1/700 Confederate Raiders CSS Alabama, CSS Florida

[Rhino]

USRC Louisiana is not a "Cutter Rig" sail plan. This is what I hoped to make for Caleb Cushing. I errored when I called this a Cutter rig.

Some touch-up and fine tuning is left to do. The PEE ratlines were much finer than I had used before and I installed them badly. Too much slack when viewed from bow or stern. After the flags and a little more rigging are added, this model of the Cushing should be dandy for the Confederate Raider box art. Maybe I should finish the Masters on the other 2 Confederate ships in this kit?

 

[Rhino]

I looked over the 1/700 scale Master for CSS Florida. She's been ready to mold for sometime. CSS Alabama still needs a few more details. 14 winders for her stern. After putting 60 individual P/E windows on the Fire Canoe Master, everything else should be a snap!

I had planned to mold Both Civil War raiders together in one big, complex box. I find more modest molds handier to tool, cast and clear. The extra material consumed in making separate, smaller RTV molds seems inconsequential after the base project for the newest "Diorama in a Box" kit. That one was a doozie!

Thanks all y'all for havin' a look-see.

 

[moon puppy]

She looks great.

 

[Rhino]

Scale Naval obscurities seem to be my forte'. I imagine the Oreto would have looked very much like this before her commission into the Confederate Navy and installation of 9 cannon. Oreto/CSS Florida is missing her 4 coaling scuttles, but not much else.
Pivot guns are ready. The rifled 6 and 7-pounders in the kit will be represented by 3d printed 9 pound guns. They should look the part.

 

[Rhino]

I started CSS Alabama before much 1/700 sailing ship Master tech was being employed. I hadn't discovered the wood deck trick yet, and bulwark detail was limited to gun port frames. These strips of p/e bridge winders are handy for adding bulwark detail too! Every other sailing ship trick will be added to this most famed Civil War Confederate navy raider model. Anchor chains, windows on the stern, platforms for P/E ratlines, coming up!
References for CSS Alabama are MUCH more plentiful than those for CSS Florida.

CSS Florida's mold is under pressure as we speak.

Thanks for looking in again!

 

[moon puppy]

Good luck with the mold.

 

[Rhino]

After 5 years of painstaking research, minuscule detailing and successful molding, Gentlemen, with great pride, I give you Confederate States Ship Florida, in glorious 1/700 scale. The ONLY waterline model of John Newland Maffitt's Civil War command.
Go ahead. Give yourself a minute to take it all in. Breathe. Good!

Stay tuned for cannon placement, masts, yards, booms, sails, boats and paint!
Rhino's Ministry of Scale Nautical Obscurities rides again!

 

[moon puppy]

Glad it turned out now get armed up! Dim yankees are comin up the creek...

 

[Rhino]

Glad it turned out now get armed up! Dim yankees are comin up the creek...

Yessuh! Right away, Suh!

 

[Rhino]

14 windows. Captain Semmes great cabin aboard CSS Alabama had 14 windows.
I won't arm CSS Alabama until she is a finished casting, Suh. I did sort cannon for both confederate raiders and US Brig Niagara last night.
I started this raider in 2019. She's not going anywhere. Right now I need to make cornbread to go with our Trainwreck chili supper.
Thanks for looking in!

 

[Rhino]

Cap-Holder-O-Matic works with well screw sloops of war too! The fore, main and mizzen channels (the part the bottom of the ratlines attach to) are the last parts to add to the CSS Alabama Master. I built a couple of lockers and installed them on either side the after deck, installed a waterline rudder, and changed the grating for hoisting the screw (propeller). I may make a new smokestack. My tapered stack looks cool, but doesn't jive with my research. Alabama's Master must be "just so".

Thanks, all y'all for havin' a look-see!

 

[moon puppy]

 

[Rhino]

Alabama's channels are sized to fit the p/e ratlines that will be included in the Confederate Raider's set, very much like CSS Florida's were. The fore and mainmast upper platform and bridge Masters are done. I still need to make a part for the mizzen mast ratlines to attach to.
I sorted Dahlgren pivot guns, 18-pouders, ventilators and anchors tonight. Each kit will come with too many cannon, because if I drop them, you might too.
Boats?! Oh sheyit! I still have to build ship's boats.
Thanks again for looking in!

 

[Rhino]

Small ladders can be cut with curved ends and used for bitt bases. I'll never drill teensie pieces of styrene strip for smaller vessels again!!
Thanks, Brothers for all your interest and support.

 

[Rhino]

There is a finality to taking a detailed Master to mold. A sense of accomplishment and yet the end of the really creative part of the process on this model. Joseph Kell was Raphael Semmes executive officer. A man I work with is Mr. Kell's great 5X grandson Andrew.
Well, until I lose my day job.

1100 tomorrow, Alabama will be cast for the first time. The first casting is always exciting! Proof of success or do-over.
P/E parts, masts, booms and yardarms, 3D printed and resin guns, ventilators and boats are coming together to make up the kits.
References differ concerning her smokestack. I put 2 versions in the mold so the buyer can choose which he/her prefers.
Thanks to all y'all for looking in!

 

[Rhino]

CSS Alabama's mold is a success. I am thrilled with how the 2018 details remained. Look at the deck! The wood grain is scribed!
This first casting reveals where small bits of RTV need removing to improve the following castings.

It also shows where relief cuts need to be made to allow trapped bubbles to escape. I will make the cosmetic repairs to this initial casting (Laird & Sons Body and Fender shop, Liverpool England?) and use her for the instructional build. I do not sell less than superior quality models!
This is cause for celebration! Just 8 years in the making! Finally producing castings!

 

[moon puppy]

Wow look at that!

 

[Rhino]

The Game is Afoot, Mr. Maffitt! extrapolating from a known dimension, LOA @ 191', I can figure mast, boom, bowsprit and yardarm measurements. I hope CSS Florida model enthusiasts will feel free to round up the 1/700 calculations. These are in inches.

Fully rigged with her sails flying, She will look a lot like this, but as a waterline model. SS Oreto was a stunning vessel! As CSS Florida, armed and well manned, she was swift and deadly for her time.

Thanks again for looking in!!
I invite anyone who is curious to have a look at the newest TLAR Blog post!

SOO Many new/old projects........

Rick seems dubious as he surveys the plethora of shiny, new resin castings. He hasn't said anything yet, but I can guess what he is thinking.

tlarmodels.com

 

[Rhino]

Similar extrapolation calculations were made for the mast plan for CSS Alabama.

Alabama had very distinctive upper mast platforms. These delicate parts build into pretty good looking masts. These are not glued in yet. Masts, ratlines and sails install after everything else.

Metal parts for the kit look like this.

Here is the goal, but as a waterline model. 3.77 inches length over all.
Closer. Ever closer! Isn't it about time?

 

[moon puppy]

Nice job Chris!