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January 2021 Volume 11 number 1

ShipShape

News, Tips and Happenings

Dear Shipmates:

2020 has drawn to a close. Many people this year have turned to modeling to occupy their time in quarantine. So we have had a great influx of new customers which we appreciate and hope they will become regulars.

May we all have a safe and prosperous 2021, and pray for the success of the new vaccines.

BlueJacket is a proud sponsor of:

NRG'S MODEL SHIP WORLD

Model Ship World is an on-line forum of over 39,000 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

A tribute to Charlie Cook

Here's a picture of Charlie in front of his workbench, I took it this past October when I visited him.

To make a donation in Charlie's name, his family suggests that you send it to:

Wounded Warrior Project

PO Box 758516

Topeka KS 66675-8516

I would like to share with you the comments we have received. A few are lengthy, but I couldn't bring myself to shorten them. On a more practical note, our 800 help line now comes to BlueJacket, and Al and I will answer your questions.

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"I’m so saddened to hear that Charlie Cook passed away. He was so helpful to me on so many occasions. Is anything being done in his memory?

Stay well,

John L"

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"Hello Nic:

I just received your December BlueJacket email and read the news regarding Charlie Cook’s passing. I just wanted to express condolences and relay my sincere gratitude for having had the opportunity to receive Charlie’s assistance with the building of my first model ship.

Early into my retirement, I purchased your model kit of ATLANTIC to keep me occupied during the cold winter months in upstate New York. I was ~20 hours into the project when I placed my first call to Charlie. Three winter seasons, ~635 hours and seven more calls to Charlie later, I put my completed model on display. I can whole heartedly echo the tribute you wrote regarding the value of his support. In addition to answering whatever specific questions I had, Charlie always took the time to inquire about processes recently completed and/or upcoming to make sure I was on the right path and had the correct plan and techniques for success.

I get great pride and satisfaction in looking at my completed ATLANTIC model and consider my interactions with Charlie an extremely valuable aspect of the overall enjoyment I got from this experience. I am looking forward to building my next ship, but it won’t be quite the same without Charlie’s assistance and encouragement along the way.

Thank you,

Dave J"

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"To Al and company,

Wishing all of you up there in Maine a safe and healthy Holiday from us hunkered down in Rhode Island. And condolences on your loss. When a shipmate crosses the bar, it is always a sad time.

Brian W"

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"Nic,

Charlie and Lorraine Cook. So welcoming and kind when I visited their home in Harwich MA during Charlie's magnificent build of the Friendship of Salem, a gift to my daughter Lindsay and her husband at their 2017 wedding. The model lives on, and is a source of pride. I'm sure Charlie will be missed by those of you who knew him best. A great and inspiring talent.

Warm regards during the holidays,

Brackett T"

"Will miss him;helped me with one of my more difficult builds

Peter S"

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"Hi Nic,

I just read your newsletter. I’m so sorry about Charlie. I only spoke to him twice, but he was very helpful and you’re spot on as to how he inspired confidence in me, as a new comer to the hobby. I thought it was strange he didn’t answer my call this morning before I spoke with you. Again I’m sorry for your’s and Bluejacket’s loss.

With Gratitude,

Paul F"

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"Nic,

I agree with all you've said about Charlie.

I am so sorry to hear that he passed.

He was a terrific guy who was for me extremely helpful and pleasant.

I always enjoyed talking with him.

Hope his family gets copied on comments you receive about him.

Might there be another person on staff that we can call going forward for getting similar help ?

James F"

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"Hello Nic and Trisha,

I am so sad that Charlie passed away. I once told him I am 86 and he replied "So am I". God bless him. He is at peace.

Dick F"

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"Nic,

Sorry to hear of the passing of Charlie Cook.

He helped me several time as I was getting back into wood models. He was very patient as I had to call him several times on the same subject. I finally got it right and he was the reason.

He will be missed.

Wayne W"

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"Nic,

I just got around to opening your current news letter and was greatly saddened to read about the loss of Charlie Cook. For wonderful patient information it would difficult to come up with a better source than Charlie. He always took time to listen, go and gather the appropriate plans then patiently and thoroughly help solve the problem. Good luck finding a replacement.

Have a happy holiday season.

Yours,

Jerry N"

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"Hi Nic,

I wanted to thank you for your nice tribute to Charlie Cook in the December newsletter. Until you mentioned it, I was not aware that his wife, Lorraine, had also passed this year. She was usually the person who answered the phone and quickly handed it over to Charlie, a very pleasant lady.

Like many BlueJacket modelers, probably, I never had the opportunity to meet Charlie but enjoyed the conversations and greatly appreciated the guidance he provided. He assisted me with my "Grand Banks Dory" and "Yankee Hero" constructions and earlier this year we also spoke about the "RC Lobster Boat" that I had received for Christmas 2019 from my wife.

Each time I spoke with him I took careful notes which I retained. Charlie not only patiently answered my questions as a first-time builder of wooden boats, but also offered related advice which I likewise recorded. He was a tremendous source of help, knowledge, and inspiration!

Interestingly, when my wife got me back into this wonderful hobby - I often remarked how "someday" I wanted to resume building boat models and get into making wooden boats and one Christmas she took me up on my comment - she pointed out the helpline assistance note in the box. You see, I had an Uncle Charlie who had passed a few years earlier (at age 94) and was a model builder who had offered guidance when I was a boy. As a kid he used to go to the Boston Public Library to research ships as most models lacked the detail he craved, and then create them from scratch. He continued building models all his life (I have his HMS Victory plastic model). When he retired from the ministry at age 65, he went to work for an architectural firm as a model maker. This eventually led to him teaching model making at a college in Denver and exhibiting at conventions and shows around the country. Both "Uncle Charlies" had a similar demeanor and were very passionate about building models and always generous in sharing their knowledge and wisdom.

I miss both men and plan to continue incorporating their skill into my model building and to pass on their knowledge to my young grandsons.

Thank you for all you and your staff do for this hobby! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that 2021 will be a healthier and happy year for all. My wife and I are hoping to get back to Maine and a return visit to your shop is on the agenda. Take care,

Frank C"

We get emails......

Good afternoon -

Recently I started building your Endeavor, and even though this is the second

one and even though I thought I was being ultra careful with the small

pieces, I cannot find the wheel (PEEND1). Is there any way to order a

replacement wheel? Many thanks -

Ned B of MA

SORRY TO BOTHER YOU - MY WIFE JUST FOUND THE WHEEL - BE WELL

Ned B of MA

She's a keeper !

Nic

HA HA! That she is.

Ned

Nautical terms and origins

Ash Breeze - Becalmed. Under this condition a ship's boats were put out, to tow her by rowing. The term may have been in use earlier, applying to smaller sailing vessels that could use oars.

Bumkin (also Boomkin) - (1) Earlier, any of several short sparlike projections outboard of the hull, for various lines. (2) Modern meanings are (a) for yachts, a similar projection dead aft, usually for the mizzen sheet of a yawl or ketch (now becoming rarer), and (b) for research vessels, outboard projections for handling various equipment. The word no doubt came direct from Flemish boomkin, of the same meaning as the earlier use.

Gooseneck - A device for securing a boom to itrs mast - a type of hinge. The term may have got its start as a nickname, referring to the flexibility of a goose's neck.

Overhatted - Carrying too much sail, particularly pertaining to square-riggers. Obviously a colloquialism, mostly British.

Information is from the book "Origins of Sea Terms" by John G. Rogers

Model of the Month - Super-detailed lobster boat

Morning Nic,

here is a recap of my build. First, I was born in Maine and lived there for over 50 years, during that time my family and I spent a good deal of our time in small Lobster fishing villages such as Boothbay Harbor and Southwest harbor, watching and talking with Lobstermen and women as they went about their craft. I was and still am fascinated with their working boats. Thus when I saw the Blue Jacket kit online I sent for it and I am very pleased with the quality and detail of the kit, but I wanted to make this model special so I added these modifications.

These additions and modifications were created from left over model parts and material. I built a cabin interior with floor, engine cowling with chart table, added supply cans and boxes. I than fabricated a cabin door on hinges, and a fire extinguisher . I installed Teak planking on the sole floor, the Cabin and cockpit roofs, and installed mahogany main deck planking. I added an antenna, radar dome, two spot lights, and a running light to the cockpit roof, and a compass to the cockpit console. Installed brass nails in the rudder, host pulley box and door. Brass was also used for the exhaust pipe, anchor chain, pilot bearing for the propeller shaft, beige pump outlets on each side and protective strip at the prow. I decided on a two color paint application with white toe rails, rub rails, and chafing strips. The hull has two coats of primer and three coats of color. All decking and exposed wood has three coats of clear Poly.

Richard H.

Real Boat Names

Let's see YOUR workbench

Nic,

Per your recent request I attach some photos of my (crowded and rather messy) shop.The ship in view is my current project… A scratch built USS Newark in 1 to 96 scale. The Newark was cruiser number one in the emerging US steel Navy and was launched in 1890.She was the last ship to be delivered to the Navy with a full sailing rig.

Best regards,

Joel L of MD

What's on the workbench?

Nic's bench - The end is still in sight for the Red Jacket. There's only 3 of the 15 pair of braces left to do. Then it's the jib stays, lifeboats, flags, and she's done.

Al's bench - He's juggling three development projects - USS Oregon, Wyoming, and the NS Savannah. AL has a Facebook page for each one so you can see progress. Here's one of his drawing for the Wyoming.

Something Fun

The Newlywed

The local news station was interviewing an 80-year old lady because she had just gotten married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about that it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation.

"He's a funeral director," she answered.

"Interesting," the newsman thought.

He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.

After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when in her 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, and a preacher when in her 60's, and now - in her 80's - a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained. "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

Tip of the Month - Attaching rigging to difficult belaying pins

Hoe many times have you been frustrated trying to get a line to loop under a belaying pin? Especially where free space is tight, like next to deck furniture?

There is an easy answer. Take out the belaying pin, and thread the line into the hole. Then replace the pin. It's as easy as that! Just be sure to use some CA to make the end of the line curve, before you insert it, so it will poke out from under. Other wise, it might just decide to run along the waterways.

Here's a photo sequence for you.

Blatant Publicity

A Final Thought...

Something for Everyone:

Throughout Bluejacket’s history, the company has developed not just products, but rather a well thought out product line that features model kits for all skill levels and seagoing areas of interest. I’d like to tell you that we invented this concept, but we didn’t. However, we’re working hard to make sure we’re living up to its goal. To that end, we’ve launched:

· New Ensign level model kits Rainbow and Endeavor, the 1815 Revenue Cutter, and the J/24 One-Design keelboat.

· New Captain level model kits Pauline sardine carrier and the USS Cairo, plus an upgraded Nantucket Lightship kit. And soon to come, the NS Savannah.

· New Admiral level models USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama, and the soon-to-be-launched USS Oregon Indiana-class, pre-dreadnought battleship. On the horizon, USS Oregon and 6-masted Wyoming.

It’s been a pretty ambitious product development program, but one in keeping with Bluejacket’s objective to offer fresh kits to current shipmates and to those who will come aboard in the future.

Sincerely,

Nic Damuck

BlueJacket Shipcrafters, Inc.