NMBROOK

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you very much indeed Nigel,Bob,Peter and Michael
 
I have never really lost my workshop Nigel,I have just brought some items back out of storage.After two house sales have fallen through,it is now going to auction at the end of September.This hopefully means we can finally get relocated.My only stipulation as to where we rent is that there is a garage It means I will loose workbench space,but that will just teach me to work tidier 
 
Kind Regards
 
NIgel

Hi All,
  Well, I’ve hit the 6th month mark and while I’ve not been keeping a detailed time log, I think I am at about the 250hr mark.   Work continued on the cannons to file off the casting marks using Ken's (xken) tips in his Niagara log (Thanks Ken!). I also opened up the cannon mouths...well tried at least!   Drilling out the mouths was a real challenge in terms of just holding them firmly and my Dremel drill bits, while saying were for metal, couldn't drill out the metal cleanly. After making rather a mess of the mouths, I then slowly filed out the mouths using the end of my round needle file.  I repaired the mouths as best I could using drops of CA, allowing them to harden, filing to shape and then repeating until they looked  passable before painting them.  Not yet sure I am happy enough with the cannons to keep them...back up plan is to buy some from Chuck and he also has some nice swivel guns that would be fun to add. Every cloud has a silver lining I guess  .   Capstan was assembled using the kit parts and then the brass work was blackened using Casey’s Birchwood solution. I also completed the doors, adding the hinges and door handles. Hinge bolts were made using the head from some brass planking nails. Smallest details I've ever tried to make by far!     Final item this week was I added the cannon port rings to the bulwarks. Kit only provided 4 rings for the outsides of the ports (really AL??), so now I need to figure out how to make some decent rings from some brass wire.    Images below and as always thanks for reading. Hope everyone on the States enjoyed their 4th July.   Cheers,   Nigel.                    

Hi All,
 
So, work on the Dragon has resumed after a great, but all too short, vacation with the family.
 
A few posts ago, Captain Steve wondered if there was a way to make the cannon carriages on the Dragon more authentic than those provided in the kit.  I decided to try and scratch out the carriages using a picture I found on the web as a reference. I also wanted to lower the height of the cannons to better center the cannons in the ports. 
 
Carriages were made by gluing eight 5mm walnut strips together and then slowly filing out the carriage shape using my needle files. After cutting the excess wood away, the glue was then loosened by soaking in water overnight to separate the pieces. The carriages were then assembled using another piece of 5mm walnut as the base and 1mm wide walnut strips to form the feet. I hope the finished prototype looks OK and certainly a little different from the kit carriages.
 
In other news, the Admiral and Captain looked after me this Father's Day and the Lady Confederacy has now docked in Saratoga Springs!  . Be a while before I start her as I must finish my Dragon first!
 
Thumbnails below and thanks for reading.
 
Cheers,
 
Nigel.
 
 

 

 

 

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

NIgel,
 
Always such a pleasure dropping onto your build logs. Your latest window details are also marvelous. Beyond bashed might be an understatement.
 
Michael

Work this weekend has predominantly concentrated on reinforcement of the upper structure and fitting the deck beams.No external work can start without fitting these beams as they slide through the hull sides.
shaped plywood pieces were epoxied the length of the deck to provide support for the deck beams and to give a visual 'blackout to the lower deck.This is to counteract the fact that full internal detail and rigging of the cannons will not be carried out.Carriages will be authentic on the top but have a flat bottom to allow secure gluing to the deck.Careful studying of what is actually on show with the full cannons in place shows no other additional work is necessary.
 
The deck beams once inserted were packed with boxwood shim to increase the camber the required amount.These beams are insufficiently strong enough to be unsupported and were originally going to be set by the hanging knees and pillars.Further work after trimming the packs is to add pear chocks inbetween each beam.These will be sanded to follow the tops of the beams and the sheer.This provides further support for the sub deck but also tidies things up if a get anyone staring into the gunports
 
I have also commenced framing the counter.The width of the blocks used allows them to form the lining of the stern chasers.I milled a shallow slot in the bottom member to ease accurate positioning of these.
 
The pics show WIP,as that is it until next weekend.Then I hope to complete this work in readiness for the final shaping of the bow and stern blocks and general completion of the fairing.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Some pics of the completed quarter badge with window unit bonded in place
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

glad to see you're back working on your model nigel! looks amazing, cant wait to see more keep it up!!

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Nigel, however you end up doing this, it will be an extraordinary model.
 
Bob

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Work this weekend has predominantly concentrated on reinforcement of the upper structure and fitting the deck beams.No external work can start without fitting these beams as they slide through the hull sides.
shaped plywood pieces were epoxied the length of the deck to provide support for the deck beams and to give a visual 'blackout to the lower deck.This is to counteract the fact that full internal detail and rigging of the cannons will not be carried out.Carriages will be authentic on the top but have a flat bottom to allow secure gluing to the deck.Careful studying of what is actually on show with the full cannons in place shows no other additional work is necessary.
 
The deck beams once inserted were packed with boxwood shim to increase the camber the required amount.These beams are insufficiently strong enough to be unsupported and were originally going to be set by the hanging knees and pillars.Further work after trimming the packs is to add pear chocks inbetween each beam.These will be sanded to follow the tops of the beams and the sheer.This provides further support for the sub deck but also tidies things up if a get anyone staring into the gunports
 
I have also commenced framing the counter.The width of the blocks used allows them to form the lining of the stern chasers.I milled a shallow slot in the bottom member to ease accurate positioning of these.
 
The pics show WIP,as that is it until next weekend.Then I hope to complete this work in readiness for the final shaping of the bow and stern blocks and general completion of the fairing.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Hi Nigel,
 
Looks beautifully symmetrical!  Particularly like the shots shot showing the wonderful transom and gun deck framing details.
 
You seem to be really moving along now...must be great to have your workshop back!  
 
Cheers,
 
Nigel.

Ok then,milestone finally reached.The square stern has gone hull is now fully faired in preparation for planking.I must fess up,I know I said the build will follow the kit plans,but I will be adding a tweak to the stern to bring it a little more in line with the builders model,the kit quarter galleries will still be used along with most of the kit castings,however the prominent balcony will be incorporated.I am not going to waffle on with the exact details,all will be revealed in due course.Some pics of the shaped hull,upper 'sub' linings to add to the stern chasers then on to planking the counter in Ebony
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thanks for the link Nigel. With all my googling, that is one that I missed. I have a couple sources for the finished build but one can never have enough resources for technique. The log  will come in handy as I often struggle interpreting the supplied plans.......much obliged.
 
JP

After the the drama of my last posting I decided to switch gears and initiate the first planking.  At the pace I build, I need to go back to the drawing board and teach myself techniques and pour over the many resources offered at this wonderful site. The images show my progress  to date. When the hull is filled in up to the gun deck, I will turn my attention to the deck planking and its fitting out.
 
Thanks for looking in......
 
JP

Hi All
 
I have put the liquid glass on the back of the window.
 
Dried fitted it to see how it looked.
 
I have got to say I do like it.
 
Yes I know you will not see it when the upper deck is fitted but it is good practice for later on.
 
Denis.

Build log part 9
 
 
slowly the streamline underwater- hull is developing as planed, after fairing it may need a little filler material here and there to get the surface and the spheric areas for smooth transitions......
 
Nils
 
 

 
The last attached planks are only 5 mm wide. 
 
 

 
the next horizontal planks will have to match with the curvature of the propshaft housings
 
 

 
here two steelers are fitted, whereby the darker colored wood one is spheric shaped. The small wood piece obove the tailcone half is a bit of filler wood
 
 

 
the four 5 mm planks- portion here matches with the 13mm + 8 mm wide planks  onwards to the bow
 
 

 
The upper stern area will be timmed for vertical planking from the aft sheer downwards
 
 

 
Starboard side so far OK, now the port side is brought to the same status
 
 

 
 

 
the lines can now be seen clearly, and still the whole hull is safely mounted to the "slipway" board, I will take it off when the planking is completed
 

thank you Nigel.....same here      we're still making future plans that include each other.........so I guess she's not planning to stick me in a box or have me committed      
 
thanks for the kind word on the Titanic.....I've started my vacation,  but haven't touched it these past couple of days.   this is a very nice kit,  in spite of my changing a couple things.   I'm getting to the point where the model is going to make me do the rigging for the funnels and masting.   they show this at the beginning of the build......I thought that was a bit early,  not wanting to wrestle with hanging string while building the main parts of the assemblies.  in looking at this,  I looked at the ratlines for the masts,  in relation to the supplied rigging thread.   somehow,  it doesn't make sense to supply only one size thread,  when the ratlines are thicker........I would imagine that the fore stays and what back stays need to be done,  would be the same size rigging as the ratlines {the main parts of them}.    I'm not a big fan of plastic ratlines either......not sure if I want to go through the trouble of making them.  I do have a though running through my mind at the moment,  to look into the preformed ratlines that are in the United States kit,  that I have.   I'm planning to do the ratlines on that build,  so the supplied ones will not be used.......I could cut them down to get the pieces I need.   this revelation,  coupled with the change in the order of assembly,  is proving to be quite a conundrum {there is also the slight warpage in the aft section of the hull to deal with as well}.   I have a chore or two to do today........but I promise some sort of progress........by this evening...I hope