While I'm a "gray stuff" guy at heart, in my job I also have to design and build "stick and string" types. Here are some photos of the display model for BlueJacket's 1/96 CSS ALABAMA that I just finished.
More photos here: http://s73.photobucket.com/user/alross2/library/FINISHED%20ALABAMA?sort=3&page=1

Al Ross

Beautiful work, Al! I like the exposed timber work on the hull.

This is fantastic Al!! You've done a fine job on wooden rig!! Done a couple myself and know what it takes to get these done!! Congrats on the great finish!

I hate to rig. Fortunately, Nic (BlueJacket's current owner) is a fine modeler and likes to rig. So, when I finished building the hull and the rest of the pieces, he rigged it. The kit is plank on bulkhead and has about 400 pieces of PE brass, several hundred britannia fittings, a couple hundred laser cut pieces in basswood and ply, seven sheets of plans, and a 60+ page instruction manual. Each pivot gun comprises about 25 pieces (britannia, PE, and laser).

I'm working on KEARSARGE now, which will be similar in context and content.

Al Ross

Well it's a very impressive kit! I actually liked the riggin..rat lines too!! LOL!! Would like to see the Kearsarge too! We might have to think about adding a wooden vessal section!!

PM Inbound!

Superb Craftsmanship!

Cheers,
Joe

Beautifully detailed model there AL great craftsmanship you should be real proud of your work with this thanks for sharing.

Keith

Very nicely done, Al. You've done Raphael Semmes (not to mention William and John Laird) proud. I've been thinking about building this kit as well. In your opinion, what was the most challenging part of the build? Thanks!

~Troy

Ahoy Al

Real nice work indeed.

I admire Nic's rigging work not my favourite task as evident by my languishing E-Boat build.

Thanks very much for sharing.


Cheers


Sean

That would be great. I know there's a model boat club in New London, Connecticut (Connecticut Marine Model Society) that has wood boat builders and they do a show once a year. I want to try to make the show this year to get some pictures and post them here.

This year's show is April 26th.

Reminds me of the old Revell Kearsarge and Alabama kits. You can still find them on eBay.

Last summer in the Poconos, my wife bought me the Revell Kearsarge kit (from the original kit production release!) from an 'antiques mall'.

After some research I found the Revell kit actually represents the Kearsarge some years after her battle with the Alabama. To make here accurate I'll need to cut down the gunwhales. They were raised after the war to better protect her decks from rough weather.

Since I got that kit I've been doing more reading on Civil War vessels. Those battles really marked a transitional time in naval warfare where steam and armored hulls began to replace wood and sails.

As always another lovely model Al.

This site describes how to do that. It's a bit of work but not impossible.

There is also this set of guns to upgrade the kit parts.

Yahoo! Thanks so much Bill, I had lost track of that site for the mod. I had found it last year but switched computers and lost the saved link.

Be wary of the details in that rebuild article. I'm working on the KEARSARGE drawings at the moment and, based on original drawings and contemporary photos, there are quite a few discrepancies between them and the model in the article. The deck furniture is largely incorrect, especially aft of the main mast, the wheel should be right aft just forward of the rudder post, the companion just aft of the mizzen mast should be similar to that aft of the main mast but smaller, the jib pole looks way too long and heavy, the fore mast is too close to the forecastle deck, etc. At the time of the battle, KEARSARGE was not fitted with deadeyes on the shrouds, either. They were experimenting with a form of turnbuckle. Apparently, the turnbuckles were not considered successful, as they were replaced with deadeyes during one of the post war refits.

Al Ross

When will this ship? I was told by Bluejacket it would be the end of last week?

I also have the Bowcock book. Any thoughts on it what I should watch out for Doctor?

Thanks for the pointers, Al.

Oy,it's never easy.....

I know some went out last week and that they're packing away. There were quite a few pre-orders.

Bowcock's book is well-researched and will provide a basis for additional detailing. As for the kit, read the manual and review the plans before you even think of starting.

Thank you Doctor. I hope mine is on way. I'm told by Bluejacket that is beautiful. I am finishing Olmypia.Kudos to you.

Here is the unfinished deck layout for KEARSARGE so far.





Still a long ways to go!

Al Ross

Thanks for posting those images, Al.