Ray

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Fantail Details
 
Basilone’s fantail was pretty cluttered with winches, hatches, vents etc ….

 
I scratched most of the details like the boat winch:


 
The bits, bollards, and horizontal hatch are kit supplied. The stern light array, winches and their bulwarks, vents, towing pad eye and the 55 gal drum and jettison rack are from scratch.


The only items left to add to the fantail are the lifelines and the prop guards. One item I decided to leave off is visible just to the left of the 55 gal drum in the first pix - a large and ugly garbage chute.

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

The Last Job
The ships boats were put into the cradles and tied down. JOB DONE.
Just the final photo shoot to do.
Which will not be until the end of November as we are on holiday for three weeks 3rd to the 22nd.
 
chocks for the small cutter

ready to tie down

Two boats tied down


 
Three tied down




All done




 
 

The anchors were made up I used some split washers for the rings and added the puddening and used black tape for the iron bands,the overall look of the anchors are fairly good,they were then fitted in place.
I then went right through the rigging and made a few tweaks and a bit of re-tensioning (as photos below)and tidying up,only one job left adding the boats.



Anchors added



 
A stay pulled out of shape
 
Re rigged stay

The ropes have been added to all the termination points, and the rudder chains fitted.

Hi Guys, 
 
Thanks guys, it's an honour to have you sitting in on this project, you are all more than welcome.
 
Bob & John, you know me, I'm not one to let the grass grow beneath my feet, I get bored fairly quickly and need something to do. Having retired 4 years ago if I hadn't got this hobby and forum I would have gone stir crazy by now.
 
Ray, Hi mate, it's strange how some things do work in parallel, I now build small mainly due to a lack of space but there is a lot of detail in some of these boats which pleases me. Still like to hook up for a coffee some time.
 
Hi Ken, Pull up a pew, it's a pleasure to have you along mate, catering trundles by quite often so no need to go hungry, I don't.
 
Grant, You my friend have a lot to answer for, the books been found and is in the cart, most likely my next project. Not a word my friend.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Nice to see you back great protect we seem to running parallel after a big build we are now doing small boats I have started a scratch built set off Diana's boats at 1/48

Nice to see you back great protect we seem to running parallel after a big build we are now doing small boats I have started a scratch built set off Diana's boats at 1/48

Nice to see you back great protect we seem to running parallel after a big build we are now doing small boats I have started a scratch built set off Diana's boats at 1/48

Nice to see you back great protect we seem to running parallel after a big build we are now doing small boats I have started a scratch built set off Diana's boats at 1/48

Hi Guys,
 
Well here we are, back on familiar ground with a kit build although there is an awful lot on this boat that needs to be scratched. 
 
The Armed Launch was used by different navies during the 19th century, approx. 10 metres in length it was armed with different size guns, one large cannon at the bow and two small swivel guns at the stern.
 
These boats were used for coastal patrols or in escort services, they also demonstrated their wartime capabilities in surprise actions by attacking craft in trouble, anchored up or in the roads. 
 
The model is triple planked with the first planking on full show on the inboard, this planking is Walnut, the second planking is for strength and is Lime, the last planking should be Walnut but I want to change this to Swiss Pear, I want a bare wood finish if possible and I want to keep the paint away from the main parts of the boat.
 
I started with the keel by cutting two 3mm rabbits, I'm not too sure if this was the right thing to do but it's done and so I have to make it work.
 
With the rabbits cut I dry fitted the bulkheads, the top 2/3rds will be removed when the planking is completed, these were then glued into place and the alignment deck put in position, this deck plays no part in the final boat, it's purely to keep the bulkheads square whilst planking.
 
I started the first planking (Walnut) and have so far got just about halfway and so it continues, care has to taken as this first layer is on full show apart from the bow section.
 
I hope all that follow this build will enjoy the trip and please feel free to offer any advice / comments along the way.
 
Some pictures
 
First up the obligatory kit shots 
 
 

 
The Keel in my clamp showing a Rabbit

 
Bulkheads dry fitted

 
Bow block attached and alignment deck in place

 
The first three rows on both sides

 

 
Not very exciting at the moment is it.
 
I'm not right upto-date with the pictures but they would only be more of the same planking so that it for now, I will post again when I have more progress, that will be a bit slow due to the time of year and the Admirals just do jobs.
 
Please feel free to make any comments guys.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 

Thank you for a great build log, Ray! You are an inspiration and this has been a source of many useful tips.

Hi Ray,
What can I say that has'nt already been said, nothing.
I can only say that after 3 years work you must be sad she's finished, offset that by being extremely proud of what you have achieved mate, she's a real beaut.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Thanks for all the many ticks and comments guys.

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Thanks for all the many ticks and comments guys.

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Congratulations on a stunning model.  I am not a judge but I would give it a gold in a heart beat.  Beautiful.
David B

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.
 

Hi Guys
Diana the final photos. 
       I have managed at last to take and crop and re-size the final photo`s. Just under the 3 years to build, she has been a pleasure, although not without some difficulty`s, I am fairly pleased with the result, in hindsight some things I would have done a little bit differently, but not many, I might not have virtually scratch built the ships boats if the hull kits had been around, but this has lead me to be building another set of boats (scratch) at 1/48 as an in between project.