NMBROOK

Thanks for all the input folks. The big tip was from both Mobbsie and Rusty, in actually applying Poly to the test pieces before deciding, so that's exactly what I did: 
 

 
The Admiral was consulted and immediately No.s 2, 4 & 6 were ruled out as being too light, and No. 3 for being too dark. That left No.s 1, 5 & 7:
 

 
There was so little to distinguish between these three, that the choice came down to the method used.  No.7 used Boxwood sawdust mixed with diluted PVA.  No. 1 used a water-based wood filler, straight out of the jar. No. 5 was the same as No.1 but with a touch of Raw Sienna acrylic paint added.
 
No.7 ran the risk of leaving a glue residue on the wood surface.  No. 5 ran the risk of the paint staining the surrounding timber.  No.1 offered no down side, so became the final choice by default.
 
Cardboard templates were made up and drilled with a 0.4mm drill.  The templates were temporarily fixed in place using double sided tape and the holes drilled.
 

 
And here’s the resulting holes awaiting filler:
 

 
Before filling the holes, the hull was removed from the jig and the exterior sanded fair.  I cheated and used an electric “Mouse” sander for this.  I was a bit worried about how the hull would stand up to this, but it was surprisingly solid.  The Mouse made relatively short work of the fairing and did a very good job of it.  I forgot to take photos of the exterior though!     
 
While I was at it, I made up a temporary work stand for the hull using the templates provided in the drawings (intended as the display stand).  I just knocked this up using some scrap 6mm MDF and 6mm square stock for the stringers. I lined the inside with self adhesive felt to protect the hull while it is being worked on.
 
The holes were then filled and the excess filler wiped off with a damp cloth.  The whole of the interior up to and including the Mortar Pit Deck Clamps, was then given two coats of Wipe-On Poly (applied with a brush), with a light rub of steel wool between coats. The end result is faint, but distinguishable treenails - I'm quite pleased with how they turned out.   
 

 

 

 
In the following photo, you can see the temporary work stand:
 

 
And finally, here’s a couple of overall shots of where she’s at now:
 

 

 
Still tossing up about adding bolts to the Deck Clamps……….

Fabulous work Dimitris There is an almost incomprehensible amount of deck detail on this particular ship!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Hello to all, Simon welcome aboard. David-Mike-Slog-Patrick-Don-Brian-Nigel (UpstateNY)-Jeff-Nigel (NMBROOK)-Bob, I do thank you for all the likes and for your visits to my build log.
 
So...work on the shipyard continues..The lamp with the magniffying lens above my head explode...And the first thing I thought,  after the proper language.. Oh darn !!! the ship...  I check the construction and everything it's ok!!
Here are some pictures with the progress of Amerigo... The instructions shows how to make these lines with a pencil..I did not like it  ..so i made this.. Then glue the furnitures on the stern deck, then the radar and then I start to place the stanchions and handrails to the stern's cap rail (i hope that this is a term). Sorry about the quality of photos but as i said above the lamp is out..
 
Kind Regards
Dimitris

And some more photos... (Better quality)
 
Cheers
Dimitris
 
 

Hello shipmates, the work on the shipyard continues....I do thank you all for your likes and comments..Really appreciate it!!!
Here are some photos...
 
Kind Regards
Dimitris

Excellent work Jason The angle of your last pic is the one that tells all.To me,the run of the wale and gunports can make or break a model.You have certainly achieved a fair run with both
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Wales:
 
Thanks for support and interest chaps.  Started building up the wales, rather than putting these on over the 2nd planking as the instructions say, I want to build these up first and then have the lines of the 2nd planking follow the wales.  I know that this will definitely require some spiling at the bow, but would like to give it a go.
 
Looking at many pictures of the Artois models, the position of the wale seems very important.  I decided to use the waterline as the basis for positioning this for a couple of reasons:
Eliminate any potential issues creeping in because of differences in gunport positions between the model and plans, and also with AOTS.  After countless measurements, I'm convince that the upward curve of the upper deck is slight less than indicated in the plans, however, this really shouldn't cause any issues. Establish a point of consistent point of reference to ensure both sides are as symmetric as possible.  Gunport ply patterns definitely have their challenges, but they do provide a little more consistency as an upside. First attempt resulted in failure and stripping off of the wale, all because I had let the hull tilt over when marking the waterline which resulted in a 3mm difference, not noticeable until I tried to position the second side......  ​.  This is where I was thankful I was using PVA glue as the offending strips could be removed without too much damage with rubbing alcohol and a little filler.  One item I noticed by accident was that the load line requires the stern to be slightly lower than the bow, I estimated approx. 6mm.  The wale position was determined by placing some short lengths of wood strip 2mm above waterline at low point and  plank upwards to establish the topmost edge at this point and then estimate position while ensuring a smooth curve.
 
Last tricky point was the shape of the wale at the bow.  Although the AOTS Diana book does not illustrate this, I have to assume that the wale would flatten slight at the stem from looking at contemporary models.  This was trickier to do than simply allowing the strip to follow the line of the hull, but possible with 1x3mm strip and patience.
 
Next step will be to build up the thickness of the wale before continuing with second planking.
 

Excellent work Michael !!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Excellent work Michael !!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Excellent work Michael !!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Wow,the display is as stunning as the model!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Excellent work Michael !!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Excellent work Michael !!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Hi Mates,
 
Started preliminary work on the foremast. Will return to bowsprit  (do need to finish that up). Needed a break from absorbing three diff. rigging plans trying to decide where to correctly place blocks.
 
PS: note one of the pics; mast was too short needed and extending “wooden leg”
 
Thanks so much for dropping by comments and likes, as well as your continued interest.
 
PS: Brian THANKS for your help regarding order of pics (;-)
 
Cheers,
 
Michael

I also hope Santa hear it, Ulises Victoria
Daniel

I am definitely setting a book mark on the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción y de las Ánimas kit.
I've been good all year. (Did you hear, Santa? )     

Hello all,

Le Cerf kit is in the sale now. You can buy it with 30% discount. You can buy Le Cerf kit for only 167EUR (basic kit) or 181EUR (kit with turned brass gun barrels) now. 

 

The discount is valid until November 15-2015. Please visit our special offers webpage:

http://www.dusekship.../special-offers

 

best regards
Daniel Dusek

Hello all,

Special offer to the anniversary of battle of Lepanto (7 October 1571). Buy La Real kit for only 279.3EUR This special offer is valid only to the October 14 2015. Please visit our special offers webpage:

http://www.dusekship.../special-offers

Best regards
Daniel Dusek

Finally, a friend of mine put together a movie.
See here:

Hi Greg and wyzwyk. Thanks for very nice comments.
I added the upper base for the side windows and mullions.

Hello shipmates, this is my third attempt, in the world of ship modelling with this beautiful vessel. My admiral gave me an early gift for my upcoming birthday ...I had in mind to buy it as a present to myself on christmas time.. :D I have still a lot to do on my Amerigo Vespucci and i don't want start the RC right away. How ever, because i'm not the most patient man in the world, I decided to start this build log with some photos of the current kit. All the instructions on the large sheets with the plans are written in Italian . Of course  there is a book of instructions in English  that seems not to be at all bad. I have no big experience with wood quality , but the kit's wood seems fine. I will use the lime strips for a 1st planking and for the 2nd, i'm thinking -instead of walnut that came with the kit -of using some swiss pear strips. I also decided to change the walnut strips from 0.5 to 1 mm for the deck panking (or use lime strips). All items included in the kit are inside (no missing parts). :) So here are the photos....
 
Kind Regards
Dimitris

I agree,this is the result I achieved using a multi stage process incorporating gilding paste followed by sealing then an acrylic wash,finally drybrushing to accentuate the depth.More detail in my Caroline log.
 

 

 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Hopefully Panart have realised what a bad idea the balsa was .The book is extremely useful as a guide to providing more detail,however some 'creative thinking' is required as the hull lines in the kit differ from the book.
I spiled every plank from 1.5mm pear sheet on mine.Perhaps unnecessary,but I was concerned as the planks work out at 6mm wide.It did however take around a month of 60 hour weeks to plank   .
I look forward to following along and don't be afraid to ask,I am only too glad to help in anyway
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

More great work and congratulations on your new model Dimitris My kit had been sat on the shelf for a few years when I got it,it came with both lime and balsa first planking,letting the builder decide.I tried the balsa route and sanded it off and used the lime instead.If you get a choice,I would recommend using the lime first planking,the balsa is more trouble than it is worth
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I have now completed the lower planking on the port side. This involved the same process used on the starboard side -- planking, tree nailing, final sanding and repainting of the wale. Although the two sides didn't come out exactly identical, they are very close. The hull is now fully planked.
 
With the completion of this work, it is time to turn my attention inboard and thin down the bulkheads in preparation for the bulwark planking.
 
Bob