Imai 1/60th Chinese Junk - Build Log

All mast are set with backstays in place. The mizzen sail is rigged in place with blocks, waiting for glue to dry before setting the reef points. I have to use 4.0mm blocks as the holes were too small to get the rigging through the 3.5 mm size. I could not step down the lines size as it would be way too small. The hard part will be to figure out to terminate the ends of the lines as the Chinese never has belaying pins. So each line will be tied to some point on the deck, this is making me crazy.













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The old saying “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear” is true, BUT you can try to make a fake one. The models rigging instructions are WOEFULLY lacking (non-existent). Between studying drawings found on the net and fellow modelers help, I’ve been able to figure out what is ‘missing’. In studying pictures of real sail on junks and similar ships, I’ve been able to cobble together about 80-90% of the rig. The really hard part is realizing that the Chinese NEVER used any form of belaying pins, they seem to just tie the ropes to about anything. Each of the lines you see ties to rail will have a coil of rope added later. At the base of the mast, I’ve drilled a hold for a brass rod to serve as the anchor point for the main lift. The instruction just say tie to the bottom - no way that will work. The brass will get darkened later. At this rate it going to take another 2 weeks rigging on the Mainsail and Foresail. The lifeboat is just supposed to be tied and hang from the aft rail which is just goofy) I used the 2-rear beams that was supposed to be used to work the aft bulkhead drop door (better than nothing).








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loving this build jake , I’ve bought and have recieved said model , will not be doing it for a while , don’t wont to be , too , obvious about being similar to your build . :face_with_tongue:

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Steve, shoot me a PM with your email, I’ll forward a good bit of kit corrections and rigging updates to you .

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Not a lot done this evening, added some main mast eyebolts for anchor points for the expected rigging and finished the mizzen rigging by adding the fiddle block to help control the sail. I still need to figure out how they ‘tacked’ the sails, the instructions are not clear on that.

I’ll touch each of the blocks with a darker wash to stain, (they too new looking).


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Nice to take a few days break. Rigging up the mainsail for the next few days.



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I think I can see the end of the road. Finished rigging the mainsail and added the needed lines to the foresail and have it set it in place drying before adding the last of the blocks. I had to add some additional weight to the midship canopy to get it to setup while the glue dries. The bottle of Floquil paint is over 30 years old.






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I was able to rig up the last parts, now all I need to do is make up the spare rope coils for the lines. It’s been a fun and sometimes challenging build, mainly due to lack of any historical reference materials. Once I get that done. I’ll post the final pictures. I plan on entering this in a few local shows. Because the mainsail hangs off center, the model is a little bit top heavy, so I’ll fix the base permanently to a wood base and them set the model in the cradle stand permanently.





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That’s looking great. Really like how the sails turned out.

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Thanks, at the start of the build they are what gave me the most pause, mainly because of all the hand painting of the reed wood battens.

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this is such a cool model jake .

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Thanks Steve. What are you working on now?

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Started making up the various rope coils.

My method is using an appropriate sized brass tube, polished smooth with a rounded down end - to make sure there are no burrs. Then run the same line/rigging you used for the lines you need the coils for over bee’s wax to keep the fuzz down and to cause the lines to stick together. Start with a single overhand knot, then wrap 3,4 or 5 loops, make sure to cross over the other end of the line. Then using a granny knot, tie the lines together, then pull the long lead hard to set and remove any slack. Carefully slide the coil off the brass tube, touching the knot with a tiny drop of acc glue.

Using several different types of tweezers, place the coils where needed. Also make up several extra coils to lay about the deck. I added the rice bags and small wooded barrels to give a cluttered deck appearance as well; I need to add more coils and she will be completed.







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For what its worth, she’s finished.


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This link will bring up a video Facebook

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great job on an interesting subject. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one built. It’s been fun following along.

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Keep getting ‘This Video Is Unavailable At This Time’… :pensive_face:

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it must be blocked - oh well.

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Thank You Keavdog, it’s been a fun one for sure.

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Finished up real nice.

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