Blue Ensign

Post Nineteen
 
 
Stay tackles
 
For the stays I am using Syren 0.20mm line and for the Lanyards Morope 0.1mm line. For the blocks Syren 2mm with Syren (now withdrawn) 3mm black plastic hooks.
 
 
The stays are simply looped around the Masthead and fitted in pairs.
 

0511
The trickiest part is attaching the hooks of the lower blocks to the hull straps.

0562(2)
Fore stays in place, it took quite a few hours to strop and set up, rather like rigging the side tackles on 6 pounder guns, but without a convenient jig.

0565(2)

0553(2)

0561(2)

0534(2)
With the stays completed there only remains for the equipment to be added.
 
 
B.E.
18/02/21
 
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Well  Chris, at least you have provided a run through  upper deck which has saved me the trouble of the serious mod  necessary on Pegasus, and for that I'm ever grateful.👍
 
B.E

Post Three
 
Platforms
Unusual in this type of kit, Chris has provided a short section of what would be the forward Platform below the lower deck.
In reality there would also be an aft platform which is not supplied.
 
These Platforms sat above the hold and are version of the Orlop deck on larger vessels.
I doubt very little will be seen of this with the hull planked and decked.
 
I considered the possibility of fabricating false frames and leaving an opening in the hull at this level, but what would be the ladderway above it is blocked by a bulkhead, and it is only clear above the Fore Hatchway. As a ladderway leading up to the Lower deck would be the only feature of interest I decided to pass.
 
Lower deck
This deck is another nice touch for what otherwise would be a re-inforcing piece to square up the bulkheads and provide  some rigidity to the hull.
 
This is also supplied in engraved plywood with the Hatchways and Ladderways detailed. The Fore Ladderway leads down to the Platform deck, or it would if the bulkhead wasn’t in the way.
 
My deck had some Laser burn on the engraved side which needed sanding to remove. This didn’t have any effect on the planking lines.

3681(2)text
With the Lower deck slotted into place, gently does it on this exercise, it can be seen that altho’ the hatches will be covered by gratings, the Ladderways simply open onto bulkhead tops.

3680(2)
The Upper deck base is placed roughly in position to gauge what will be visible of the lower decks.
The Upper deck Fore Hatch is covered by a grating, but without it there is a view directly down to the Platform deck, altho’ the deficiency in the ladderway will be visible.

3684
To rectify this would require removing a section from bulkhead 4 and a section of false keel between bulkheads 9 and 10 for the lower deck aft ladderway.
None of this of course is necessary but as my version will be open decks only, it is another option to think about, and I am sorely tempted.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Hi Ken, I think it was Danny who alerted me to their use in his Vulture log and I'm reliably informed that the technical description is Hairdressers Sectioning clips, they are readily available  on places like Amazon or e-bay,  but I think my wife got them for me in a local shop.

 
What is good about them is they don't apply too much pressure and can be bent and modified to suit particular holding jobs  in awkward places.
 
Cheers,
 
B.E.
 
 
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Thank you Phil, they are nice little projects, and don't take up hardly any room at all 🙂
 
B.E.

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

STERN BULKHEAD 13 & 13-1 ASSEMBLY
BUILD MANUAL STEPS 6-16
 
LINK TO MY BUILD LOG INDEX
 
Tools Used
Pencil
Craft knife
Clamps
Flory sanding stick
120 & 400- grit sandpaper
Titebond original glue
Old paint brush
Amati’s special cleaner sanding block, reference B7140
Ginour cordless rotary multi-tool
 
Gathering the materials required
The following kit parts are required for this section of the build:
0, 13, 13-1 13a (x2), 13b (x2), 13c (x2), 13d (x2), 13e (x2), 24 (x2)
 
I made a cut on either side of the securing tabs when removing each part from the MDF sheet to minimise the excess tab material. As each part was removed a sanding stick was used to remove the remnants of the tab material.
 

 
Build Tip-1
In order to ensure the bulkheads are correctly seated I find it beneficial to mark the bottom of the slots, both the keel and on each bulkhead. When the bulkheads are correctly seated pencil marks will be aligned.

 
Build Tip-2
I placed both bulkheads 13 and 13-1 in their respective slots on the keel and so I could mark the outer edge of bulkhead 13-1 on bulkhead 13. This provides a good guide to the where the glue needs to be applied when the two bulkheads are glued together later in this task.

 
Adding the bulkhead patterns
Bulkhead 13-1 was then removed from the keel so the two sets of the bulkhead patterns (13a-13f) could be glued in position. Bulkhead 13-1 was then put to one side to allow time for the glue to cure.
 

 
Assembly Of Bulkhead 13 and 13-1
A liberal coating of glue was brushed to the lower section of bulkhead 13 (in the marked area) then bulkhead 13-1 was slotted back to the keel. It is important to note that the bulkhead 13 & 13-1 assembly is not glued to the keel during this process as it needs to be removed for shaping once the glue has fully cured. I added some clamps and removed the assembly from the keel as the glue started to cure as an added precaution.
 

 
Adding The stern planking patterns
With the 13-1 bulkhead assembly back on the keel the two stern planking patterns were glued in place and as the glue started to cure I once again removed the assembly from the keel.
 

 
Shaping Of Stern Bulkhead 13 & 13-1 Assembly
Once the glue had fully cured (overnight), as per the build manual instructions, tape was added to the top section of bulkhead 13 for protection of the infill part.
 
I made some pencil marks to indicate the material to be removed.

 
I started the sanding and shaping process using my Ginour cordless rotary multi-tool, as my dremel had stopped working and was beyond repair. I then used a mixture of sanding sticks, sandpaper and the sanding block to complete the process.
 
I am sure more sanding will be required once the hull is ready to be faired prior to the first planking.
 

 

 

Well done!

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Twenty
 
 
Completing the build.
 
 
I have used the laser cut Pearwood oars and modified the boathook to fit in a wooden handle. The grapnel was silver soldered and chemically blackened.
 
The final addition are the thole pins; I used the provided etched kit versions, I simply couldn’t contemplate trying to make wooden versions of that tiny size.
 

0620(2)

0627

0628

0631

0636(2)

0640(2)
Together with the original 18’ cutter which I made in Boxwood.
On balance I think I prefer the Boxwood finish for small boats.
 
 
 
The Yawl now joins the Cutter Alert in her case along with the 18’ cutter.
 

0642(2)

0649

0653

0654

0656(2)
After five weeks of effort this little project comes to an end.
 
 
I can’t say with certainty that the way I have rigged it is fully accurate, but I think it looks ok at the scale involved and gives an idea how these boats were sailed rather than rowed.
 
 
 
B.E.
19/02/21
 

Post Nineteen
 
 
Stay tackles
 
For the stays I am using Syren 0.20mm line and for the Lanyards Morope 0.1mm line. For the blocks Syren 2mm with Syren (now withdrawn) 3mm black plastic hooks.
 
 
The stays are simply looped around the Masthead and fitted in pairs.
 

0511
The trickiest part is attaching the hooks of the lower blocks to the hull straps.

0562(2)
Fore stays in place, it took quite a few hours to strop and set up, rather like rigging the side tackles on 6 pounder guns, but without a convenient jig.

0565(2)

0553(2)

0561(2)

0534(2)
With the stays completed there only remains for the equipment to be added.
 
 
B.E.
18/02/21
 
 

Post Eighteen
 
 
Rigging continuation
 
The rigging continues with the placing of eyebolts and cleats to take the sheets, and the eyebolts to secure the Fore and Main stays.
 
Drilling through the forward ‘brass’ grating to take the Main stay eyebolt was the most difficult part.
 
The tacks are simply secured to the mast below the snotter.
 
The sails have brails added which allow the quick furling of the sail against the mast.
 

0043
Running each side of the sail through a grommet in the leech of the sail, thro’ small blocks at the masthead to belay at pins set in the mast benches.
 

0041
For the belay pins I used brass etched versions unused from my Cutter Alert build.
 

0039(2)

0038(2)
I will continue to tinker with the brails to persuade them to hang with a natural sag.
 
 
The less than appealing task of making up eight sets of mini tackles now looms.
 
 
B.E.
15/02/21

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Four
Creating a Ladderway
 
This post involves modifying things to create a Fore hatch ladderway on the Lower deck down to the Fore Platform.
This is not for the faint hearted as it involves cutting Bulkhead 4 in half and trimming the false keel.

3716
The bulkhead is halved, and the centre section is removed.

3718
The short keel piece sticking up in the centre will also be removed.

3719
A test check of the Ladderway with the lower deck in place.

3723
Bulkhead 5 is glued into place along with the Fore Platform.

3722
The lower deck is temporarily refitted to hold the bulkhead in place until the glue sets.

3753
Bulkhead 4 halves are glued into place against the False keel and forward connections of the Platform.

3747
Bracing blocks are glued to the lower part of the bulkhead and the keel.

3725
The Lower deck was again put back to square the bulkheads.

3755
The completed area opened up.

3735

3752
A ladder can now be installed once the hatchway coamings are fitted.
 
Onto the stern Ladderway and Aft Platform, which is a less  dramatic modification.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

I couldnt resist already setting up a Placeholder for the Build Log.
 
Sadly my Sphinx is still stuck waiting for release back to UPS from The Gods of Customs and Taxation (Can take up to 10 days from that point i heard)
 
I paid the fees already, it would be cheaper to drive the 800km up to Chris and pick it up and back, not Chris's fault of course, just FYI for those from Germany, the Fees add up to about 1/4 of the Kit's Price
 
My Log will propably not be as Tidy and she wont turn out as pretty as the others but even failures need to be documented.

Tools prepared:
- Exacto Knife and a few Stanleys as Backup
- Various Shapes Modeller Files
- Sandpaper different grit and Sanding Block
- Sanding Sticks
- Assortment of Tweezers
- Different Army Painter and Citadel Brushes
- Automatic Pencil and 30cm Steel ruler
- Planking Vice 
- Guillotine for cutting planks
- Travel Iron for Edge-Bending
- Home-Made Plank bender tool made from Pliers
- Dremel with sanding discs and barrels
- CLAMPS and Vices
- Airbrush
- Various Vallejo Paints - Model Color and Model Air
- PVA Glue

Great planking job you’re doing there Jason. 👍
 
B.E.

Log #8: The Stern Bulkhead and Counter
The first planking is now done.


 
Things I learned from this first planking:
1) You can never double check your measurements enough, especially with the first strakes.
2) When you think you are done faring, check it again and fare some more (especially at the bow).
3) If it doesn’t lie perfectly after edge bending don’t force it. Adjust the bend until it fits easily.
 
After attaching the uppermost 1.5x4mm limewood strake I embarked on the process of adding filler then sanding then adding filler again then sanding again and so on. With this done I was feeling much better about my first layer of planking.

 
I attached the keel and stern post at this point as well.

 
At this point the instructions call for me to fit the counter, but as Blue Ensign articulated in his build log, it doesn’t look quite right to fit it in as instructed. So following a similar process (you can see his original work here), I used part 76 to mark off the proper run of the counter and sanded it down to a curve to match. I then planked the stern bulkhead and after soaking and pre-bending the counter I attached it also.


 
Next up, the second planking.
 

Post Three
 
Platforms
Unusual in this type of kit, Chris has provided a short section of what would be the forward Platform below the lower deck.
In reality there would also be an aft platform which is not supplied.
 
These Platforms sat above the hold and are version of the Orlop deck on larger vessels.
I doubt very little will be seen of this with the hull planked and decked.
 
I considered the possibility of fabricating false frames and leaving an opening in the hull at this level, but what would be the ladderway above it is blocked by a bulkhead, and it is only clear above the Fore Hatchway. As a ladderway leading up to the Lower deck would be the only feature of interest I decided to pass.
 
Lower deck
This deck is another nice touch for what otherwise would be a re-inforcing piece to square up the bulkheads and provide  some rigidity to the hull.
 
This is also supplied in engraved plywood with the Hatchways and Ladderways detailed. The Fore Ladderway leads down to the Platform deck, or it would if the bulkhead wasn’t in the way.
 
My deck had some Laser burn on the engraved side which needed sanding to remove. This didn’t have any effect on the planking lines.

3681(2)text
With the Lower deck slotted into place, gently does it on this exercise, it can be seen that altho’ the hatches will be covered by gratings, the Ladderways simply open onto bulkhead tops.

3680(2)
The Upper deck base is placed roughly in position to gauge what will be visible of the lower decks.
The Upper deck Fore Hatch is covered by a grating, but without it there is a view directly down to the Platform deck, altho’ the deficiency in the ladderway will be visible.

3684
To rectify this would require removing a section from bulkhead 4 and a section of false keel between bulkheads 9 and 10 for the lower deck aft ladderway.
None of this of course is necessary but as my version will be open decks only, it is another option to think about, and I am sorely tempted.
 
B.E.
26/08/21
 

Post Three
 
Platforms
Unusual in this type of kit, Chris has provided a short section of what would be the forward Platform below the lower deck.
In reality there would also be an aft platform which is not supplied.
 
These Platforms sat above the hold and are version of the Orlop deck on larger vessels.
I doubt very little will be seen of this with the hull planked and decked.
 
I considered the possibility of fabricating false frames and leaving an opening in the hull at this level, but what would be the ladderway above it is blocked by a bulkhead, and it is only clear above the Fore Hatchway. As a ladderway leading up to the Lower deck would be the only feature of interest I decided to pass.
 
Lower deck
This deck is another nice touch for what otherwise would be a re-inforcing piece to square up the bulkheads and provide  some rigidity to the hull.
 
This is also supplied in engraved plywood with the Hatchways and Ladderways detailed. The Fore Ladderway leads down to the Platform deck, or it would if the bulkhead wasn’t in the way.
 
My deck had some Laser burn on the engraved side which needed sanding to remove. This didn’t have any effect on the planking lines.

3681(2)text
With the Lower deck slotted into place, gently does it on this exercise, it can be seen that altho’ the hatches will be covered by gratings, the Ladderways simply open onto bulkhead tops.

3680(2)
The Upper deck base is placed roughly in position to gauge what will be visible of the lower decks.
The Upper deck Fore Hatch is covered by a grating, but without it there is a view directly down to the Platform deck, altho’ the deficiency in the ladderway will be visible.

3684
To rectify this would require removing a section from bulkhead 4 and a section of false keel between bulkheads 9 and 10 for the lower deck aft ladderway.
None of this of course is necessary but as my version will be open decks only, it is another option to think about, and I am sorely tempted.
 
B.E.
26/08/21