- Apr 5, 2013
- 13,876
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"Flying Dutchman" - Ghost Ship - OREL Russian Paper Model Build
- Thread starter mtrappett
- Start date
That's very kind of you Micah! I'm glad you like it sir!
Thank you Zathros! I think this model is going to be the death of my eyes to be honestApples and Oranges. This model build is superb. The last piece was well engineered, with all the seams covered by the skinning pieces. This is going to be a much bigger model than I realized.
They were getting bad before, even with the new glasses I got for close up stuff, but wow, some of the very small, close-up work is taking its toll 
Like I mentioned before, there is a TON of work to do in these what I have now found out to be, "Quarter Galleries". That is the correct naming.
These are the parts for the left hand turret.
Start from the base plank upwards again. The construction is not the same as the right side turret, so just be careful.
Its like building 4 small boats
The upper planking is the hardest to get right.
Again, you will need to carve and sand to make the planks and the cap fit nicely.
These are the inside edge planks that go around the turret. They are needed on both sides.
And now for the banding that goes around the turret in several places.
There are 8 bands in total.
Its coming along nicely! Now for the lower planking. These are all the parts needed for this piece. Just one at a time, or you will get confused as there are so many parts and they are all different.
This is the port and starboard sides held next to one another so you can see what we need to get done here. The draft paneling in the upper part is where we will be adding all of the planking.
The first lower plank being held in place with small pegs/clips.
This is where I had to make a plank to fill the space.
Just use some scrap card, and use the spare color paper that is supplied to make the new plank.
I thinned some paint to eventually get it to match the existing planks. I just applied it with a cotton swab
Now onto making the straps that go around the middle section.
Next, the lower section has 4 'belts' that go around the body.
Play the drum roll...
All four of the Quarter Galleries completed and ready to be installed on the sides of the ship! Phew, these were intense, and the most difficult part is next 
The fitting of these bad boys!
Just a recap on the what we just accomplished. I used a highlighter to keep a track on each part. Without doing something like this, I don't hold out much hope for building these!
Make sure to hang on to all of the offcuts, as its so easy to miss a part that is shared on the paper or card and accidentally sling it in the trash
Believe me, I did it! Its also useful for making some strengthening gussets and those kinds of things as you work through the model.
I like to keep an eye open for lines that can be scored on the parts too to simulate real wooden planks.
Make sure to glue that color paper veneers to the shiny side of the card if you are using the laser-cut pack.
Paining the edges of the card and paper help to disguise the medium used for construction, and everybody will ask, "is it made of wood?"
Be mindful of how to build the separate assemblies off the ship! The plan makes no reference to that, and it is extremely important to the success of building the model. As an example. if you try assembling these Quarter Galleries on the ship, it could increase the complexity of the build by several factors, or even make it a near impossible task... just saying
Sadly, I do feel there is a chance that the model could be a success or failure if the builder doesn't follow the steps.
I sometimes paint with water to help the glue flow nicely into the joints and to help soften the card just a little to form a complex shape.
Try to avoid cutting the parts to fit the model. They are likely the correct size, and you need to look at the place you are fitting the part to for correct assembly first.
It may be necessary to cut parts into smaller pieces to go around compound curves like the turrets of the Quarter Galleries here.
I used a full sheet of 100 and 200 grade sandpaper on a flat board to make sure the bottom edges of completed assemblies were perfectly flat to assist fitting difficult parts.
This is the first Quarter Gallery that will be fitted to the ship. It is for the upper, starboard location. This is where I needed to significantly modify the part to fit the ship. I used the sandpaper to grind the bottom so it is 3 planks deep.
This is looking at where the part will be fitted in the upper section, 67.13P. I found that all the Quarter Gallery assemblies had to be significantly modified for them to fit within the marked lines. I had to get pretty medieval on them for sure
There is NO-WAY they are going to just be a drop fit! Lots of shaping and griding!
The bottom corners had to be split, pushed, pulled and glued into the correct shapes to match the lines. Lots of test the fit, modify, test, modify loops. And there it is! Don't be tempted to just think ah, I will just wing it and glue it! That will be a disaster because the stern walks and stern decoration amongst lots of other assemblies rely on these being an excellent fit!
These are the parts for the left hand turret.
Start from the base plank upwards again. The construction is not the same as the right side turret, so just be careful.
Its like building 4 small boats
The upper planking is the hardest to get right.
Again, you will need to carve and sand to make the planks and the cap fit nicely.
These are the inside edge planks that go around the turret. They are needed on both sides.
And now for the banding that goes around the turret in several places.
There are 8 bands in total.
Its coming along nicely! Now for the lower planking. These are all the parts needed for this piece. Just one at a time, or you will get confused as there are so many parts and they are all different.
This is the port and starboard sides held next to one another so you can see what we need to get done here. The draft paneling in the upper part is where we will be adding all of the planking.
The first lower plank being held in place with small pegs/clips.
This is where I had to make a plank to fill the space.
Just use some scrap card, and use the spare color paper that is supplied to make the new plank.
I thinned some paint to eventually get it to match the existing planks. I just applied it with a cotton swab
Now onto making the straps that go around the middle section.Next, the lower section has 4 'belts' that go around the body.
Play the drum roll...
All four of the Quarter Galleries completed and ready to be installed on the sides of the ship! Phew, these were intense, and the most difficult part is next The fitting of these bad boys! Just a recap on the what we just accomplished. I used a highlighter to keep a track on each part. Without doing something like this, I don't hold out much hope for building these!
Make sure to hang on to all of the offcuts, as its so easy to miss a part that is shared on the paper or card and accidentally sling it in the trash
Believe me, I did it! Its also useful for making some strengthening gussets and those kinds of things as you work through the model. I like to keep an eye open for lines that can be scored on the parts too to simulate real wooden planks.
Make sure to glue that color paper veneers to the shiny side of the card if you are using the laser-cut pack.
Paining the edges of the card and paper help to disguise the medium used for construction, and everybody will ask, "is it made of wood?"
Be mindful of how to build the separate assemblies off the ship! The plan makes no reference to that, and it is extremely important to the success of building the model. As an example. if you try assembling these Quarter Galleries on the ship, it could increase the complexity of the build by several factors, or even make it a near impossible task... just saying
Sadly, I do feel there is a chance that the model could be a success or failure if the builder doesn't follow the steps.
I sometimes paint with water to help the glue flow nicely into the joints and to help soften the card just a little to form a complex shape.
Try to avoid cutting the parts to fit the model. They are likely the correct size, and you need to look at the place you are fitting the part to for correct assembly first.
It may be necessary to cut parts into smaller pieces to go around compound curves like the turrets of the Quarter Galleries here.
I used a full sheet of 100 and 200 grade sandpaper on a flat board to make sure the bottom edges of completed assemblies were perfectly flat to assist fitting difficult parts.
This is the first Quarter Gallery that will be fitted to the ship. It is for the upper, starboard location. This is where I needed to significantly modify the part to fit the ship. I used the sandpaper to grind the bottom so it is 3 planks deep.
This is looking at where the part will be fitted in the upper section, 67.13P. I found that all the Quarter Gallery assemblies had to be significantly modified for them to fit within the marked lines. I had to get pretty medieval on them for sure
There is NO-WAY they are going to just be a drop fit! Lots of shaping and griding!The bottom corners had to be split, pushed, pulled and glued into the correct shapes to match the lines. Lots of test the fit, modify, test, modify loops. And there it is! Don't be tempted to just think ah, I will just wing it and glue it! That will be a disaster because the stern walks and stern decoration amongst lots of other assemblies rely on these being an excellent fit!
- Apr 5, 2013
- 13,876
- 10,216
- 228
I feel that there is a high failure rate for this model because it is for seasoned modelers, who can fabricate what they need. Everything you stated about keeping every part and following the method, plus you own experience in building ships. as such is right on the money. I've seen so many model ships with wracked hulls as the builders just did not understand the symmetry of building such a structure.
By accident, I found what the Quarter Galleries look like on a full size ship. This ship is called "Vasa" and is in a maritime museum in Sweden. I was just blown away with the incredible details. This ship looks like it was used as a base for the Flying Dutchman design?
The port quarter galleries of the 17th century warship Vasa. The galleries alone have over 70 highly ornate wooden sculptures of varying themes and size, all of which were originally painted in bright, vivid colors.
A quarter gallery is an architectural feature of the stern of a sailing ship from around the 16th to the 19th century. Quarter galleries are a kind of balcony, typically placed on the sides of the sterncastle, the high, tower-like structure at the back of a ship that housed the officer's quarters. They functioned primarily as latrines for the ship's officers, and in inclement weather they also afforded those officers a view of the forward sails of the ship without having to go outside.[1] On certain vessels and under certain conditions, the quarter galleries could serve as a firing platform for the ship's marines and sharpshooters during boarding actions. The galleries also provided a structure that was ideally suited for attaching decoration and often bore carved wooden sculptures, particularly in the 17th century.
As small, wing-like extensions of the stern, the quarter galleries were difficult to secure to the hull and in rough weather were sometimes torn from it completely.[2] Quarter galleries were only ever fitted on vessels of war.[3]
I find all of those pictures fascinating. The model is quite close in design. This is the port side we are going to work on.
I used a clamp just to make sure it stayed in position while the glue dried. Just a gentle pressure.
These are the two lower Quarter Galleries. You can also see how you need to modify yours to fit.
The strips on the hull need to be shortened a bit to make sure the Quarter Gallery fits nice and flush onto the side. The "face" cannon port surround also needs some carving away. It was just too small a cutout. This picture shows how it needs to be.
Voila! Both of the Quarter Galleries fitted! I'm quite pleased with how they turned out This completes the starboard side.
Now, onto the port side Quarter Galleries installation. Again, this shows what needs to be carved down to fit.
Using the clamp again for support. Starboard side also completed successfully.
These are all of the parts needed for the Stern Walkways. This was another interesting part of the build!
The Stern Walkway base upon which everything with be fitted to. I scored all of the planking for realism.
The port quarter galleries of the 17th century warship Vasa. The galleries alone have over 70 highly ornate wooden sculptures of varying themes and size, all of which were originally painted in bright, vivid colors.
A quarter gallery is an architectural feature of the stern of a sailing ship from around the 16th to the 19th century. Quarter galleries are a kind of balcony, typically placed on the sides of the sterncastle, the high, tower-like structure at the back of a ship that housed the officer's quarters. They functioned primarily as latrines for the ship's officers, and in inclement weather they also afforded those officers a view of the forward sails of the ship without having to go outside.[1] On certain vessels and under certain conditions, the quarter galleries could serve as a firing platform for the ship's marines and sharpshooters during boarding actions. The galleries also provided a structure that was ideally suited for attaching decoration and often bore carved wooden sculptures, particularly in the 17th century.
As small, wing-like extensions of the stern, the quarter galleries were difficult to secure to the hull and in rough weather were sometimes torn from it completely.[2] Quarter galleries were only ever fitted on vessels of war.[3]
I find all of those pictures fascinating. The model is quite close in design. This is the port side we are going to work on.
I used a clamp just to make sure it stayed in position while the glue dried. Just a gentle pressure.
These are the two lower Quarter Galleries. You can also see how you need to modify yours to fit.
The strips on the hull need to be shortened a bit to make sure the Quarter Gallery fits nice and flush onto the side. The "face" cannon port surround also needs some carving away. It was just too small a cutout. This picture shows how it needs to be.
Voila! Both of the Quarter Galleries fitted! I'm quite pleased with how they turned out
This completes the starboard side.Now, onto the port side Quarter Galleries installation. Again, this shows what needs to be carved down to fit.
Using the clamp again for support. Starboard side also completed successfully.
Stern Walkways
These are all of the parts needed for the Stern Walkways. This was another interesting part of the build!
The Stern Walkway base upon which everything with be fitted to. I scored all of the planking for realism.
- Apr 5, 2013
- 13,876
- 10,216
- 228
The rear section of the ship was also the weakest. In battle the sides would try to get behind the ship to send cannon balls through that glass which would go right through the length of the ship, as all partitions on some of these ships came down for battle, and movement of the guns. I volunteered some restoration of the "H.M.S. Rose' when it was being restored, really grunt work. I learned a lot how ships of the 1850's era were made. That ship was used in the move with Russell Crow, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World". This movie is said to portray life aboard those ships most accurately. If you haven't watched it, do, it's fantastic. I learned the piece that Russel Crowe plays on the Violin, by "Boccherini", La Musica Notturna Delle Strade di Madrid (The Night Music of the Streets of Madrid". (4:16 minutes into the video below they play this at the end)
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That is so very kind of you to say that Rhaven! This project has completely taken over my mind and body
Thank you mijob! I'm VERY grateful of the feedback! IT honestly helps to drive me onwards, and upwards!
You are very kind! Thank you! My wife is sleeping on the bed next to me. She has final stage liver cirrhosis (fatty liver), type 2 diabetes, and has to go in for surgery in a week or so for some other major problem that came up recently. The way I have always dealt with the worry and stress is to focus all my attention on my projects. This is totally the case right now! I hardly ever leave this room in my body, but I am always travelling inside my mind, and I have been aboard the ghost ship. This is a special project to me. I am putting everything into it, and I can't see past it? I hope to never finish it, as there's much still left to do
I am sorry to hear this. Both you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.My wife is sleeping on the bed next to me. She has final stage liver cirrhosis (fatty liver), type 2 diabetes, and has to go in for surgery in a week or so for some other major problem that came up recently. The way I have always dealt with the worry and stress is to focus all my attention on my projects. This is totally the case right now! I hardly ever leave this room in my body, but I am always travelling inside my mind, and I have been aboard the ghost ship. This is a special project to me. I am putting everything into it, and I can't see past it? I hope to never finish it, as there's much still left to do
HMS Rose.... WOW!! That is so awesome! I would have loved to have seen you working on that! That would totally be a dream come true working on such a magnificent ship for sure! That is amazing with the partitions coming down like that! I was not aware of that? I am totally blown away with the construction of these mighty ships from years gone by. My bother loves to work on steam powered engines, and he also loves the old steam trains. I find that I have always been drawn to these ships. I would love to see the Vasa that's in Sweden one day.
I haven't seen that movie Master and Commander, so thank you for posting that link! I will be looking out for that violin piece you mentioned too! That is very impressive you learned to play that Zathros! I know what I will be watching tomorrow!
I labeled this model as being of Russian manufacture and design, but I looked at it again, and I see it is actually, Ukrainian! Under the current circumstances in the world, I was wondering if it would be possible to update the main title to Ukrainian? It was actually made in Kyiv.
I haven't seen that movie Master and Commander, so thank you for posting that link! I will be looking out for that violin piece you mentioned too! That is very impressive you learned to play that Zathros! I know what I will be watching tomorrow!
I labeled this model as being of Russian manufacture and design, but I looked at it again, and I see it is actually, Ukrainian! Under the current circumstances in the world, I was wondering if it would be possible to update the main title to Ukrainian? It was actually made in Kyiv.
Stern Walkways - Continued
I scored the planks to make it look more interesting. These are the base parts for the upper Stern Walkway.
I scored the panel lines in on the sides of the Stern Walk base too.
There is now a small step around the outward face. There is also markings for the uprights that will need to be made further down.
There are 4 parts per upright. This is the first one installed. They need a slight angle facing outwards.
There are 2 types of uprights to make, large and small. Be careful to match them up with their markings on the base. These are 2 of the larger uprights in place.
These are tiny pieces so be mindful of organizing them. You will also suffer from eye strain after making these... just saying. Just tack them for now until the upper shelf is in place
Be careful with the corner uprights! They have kind of a fancy angle going on!
Just use your eye to line these up as you will likely need to break the glue joints to reposition them eventually.
Looking good so far! I will only show all the steps for the lower Stern Walk.
It looks like some kind of 'mutated spider'
Now to build the upper shelf. Note the part numbers are mixed up a bit according to the plan layout.
Here's the lower shelf complete. I glued the upper joints one at a time working my way around the assembly. Now to add the spiky bits all around the top edge.
These spikes are miniscule! You can see one in the middle being wrapped in its color veneer.
Now for the upper Stern Walk construction. This is pretty much the same as for the lower. Note that 70.3 and 70.4 are the ribbon edges that go around the base. Also be sure to scribe the panel lines again.
Not so many uprights for the upper Stern Walk.
The upper with all its uprights fitted. Now to build the upper shelf.
A close up on the joints. I use Elmer's Extreme for all these joints as it dries with a matt finish and blends right in. I used a glue 'gusset' around each joint to provide more strength. This one also has the spiky prongs on the top.
Super-tiny pieces!
Nice! Both of the Stern Walks completed and ready for fitting
Rear Figureheads
These look like flying fish maybe or some sea serpents? They are pretty detailed and require quite some work. There are 4 in total located underneath the lower Stern Walk. I really enjoyed building these, and fitting them to the ship
Here are all of the parts for the figureheads.
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Rear Figureheads - Continued
Each is created using 3 layers per figurehead.
There are 2 short, and 2 long figureheads. I always paint the base to prevent any card from being seen.
A quick preview of what they will look like.
Both of the side color veneers fitted, and adding the center piece.
These add the consistent look with the rest of the ships colors.
I scored the serpents scales and belly details to enhance the close-up looks. These are the wings or fins.
They don't mention it in the plans, but make sure to put an angle on the fins outwards a bit. They look pretty cool!
These are the side members which need to be fitted on the ship.
All of the Stern assemblies ready for installation on the ship.
Lets have a look at the stern again before all these pieces are fitted! Its nicely labeled where they all go! This is where you're grateful that you took extra care with the placement of the Quarter Galleries. See how they need to align with the transom.
First off, fit the upper Stern Walk. I just tacked it to start with to make sure all was well. It was thankfully, and no modifications were required.
Then, I fitted the 2 supports 72L & 72P to the port and starboard sides below the upper Stern Walk. These fitted great too!
Next, fit the lower Stern Walk to the ship. This fits perfectly too!
Now for the fitting of the Figureheads. You can use this photo to get the correct spacing between each one.
I found some really cool figureheads for some other ships out there. Some of these are incredible!! These are some on the front of the ships of course, but there were rear ones available too.
There were books on the history of figureheads too.
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