KeithAug

I can see that the discrepancies between the drawings and the photo is going to create some interest. I notice that the stern end of the shelter on the lower deck is curved in the second drawing and square on the 1st drawing, it is square on the 1922 photo and curved on the ship today. Lots of opportunity for research. Her lines are quite nice - will the planking be visible or masked by filler?

Nils, Veszett - I am probably missing something re the discussion of window material but I use acetate sheet which can be had in a range of thicknesses or if i want something thicker I use the cases for music CD's. Is there a particular reason for the alternatives you suggest?

I like your thinking.

Yep - but its fun to speculate

Unfortunately over before I started. Impressive little diorama. Well done.

John - That seems to be a much improved arrangement - the sweep upward of the stern seems to present the rudder with a much improved flow path and the "Monkey rudder" has the advantage of the the increased water velocity being pushed on to it by the paddle. My original comment was to some extent prompted by the earlier piece on the pushing knees. I was imagining the difficulties of manoeuvring while also pushing a barge. Eric -Yes that's the best recommendation.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I too thought she would be an ugly ducking but she is turning into something of a swan.

I am excited by this one and looking forward to seeing her progress. Are you planning to do much internal detail?

Exactly so Andy. The string line is currently within 1/4" of being parallel to the keel. Close enough not to worry at the moment but I will keep an eye on it as I get closer. Thank you John, Pat, Andy and druxey for the feedback.

They are a nicely detailed set of plans Eric. I guess the rudders were effective but they do look quite compromised being behind a stern which rises sharply and is flat across the beam.

Impressive little crewman Keith. Excellent paint job.

Yes - that looks much better John.

Valeriy. They look smart. Presumably you aren't planning to paint them?

Druxey Yes - these classic yachts had beautiful lines which translates into flowing curves and gentle changes in curvature.

Thank you John and mikegr. And so onto the taper planks. Because I want both sides of the hull symmetrical I set about making the taper planks as matched pairs. Two parallel planks were taped together using double sided sellotape. I then marked the "unshaped" edge of the joined planks so that I would retain the reference orientation of the planks on each side of the hull. The planks were then mounted in my "plank clamping vice" and the edges were reduced. It is probably not clear from the photos but a reference taper strip is glued on to the jaws of the "plank vice" so that I can follow this reference when creating the taper. Additionally the clamping vice has inch subdivisions along its length. By moving the end of the planks to different positions along the vice I can create different widths of plank. Currently I am reducing the planks to 2/3 width at the stern and 1/2 width at the bow as per the measurements in the previous post. The following shots are just a sequence of taper planks going on to the hull. For the moment the taper planks seem to be working and I am not having to force bend them in the width direction. Consequently I am not experiencing and "Clinkering". I am bevelling one edge of each plank as it goes on to the hull to keep adjacent planks abutted tightly. I did make a small tool to assist with the bevelling. However in the end I found that it was just a easy to shape the plank edges with a small sanding block and the tool was consigned to the bin. So it was that I progressed steady to plank 14. I am finding the pins on the "string" line are really convenient for storing the planks prior to fitting. You can just see one parked on the opposite side of the hull in the next photo. More planking fun to continue next week.

Good to see the planks going on George. I will enjoy following the "plankers" progress. 🙂

And it wasn't raining for a change Andy. Interesting you didn't take pictures of there bigger fish - it's always the way with fishermen! Beautiful work on the frames.

Really taking shape Mark. She is going to be treasure once finished.

Elastic bands are the best value for money tool for ship modelling. She is really taking shape Nils. I thought the light really set her off well.

Re - above The full crew of each lightship was two officers, who served alternatively one month on the ship and one in port, and nine men who were divided into three classes – seamen, signalmen and lamp trimmers, who each served two months on board and one on shore. Seven of the crew were actually engaged at any one time aboard the lightship. One officer and three men were always ashore, where they were employed in the Trinity House depot or to make the relief boats when required. More detail here:- https://friendsoflv50.org.uk/history/life-aboard/ I particularly liked this extract:- In the summer-time, when the weather was fine and the days were long, the crew, though there was always plenty of work for all, often employed their spare time in the construction of model ships, rugs, boxes, toys etc and many of the men were extremely expert at that pastime. Sounds like a pretty relaxing job.

Roel Many of those activities are also required in off shore lighthouses which had 3 keepers. The interesting comment is "It was an extremely demanding and dangerous profession, and it would take 15 to 20 years of service to be promoted to master." This seems to imply more substantive activities than just maintenance. I think I will do a little more research.

I looked it up, but what were they all doing? Presumably some were oarsmen to make up for the lack of an engine!😀 By the start of the 20th century, Trinity House lightvessels had a crew of 11, of whom seven (a master and six ratings) would be on active duty at any one time. It was an extremely demanding and dangerous profession, and it would take 15 to 20 years of service to be promoted to master.[10]

Keith You are being too perfectionistic. They look excellent. Have you had lens replacements? They make you feel 30 years younger until you see yourself in a mirror.😬

Pat - you still have Woolworths 😮. They went extinct just after the dinosaurs over here.

Steven - Sounds like a good plan. I think cutting it off with a parting off tool would have been a bit too aggressive.