Mike Dowling

It's strange, I can do most of the things I used to do and am also right handed but I have huge trouble writing especially noticeable when trying to sign something. Still, We persevere.

I think others have already said it but, in case it helps, I had a stroke last year and basically lost control of my right side. Perseverance my friend is what it's all about. I am sure your therapists have talked to you about 'neuroplasticity' which is the posh way to say brain rewiring but it does happen albeit slowly. Keeping trying to do difficult things helps that happen and will make your recovery faster. Keep up what you are doing and just remind yourself of the 'oh, I couldn't do that last week', moments. They really do happen.

Sorry, I had a look at the photos I took but they are all of the finished boat, no building pictures which might have been helpful to you.

I know this was a beast to fit but I am not quite sure what your problem is. I have just had a look at mine and I don't think there are any frames as such to fix it to at that stage. The whole thing slopes out to the sides and it is only the bottom edge that you need to glue at this stage. As long as you can glue the strip to the hull which it sounds as though you are ok with you should be alright. I will have a look later in case I took any pictures while I was building mine. Don't give up, it makes a nice model when finished.

I have to say that this is not an easy piece to fit at all but, when I did mine I didn't plank it inside or out until fitted because as you rightly say it makes the piece even thicker. I think I broke one side trying a dry fit so didn't even try on the other side. I soaked the pieces for as long as I dared so that they didn't de-laminate and bent them bow and stern before gluing and fitting with loads of clamps. It all worked out in the end.

Hi Dominic, long time since I heard much from you. You must have been saving hard for this kit!!! Tell me, why is one compartment copper lined?

Did you forget to soak the bulwark before trying to fit it?

Looks pretty good to me.

So,here she is in all her glory!! I am glad that I altered the bow to be sharp like the real vessel, for some reason Occre had it quite blunt. In the end my version of the ship is a mixture of her various incarnations over the years like various colours of the masts, placement of portholes, different pinstriping etc. I am quite pleased with the end result. For future builders the rear handrail on top of the stanchions is a real beast to put on. I love the beauty of tall ships and how elegant they are but the rigging is a nightmare, so many ropes and so little room but the perseverance is worth it.

The rest of the sails on now and most of the rigging. Some long bilateral ropes to go on to the yards and down to deck level through strange extensions on the sides of the hull. Lifeboats to go on and the rear railings which I deliberately left until near the end to avoid trashing them with all the rigging. Then tidying up all the ropes and adding a flag of course!!

Foremast and front sails (I don't know the correct term for them) are on and rigged. I am very glad I put on the extra blocks to allow for one bunt line on each side of each sail as it has allowed for a much better 'shape'. The last 'flying blocks' on the end of each yard won't get rigged until all the others are on. Now for the main mast.

Oh how I just love doing ratlines!! It's like toothache - wonderful when it stops. Sails and yards next.

I have made a start on the standing rigging and sewn the appropriate sheets to their yards ready to go on later. Next step shrouds and rat lines!! I have to say that it was not an easy job keeping the masts inline and a reasonable tension on all the lines but I am quite pleased with the result and it was worth the time.

Thank you Gentlemen for your kind comments.

I have been very remiss about adding regular updates to this log and a great deal has happened since my last update. Firstly the second planking is finished. It was a trial because the wood supplied insisted on curling side to side. It meant for very slow progress and a huge amount of adhesive tape to hold the planks down while they dried. Anyway, eventually covered the hull and much to my surprise not a lot of filling was needed. The hull was primed (3 coats) and painted (3 more). Holes were drilled for the portholes. I really didn't like those supplied so I bought larger ones pre painted white. They are far nearer those on the real vessel. The there was all the deck furniture to make and attach, one of the stages I find the most fun. I did the railings at the front but I will leave the rear railings to last because it would be far too easy to break them whilst doing rigging. Likewise for the two life boats, cranes etc. The masts are all made up as are all the yards and the sails (23 of them) sorted for their appropriate places. The Occre rigging is hugely simplified which is fine by. The real vessel is incredibly complex. I have added though blocks on the yards to allow the addition of one bunt line. At least then I can raise each sail a little bit. My next task is to sew the sails to the yards but I am waiting for some thread of the right colour. Meanwhile here are some pictures of where I am at the moment.

I drilled my portholes after priming, sanding, priming, sanding etc. It worked for me.

Very good point about the white paint. When I did my AV and the Titanic I painted everything below deck level white as you have suggested.

If it is of any comfort Daniel, I didn't paint the underside of the decks either and have the same problem. Only slight in my case thank goodness or there would have been some very blue air!!!

If you are going to use led strip. Before putting anything together cut a slot in each bulkhead next to the false keel for the strip. If using individual led's you will nee to drill holes in the bulkheads for the wires to run through.

I used led strip for the porthole lights although it does mean they all work at the same time.

I hope no one minds me interrupting but you have everything you need except for batteries of course! As long as you don't exceed the voltage shown you won't need resistors.

I painted mine. Looks ok but could do with another coat now.

After some trimming, sanding, filling and more sanding she doesn't look so bad now after all. Still some work to do on the bow to get the shape right but the second planking should help with that.

Well, this is quite possibly the worst first planking I have ever done!!! However the hull is now covered. It will need a huge amount of sanding, filling and elbow grease to get it ready for the second planking which I hope I will manage to do a lot better.