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inspiredcreativity In reply to LouieD0g [2013-08-19 08:05:29 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for your interest in the Hotspur.  The HMS Hotspur, as modeled, was a 20-Gun (18 main, with bow and stern chasers) Corvette in the Royal Navy in 1803.  There was also a HMS Hotspur, a 36-gun, Fifth Rate, in service from 1810 to 1821.  Everything up to 18 guns, on a single deck, was considered an unrated Sloop-of-war in the 18th & 19th century British Navy. 20 Guns pushed the Hotspur into the Corvette class.

The term Corvette was used by the Royal Navy (copied from the French), for what had previously been categorized officially as 'post ships', i.e. ships of 20, 22 or 24 guns (vessels of 28 guns and above were classed as 'frigates' until 1817, thereafter ships of up to 32 guns were also counted as sixth rates) which were so-called because they were the lowest grade of warship which could be commanded by a 'post captain'; as such, they formed the lower portion of the sixth rate.

MODEL:

This was a long, tedious and difficult 5-year project (alas, I am a perfectionist).  The frame is hand-constructed.  Each hull and deck plank was hand-shaped, steamed, and fitted into place, plank-by-blank.  The rigging is hand-wound, using a winding rig.  The rudder and wheel are fully functional.  The cannon barrels and anchors were supplied pre-cast, and the rudder hinges were supplied, as well as a couple of flags.  Otherwise, each cannon-assembly was hand-built.   This was a kit, but I had no idea how raw the kit was going to be until I got it, or I probably never would have taken on the project. Almost every piece required extensive shaping, finishing and fitting. I had previously built a functional Cannon (about 1.5 foot long).  

Frankly, I did this so long ago, I have no details on the kit.  I believe I finished it some time around 1985.  I grew up on the Hornblower series of books , and I still have the books in my library.

I went to sea for a living (Chief Engineer, Supertankers) and have visited 3 period ships and worked two trips on the Schooner Zodiac.  I can assure you that the cabins were made for very short people and were absolutely tiny. Each cabin also had to be able to transform to a battle station very quickly, including the Captain's cabin.

I see that you made a model of the Enterprise and do Illustration.  Are you in school for Graphic Desigin or art?

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inspiredcreativity In reply to CrypticPython [2013-02-02 07:23:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much. There are two more views of her if you did not see them:Hotspur 2 [link]
Hostspur 3 [link] I don’t have the patience to do it again. Once was enough. But there are people who love doing this for a living.

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inspiredcreativity In reply to rkainne [2012-07-12 13:29:19 +0000 UTC]

This was a real passion and took an incredible amount of time for me to build. I had to shape each plank to fit, then steam each plank into place, glue and nail with tiny nails. It is built like a real sip, using a Keel, ribs and planks. I used a shroud-winder to wind my own rope cables and shrouds. The coiled robes on deck, cannon rigging, cannon construction, os all done by hand. The helm and rudder function together.

I am also a Hornblower fan and have all the books and movies, LOL.

Kits for building a model like this are expensive enough, but to buy ship models like this already completed will cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on size, detail, complexity, etc. The reason why is the incredible number of man-hours it can take. Solid hull models are considerably cheaper.

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rkainne In reply to inspiredcreativity [2012-07-13 22:11:37 +0000 UTC]

amazing effort. though i love building models (stuff, in general) this would be a true test of my patience and enjoyment of the process. the results beautiful but it's the journey that needs to be ache of creation...

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inspiredcreativity In reply to rkainne [2012-07-14 02:09:47 +0000 UTC]

During and after building the Hotspur, I kept telling myself, "Never Again!" LOL It took me 5 years, but then I was out at sea for half that time, so it is more like 2.5 years, and I had to do it a bit at a time. If you have the time to devote to it, I am sure you could get throughout it much faster.

Model Ship plank-on-frame kits can come in more detailed versions than others, so it is something to investigate. In my kit, every plank had to be hand fitted and the rigging had to be hand-made.

If you want to take a short cut, you can buy kits with SOLID hulls.

You might enjoy looking through this website showing the Building the H.M.S. Bounty [link]

These are YouTube videos showing the Hull building part of the kits: [link]

COMPLETED SHIPS:
To see completed ships in detail, go to [link] and be sure to scroll down to ANTIQUE and CUT-AWAY

SHIP MODEL KITS

Good kits cost more money. The higher the detail the higher the cost. The more decks there are the higher the cost. The larger the ship the larger the cost.

Examples:SANTA ANA Model Ship Kit AL22905 $829.99 [link]
HMS VICTORY Wooden Model Ship Kit AL22900 $699.99 [link] Look at the detail shots.
HMS FLY Wood Model Ship Kit AM130003 $499.99 [link]
HMS BOUNTY Wood Model Ship Kit CON80817 $327.99 [link]

Or less expensive Pre-carved Sold Hull: UNION Wood Model Ship Kit CON80616 $119.99 [link]
Here are some Ship Plank-On-Frame KITS:HISTORIC SHIPS [link] Artesania Latina [link]
Mantua [link]
Amati [link]
MAMOLI [link]
Corel [link]
Constructo [link]
And Others listed on home page
LUMBERYARD [link]
BLUE JACKET SHIPCRAFTERS: [link]
Hobby World [link]
Cast Your Anchor Hobby [link]
Hobbyling [link]
MERCURY Wood Model Ship Kit AM130006 $839.99 [link]

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inspiredcreativity In reply to silentskulls [2009-09-27 11:00:28 +0000 UTC]

Hi,

Thank you. I have the entire set of 8 DVDs and all of the books. I read them when I was about your age, then came back to them again. What I like about the books is that they chronicle his life from very young Midshipman all the way to him being an Admiral.

Since you are readin about those who go to sea, you may be interested in the books:
Two Years Before the Mast [link]

There is also the DVD and book "Master & Commander" by Patrick O'Brian. Patrick O'Brian wrote an entire series of books like the Hornblower books. Just go to Amazon.com and search for Patrick O'Brian. There are a lot of them, so maybe you could go by customer reviews or what plots sound the most interesting. I have 5 of them.

-----------------

The Hotspur took 5 years to build. Each plank had to be shaved to fit, steamed (to bend them to shape), glued and nailed with tiny nails. The rigging is hand spun on a rig. The cannons are assembled, but the metal barrels, metal part of the Anchor, and the metal rudder supports were purchased.

Never again. I don't have the patience, more like determination, LOL.

I am sending you a Note about Women at sea. I went to sea myself and sailed with the women pioneers, the first ever to become licensed officers in the US Merchant Marine.

Matthew

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silentskulls In reply to inspiredcreativity [2009-09-28 05:21:57 +0000 UTC]

Very nice! I'm borrowing the DVDs from a friend of mine, but I hope to own them for myself someday. And how very fabulous! All the more reason to anticipate reading the book.

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inspiredcreativity In reply to silentskulls [2009-09-30 14:55:24 +0000 UTC]

When I was a boy, books were my escape from the abuse, loneliness, and emotional pain. Books can take you on amazing adventures. Watching a movie is different, it is a spectator sport. You get immersed in it, and it can take you to another place.

Enjoy the reading...

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inspiredcreativity In reply to RIVERKING [2008-09-23 13:49:53 +0000 UTC]

Thanks,

I have indeed seen his mazing boats and cut-away models. Its not a hobby, its a religion. You have to admire the patience and fine craftsmanship involved. Building one model was more than enough for me.

Take care,

Matthew

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RIVERKING In reply to inspiredcreativity [2008-09-23 13:56:39 +0000 UTC]

YEAH, THAT GUY'S GOT SOME TALENT, BUT YOU DO TOO.

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inspiredcreativity In reply to cl2007 [2008-09-18 13:42:43 +0000 UTC]

When I get the time, I would like to take some pictures looking down on the deck, fore and aft, etc. That picture was taken a very long time ago. Before taking pictures, the ship has to be cleaned...

Glad you liked it. thanks.

Matthew

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inspiredcreativity In reply to rujuw [2008-09-18 14:00:32 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. It took 5 years...never again. Each plank had to be shaped (tapered to fit at ends) steamed, and glued and nailed with tiny nails. It is built like a ship, so some of the interior spaces are correct too. A keel is laid, ribs installed, cross-pieces, hull planking, deck planking, long boat must be built, etc. There is a jig for hand winding the thread to make lanyards.

I learned that I don't have the patience to make any more models. It should have been put in a glass case, but for me that isolates it too much from my life. I am going to be dying sooner than later, so it was a big deal for me to find a good home for it. My brother has sailed around the world, so he gets it.

I was a big Horatio Hornblower reader growing up, and still have all of the books and movies.

Later,

Matthew

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inspiredcreativity In reply to StormsStarlights [2008-09-18 13:45:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I will have to clean the ship before taking more photos. A daunting task for someone who can't bend or stay in any position for long.

In the mean time, we are in the process of buying a new camera, which will allow us to more easily do HDRI. All we need is TIME.

Later,

Matthew

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StormsStarlights In reply to inspiredcreativity [2008-09-18 14:52:28 +0000 UTC]

Best of luck. It's a great project!

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