clearway

deck planking underway. have laid a 6" rule on deck to give some idea of size.

box of goodies! note i have already removed the main deck and frames.

frames and deck assembeled.

Next decision after planking is whether to install the deck beams before sanding the frames to shape to offer some support to the bulwark timbers as they are rather flimsy- especially the poop deck ones (instructions suggest sanding frames first).

Keith

ouch bob- reminds me of when i completed the wheelhouse on my scratchbuilt model of "clearway" only to find the plans didn't follow the same dimensions as the real thing as to height! It just didn't look right compared to photos so i had to scrap several weeks work and start again- fun isn't it aaaargh.

Keith

a bit of stain and varnish will disguise that nicely- been there myself! wish i had done the bulwarks the same as you instead of just using the billings method. On the subject of fittings, yeah the fittings came as a seperate entity which you had to buy seperate from the actual kit itself hence why there was none in the box. As mentioned though the billings winches were very basic and innacurate hence the replacement ones i got in.

Keith

P.S. hope you didn't mind me posting the pic on your log of my cutty.

link to a pic of my cutty sark (file too big to upload on here)

did find this pic on the laptop of the mizzen mast though- its an old laptop from home and still had pics on it

Hi, i usually log on here at work but will try and get some deck shots and load them into the comp here for you- time permitting and no boss looking! I also scratch built an anchor windlass and new whisker booms as billings just used a two rail stantion for the booms.

Keith

nice work so far. at about the same stage with my billings victory. i used strips of self adhesive label (franking labels in this case) for the window frames and sandwhiched the acetate between the carcase and decorative external panels. wish i had bought the jokita one now!!!

excellent work- i bought the billings kit back in 1995 when it was still die-cut- oh the joy of laser cutting!!!!! i used the original decking pieces but planked over them and built up the deckhouse panelling with uopto 3 layers of venneer strip also replaced the billing winches and wheel with sergal/ mantua fittings and altered the innacurate anchor deck.

keith

Nice work- i built the same kit a couple of years ago. I didn't plank as per the instructions but planked her "properly" with a single skin which did lead lo an interesting time with the transom! i also squared off the masts at the doubling.

Keith

have built a few billings kits over the years and normally replace the plastic parts with scratchbuilt wooden fittings where applicable. In the case of the cutty sark i replaced the billings dolly winches and ships wheel with sergal fittings.

Keith