Mike Dowling

Hi again, glad you found the pictures. I think I know what you mean - as you can see there are two big fillers for the bow section but do you think I should fill between the first and second bulkhead at the bow and the last two bulkheads before the transom?

Hi fifthace, I hope you can see the pictures now. I had to do a second post.

Hi again. I have now finished the basic part of the top deck. Loads more to do to it but not now until the planking is done. I have done the fairing of the hull, which I hope will be OK. I have taken pictures of the transom and the bow as requested. You can see what I think you are calling filler blocks which need to be shaped for the bow but, according to the instructions the first planking is done flush with the bulkhead. The filler blocks are then cut, fixed and shaped. The whole hull is then filled as required, sanded and then sealed. The second planking covers the first layer and the blocks at the bow. I haven't put any lines or batens on yet. This is where I next need help from the experts out there as I really don't want to mess up what I have managed so far. I will have another read through 'planking for beginners' but I can't say that I really understood it last time. Anyway, I hope the pictures will assist in giving this beginner help!!!

Many thanks, I will try and get some bow and stern pictures done and see where we go from there as you suggest.

Just an extra thought, you can see from the pics that the widest section is not midships but quite a long way towards the bow. Does this make a difference? Should I have kept to trains and stagecoaches instead?

Many thanks so far but I really am still lost. In as much as this beast I am building has 3 decks, should I take the 'string ' lines along the lines of the decks or am I losing the plot completely? I am sorry but I just can't get my head around this fan template - I maybe a complete idiot but I need this spelt out to me in really easy English words of no longer than two syllables. Is any one up for the challenge?

Hi guys and gals! I'm back having completed my second deck!! A bit if a challenge owing to the 'bendy' character of wood but eventually all the bits fitted as required. The dreaded planking gets ever closer and I am still trying to get my head round the procedure. So far I understand 'fairing' the hull and don't have a problem with it. 'Lining off' is a different matter! Some people seem to advocate the use of temporary battens whilst others favour using string or similar. What I can't understand is that if you use battens without subjecting them to any lateral stress, they seem to me to sit differently from using string. The latter seems to be placing the string by eye for a pleasing curve rather than where the wood 'wants' to go. Help please! Also, I assume when working out the number of planks that are needed I should measure the widest bulkhead which would be midships and divide that by the maximum width of the planking wood provided. Is that right? I don't understand the purpose of a fan template. I can see that it would provide a regular taper but boats are not like that. It seems you would have to have one for the stem and one for the stern but the template starts at one point and expands theoretically to infinity so where do you start from. You see I am really struggling with the concept here!! More help please. This becomes even more complicated with this particular kit and the 'nose' section of the boat is not fitted until after the first planking. It is eventually covered by the second planking. The instructions advocate using as many straight pieces as possible and filling in the gaps afterwards with long wedge shaped pieces. Whilst I am sure this would do the job I am also sure that the good ship builders out there would throw up their hands in horror. What shall I do??

I think I prefer my version!!

Thanks both, glad you like the efforts so far. So what is kit bashing then?

Hi everyone, at last some more pictures for you. As you can see, the whole framework has now been stained and the bottom deck cut, planked glued and varnished, cabins and bilge on top and beams ready for the next deck. A couple of thoughts. Firstly despite what some would have us believe plywood does warp, badly!! Also CA glue does not like varnish at all. I must remember not to varnish the bits I have to glue afterwards!! I find it hard to believe I have put in so many hours with not a lot to show for it all. Still it doesn't matter, it is a challenge and good fun. Is 'kit bashing' when you get really fed up and smash it all to bits or is it altering the bits that should fit and do not or will not? If it is the latter than a good bash has been had already!.

I always save bits and leftovers. I have found them to be useful so many times!! I know kit manufacturers are not 'over-generous'. In fact I have already had to use some on the present build!!! I should be able to give you some more pics soon. Still dreading the planking!! Oh I am going to need so much help!

Hi all, many thanks for all the comments, I look forward to having a look at your log Captain Al and maggsl_01 I hope I can do the model justice! I have to say it is turning out to be a tricky beast, maybe OcCre are a bit over the top with their detail!! I am hoping to get the lower deck finished and fitted soon so watch this space!! Because it is early days I am not sure if there is enough wood supplied to finish the kit in the end, I rather suspect not. It is amazing to me how much wood you get through just with finishes and linings. I am sure the stagecoach I built was easier than this. Never mind I am having fun, just can't believe the time I'm putting in!!! I will try and post some more pics soon!

Many thanks Bindy. At least I managed to make a start. This is going to be quite a long haul I think!!

Well here is the beginning of my first build log with Model Shop World. I have opened the box, read the instructions at least three times and numbered all the precut pieces. As you can see I have started the hull. I think this will be a challenging kit and somewhat unusual as part of the starboard side of the hull will be left open to show the decks, accommodation etc. That is why the hull at the moment looks like fish bones as all the decks have to be assembled at the beginning of the process. This will give sufficient strength (I hope!) to be able to do the fairing of the hull prior to any planking. This has meant that I had to be extra careful to get all the sections completely vertical at this stage. I have to say that so far the pieces have been very well cut making the assembly process thus far reasonably easy. The only slight worry is the transom where the pieces could have fitted better but I hope to sort that out when I come to do the fairing.