Mike Dowling

Next installment folks! The poor hull has been filled and sanded to within an inch of it's life but it is now as smooth and lovely as a babies bottom !
 
I decided to wait for the acrylic undercoat for a bit longer.
 
I really did make the bulwarks out of way to thin wood which has meant a constant source of panic as they cracked and wriggled under my ministrations. They just about survived to have stantions added and the gallant rails glued on top. I did paint the bulwarks and stantions before putting the rails on which I reckon was a good idea. The scuttles and hawseholes are also cut.
The stem is drying in what I hope will be the correct shape and then I can add it and the keel.
 
Anyway - some pics for you.
 
 
 
 

Nice planking Mike!

I realise that my friend. So far she has had two fillings and sandings but I have now laquered her to make her less absorbent for what I hope will be the last filling/sanding. I then intend to give her a coat of acrylic undercoat which is pretty thick and I hope that will fill any remaining blemishes before a final sand. I also want to fit the stantions and gallant rails before I try to paint her properly.

Well folks, the hull is lined ! Nothing like the best planking in the world but, as this hull is to be painted, as far as I was concerned it just needed to be covered. It has had it's initial brutal sanding. There is some filling to do as you can see but nothing too spectacular. So next job is to do that and then I will sand it down again and give it a coat of sealing laquer before first coat of paint.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Well folks, the hull is lined ! Nothing like the best planking in the world but, as this hull is to be painted, as far as I was concerned it just needed to be covered. It has had it's initial brutal sanding. There is some filling to do as you can see but nothing too spectacular. So next job is to do that and then I will sand it down again and give it a coat of sealing laquer before first coat of paint.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Well folks, the hull is lined ! Nothing like the best planking in the world but, as this hull is to be painted, as far as I was concerned it just needed to be covered. It has had it's initial brutal sanding. There is some filling to do as you can see but nothing too spectacular. So next job is to do that and then I will sand it down again and give it a coat of sealing laquer before first coat of paint.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Well folks, the hull is lined ! Nothing like the best planking in the world but, as this hull is to be painted, as far as I was concerned it just needed to be covered. It has had it's initial brutal sanding. There is some filling to do as you can see but nothing too spectacular. So next job is to do that and then I will sand it down again and give it a coat of sealing laquer before first coat of paint.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I finished the deck planking and decided to put the bulwarks on. The wood I cut them from was a bit thin but I hope they will be OK. Next thing, as I can't put it off any longer is to plank the hull.
Problem is, I haven't done this for ages so can anyone tell me where to start ?
 
 

Well folks, having cut all the frames I have now fitted them to the false keel without too much hassle I have had to slightly 're-design' the front end and use a few shims here and there but I think it should work.
The next job according to the destructions is to put on the bulwarks but I think I am going to combine that with the planking and besides, I have to do the fairing first.
So far you will all be thrilled to know is that I haven't broken my second dremel moto saw - yet !
 
 
 

Thank you very much betamale for your comments. I may be asking for help. I do agree with you that it is an interesting and unusual boat which is really why I am persevering with it.
 
Today I sanded those frames and you will all be pleased to hear that they now fit the template. I just have a couple more bits to cut and sand and I should be ready to start sticking them onto the false keel !! Are we excited or what ?
 
Anyway, I did also threaten you with some pics of the bits and pieces so there are some of the bridge, wheelhouse, funnel etc. The masts are done, the strange green things are called 'trawl davits'. The wood they were supposed to be cut from was so badly marked out that I had to make the u shaped bits out of card which I then painted with pva glue to give them some strength. There is 1mm wire sandwiched between 2 u shapes and the feet were made from 0.5mm veneer and 2ml base. The little pulleys are wired onto to the tops. The oddly shaped pale pieces are 'trawl doors' and are awaiting some rope. There is also a wee winch which will go on the front of the boat later
 
The observant amongst you will notice that I have been practicing my soldering skills on the wire round those doors and on the platforms holding the navigation lights on the wheelhouse. 
 
Anyway, enough of my blether - here are the pics! 
 

I finished the deck planking and decided to put the bulwarks on. The wood I cut them from was a bit thin but I hope they will be OK. Next thing, as I can't put it off any longer is to plank the hull.
Problem is, I haven't done this for ages so can anyone tell me where to start ?
 
 

I finished the deck planking and decided to put the bulwarks on. The wood I cut them from was a bit thin but I hope they will be OK. Next thing, as I can't put it off any longer is to plank the hull.
Problem is, I haven't done this for ages so can anyone tell me where to start ?
 
 

I tried to dry fit the bulwarks but as they only glue to the decks at this stage there is precious little wood to glue them to. So, despite my previous plan I decided to plank the decks first just to give a bit more thickness to glue the bulwarks to. I will post some more pics when I have trimmed the deck planking and it looks posh !!

I finished the deck planking and decided to put the bulwarks on. The wood I cut them from was a bit thin but I hope they will be OK. Next thing, as I can't put it off any longer is to plank the hull.
Problem is, I haven't done this for ages so can anyone tell me where to start ?
 
 

Well folks, having cut all the frames I have now fitted them to the false keel without too much hassle I have had to slightly 're-design' the front end and use a few shims here and there but I think it should work.
The next job according to the destructions is to put on the bulwarks but I think I am going to combine that with the planking and besides, I have to do the fairing first.
So far you will all be thrilled to know is that I haven't broken my second dremel moto saw - yet !
 
 
 

Well folks, having cut all the frames I have now fitted them to the false keel without too much hassle I have had to slightly 're-design' the front end and use a few shims here and there but I think it should work.
The next job according to the destructions is to put on the bulwarks but I think I am going to combine that with the planking and besides, I have to do the fairing first.
So far you will all be thrilled to know is that I haven't broken my second dremel moto saw - yet !
 
 
 

Hi there, only just found your log. I am thinking about doing a Victory and contemplating raiding my piggy bank to do it. Like you I am a novice to ship building and I wanted to ask, did you choose to put in balsa fillers at the bow and stern prior to planking or was that supplied or suggested in the instructions?
 
Good luck with your build, I shall follow with interest.
Mike.

Thank you very much betamale for your comments. I may be asking for help. I do agree with you that it is an interesting and unusual boat which is really why I am persevering with it.
 
Today I sanded those frames and you will all be pleased to hear that they now fit the template. I just have a couple more bits to cut and sand and I should be ready to start sticking them onto the false keel !! Are we excited or what ?
 
Anyway, I did also threaten you with some pics of the bits and pieces so there are some of the bridge, wheelhouse, funnel etc. The masts are done, the strange green things are called 'trawl davits'. The wood they were supposed to be cut from was so badly marked out that I had to make the u shaped bits out of card which I then painted with pva glue to give them some strength. There is 1mm wire sandwiched between 2 u shapes and the feet were made from 0.5mm veneer and 2ml base. The little pulleys are wired onto to the tops. The oddly shaped pale pieces are 'trawl doors' and are awaiting some rope. There is also a wee winch which will go on the front of the boat later
 
The observant amongst you will notice that I have been practicing my soldering skills on the wire round those doors and on the platforms holding the navigation lights on the wheelhouse. 
 
Anyway, enough of my blether - here are the pics! 
 

Thank you very much betamale for your comments. I may be asking for help. I do agree with you that it is an interesting and unusual boat which is really why I am persevering with it.
 
Today I sanded those frames and you will all be pleased to hear that they now fit the template. I just have a couple more bits to cut and sand and I should be ready to start sticking them onto the false keel !! Are we excited or what ?
 
Anyway, I did also threaten you with some pics of the bits and pieces so there are some of the bridge, wheelhouse, funnel etc. The masts are done, the strange green things are called 'trawl davits'. The wood they were supposed to be cut from was so badly marked out that I had to make the u shaped bits out of card which I then painted with pva glue to give them some strength. There is 1mm wire sandwiched between 2 u shapes and the feet were made from 0.5mm veneer and 2ml base. The little pulleys are wired onto to the tops. The oddly shaped pale pieces are 'trawl doors' and are awaiting some rope. There is also a wee winch which will go on the front of the boat later
 
The observant amongst you will notice that I have been practicing my soldering skills on the wire round those doors and on the platforms holding the navigation lights on the wheelhouse. 
 
Anyway, enough of my blether - here are the pics! 
 

Thank you very much betamale for your comments. I may be asking for help. I do agree with you that it is an interesting and unusual boat which is really why I am persevering with it.
 
Today I sanded those frames and you will all be pleased to hear that they now fit the template. I just have a couple more bits to cut and sand and I should be ready to start sticking them onto the false keel !! Are we excited or what ?
 
Anyway, I did also threaten you with some pics of the bits and pieces so there are some of the bridge, wheelhouse, funnel etc. The masts are done, the strange green things are called 'trawl davits'. The wood they were supposed to be cut from was so badly marked out that I had to make the u shaped bits out of card which I then painted with pva glue to give them some strength. There is 1mm wire sandwiched between 2 u shapes and the feet were made from 0.5mm veneer and 2ml base. The little pulleys are wired onto to the tops. The oddly shaped pale pieces are 'trawl doors' and are awaiting some rope. There is also a wee winch which will go on the front of the boat later
 
The observant amongst you will notice that I have been practicing my soldering skills on the wire round those doors and on the platforms holding the navigation lights on the wheelhouse. 
 
Anyway, enough of my blether - here are the pics! 
 

You are telling me !!!!
Today I have managed to cut out the 'slots' with my new dremel motosaw. I didn't break any blades (so far so good) and by doing that I am able to try to fit my bits into the template. I have some trimming sanding to do to get them to fit but so far nothing that can't be overcome.
 
Whilst waiting for all this stuff I have been making some of the deck bits and pieces like the bridge, wheelhouse and masts. I will try and get some pics of those tomorrow for your amusement.
 
There are 2+ 1/2 pages of instructions (ha,ha,ha) for this kit which have detailed information like (and I quote) @Give the masts a conical shape and fit all the iron items on the masts and spanker boom'. For the cabin 'Fit and glue all the parts of the assembly including the inner re-enforcements'.
 
You can see I am overwhelmed by the amount of information. I do however have one sheet of plans but, these are not to scale and there are no measurements in the parts list. The box has a few pictures on it and the advice given for that is 'The best guide to you is the box, so keep it handy while you are working on the boat'.
 
Now you begin to see why I rashly swore never to do a Constructo kit again.
 
Anyway, it is more than time that I became brave and attempted a scratch build, it certainly makes life interesting. Anyway, more pics tomorrow you lucky lot !!!
 
By the way Mirabelle, I can't believe you are watching this when you are such a brilliant model builder !!

Ladysmith was my first build. It was a bit like pulling teeth at times but the end result is, in my opinion, a really good looking and unusual boat ( unusual in modelling to see a fishing trawler)
I gave the boat to my Dad as a present along with the plans. But I do think I still have scans of them on my computer as somebody on here asked for them a couple of years ago.
Not sure how much I can help but I will keep an eye on the thread.

You are telling me !!!!
Today I have managed to cut out the 'slots' with my new dremel motosaw. I didn't break any blades (so far so good) and by doing that I am able to try to fit my bits into the template. I have some trimming sanding to do to get them to fit but so far nothing that can't be overcome.
 
Whilst waiting for all this stuff I have been making some of the deck bits and pieces like the bridge, wheelhouse and masts. I will try and get some pics of those tomorrow for your amusement.
 
There are 2+ 1/2 pages of instructions (ha,ha,ha) for this kit which have detailed information like (and I quote) @Give the masts a conical shape and fit all the iron items on the masts and spanker boom'. For the cabin 'Fit and glue all the parts of the assembly including the inner re-enforcements'.
 
You can see I am overwhelmed by the amount of information. I do however have one sheet of plans but, these are not to scale and there are no measurements in the parts list. The box has a few pictures on it and the advice given for that is 'The best guide to you is the box, so keep it handy while you are working on the boat'.
 
Now you begin to see why I rashly swore never to do a Constructo kit again.
 
Anyway, it is more than time that I became brave and attempted a scratch build, it certainly makes life interesting. Anyway, more pics tomorrow you lucky lot !!!
 
By the way Mirabelle, I can't believe you are watching this when you are such a brilliant model builder !!

Here we go then !! The first pic is of the empty 'templates' which I have to fill as it were. The second and third are my attempts so far, three pieces fit and all the rest have yet to be trimmed but, as my new saw has arrived I hope to be trying it out later !!!!
 
The other thing of course is that no loose wood arrived with the box. Fortunately I have quite a store of left over wood from other builds which I plan to make use of.
 

Here we go then !! The first pic is of the empty 'templates' which I have to fill as it were. The second and third are my attempts so far, three pieces fit and all the rest have yet to be trimmed but, as my new saw has arrived I hope to be trying it out later !!!!
 
The other thing of course is that no loose wood arrived with the box. Fortunately I have quite a store of left over wood from other builds which I plan to make use of.