
Pinky schooner GLAD TIDINGS 1937
Unpacking the box and the process of building the model of the pinky schooner GLAD TIDINGS (1937) by the American kit manufacturer Model Shipways. Here I share my personal impressions of the kit and results.
UNPACKING THE BOX
The big blue box I received as a gift for my first Christmas in the USA. My husband gave me another kit of a schooner (as he dreams of his own large schooner) and now *his* Christmas gift will be the completed model! By and large I am really impressed by the quality of the kit. The box is chock-full of materials, blanks. Unlike some other manufacturers, this one does give excellent value for the dollar and does not economize on materials...
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS:



The keel was laid on the stocks in early 2020. The framing of the vessel is assembled from laser-cut plywood bulkheads Most of the blanks are of basswood - a wood that is easy to work, though harder than linden. The principles of assembly of this kit is that the modeller would be following the sequence followed by shipwrights on a real shipyard. The box is full of differently-dimensioned timber from which the modeler would build the parts. With the detailed instructions and large-scale drawings, tis is easy to do. Whoever designed the kit, did colossal preparatory work for the modelers. All that is left for the modeler is to enjoy the contruction process.
Before I began the planking of the model, I reinforced the keel in the area where the threaded rod for the stand would enter it. The planking is single layer and there is a pattern included in the kit for the narrowing of the planks. I used sewing pins for temporary holding of the planks. Subsequently, after glue dries, I remove them, fill up the holes and sand them. Here I changed the manufacturer's suggested sequence of assembly: I completed the planking and only after fairing it, did I add the keel, stem and sternpost.
After fairing the hull, the keel fitted perfectly in place. I had to only lightly sand to mate it with the stem and sternpost. At this stage I drilled the hull to install the mounting rod.
I decided to simplify the construction of the deck houses - this way it was easier to bend the planks.
The waterways is also laser-cut from basswood and so fitted in place as if cast there. Then I spakled the hull with two-part spackle used on automobiles.



I decided to paint the hull with spray paints and matte finish. This is my first experience with painting models (hopefully, also my last - that's why I was in no hurry to buy an air-brush) The primer colour was gray as it offered the best match for my paint scheme.
Additionally, I decided to plank the cabins and painted it black. As I intended all the hatches to be opening, I had to mask the interior. Additional benefit is that the planking helps fix the deckhouses in position.





And here the nightmare began. I sanded and painted, and sanded and painted, and sanded and painted to achieve perfect surface. I can't even count how many times I redid the yellow colour, but one spray can was not enough. The main color I used was citron yellow and on it I applied black and red (pimento) colors.
At the same time, I painted the waterways in matte white colour and immediately sprayed the hull with matte finish, as the paint is easily damaged. For all these painting dances, went nearly four months. I take off my hat to all those modellers who paint their models, particularly those who build and paint plastic models.
For the deckhouses, I bought deep gray spray paint. They would be installed after the completion of the deck planking. This way, it would be easier to sand the deck and imitate the nailing pattern. Speaking of which, I decided to replace the basswood planking with pear. This deck details that will not be painted, I will make from pear also and protect them with oil. Just because I like how it looks better than the pale color of the basswood. After this is completed, I can begin work on the bulwarks.
After dry-fitting the deck houses, I began gluing the deck planking with black-tinted glue to simulate the caulking. I made sure that the deck houses did not get glued to them at this stage. After completing this step, I removed the deck houses and sanded the deck with 150-grit sanding paper. I simulated nails with the help of CA glue. I marked the nails, drilled them with .35 mm drill, poured CA over this and sanded the deck for the second time (first with 150-gritt, then with fine, 400-gritt sandpaper). The CA also added definition to the planking seams. Although the kit did not contain one, I added a scupper at the bottom of the cockpit. I finished the deck with two coats of tung oil.



