Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS October 2011 BLUEJACKET SHIPCRAFTS: NEWS, TIPS AND HAPPENINGS


Waterfront News Wow, it’s really been busy at


BlueJacket, and we love it! We are still getting a great many visitors from “away.” This is a prime time for visitors who are traveling to see the beginning of the fall foliage. A great many of our visitors are from the deep South and from the West Coast. We also are pleased to see many visitors from European countries this time of the year. In mid October, Suzi and I will be heading down to the North Carolina outer banks region to do some historical research for a commission that we have received to build several custom models from that area, circa 1839. As the project proceeds, I’ll be periodically making mention of it. As they used to say on the radio, “Keep tuned”. BlueJacket’s “Fall Special” offer: With the purchase of any of BlueJacket’s model kits costing more than $150.00, you will receive a certificate that offers a 25% discount on a BlueJacket brass case kit appropriate for the model which you have purchased. The certificate is redeemable anytime within 1 year of your purchase of the model kit. This special offer will expire on November 15, 2011.


BlueJacket’s 2011 modeling class Some of the 12 participants in BJ’s 2011 modeling class Another very successful modeling class has come and gone. Earlier this month, we were joined by 12 modelers, coming from as far away as Oregon, Washington, Florida, and Texas-as well as Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maine. Our fully subscribed class was held at BlueJacket, so we had the opportunity for the modelers to interact with BJ’s entire motley crew. The subject of this years course was model rigging. BJ’s well known resident raconteur


and curmudgeon, Dr. Al Ross “facilitated” the participants in learning techniques to properly build spars, and the methodology and techniques of rigging both square rigged vessels and fore and aft gaff and/or marconi rigged vessels. Besides spars, the course dealt with both running and standing rigging. Even subjects such as rigging ships’ guns were covered. Al prepared appropriate, very large scale demonstration models. Each modeler had his own station, with a vise, and a package of appropriate tools and materials waiting for him. This was definitely hands on.


It was a lot of hard work for the participants, but they also had a great time while learning and practicing skills that will remain with them for their modeling lifetime. More than several of the participants have asked about next year’s course, eager to be included even though we haven’t yet decided upon the subject.


Model of the Month-SMUGGLER, an 1877 Gloucester Schooner


Often described as being the most beautiful schooner ever to “slip down the ways”, the 1877 Gloucester fishing schooner SMUGGLER remains one of BlueJacket’s most popular kits.


With a clipper bow and an overall length of 33-inches, SMUGGLER is an elegant, impressive model that looks too difficult for anyone other than an expert modeler to build. In fact, she is one of BlueJacket’s simpler models, well within the capabilities of a modeler who has only built one or two previous wooden ship models.


The absolutely gorgeous full sized plans and a superb 96 page instruction manual by the renowned modeler Erik Ronnberg, Jr, with multiple drawings and


diagrams on almost every page, make this a rewarding project. The large scale of 1/4"=1' (1:48), makes this kit ideal for the less experienced modeler who wishes to build a model that contains remarkable authenticity and detail, yet is well within his comfort zone. It’s a great opportunity to learn rigging techniques in a relatively simply rigged vessel (a two masted schooner) and practice with reasonably sized fittings.


One of the items that modelers had difficulty with was building SMUGGLER’S seine dory. To eliminate this issue, BlueJacket developed a fully laser cut, mini- kit to build the dory. One dory kit is included with the model kit. Additional dory kits (Item # KA1012) are available as desired. As always, BlueJacket’s help line ably manned by Charlie Cook, is available to the purchasers of our kits should any questions arise.


Tip of the Month-mounting a model O.K., so now that I’ve completed my model, how do I display it? My building cradle or work stand really doesn’t do it justice. What do I do with it?


There are several ways to show off your handiwork. One of the most common, and most effective ways of mounting your model is on pedestals. For example, see the brass pedestals supporting SMUGGLER (above). A pedestal is usually nothing more than some sort of a hollow support that allows a long screw to start at the underside of a baseboard or case bottom, travel up through the pedestal, and into the model’s hull. Depending upon the hull shape, the pedestal can be flat, or might be grooved to accommodate the keel. Also, 2 or more different sized pedestals may be required so that a model will be on an “even keel”, dependent upon the hull conformation. If the hull is very large, more than two pedestals might be appropriate.


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So I’ve decided to keep it simple and mount my model on pedestals, where, how, what, etc? There are commercially manufactured pedestals. For example, BlueJacket has pedestals and pedestal recommendations for most of our models. That said, a very effective looking pedestal, especially for small models, is to cut an appropriate length of brass tubing and utilize it in lieu of a commercial pedestal. Very


effective looking pedestals can be made by doing nothing more than painting common wooden thread spools and using them. Likewise, I have seen lovely pedestals made from lamp finials. Use your imagination and be creative!


Another common option is to utilize a display cradle. Many of BlueJacket’s smaller kits include a display cradle. If yours doesn’t, a cradle can be easily made out of some scrap wood (usually between 1/4' and 3/4" thick, depending upon the model size) and some dowels. Because each hull shape is unique, you will have to custom shape the forward and after end of the cradle. If you have hull station section plans, choose the appropriate stations where you want the two cradle supports to be, and use the plans for the shape of the cradle. Then use either two or 4 dowels to support the forward and after ends of the stand. Don’t forget to either paint or stain your stand to complement your model.


Occasionally, modelers will utilize “ways” to display their model, usually described as large wooden blocks placed on each side of the hull, both vertically and horizontally, to support the hull during construction and prior to launching. Dependent upon the kind of model that you have built, such as work boats, naval vessels, etc., this can be a very effective means of mounting your model. You can even build an angled wooden platform, with your modeled supported by the ways. You have just created a “slipway”, used to launch vessels.


Of course, sometimes you have to be creative to overcome particular situations. BlueJacket recently completed a custom model of a deep keel racing sailboat. How do we keep the sailboat mounted upright in her case, with only a very narrow, thin keel? The solution that we came up with was to build four boatyard type jack stands, making one of the three legs of each jack stand hollow. We then ran a screw starting at the underside of the case, through the jack stand leg, and into the hull of the model. It looked authentic, and it worked! It’s very true that building models is often an exercise in problem solving!


Jack stands with screw though one of the hollow legs of each stand, to support deep keel model.


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