bryanc

The Build Continues

I got straight down to work, and was mostly impressed by the quality of materials. The hull construction went ahead without any problems and I continue to be impressed by the robustness of the thing (at this stage anyway). I'm quite convinced that if I dropped it, the floor would suffer, not the ship ;-)

I ploughed straight on with the false decking which did need some 'fettling' to make it fit, but nothing unexpected.

But thats the easy bit, now to move onto the first planking, which I always approach with some trepidation, because as usual, the instructions for terminating plank ends, by which I mean where and how, is woefully inadequate. But this time I'll do more research into other peoples planking experiences, and the tips to be found in the 'Technique and Research' part of the site.

Bryan

Hi Bryan......... Good choice ....I'm sure you'll enjoy the build..... I just got thru building her... will follow your progress. Have fun!!

 

Frank

Hi Frank, did you do a build log, or have any construction pics? I need all the help I can get ;-)

Bryan

Hi Bryan,

 

This looks like a great kit of a historic ship.  Will follow along if you don't mind!

 

Enjoy!

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel.

Absolutely not Nigel, I'd be honoured if you sail along ;-) Its a good, solid kit, should be interesting, but please bear in mind I'm no expert.

First set of pics and update coming shortly.

Bryan

HM Brig Supply 1759 Yard Transport / Convict Ship - the ship that, ahead of the first convict fleet, was first to enter Australian waters and what became Sydney harbour.

First impressions; a very long, heavy box (the delivery note claimed it was 3Kg!), on opening I was surprised first by the amount of sawdust(!) then the reason for all the weight; copious amounts of 5mm thick ply and walnut panels very much in evidence, not to mention a staggering amount of planking, doweling etc.

The quality of the wood and indeed the fittings appears good and that is very encouraging. The instructions; well, the actual written instructions little more than adequate, but the 6 huge sheets comprising the plans do seem very comprehensive and well produced. Time will tell!

Construction has already begun, so my next post will be quite soon.

Bryan

On Thursday I received the (heavy) box containing my Caldercraft HM Brig "Supply". I've also incidentally won a bidding war on Ebay for the Caldercraft HM Mortar Vessel Convulsion, which is coming next week!!

The "Supply" has already been started however, so I'd better start a new build log for her. See you there!

Bryan

Well done sir!

 

I look forward to seeing the gunboat.

Thanks Gunther! However it isn't going to be the gunboat, out of stock and I can't wait, need my ship building fix!!

Or lofting heights? I was very impressed by Harold Underhill's frequent assertions that building from plans is within most people's competence. Perhaps it just takes a bit longer and maybe we'd make more mistakes to learn from. Anyway, just a thought. There are quite a few experts on this forum who prefer kit-bashing, and that seems just as demanding. I look forward to your next build whatever it is.

 

Tony

Oh if things continue as I anticipate scratch building may be on the cards one day. For now though my next build, for a variety of reasons, will be the Caldercraft HM Brig "Supply", just ordered - from Model Dockyard this time.

Bryan

How about entering the world of scratch building? I've thought that it would be good to try one of the cross-sections on this forum, such as the Triton or Echo. It would probably be vastly more satisfying than a kit, especially since the materials are under your own control. When you think about it, the only real advantage to kits is that you have the bulkheads laser-cut. For a scratch build you just have to print out the sections, stick them to wood and then cut them out yourself with a jeweller's saw or fretsaw.

 

Tony

Well I certainly share your admiration for cross-sections and the great detail they provide, and have given the likes of the Panart Victory Bow Section much consideration, but scratch building?! I think you asume I have far more skill than I in fact do. No, I need far more basic hands on experience before I attempt the lofty heights of scratch building, so I'm still searching for the next kit...

Bryan

Congratulations! Very nicely done! Must be a very satisfying feeling.

 

Tony

Thanks Tony! Yes it is, a very satisfying feeling. The trouble is I now need quite desperately to continue to build, and my chosen next kit seems to be out of stock everywhere, so I'm frantically seeking a suitable next build that I can afford, and someone has in stock for immediate delivery!

Bryan

The Lady Nelson completed

Photos attached as promised of my first completed ship; The Lady Nelson. A hugely enjoyable experience, she is far from perfect, but I take great pleasure in her. But, onwards and upwards, and I am currently awaiting delivery of my next project - Caldercraft HM Gunboat William 1795 1:32 scale model kit.

Thanks,

Bryan

Hi, just looked, if you go to jotika website then construction photographs there is 12 pages through the construction.

Many thanks indeed Thunder, just going there now

*Update.  I've had an in depth study, and feel I would quite like to have a go! Now to find the cheapest option.

Many thanks indeed for your invaluable help.

Bryan

Finished!

A little bit of tidying up and I'll post the pics, but;

As in the nature of these things I am already casting about for my next project. It was going to be the HM Bomb Vessel Granado (probably the Victory Model version which is a lot cheaper than the Caldercraft, but opinions on that would be welcome), but I've come across the Caldercraft HM William Gunboat. Its a bit of an odd one, which in itself is intreguing, but its also 1:32 which has really got my attention. Has anyone any experience of this kit, or even built it? A search on site has come up with nothing!

Any comments welcome, thanks.

Bryan

Hi Guys,

The Caldercraft HM William Gunboat 1:32

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of, or have indeed built this ship? For the first time a search on site has produced no hits or information at all (apart from another gentleman asking similar questions 2 years ago). I've virtually finished my last build (Lady Nelson) and am searching for my next.

Its a bit of an odd one but I find it intreguing. This is a Caldercraft, so should be of good quality, but I must confess one reason its attracted me is its scale; its a big 1:32 which I find most interesting after fiddling about with the 1:64 Lady Nelson.

Any help, information or direction much appreciated.

Thanks,

Bryan

Thanks guys, its good of you and encouraging when ones feeling maybe a tad discouraged - like I was yesterday struggling with the mainstay! Grrr!

But in no way totally discouraged, as I am already relishing my second ship; it was always intended to be a large scale Victory, but I think I will hone my skills a little further first, hmmm, now which ship...

Thanks,

Bryan

The end is in sight

It was a strange moment when the mast went up, it was suddenly a ship, and it was quite a defining moment!

Obviously some big strides have now taken place and the end is in sight, although still a lot to do. Working with the blocks and lines is so fiddly, but strangely satisfying, and although I’ve taken short-cuts purists will shudder at, it’s been good fun and I’m enjoying it. And I even dare to say it looks OK – from a distance!

It is after all my first ship and I’m aware there are mistakes and in some cases shoddy workmanship, but its all a big and enjoyable learning experience, and I’m already relishing my next ship.

Note the careful posing; in front of my limited edition Smitheman print “HMS Victory Leading the Line at Trafalgar”!

Bryan

Thanks guys, all welcome suggestions, but I've already started with my own typically rough and ready method. I've clamped my cordless Dremel 7700 securely in a vice with a sander drum in the chuck and, at low speed, wearing safety specs, moved and rotated the spars etc delicately across the drum. Its probably not a very health & safety accredited method and great care has to be taken, but its done a fair job. The spars will now be finished with sandpaper. 

Hi,

I'm seeking advice regarding the preferred way of tapering masts and spars etc. Are spokeshaves a sensible option, and if so where (in the UK) is the best place to acquire them?

Any other methods used by members?

Bryan

Should have done a more effective search, as there is a bit of stuff already written about tapering of yards and spars :-)

I must just add I was a little unfair to Victory Models, the dimensions of the masts, spars etc were on the drawings, and they were shown more or less full size which was helpful, but there are no instructions at all what to do with them.

However, as mentioned elsewhere, I've come up with my own typically rough and ready method of tapering them; I clamped my cordless Dremel 7700 securely in a vice with a sander drum in the chuck and, at low speed, wearing safety specs, moved and rotated the spars etc delicately across the drum. Its probably not a very health & safety accredited method and great care has to be taken, but its done a fair job. Medium then fine sandpaper completed the task, and with the possible exception of the bowsprit, painted or stained they don't look too awful.

Now to read up on fitting them!

Bryan

Moving on...

A bit of general tidying up to be done, but otherwise about ready to move up from the deck. Masts and spars all sized, but how does one effectively taper said spars without access to a mini lathe!? Is it all patiently sandpapered?

The instructions are woefully inadequate about the tapering itself - length thereof and stuff.

Bryan

Bryan, mine has t hat reference number but is different from yours and no name plate. Deck furniture is different also.

 

Adrian.

Adrian, maybe the Kit No. is the same. Although probably not as I've just had a look on the box. Not only does it say "New Edition Kit" in several places, there is also an actual photograph on the side clearly showing the nameplate. It looks like yours maybe the original edition if it hasn't got that. I can't imagine the deck furniture has changed much, remember I've been a tad "creative" with mine.

Bryan

Bryan, the stern looking better now. Did the name plate come with the kit, I have this kit to build, can't remember seeing that in the box.

Hi,

Yes if your kit is No. 1300/01 - its the revised edition. (The main difference is you have two sets of conflicting instructions!). The name plate is a piece of pressed brass(?) in a small plastic envelope with the few other brass pieces (including the notoriously flimsy deadeye fittings).

The nameplate is intended to be painted yellow on black, but being brass, I painted the whole lot matt black then when dry, with a fine needle file, I filed off the relief which picks out the raised name and scroll work beautifully.

Up to date photos

The latest photos as promised; things are moving on, I’ve had a lot of fun with somewhat “creative” deck fittings, all kidology, and not out of the manual, but hey…!

Now to the less fun activities of the cannon rigging and the creating of “new” deadeyes etc. Then the rudder…..

Bryan

Hello Bryan, I am a little concerned that you are galloping ahead but have not planked the stern. It may be just the photos but does look like you have missed it.

 

Concerning your deck. It looks flat. Does it just need pinning down as should curve downwards either side towards the gun ports.

 

Adrian.

The stern is planked Adrian, (albeit not very well) and just doesn't show in the photos. I've got to clean it up and add the rudder of course yet (something I didn't make a very good job of first time round, so must redo). I've a horrible feeling you may be right about the decking, as I said before the cannon foul the gun port openings (too high to fit through), so it must be because the deck is set too high (or the bulwarks too low). I can't really see how it is the case though, as the decking was laid directly on the supports as far as I remember, but if its meant to curve downwards as you say that would explain it. Lack of emphasis in the instructions! You'll see from the photos I'm about to post, I've had to set the guns back from the ports. Too late to do anything now though! The decking is absolutley solid with no give whatsoever.

All a learning experience!

Bryan

Hi Bryan.

Mabe these are of the same type as you need.

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/amati-chainplates.html

 

Regards Antony.

Hi Anthony,

Many thanks, looking at them now, I'm having a go at doing my own (at least the deadeyes) with brass wire as Tony suggested, but will get some chainplates from your source if I can't think of a way of fabricating them myself. Thank you.

Bryan

There are two ways round this.

 

The first is to write to Euromodels/Amati and ask them for the spare parts, explaining what happened to yours. In nearly all cases they send you the replacement parts.

 

The second is to make your own. This is not at all hard, seeing you have the deadeyes intact. You just need a strip of brass sheet and some copper or brass wire. You could even make this from old electrical cabling if you happen to have wiring that is that thick.

 

There are lots of builds that show the variety of ways to do this on this forum. There is also the late Hubert Sicard's superb site for novices called 'Wooden Ship Modeling for Dummies' which has an enormous range of tips for making your own parts -- with many illustrated by silent videos. You can peek at bits of it for free, but for its full use you have to pay a one-off fee of 40 Canadian Dollars through PayPal. It really is worth it. The link is http://www.shipmodeling.ca/, and is a resource used by many on this forum (including myself). Some of the English translations from the French are a bit ropey, but it's easy enough to understand.

 

Of course there are lots of books as well, many of which you can obtain through your local library.

 

The advantage of making your own is that if some break you just make some more -- instead of waiting on the kit manufacturer to send you replacements.

 

Tony

Hi Tony,

Many thanks for coming to the rescue again. I've bookmarked the sites mentioned for later, and will, in the first instance, have a look at making my own! Thanks for the inspiration. I am actually waging ahead and fitting out the deck, c/w my own inovations! My camera is misbehaving or I would post some pics, but hopefully soon.

Thanks again,

Bryan