Blue Ensign

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Seven
 
Gunport patterns
 
These fitted perfectly in the slots altho’ there was a little spring in the patterns which gave me cause to think about the diluted glue joint brushing approach. I did it, but light clamping was required for several of the slots.
TheY feel very delicate and soft hands are required to fit them, whilst ensuring the rails fully fit into the slots.

03902(2)
To my annoyance the port side extension at the top end of Bulkhead 12 came away. (It’s the one with the yellow tape on it)
Nowt to do wi’ me Gov, I swear it fell off on its own accord; re-glued, but it remains to be seen what subsequent stresses it will be subject to.
With the rails in place the hull is beginning to look the part and with the glue set it is now a rigid structure.
Still need to be careful with those bulkhead extensions in the Quarter deck area.

03903
Finally, I removed the infill from Bulkhead 13. I took this very slowly and ensured that I could slip a scalpel blade between infill and bulkhead before I applied any pressure.
 
Fitting out the Lower Deck
I will be using the provided coaming/grating sets for the lower deck; they will only ever be viewed from above once the upper deck is fitted.
 
I note that there is no round-up to the head ledges, which appears to follow some of the drawings in the AotS book on Pandora.
Some of the general isometric and deck plan drawings in the book also show picture frame corner joints to the coamings, hmmn.
🤔
The cross section drawings do appear to show a round up, so this is an area I will re-visit when I get to the Upper deck fittings.
 
The Pearwood Laser cut coamings are cleanly cut, remember to apply glue to the top half of each set, helps to keep glue off the grating rebate.

0197
The gratings are accurately cut and are a perfect fit to the coamings.
 
At this point I can also add the ladders down to the Platforms.
I had run out of generic ladder sets and considered buying and converting the Pearwood set supplied for Speedy.

0190(2)
Chris was kind enough to knock me a set out from earlier Sphinx plans he had when he considered fitting out the ladderways.
He does not intend to generally include these as separate fittings but will supply them on request. (He tells me)

0194(2)

0201(2)

0205
Fore hatchway

0213(2)
I will leave the Fore lower deck hatch open.
 

0209
There will be a view of the Fore Platform down thro’ the Upper and lower decks and it will enhance the impression of a fully fitted out model.

0206
Aft hatchway.

0210
Here the grating will remain in place as it sits below the Capstan, and there is no open space below it.
Less will be seen of this ladderway as the Upper deck ladderway sits above it.
 
B.E.
31/08/21
 

Cutters make fine looking models, and I think you will enjoy the experience of building this kit.
Chris has done a great job in simplifying those areas that may present  difficulties for those new to kit building, but the main challenge remains the hull planking; take your time with that and make as good a job as you can with the first layer planking as a rehearsal for the top layer.
 
Regards,
 
B.E.

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

I didn't do much in shaping the bow and stern but I think for me mentally (yes I"m obviously mental) it'll be better to shape at the time I sand prior to planking.  I did get the bow, stern, deck, and the gun port frames mounted.  Probably would have had more done but had to buy groceries and deal with apartment issues.  
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

I think Glenn and me are in accord on this one, Jacek.
Cutting the legs would introduce a weak point, and could subtly affect  the angles
 
Different approach for show deck stuff, but sufficient for the lower deck.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

2nd Planking - Part 1
 
I’ve  completed the first belt of the second planking on both port and starboard. My progress has been a bit slow because I’ve had a bit of a difficult time with Flirt. I had to work attaching the keel to address a slight warp in the former, but it and the keel are quite thin and I managed to break it off while using my Amati keel holder, this despite firmly gluing it using PVA. So a good deal of time was spent repairing that.
 

 
Nonetheless I’m pleased with the result of the first band. I found the line for the first belt by determining 21 planks are required between the master plank and the keel. So I marked a line between bulkheads 7 & 8 (where full width is required at midships) ten plank widths down from the master plank and from there used artist tape to determine where to run the belt. To the stern is easy, its full width planks all the way. The bow is the artistry part, there is no magic answer, you just know it when you see it, maybe. I did better marking the second planking learning I’d marked it high on the first planking. It is wonderful affirmation to see the planks following the tick marks as I progressed.
 
It takes time to line the hull like this, using a planking fan to determine the width at each bulkhead. I’ll say once again its time well spent. Sure there are other methods, on this model I probably could have winged it and been ok. I won’t be able to do that when I start Winchelsea some day, so I want to learn to do it right now.
 

 
Once again the Byrnes Sander gets the right angle and bevel down the stem. It changes a bit with almost every plank, the sander really helps keep the planks tight to the stem.
 

 
I spent some time on the garboard strake, never as easy as you’d think. One because it’s a good time to do it. After I line the lower belt I’ll add one or two planks above it and meet them coming down. More importantly in this case it added some needed support and strength to the keel. I always plank with CA, however in this case I used PVA and clamps on both garboards, they are now one with the frame. I haven't done any sanding I'll wait until the second belt is finished.
 

 
The boxwood second planking looks good coming into the stern, even only rough sanded, again the plank bending including inward twists make it happen. I knew I’d chew up my painted counter some going in, it’s an easy fix later.
 
You can see with the garboards how much sanding was required on the frame to fit the stern post. All that I did and I’ll still need a little more off the boxwood to get a good fit, really have to take that into account at the outset. The instructions aren’t kidding when he says remove wood from the frame to a 1 mm width.
 

 
As I've noted before I really enjoy plank bending. Nothing more than a travel iron is needed to form the planks to fit to follow the curves and bends of the ship. It’s only rough sanded at this point, with the boxwood only 1mm thick I’ll wait until its completely planked to sand carefully sand it out.
 
Off to finish the planking. As always, thanks for the likes and especially the comments.

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Seven
 
Gunport patterns
 
These fitted perfectly in the slots altho’ there was a little spring in the patterns which gave me cause to think about the diluted glue joint brushing approach. I did it, but light clamping was required for several of the slots.
TheY feel very delicate and soft hands are required to fit them, whilst ensuring the rails fully fit into the slots.

03902(2)
To my annoyance the port side extension at the top end of Bulkhead 12 came away. (It’s the one with the yellow tape on it)
Nowt to do wi’ me Gov, I swear it fell off on its own accord; re-glued, but it remains to be seen what subsequent stresses it will be subject to.
With the rails in place the hull is beginning to look the part and with the glue set it is now a rigid structure.
Still need to be careful with those bulkhead extensions in the Quarter deck area.

03903
Finally, I removed the infill from Bulkhead 13. I took this very slowly and ensured that I could slip a scalpel blade between infill and bulkhead before I applied any pressure.
 
Fitting out the Lower Deck
I will be using the provided coaming/grating sets for the lower deck; they will only ever be viewed from above once the upper deck is fitted.
 
I note that there is no round-up to the head ledges, which appears to follow some of the drawings in the AotS book on Pandora.
Some of the general isometric and deck plan drawings in the book also show picture frame corner joints to the coamings, hmmn.
🤔
The cross section drawings do appear to show a round up, so this is an area I will re-visit when I get to the Upper deck fittings.
 
The Pearwood Laser cut coamings are cleanly cut, remember to apply glue to the top half of each set, helps to keep glue off the grating rebate.

0197
The gratings are accurately cut and are a perfect fit to the coamings.
 
At this point I can also add the ladders down to the Platforms.
I had run out of generic ladder sets and considered buying and converting the Pearwood set supplied for Speedy.

0190(2)
Chris was kind enough to knock me a set out from earlier Sphinx plans he had when he considered fitting out the ladderways.
He does not intend to generally include these as separate fittings but will supply them on request. (He tells me)

0194(2)

0201(2)

0205
Fore hatchway

0213(2)
I will leave the Fore lower deck hatch open.
 

0209
There will be a view of the Fore Platform down thro’ the Upper and lower decks and it will enhance the impression of a fully fitted out model.

0206
Aft hatchway.

0210
Here the grating will remain in place as it sits below the Capstan, and there is no open space below it.
Less will be seen of this ladderway as the Upper deck ladderway sits above it.
 
B.E.
31/08/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

rgr, Enjoy the fresh air at the Coast

I think Glenn and me are in accord on this one, Jacek.
Cutting the legs would introduce a weak point, and could subtly affect  the angles
 
Different approach for show deck stuff, but sufficient for the lower deck.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.

I think Glenn and me are in accord on this one, Jacek.
Cutting the legs would introduce a weak point, and could subtly affect  the angles
 
Different approach for show deck stuff, but sufficient for the lower deck.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.

I think Glenn and me are in accord on this one, Jacek.
Cutting the legs would introduce a weak point, and could subtly affect  the angles
 
Different approach for show deck stuff, but sufficient for the lower deck.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21
 

I don’t think so, why an extra step. I’ll do it BE’s way, though likely not as well.

A nice, and patient, touch on the columns, well done!  Enjoy the coast.

Post Eight
 
Upper deck supports
 
A couple of the support beam legs needed a little fettlin’ to get them to sit right down on the Bulkhead shoulder.
This only entailed sanding the leg bottoms by degrees until the beam was firmly down.
 
Depending on what arrangement I finally decide upon there may be a glimpse of the upper deck support beam legs.
In reality these are shaped columns and for those that may be seen thro’ the upper deck openings a little shaping is in order above coaming level.

0235(2)
This relates to support legs 4a thro’ to 10a.
Dry fit only at this point.

0237(2)
There is a risk of breaking the mdf legs so the shaping process was done very carefully using scalpel and light sanding strokes.

0229
Upper deck base temporarily in place.

0227
Whatever remains to be seen will link the two decks in a more realistic manner, all about smoke and mirrors below the Upper deck.

0231(2)
The shipyard is now closing for a week or so while I spend some time at the coast.
 
B.E.
01/09/21