-be new kits, the Wyoming and the USS Oregon are really magnificent miniature creations. Al has outdone himself on both these fine vessels. We have taken several "sight unseen" orders from eager customers. However, don't worry, both will be "open stock" and not limited.
Nic Damuck
BlueJacket Shipcrafters