Sovereign Of The Seas - The Art Of Modification...The Finale/ Rex Stewart

Here we are...the finale.

It has been an exciting journey building this kit and making it my own by way of modification. Sometimes we are intimidated by what we see and seldom embrace the 'inner self' of what we don't see...It's what we don't see that should be taken into account. Because, from the unknown we are certain to find (over time) the known. That, in and of itself, is what make life so rewarding...to explore and reach out to people, places and things.

I never knew what modification was until my mother forced me to attend a catholic school in the Little Italy neighborhood of our city's South End. There, at Saint Anthony's was a short, stocky priest  by the name of Father Sidoti that steered my artistic talents and modelmaking skills to ship models. His influence and direction guided me to countless parishioners who commissioned me to build, and to some degree modify their kits.

Many didn't have the ability to build them; and some couldn't because of their inability to read the plans which were English-scripted. But they wanted them to enhance their homes and businesses and honored Father Sidoti's endorsment.

Restoration projects from both Italian and Irish communities helped in this development, so research was paramount for me at an early age. Such research, (through various references) also gave insight to engineering and drafting skills I never knew I had...Skills that had superceded some of my adult contemporaries of those times - opening even greater doors to the possibilities in a genre that few boys of color would or could ever embark upon (given the biases and stereotypes of the day)...then and now. However, for five consecutive decades I persevered with no regrets.

There's not much more to write about concerning this modification, except that I went beyond those who boasted their expertise. I can only bring forth my findings through my works -avoiding the ancient curse of 'arguments'. So now, I humbly present these images regarding my version of the Airfix Classic Series kit "Royal Sovereign 1637" which was originally published in 1963.

Again, many parts were replaced by wooden application. Much of the details were scratchbuilt from wood and paper; and sometimes, a combination of both -using treatments to bypass deterioration, fading, etc.

So now, we begin with the images, giving salute to a fine kit that so many have criticized...

This overview show the Airfix Classic kit "Sovereign of the Seas" completely rigged and furnished with all sail as she appeared in 1638 when launched.

Another angle (same profile) showing the complex, geometrical lines of the rigging. Nothing was excluded by way of line or tackle. Every known rigging line is featured.

Port midship profile view... Hanging anchor, slightly furled sail, and closed gunport lids indicates the ship is preparing to get underway -being docked to starboard.

Starboard midship view showing stowed anchors...Sails are represented billowing away from masts to indicate a moderate breeze.

The entrance way near the channel lend to the size of this massive ship -dubbed the "Golden Devil" by the Dutch Navy. The sails have this glorious effect to them; even in their crinkled state which I've coined over the years...being the original author.
My contemporaries used tissue, I went opposite and applied aged bond paper for greater effect and realism which brought affluent collectors to my studio.

The effect and power of ensigns have been to create them so that it captivates the viewer -even from a distance. I have been known (over the years) for my flag effects to the dismay of disgruntled builders and galleries worldwide. Today, I show their beauty via the internet so that the public is aware that excellence has no color except perseverance and patience.

Another angled image of the British ensign...

References...

I have always (since youth) been a student of references and gave credit to those who provided them. Never once have I hoarded credentials and taken the spotlight away those who deserved it. And because of this humble nobility have I excelled as an artist-craftsman.

Below are two men who strongly influenced my research on sailing ships, especially those of the 16th and 17th centuries. Their expertise in the field brought my shipmodels to higher levels of detail that even I could not have comprehended. Research is forever dominant in this life. Innovation (in anything) increases for the right reasons. Because of these two centennial forerunners in my timespan (20th century), I have been fortunate to absorb their findings and mesh it with my own to deliver these works for viewing. Both men did not hoard the glory, they made their findings clear with no absolutes.

Percival Marshall (1870- 1948) was arguably the single most important figure in the world of British model engineering in the first half of the Twentieth Century. His magazines, writings and drawings epitomized toys and modelmaking to a level that opened new frontiers with shipmodels. Two of his plans HMS REVENGE and SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS gave me insight to both ship design and rigging processes. These discoveries, coupled with my own, present what is shown today in this featured model.

Bjorn Landstrom (1917- 2002) was the first to get my attention during the early years of the 1960s. I had a project in another catholic school (on the same street where I reside today), to build a model of Lief Erickson's viking ship which awed the nuns, monsignor and classmates when it was presented at the school. From that experience, his book "The Ship" opened a new frontier to my nautical interests which encouraged me to pursue his research through the years -eventually obtaining his final book  "The Royal Warship VASA" which will assist my next modification to another Airfix kit, re: Wasa 1628 Special Edition.

With the right references anything is possible. I have been fortunate to come upon many revelations by time and chance...a spiritual process which happens to us ALL.

Goldleaf...

A procedure, if done correctly, can produce some of the most beautiful pieces in any studio. Every artist has their own signature and methods to it. There is no 'one' standard...as some of my past gallery affiliations so tried to imply. As a child that is birthed, each come into the world differently -and that's what makes humanity so exciting; we're all different. So is it with gold-leafing and/or gold-plating.

SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS wasn't the only beautiful ship embellished with gold; there were others. But because this particular ship carried the latest upgrades for her time, much of the focus was on her carvings! PRINCE ROYAL and other predecessors were just as beautiful. Fact is, no models exist on them -and maybe I will pursue a few for the sake of evidence...Maybe.

However, below I show this plastic and wood creation with my style of goldleaf as I close this chapter of modelmaking to open my next assignment to the VASA.

A gold-leafed stern gallery painted carefully and patiently can bring awesome results that supercede the ordinary.

Bow rigging closeup detail...

Bow rigging view from water level...

Starboard bow waterline view showing Sovereign as she would appear underway.

Waterline view showing the rigging sequence under Sovereign's tops.

Stern gallery view showing the fall and coiling of ropes at the decks.

Rigging details in closeup around the main and mizzen tops...

Expanded overview of rigging details complimenting the previous image.

Port profile view showing Sovereign of the Seas as she would appear from water angle.

Port stern overview detail of hull...

Port stern closeup detail of falling and coiled ropes with featured billowing of lateen sail.

Sovereign of the Seas main waist with stacked boats. On either side was carried a grated spar deck to house the spar replacements that were lost either during battle engagements or inclement weather conditions.

Waterline view...

Starboard bow profile...

Starboard waterline...

The finale...

This has been a rewarding journey rediscovering a kit that had potential during my young years
and advancing it with the support of those who sacrificed time and effort to make it happen. I wish all those builders every success with their Sovereigns in the hope that they will make it their own.

For those who enjoy this type of work and have kits to be modified, kindly contact me : Caseships@yahoo.com. For more information about me and what I do, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart/ and https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals


A special note:

Some of you have kit(s) that you want to enjoy...not having the time (or being delayed) to complete or build them. In my line of experience, I can modify your kit(s) to be historically accurate in fine detail -and can safely package and ship your gem globally.

The contact information is above.

Fair winds and thanks for viewing!

Sovereign Of The Seas - The Art Of Modification...Part Three/ Rex Stewart

A closeup view-  Sovereign of the Seas forecastle deck, foremast and rigging lines...

Working with this vintage model from the Airfix series is the perfect kit for assessing SOVEREIGN's true structure relative to gun arrangement and layout. Many features throughout this build had to be altered to the degree of scale, guns, gratings and belay points...For a fighting ship there had to be enough space to move around the guns and rigging. Also, the rigging had to be clear of the guns in order for them to operate properly on their carriages.

I noticed the bow chasers on the upper forecastle were positioned four across. Based on the structure of the catheads (and the stepping of the foremast) there would have been no room for these guns to recoil. The mast, alone, makes it evident that only two chasers were there, not four. The falcons (port and starboard) are correct.

On many models I noticed there are no galley stacks. Why?

Meals were prepared forward of the ship, therefore the stove was located somewhere on the second or third deck above the waterline away from the crew.

I did not see any kit or institutional model feature any open companionways for the crew to  have immediate accessibility to guns and/or rigging prior to battle or weather conditions. Because of these factors I just didn't want to build 'another' SOVEREIGN; but have one that was a study model showing authentic deck layout and rigging of the period...Not by assumption or speculation, but by fact.

Before proceeding with rigging of the foremast, I had to concentrate on the anchors and how they were secured to the channels. Airfx anchors were perfectly scaled and correctly matched the channel length for stowing. However, the channel width was too narrow to house the anchor's bill so I had to widen that feature. This also helped to avoid having the ratlines touch the rails on the forecastle.

I kept the bill but modified the stem and stock as shown in the above image.

For my references to the anchor area I used both artist renditions from Van De Velde (the elder) who lived during that period and the contemporary illustration of artist Bjorn Landstrom. I considered these two sources very credible -based on my 40 years of maritime research.

Here, the anchor is stowed which give room for the second to be stowed and lashed properly as illustrated in the above Van De Velde drawing. Notice in the rendition a system of complete gratings covering the gun decks...In reality the system NEVER existed because it would not have given the crew leeway to operate the rigging for the sails. Furthermore, you have capstans which were essential for hoisting the large sails and yards; not to mention loading supplies and dispatching the boats.

It's difficult to fathom many builders ignoring those facts and succumb to so-called historians with their theories based on artist renditions and/or paintings. To make my point, view the contemporary illustration below and ask 'how' the crew was able to get past the gratings to be on deck to trim the sails? The stowed boats dictate grating could not have been present except on the spar deck where the spars are shown! Why won't modelmakers and historians 'do' the homework?

It took me 38 years to bring this truth to bear!

Contemporary drawing created during the 1980s that raised my suspicions at that time relative to the rigging factor and how it clashed with the reality of operational rigging systems. Also the contradiction of painting the topsides 'blue'...stealing the identity away from this ship when it was probably used as the color under the rule of King James when the PRINCE ROYAL was built in 1610. Under the son, Charles I, his ships carried black topsides.

Now, back to the rigging...

Before actual rigging is done, I first address how I want the sails to set -based on the wind setting. I find many models interesting because the builder presents to the viewer his or her view of how the vessel is operating -whether in calm waters or rough seas. Most don't understand that this small detail is the essence to good model presentation -on all levels. However, imagination is the key.

In this image I sketch out the sail from the same paper stock that these will be made from, keeping in mind that I'm focusing on wind movement (first), then on how the rigging will set based on that movement. The image implies that the sail is being let down by the bunts, keeping in mind that the port anchor is being lifted for stowing.

After the sail is drawn, it is cut out and folded to match both the indents and folds where the lines run which include the attached blocks. This add realism to the masts; but the rigging must be engineered in such a way where the lines can pass through the blocks without fouling or getting twisted with other lines. This process is tedious and must be planned ahead of time before securing the sail to the yards. And as shown, the yard is above the finished sail awaiting attachment.

The below image show the sail and yard concept as one unit, and the detail of those lines pre-arranged for the next step of rigging. It all looks complicated, and technically it is; but with practice everything will start to flow and balance...giving an effective result.
                                                                                                                                                                 

The next two images show how beautiful and effective the rigging process is when the completed sail has been attached to the mast. All other remaining lines are then attached to systems at the fore and aft points on the model...Concentration is 'key' so not to disrupt or foul existing lines -and the eyes must always focus in every and all directions during the build so not to ruin work that's taken weeks or months to accomplish.

Two views showing the main course attached and rigged to the mast with lines falling to their respective belay points.

In my study of rigging , I noticed 17th century ships had basic lines for their large ships that were universal. These were lines that contemporary models omitted or used randomly. Some lines were not present because of confusion to their leads and falls. These were bunts, martnetts, relieving tackles, bowlines, and top ropes. Other details were various stay designs between the main and mizzen masts -and tackle systems that assisted in relieving the strain of a line when masts and yards were hoisted or lowered.

In my calculation there must have been 50 - 60 tackle systems operating this ship (and other European ships of those times, re: France, Holland, Sweden, Spain, etc.)...

Coming upon the last leg of the build, I studied the Van De Velde painting in the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, England. I noticed the complicated mizzen stay systems of the top and topgallant masts. I had to decide how to approach it on such a small model at 1:168 scale. Below is the procedure and the following photo, the result.

The procedure...

The result...

On a miniature of this size, it is important to have the stays in place before completing the final segment of sail making and rigging. The most challenging part of this process is rigging the braces and bringing them down to their belay points without destroying the ensign flag. This is very tedious, even for the expert...and it's based upon the seriousness of the build.

In this particular image, I address the running rigging of the lateen sail. Since the model will show the sails taking in the breeze, I gently billowed this sail to show this effect without over-exaggerating the realism. In the background is the vintage thread used for the boltropes seen around the sail and the cake of beeswax used to preserve the threads from rotting.

The finished lateen is now ready to be installed...

The final diagram review of modification and corrections before completing Sovereign of the Seas.

Nothing can be more rewarding than to lose oneself in the annals of history and rediscover roads that others have trail blazed. It is not a put down of any individual's work, but rather an opportunity to study and enhance what's already been without ruining a finding based on pride. I have always honored those who opened doors to truths that many have ignored. Always wanting to know 'more' about a thing and not settle for mediocrity.

I am thankful for all those who have built their SOVEREIGNs before I was to actually build mine. All were helpful with my assessments and evaluations to a ship that held unanswered data that brought me into the fold. And because of these individuals, I better understanding for the traditional shipbuilding methods of the period.

No man's findings are absolute, but in those findings there will always be purpose; and that is absolute.

I now depart from this blog to prepare the finale. Thank you for taking the consideration to read and view the images!

For commissioned work, whether scratchbuilt or kit modification, please send your requests to Caseships@yahoo.com. My profile page can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart. Videos representing my recent works can be viewed at https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals


A special note:

Some of you have kits that you want to enjoy...not having the time (or being delayed) to complete -or build them. In my line of experience, I can modify your kits to be historically accurate in fine detail -and can safely package and ship your gem globally.

The contact information is above.