The Pillsbury Decoy Ship

This little model began as a joke, intended to have a little fun with Dr. Pillsbury at the time we did the surprise presentation of his "Cutter Pillsbury".

The original thought was to build a very small "decoy" ship.... extremely simple and very unimpressive.

Beginning the presentation with the misleading impression that this little "ugly duckling" model is my special gift of appreciation for what he did for me.... simply saved my life.

Here is the little kit someone gave me.  The price tag on the box is $14.99.As you can see, this model is about as complex as a cub scout pine wood racing car kit.  Definitely not something one would want to build as a special appreciation gift.

 
Needless to say, I got a little carried away with this little build.

I just couldn't bring myself to present it, even as a decoy, the way the kit was designed.

 Overhead view of completed rigging.

Adding the deadeyes and shrouds.

 Overhead view of the rigging.

 

 Adding rigging

 Adding the main mast and top mast and shrouds.

 Creating main mast and shrouds.

 Creating the shrouds.

 Jig for reeving the deadeye lanyards.

 Full port side view

 Close up of the galleries with windows and rudder.

So here's what I was able to come up with.

The hull is planked with very thin walnut strips.

Note the details of the deck planking with bulwarks and grating, and the creation of stern galleries and rudder.

This is the way the assembly of the simple kit appears.

I added the black wale strip to the hull.

Cute huh?