Blue Ensign

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 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
 

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 Six
 
Stern and bow patterns.
 
I wasn’t too keen on working the bow and stern patterns off-model, particularly the stern.
As it happens, for the bow pattern the off-model option was removed; unlike the bow pattern bulkhead which wouldn’t shift after fitting the patterns.
It slid on ok and I was careful not to allow glue onto the keel, but move it would not and I had the nightmare vision of snapping the false keel which at only 3mm wide and quite long is very vulnerable at this stage.
 
So, on-model fairing it will be.
 
For preliminary fairing of the stern pattern I am using 10mm and 20mm Finger sanders, initially with coarse grade paper.
It is worth slipping a couple of lengths of waste strip from the keel fret between the stern patterns to support them during sanding, particularly parts 24.
One of mine fell off during sanding, probably due to insufficient glue used to avoid sticking it to the keel.

3816(2)
So, this is as far as I felt comfortable with off-model fairing.

3825(2)

3819(2)

3826(2)
All Bulkheads glued into place now.

3812
Only been four days and look at the state of my working area, think I need a general tidy up.
 
B.E.
28/08/21

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
 

Thanks for the likes.
 
The quarterdeck breastwork was the next thing to be done. This proved to be an exercise in frustration. There are three rails, the lower glued to the deck, the middle separated from the lower by square posts and the upper separated from the middle by turned pillars. The first part was easy as the lower and middle rails had square holes cut into them and the posts simply slotted home. The two outside posts were glued in place in the lower rail first, then the middle rail was glued to these, using blocks to keep the distance apart correct. The remaining posts were then glued in place, again using blocks to ensure correct distancing of the two rails.
 

 

 
Gluing the pillars to the middle and upper rails was the frustrating part. As the pillars had to be vertical, and the rails were curved to match the deck, their tops and bottoms had to be carefully sanded to allow this. There were no holes to locate the pillars, they sat flush on the middle rail and the upper rail sat flush on them. To make things a little easier, the upper rail was prebent using a plank bender. Still, clamping this lot together while glue dried was not possible. So five minute epoxy was used with gentle finger pressure holding everything in place. Success occurred after several attempts. The middle rail curves around to lie above the gangways, with support being a newel post at the end. As I had modified the gangways, the supplied post was far too big. Fortunately, there were several spare turned pillars and as luck would have it, they were exactly the right height to be used here.
 
The completed breastwork.
 

 
I then tackled the belfry and modified the kit version to better resemble that shown in TFFM. The continuous rails each side of the actual belfry were trimmed and new cradles made. These will support one end of the spare spars, their other ends lying on the gallows. The photo shows the modified belfry (the small white patch is an iron reinforcing band, it will of course be painted) and the diagram of the kit version.
 

 
The completed belfry.
 

 
Although not obvious, the roof over the belfry is covered with lead (as per TFFM) - actual lead too, a piece of very flattened solder. Cleats were added to the belfry.
 
A dowel in place showing how the spare spars will be carried.
 

 
Cheers
 
 

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 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 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
 

If I were masting and rigging the model, and not cutting away  more than the existing unplanked areas,  i would say it is not really worth the effort.
 
B.E.

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 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 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
 

If I were masting and rigging the model, and not cutting away  more than the existing unplanked areas,  i would say it is not really worth the effort.
 
B.E.

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 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 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 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 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