Kevin Kenny

Just the last two deck strakes to install. Thank goodness the deck covers up my inaccurate carlins. This will not happen on the main deck. One of the main reasons for installing the full deck is to learn from my mistakes and make sure when i lay the main deck it will not have these errors in it. Experience is the best teacher. I have learned so much. This build is the best teaching course one could attend in model building. I am so appreciative of the time David and Greg put into this practicum. 

Proceeding nicely.

I am now using heat to curve the planks. Wish i had done so earlier. This means that it will be better on the next deck. The coffee wood turns out to be excellent for planking. The grain is so fine and when i heat it, it holds its shape well. 

Hi Greg

the 3 D images have added so much to the build. Thanks for allowing me to use them in the videos. The aft hatch is centered so it must be an illusion. What i have found is that i need to run a line from bow to stern to get a correct centerline. I had established centerlines each time i installed a beam. These were not always accurate which mean when i installed the carlings a few were off center, as a result two of the hatches were also off center. I was able to recenter the hatches  when i started the planking. I left the off center carlings as they would have been covered up in any case.  Thank goodness for PVA and alchol. 

Used a hardwood template to start curving the aft floor planks. This worked pretty good. Next time i will use a temporary  block in the center to place the first curved plank. Time solves every problem if you just give it a chance. 
 

painted the bitts red as in the 3D file.

will be working on the model until the 18th then off to Tobago for 2 week holiday.

The planking has started.

Preparing bulk stock from coffee wood for the lower deck

hatch comings

The completion of the lower deck framing.

Termite treatment to lower frames

 Coming to the end of the deck framing

Artist John Otway not happy with his work. I am trying to encourage him to keep  at it as most of you did for me during the build of the actual model. 

Model being painted to show the boat anchored off some of the islands off Trinidad. 

Model professionally photographed by my friend Brian Lewis

I used netting from a costume store. The mesh size is a bit larger than a ladies stocking. The only problem i had was trying to make it look old. Washed it several times but it did not make a difference

I find that when you strip any wood but especially mahogany into small Long strips it tends to warp If i do not stick it right away. If it was quarter sawn wood this would not happen.
 

 The bullet is heavy, shot from WW1, but it works well. i have never weighed it. The two wooden side moldings were just put there for the photograph. I will make them up this morning and silicone them in over the next few days. To make sure i have straight ones i will make at least eight.

Getting there

Building the glass case

Second seine done and a new set of oars