Photo #363

Ladies and gentlemen, I present my completed R.M.S. Titanic in 1/700 scale...

The model is approximately 15 1/2" long from the bow to the tip of the little Union Jack flag at the stern.

The bow is on the right side of this photo. You're looking at the Starboard side of the ship.

I am currently working on a video that chronicles the construction of this model from opening the kit to applying the last decals. I'm even composing and recording a nice little guitar melody for the video! I'll post it on my Facebook page soon!

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Photo # 360

The M.V. Coho, a car & passenger ferry that's been sailing between Victoria, BC and Port Angeles, WA almost every day for over 50 years. Someday I'd like to go for the trip...

On a quiet day this ship's distinctive horn (3 blasts: one long, two short) can be heard from several kilometers away. It's one of my favorite sounds!

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Photo #337

On our second to last day, Megan and I went on a great 6 hour cruise aboard a very nice 47 foot sail boat. It was my first time actually sailing and I loved it! The crew even asked if anyone would like a turn at the wheel driving the boat and of course I jumped at the chance. After a few pointers from the captain, he left me to it for almost an hour and a half! I must have done a good job because I got a round of applause from the passengers and was dubbed the new "El Capitan" by the crew! What an amazing experience!

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Photo # 310

This is my little model of the USS Missouri. No, I didn't build it. It's actually just a little die cast souvenir I bought when I visited Pearl Harbor in 2008. Now that I have a proper place to display the model, I finally removed it from it's packaging...

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Photo #298

I think they mean it when they say "No Trespassing"...

Most people have an alarm or a dog, but I guess a cannon could be just as effective.

In case you're wondering, this is the S.S. Beaver, a museum ship in Victoria's harbour.

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Photo # 290

In my downtime this week I've started working on the Titanic's hull. In this shot I've flipped the hull upside down and just finished priming the bottom (below the waterline) in grey. The primer is what's going to make the red hull paint look awesome...

The bow is at the lower right.

The rest of the parts are all painted and built into sections just waiting for final assembly. My table becomes a virtual shipyard some days, but I always have things tidied up before Megan gets home! I'm not going to post any more progress updates from this point since I'm so close to completion. You'll see the finished ship soon. :)

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Photo #279

It's been a little while since I've shown an update on the model of the Titanic that I'm building, so here's a shot I took this afternoon looking from bow to stern along the upper decks. I slid the top deck over to show you all the little walls and panels I just installed inside along the Promenade deck...

I'm still a long way from being finished! There are a lot of little parts left to install, and I still haven't started priming and painting the lower half of the ship! I'm really taking my time with this model. I'm not going for museum quality, but I want this ship to look as nice as possible sitting up on my shelf.

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Photo # 250

This isn't something I see every day, a ship full of boats...

I look at this big ship and I think of one of those trucks that deliver cars to the dealerships. I like the boat perched right there on that platform near the forward crane. I'll take that one.

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Photo #246

Part D-43 (Docking bridge) painted and ready for installation...

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Photo #244

The flagship of Canada's Pacific Fleet, HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) performing a rescue drill. She was actually pretty far out off the shore this morning, and the zoom on my camera wasn't getting a good enough look, so I thought to try pointing the lens through the eyepiece of my binoculars and this is what I got...

I like this shot because it's similar to what you'd see looking through the periscope of a submarine. "Destroyer on the horizon!"
Brightness and contrast were adjusted before posting.

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Photo #232

There are a lot of really small pieces to paint on the model I'm building! Fortunately I have a parts holder with a built in magnifying glass...

*Please note: The paint job is still in the early stages and will be touched up.

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Photo #229

Icebreaker Polar Prince at Ogden Point. I'd say the ship needs a paint job...

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Photo #227

I've reached the time of year when I find myself working less and less which has freed up a lot of time for me to try to get back into an old hobby of mine...

I haven't built any models since I was probably about 15 years old, but sometime back before I moved into my new home, I got into a conversation with a good friend of mine about how cool it would look to have a couple of really nice ships on the shelves in my den. Nothing too crazy, but just a couple of tasteful models of real ships to fill some spaces among my books and guitar stuff. Turns out, my friend is an avid builder so he thoughtfully bought me a highly detailed model of the RMS Titanic as a housewarming gift.

The box has been sitting unopened on my shelf for a couple of months now, but this week I went and bought some supplies like paint and brushes and such and I've decided to give it a go. I'm hoping that the patience I've gained in my old age, and the skills I've acquired as a professional painter for the past few years, will produce a beautiful model worthy of display. Wish me luck!

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Photo #216

Canadian Coast Guard ship Provo Wallis in Victoria...

This photo is actually from exactly 2 years ago today. I'm posting it for two reasons. A: There have been a lot of Coast Guard ships visiting Victoria lately, but I haven't taken my camera to work with me to get any photos; and B: I couldn't come up with a better idea for today.

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Photo #197

Cargo ships on their morning commute...

Look close. The second ship is way out there on the horizon. I'm sorry the image is a little grainy. The digital zoom on my camera isn't the greatest and I couldn't fix it in editing.

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Photo #186

Norwegian Star, the last cruise ship to visit Victoria for 2010, pulling away from Pier B at Ogden Point this afternoon. Check out the very distinct paint scheme along her hull...

Sailing off into the sunset....

Good bye, and safe journey. I can't wait to see which ships come to visit us next year.

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Photo # 180

A great perspective along the starboard side of the ship. The building I was working on today is the blue high rise in the background....

(Colour and contrast were enhanced.)

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Photo #174

I got a demo version of a new Ship Simulator this evening and took this photo of my screen while I set sail in the Antarctic...

I'm not really much of a gamer, but once in a while I do enjoy the odd strategy or simulator. Since I also happen to like boats and ships, something like this is perfect for me.

I'm on a boat!

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Photo #172

Mooring lines...

I took this photo this afternoon, along with a lot of other great shots.

This one is my favorite.

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Photo #122

Holland America's MS Oosterdam paying a visit to Victoria, as she does every Saturday this summer. A lot of upgrades have been done to our piers to accomodate such large vessels...

MS Oosterdam facts: Length overall 936 feet; Beam (width) 105.8 feet; Cruising speed up to 24 knots; passenger capacity 1,916; crew 817; launched in 2003 and registered in the Netherlands.

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