Lowell Grand Banks Dory Diorama

[Quint]

As a volunteer at Mystic Seaport Museum, I regularly pass a Dory exhibit and I thought it would make an interesting subject for a Diorama. My original thought was to recreate the scene in the photo, the boat tied to the dock. However, my biggest concern was modelling the water. If I mess that up, the project fails! Another option I considered was to build a scene of a Dory cradled on a Schooner. So, that's my plan.

To start with, build the Dory! The Kit is the Model Shipways Lowell Banks Dory, "a beginner kit is not just for beginners"! No need to document the build, there are many Dory Build logs. So, fast forward, after few minor kit modifications, base painting, I started the weathering, still a work in process.

I mixed my own batch of base colors using enamel paints. For washes I use "only" watercolor paints". Not acrylic paints. Watercolor paints are much more forgiving, if you make a mistake, just wipe off with a damp cloth or paint brush. I never weathered a ship model; I'm having fun with this! Some dark grey wash, dry brushing and paint chipping, the detail starts to develop.

Once I'm satisfied with the weathering, I'll start on the fishing gear.

 

[Quint]

Decided the base would be a section of deck representing the area a Dory would be cradled and launched from. This diorama will be of the last Dory being prepared for launch from the L. A. Dunton Gloucester Fishing Schooner, circa 1923 (currently undergoing full restoration at Mystic Seaport Museum) for daily fishing. The Dunton carried 10 Dory's stacked five high, port and starboard. She had a crew of 24, Captain, 3 crew, and 20 fisherman (2 per Dory).

Dories could carry several tubs of longline trawl that would be set away from the schooner. Each tub could carry as much as 1,800 feet of line with a hook every fathom, or six feet. If a commercially viable fish was found on 50 of those three hundred hooks it was considered a decent haul. Dory's were painted a buff color which would show up in the fog and in bright sunlight, the same color the spars on the mother ship would carry and the dory might have a small rope on the bung, should the boat overturn.

When building the base I wanted to try a different type of weathering technique to show wear and tear. Instead of the traditional use of washes and dry brushing, use sandpaper. Following the planking pattern of the Dunton, I glued basswood strips. Before gluing I ran a dark grey artist pencil along the edges to simulate caulking. Once trimmed and sanded, applied a coat of Oak Stain, then airbrushed a couple of coats of grey enamel. I decided to apply a light wash of watercolor dark grey to enhance the detail. When dried, started very lightly rubbing with sandpaper to simulate wear.

Finished the boat cradle/"kids" (can't confirm the correct terminology or design), added some detail, nuts/bolts, which are from Grandt Line. They offer railroad model detail parts such as lift rings, hinges, nuts, etc. which can also be used for ship modeling. Painted the cradle a toned down white, wash of watercolor dark grey, some rust stains.

Starting the fishing gear and while doing some research thought about adding some figures. Fortunately, I found some 1/24 scale figures in period dress I believe I can modify for the diorama.

 

[Uwek]

Great idea for the base-plate - I like it very much

 

[Quint]

Some updates on the fishing gear. The item on the bow was called a "Hurdy-gurdy" a/k/a gurdy. Used on a dory to haul trawls in deep water. Still playing around with the placement of all the gear. Waiting on a couple of more figures. This project has taken longer than expected, anxious to get back to my whaleship.

Tried shaping the laser cut oars supplied with the kit but found them difficult to work with. So, went "old school", a dowel and basswood strips, glue and shape. I find this process easier to work with, a good technique for beginners to learn.

 

[Uwek]

Very good and authentic weathering - I like it very much

 

[Heinrich]

Wow, this is a great model you are creating! Your skillset and weathering techniques are excellent and very authentic looking - they are clear to see, yet the changes are subtle! I love it when someone has the talent to turn a relatively inexpensive and simple model into a piece of art.

 

[Peter Voogt]

Just find your build-log. The details and weathering looks great.
Regards, Peter

 

[Steef66]

Wow, love the weathering

 

[Quint]

Thanks to everyone for your comments, they are much appreciated.