La Couronne 1636 (1:98) - Mantua [ENG]

[majq]

Hi modelers, greetings from Czech republic !

Because you are very friendly people here, I decided to start a build log for my model on this forum. Though I cannot speak Italian and my work with this forum means work with translator almost all the time, I appreciate ANY responses, ideas and advices from you whether in English or Italian language.

Now let me introduce myself shortly. I am from Czech republic (and because we have not sea here, it is maybe the reason why I love sea and ships ). Even if I had a poor experience with modeling (I built some plastic models when I was very young), I decided to start building La Couronne. One reason is that I love ancient galleons, that kind of ships is very impressive for me and second reason was that Sovereign of the seas and Vasa model was a quite expensive . My wife gave me this ship for my 30th birthday and I build her almost for 2 years yet. Maybe it is a little bit hazardous to start with this model when I have never built any wooden ship model before, but I think that if modeler is patient and careful and thinking properly, he is able to make a good model. Nevertheless I am sure that my model will never be so nice as Paolo's one, you can see his professional work here: la Couronne

Now about my model. The kit was intended as single planked on bulkhead. Because the planks was 2x4mm walnut strips, wood was very hard and I had not any experience with planking, I decided to make double planking - 1,5mm limewood for 1st layer and 0,5mm walnut for second. I think that the result is nice, moreover when I was beginner (I must compliment myself here ). The single parts of ship are from ugly plywood in the kit and because I did not find any method how to paint them to be the same as walnut hull, I am obliged to make all visible parts from scratch. Even if it is a little bit expensive, because I have to buy additional walnut wood, I do not want to have disgusting plywood model at the end.
Also I decided to leave original metal gunports and lids and make them from scratch. I have already hinges - I etched them from brass plate, it was very funny - and small brass nails. But I am not sure if this decision was good, because I have a long, tedious and fairy work before me. Maybe I should use original pieces and avoid many worries with making them from scratch...

Here are some pictures, I picked some from beginning to current state. I do not know, if is it possible to add comments to pictures, because I am still beginner on this forum, but I think that meanwhile there is not needed any descriptions.

Well stop speaking now, I am almost sure that you are a bored now by my message, and enjoy below pictures.

In the next post I will need to know your attitudes to one part of build which I am currently on. I will need to solve my dilemma

For now have a good time all and I will update you soon with some new pics.

Cheers !

Michal

[majq]

hmm I cannot attach more than 30 pics. By the way, I am not sure if I am doing the insertion of pictures in correct way. I click on "Allegati", then in new window add 10 files, then click on "Carica", repate it 3 times and then close window and in main message I click on "Inserisci tutto" and arrange [attach] tags. Certainly I am not sure of my method, but there are pictures in post. So here is the next set of pictures.

[majq]

And the final set for today.

Cheers !

[madamalouise]

Hi! a lovely work!
I have only two suggestions:
1) The planking on the ship's back is not correct, I'm afraid
2) Why don't you cut off the plywood keel and replace it with a walnut one?

[pimini]

Michal, welcome on board!!!
Beautiful job

[trinchetto]

Hi, Michal!
Welcome on board . You've correctly posted your photos ... and following the instrutions I'm sure you've learnt some italian words ...

I agree with Madamalouise. During the 2nd plank-covering we mustn't forget the real structure of the ship: the structure's elements are vertical, so the planking is horizzontal, even in the bow and the stern. And no strip crosses another underlocated strip (I see it near the forecastle)...

Bye
Trink

[Giupy25]

Ciao e benvenuto in questo forum anche da parte mia.
Come è bella questa nave, tua moglie ti ha fatto un regalo bellissmo e tu hai una buona mano, per essere la tua prima nave complimenti.
Sono sicuro che ti troverai bene e soprattutto troverai tutte le risposte ai tuoi dilemmi.

Buon modellismo
Giuseppe

[majq]

Thanks to all for compliments.

madamalouise - yes, perhaps I wrongly planked back of ship, I decided to place strips vertically on all vertical parts (I do not know why). But in this stage it is very difficult and tough to re-plank all these parts. It not only plate on stern, but on the stem I did it in the same way. All structures between decks are also made by vertical placed timbers Ok, I leave it as is now, on possible second build I will use this knowledge.

Regarding to keel, I used plywood one and cover it by 0,5mm walnut veneer. The result is good - keel looks in the same way as hull, only keel is 1mm thicker. I tried to sand it before placing veneer, but is was very hard and I did not sand it enough

Thanks for your suggestions, it is very helpful.

Regards,

Michal

[capitan red]

Hi, Kichal!
Welcome among us. I saw the pictures of your Couronne and I have to compliment your work.
good site,see you soon.

p.s. excuse my English but 'to google traslator.

[majq]

Hi all, I hope you are fine !

Today I need your opinions how to solve my current problem with channels in forecastle. As per plans, channels should be placed just above the first line of guns. But there is also needed to have shrouds in line, not bended over deck or railing on deck. For illustration I drew a simple picture (sorry for quality, it is my delicate attempt in AutoCad), there you can see what I mean:



On the left picture there is bended shroud because of the deck. This is exactly the problem what I have. To correct lead shrouds and to be comply with plans, I had to make channels too wide, in my opinion. Their width is 18mm, which is as per scale 1:98 almost 180cm in real size. I think that it is not correct size and I feel that it does not look good on ship. Nevertheless, I already glued them on ship and here you can see the result:



Now I am in difficult situation and there is not much options how to resolve it. Honestly I think that there are only 2 options:

- let it be as is
- move channels upwards, above the second line of guns as you can see on this picture (this nice model has been built by Tizian, I took this picture from another forum. That forum is unfortunately closed so I cannot put a link here )



OK, now you know the facts and I would ask you to tell me what you would do with it.

Paolo (Boden), have you also this problem on your model, when you build it ?

Many thanks in advance for your verdicts.

Regards,

Michal

[boden]

Hello Michal, I have put a picture to show you what I did.
position with respect to plans is higher.
before setting the blueprint for bigoted but you should put the columns in the forecastle; controlled from the height of the foremast (the attachment point under the shroud cross).
put a wire from the bigoted to the point of attack, to see if the wire touches slla balustrade of the columns.
if you fold up the platform of the bigoted, let them also Fattoria and the Casale space to shoot the guns.
the picture is better understood.
Paul

Ps. Google traslate is very terrible

[trinchetto]

Hi Michal,
I think that the second solution (replacing) is better. As shown also in Paolo's model, if you place channels higher than now you'll have less problems and - for me - more realistic channels: it's strange to see so wide and so low ones.
A question: are you sure of the correct position of the foremast, especially its height?

Bye
Trink

[Mario97]

Oh!
It's beautiful!
I think it's a good realisation, but you can learn with the suggestions of the others like madamalouise, trinchetto etc.

Mario97

[trinchetto]

This is a great method for planking.... I've saved the image in my personal folder!! And I've seen again all your photos: are you sure to be a beginner?

Bye
Trink

[corsaro1750]

ciao e benvenuto anche da parte mia. La couronne e' una bella nave e tu la stai costruendo molto bene.


ps:cari amici, una curiosita', ma usate il traduttore google, o siete tutti laureati in lingue straniere????