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Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

I thought it was an optical illusion but your comment about using the ponce wheel directly on the hull seems to confirm it - your "rivets" are inverted. The models I've seen in other build logs seem to show raised rivets like those on the bulwarks. I like yours better. Looking at the actual ship, where the "rivets" are applied, the copper seems to be pulled in towards the hull creating a dimple, which is what one would expect Nice work!
 
Jonathan

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Jonathan, George, Jack thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at hull plating and I am posting the process I am using for the benefit of those new to ship building. In searching around I could not find a detailed process of doing it and even found incorrect applications not including the dressing belt.
Here are images showing the dressing belt and how the hull plates intersect the dressing belt.
 

 

 
Here are a couple of overall views with the second showing that the top row has the small rivets at both the top and bottom edges. In the picture of the stern area the small wheel was carefully used on the hull once the plates were cut to fit in place.


 
Now on to plating the port side, keep in mind these will have the left edge with the small rivets.
 
One question I do have is about the red lead paint applied on the dressing belt; it appears in photographs of the real ship to cover the three rows of the dressing belt and about half a plate dimension down into the hull plates. There is no mention of it in the instructions. I would appreciate any thought or comments others might have on this painted stripe.

Looking very nice - also great tutorial - thanks for sharing it - Hull plates look really great.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Before adding the rest of the hull plates I searched around to understand and verify the "Dressing Belt" per the plans. In looking at pictures of the real ship there was in fact three rows of plates for the dressing belt. They are full height at the bow and taper at the stern. Here is a sequence showing how I added the necessary tape lines. Also note the tape setback for the hull plates to be trimmed to and that the dressing belt will overlap.
 
First I used my panavise to mark the line which will only be good 2/3's down the hull and then they taper to the stern.

This shows the tape in place allowing for the overlap.


Here I am using a divider to position and adjust the tape line.

This shows the hull plates intersecting the dressing belt and being trimmed with a sharp blade for a clean cut.

This shows the finished hull plates. Next the top tape will be removed and the dressing belt added starting at the stern.

Finally finished up the sanding to a 220 grit finish. I used the round sanding sticks, nail finger files and 60 grit, 150 sandpaper and 220 grit flexible pad. Just a slow careful process to get all surfaces to match with the different characteristics of the basswood.


This shows the variances within the wood stock supplied.

 
I applied the pre-stain conditioner as suggested and I is like painting water, however you can feel the difference once it is dry. 
 
This is the first time I have used a water based black stain and I broke down the process into sections to stain since the excess stain must be wipe off while wet. I used a 1" foam brush which worked perfectly.

 
The hull definitely needed to be stained twice, this shows the first coat.

 
Here are views of the stained hull.


 
I made a support based to be used while working while waiting for the stain to dry. Here are a couple of views of the stain dried and satin clear coating will be next.


 
While waiting for the clear coat to dry I tried a couple of tests of coppering using foil tape. My wife uses 3/16" in her work so I tried it out using the small ponce wheel on the perimeter and the larger wheel for the center area.
I think I will go with Test 3 using the 1/4" tape. Also after looking at the real ship photos I decided that only the lower edge and left end need to be marked since the next plate will overlap with it's marks. I also tested the center area using the larger wheel. The center area on the real ship has three rows.

 
Now back to working on the hull.
 

Reached a stopping point to mark off the hull where the copper will end. Rigged up my trusty panavise with a pencil and set it to the copper edge at the stern which ends at the water line based on the plans.
The hull was set in the working cradle and leveled fore and aft and port to starboard and then marked the pencil line.
 

 
Once the line was completed I then removed the hull from the cradle; inverted it and applied 1/4" masking tape on the pencil line which was easy to see even though it was on the black hull.
 

 
Here is a view down the side showing the sweeping curve that developed applying the copper plates. This shows 14 rows of plates.
 

 
Now back to plating and will be checking photographs for how the plates terminate at the water line.