mikeaidanh

Here we are back again after knee surgery. This will be the final post for this build as the model is now in my study in its final position.
 
Making the internal fittings and fixtures:
 

 
The anchor and its rope and stowage.
 

 
Two buckets made by parting a solid barrel and turning out a recess and adding a lid to one. This is not the LA method.
 

 
The gun serving tools. There are also two smaller versions for the small cannons.
 

 
One of six oars.
 

 
General view of some of the internal kit.
 

 
Milling the cannon ball tray. I thought I would try this rather than making a framed tray. The "milling machine" is a Dremel drill and stand above a Proxxon X-Y table. There is so much "slop" in this device that I hesitate to call it a milling machine but, with care, a result can be achieved. I must improve on this aspect of my tooling!
 

 
The completed tray and some buckets with contents.
 

 

 

 
The model on its display base. I have not mounted the vessel vertically but allowed it to come to rest on its port side skid.....it is on the beach.
 
The profile on the base was made using my old and trusted Wadkins Handy Trimmer. I reckon I have had this for about 40 years. They were sold as laminate trimmers and came with a selection of jigs for that purpose. I have made lots of "special" and "one off" bases to enable various routing tasks to be performed. The unit is small and can easily be use one handed yet it is powerful enough to take most things in its stride. I reckon it will outlive me!
 
The following images show the various internal fittings in situ:
 

 

 

 
Thats it folks! Done and dusted. I am reasonably pleased with the result and my decision to make this model as a hard working boat. I could have gone further with the "distressing" work and I will once I have got to grips with weathering techniques and materials.....and that is an art within an art.
 

 
I have greatly enjoyed this build with the possible exception of triple planking. I found the kit to be pretty good. The instructions were not great but the pictures told most of the story. The materials were ok and mostly sufficient with the exception of the sail cloth which was woefully short. To my mind this is a good kit to experiment with.The scale is large enough to encourage an individual approach rather than a slavish adherence to the build notes. I recommend it as a very interesting project.
 
Mikeaidah. 11th July 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back again at last but with a good deal of progress to log.
 
I have just finished repairing this build log and my HMS Surprise log and I would like it known that i would prefer not to have to do that again! A complete pain in the fundament!
 
The following images will illustrate progress on general hull fittings, mounting the large cannon in it's final position, hanging the rudder and  making the tiller and rigging it.
 
Hull fittings…..
 

 

 

 

 
Tiller….
 

 

 

 

 

 
Big cannon…….
 

 

 
Rudder and tiller…..
 

 

 

 

 
Mast is tapered and top rigging sheaves fitted…...
 

 

 
Rigging the cannon…..
 

 

 
Fitting the mast….
 

 

 

 

 

 
Making the lateen yard…….
 

 
Temporary fitting of yard…..
 

 

 

 
That is all for now. The next task is to make the sail and then finally rig the yard.
 
After that things will be on hold for a while as I am having knee replacement surgery on April 15th.
 
See you next month!
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HMS Dolphin passing St Abbs Head with some local inshore fishing craft
HMS Dolphin (1882) was a screw sloop launched in 1882. She served as a submarine depot ship in WW1 She foundered in 1925 but was beached then salvaged and used as a school ship in Leith. She was broken up in 1977. I did my 'Carering Boy' training in her , straight from school in 1956.

HMCS Rockcliffe on escort duty in the North Atlantic.
w/c 16.5” X 11.75”

Dusk, WW2 heading out into the Channel.Polish MGB's Sally Forth looking for trouble. 
w/c 16" X 11"
Jim

Cambrian Prince  And HMS Condor
W/C 14” X 10”

Queen Mary

On the Clyde
 

Hot off the Brush. Thames Estuary on a blustery day. w/c 14” X 10”

Early April '14
 
Must make bit more progress before an enforced break in proceedings so time to fake the furled sail, attach it to the lateen yard and rig both to the mast.
 
First the sail was marked out on the material. The kit was short on material so this sail will look ok as presented but would not set correctly if one were to try.
 

 
The edges that are to cut have been sealed with dilute PVA.....
 

 
....and the cloth is cut.
 

 
The seams are sewn in on a sewing machine and the bolt rope is added.
Because the sail will only ever be displayed furled I am only adding bolt rope to areas that will be seen. This is to make the attaching of the sail an easier task.
 

 

 

 

 
In this last image ageing and dirt have been added to both sail and yard.
 
Now the sail is attached to the yard.....
 

 
....and the yard to the mast.
 

 
Now that all the rigging is in place some rope hanks are needed to finish off the belays. My method of fixing belays, for what it is worth, is to pass the line under tension through the belay pin hole then use the pin to lock it in place. Leaving a short length of line below the pin allows for future tensioning. The belay is then completed by hanging a shaped hank over the pin.
 

 

 
The larboard boom cradles are fitted and the boom stowed. This repeated starboard side. 
 

 
The anchor is made but not stowed......
 

 
...and the boat hook.
 

 
Thats it for now. Just a few final up to date images and then I am off to the MSW Sick Bay (see) for month or two. Whilst laid up I shall ponder the Panart Gun Deck kit that is awaiting my attention and think about the Sloup Coquillier that I hope to scratch build after that.
 

 

 

 
 
Bye for now,
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back to the build log.
 
The skids are fitted to the lower hull and, somewhere out of site, the wales a some trim strips are being painted.
 

 

 
It is now time to paint the outer hull. Firstly masking off......
 

 
.......in preparation to using this.
 

 
Various stages of painting.......
 

 
...first the primer then the top coats.
 

 

 

 
Initial hull paint job completed.
 

 

 

 
The figure in the last image is a bit tall for the period at c6ft 4ins but he is useful for assessing the position of items that would have been handled by the crew.
 
After spray painting I found the finish to be too even and smooth so a further coat was applied all over by brush. The hull will be further "weathered" later on.
 
The next round of jobs should see all the remaining exterior hull fittings in place before hanging the rudder and moving on to masting and internal rigging.
 
More anon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back again. After a longish break some further progress has been made. But first the colour scheme and roughing it up a bit!
 
It is my belief that these hard working boats would have been maintained in top working order but not as "tiddly" ( R.N term but probably universally understood. ) as the ships boats that ferried captains, admirals and other upper echelon types to and fro. To this end I have "dirtied" the interior of the model somewhat, excluded glossy finishes and adopted the muted ochres and black paints of the period. I do not intend to apply bright coloured hull highlights or stern embellishments. 
 
This image shows the boat interior after fitting all the ribs and stringers and the stern benches,
 

 
The mounts for the small cannon and other small additions.....
 

 
Next job was the gunnel capping. The instructions in the kit call for this to be applied in sections but I decided to trace of the actual shape from the model onto sheet timber. The outer curve was then cut on the band saw and the inner curve scribed from it before cutting and final sanding to shape on a belt sander. The two curved section, two quadrant sections and two straight sections were then glued to the hull.
 

 

 

 

 
The final piece of gunnel capping required a curve over a short length in 3.5mm timber. I snapped my first attempt so laminated three sections of 10mm x 1mm which worked well and when sanded and sealed will not be detectable under a coat or two of paint.
 

 
The next task was to build the framework that supports the main cannon and to fit this in place. Care must be taken here as this framework, thwart No.3 from the bows,and the mast step are all closely interdependent for position. The frame and the cannon itself are fun to put together.
 

 

 

 

 
Number three thwart and a section of mast are placed but not fixed.
 

 
Then the cannon framework is offered up, shaped where it meets the forward gunnel capping and then the No. three thwart can be adjusted in position.
 

 
Now the other thwarts can be cut and shaped and their positions established.
 

 
Central supports for the thwarts must be fitted before they can be secured and the mast step needs to be completed.
 
Thats it for now. More soon......I hope!
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Getting on with the internal decks.
 

 

 

 
This is enjoyable work. Filling the floor voids with planking and the gratings. I found cutting and fitting the gratings to be tricky.
 

 
Using useful sizes of the kit supplied timber to jig up the fitting of the foot treads.
 

 

 
The internal decks finished and lightly oiled with Danish.
 
Moving on.
 

 

 
Planking in the bow and stern areas.
 
This is as far as I have come to date. The next tasks will be to finally fit the internal decks into the hull before starting on the ribs and stringers.
 
More anon.
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

......And more progress.
 

 
Both internal decks framed and shown in situ for a trial fit.
 

 
Partly planked deck void. Slapped some yellow ochre on before applying a decent top coat.
 

 
Bought myself a cheap and simple air brush. How quickly the paint goes on! This sounds like I do not have a painters patience. Correct!
 
 
 
 

Progress report.
 

 
First planking completed - pretty rough but I have two more layers to go to improve my technique.
 

 
Second planking complete. A little better but still full of errors some of which have been sanded out. Thank goodness for sanding products!
 

 
The hull structure is now strong enough to let me remove the 2/3 of some of the bulkheads which are no longer needed. I am pleased to get shot of them as this allows me to do some remedial work on the visible interior planking.
 

 

 

 

 
Third and final planking. Fitting a drop plank to put right one of my technical errors.
 

 
Third planking complete and in the sanding phase.Overall I am reasonably happy with this my second attempt to plank a model
ship but, one of these days, I must learn to do it properly. I would love to watch a "master" at work.....are there any videos ?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At last I have made some progress on this model. As I said earlier my intention was to use this build as a break from my HMS Surprise build and to try my hand at a larger scale model. What has in fact happened is the realisation that I do not have enough time to devote to one model let alone two! Never the less progress has been made on both models.
 
The following is a simple photo diary of 1803 Armed Pinnace to date.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This is as far as I have gone and the model is back on the shelf as I return to my HMS Surprise (see).
 
 
 
 

I am about to start this build in an attempt to de emphasise the amount of work, and in particular repetitive  work, that lies ahead for me in building my HMS Surprise.
 
In the very early stages I am told to apply candle wax to former edges to prevent adhesion whilst laying the planking. This is necessary as the formers must be removed and modified afterwards and the new sections replaced and glued in. Two questions: Is candle wax the best medium for this work and do i need to edge glue the planks? The model is triple planked in, firstly, 1mm x 7mm Walnut then 1mm x 6mm Lime wood and, lastly, 1mm x 6mm Walnut. 
 
Once I have some work to show off I will post photographs and comments.
 
If anyone has a build log for this model I would love to see it.
 
In advance....my thanks for any comments or suggestions.
 
Mike.

Thank you Jay and Ian.
 
Eamonn I will be starting a build log for the Gun Deck section next week.
 
Mike.

Thank you HSM, BE, Jas and Eamonn  for your kind words. There is now a gap in my life which I must fill and I will be posting again soon!
 
My next two projects will be models for friends, friends who do not know about my plans.
 
The first is the Panart gun deck for an avid reader of period sea stories. He will be able to project his mind below decks as he reads.
 
The second will be my first scratch build, a Sloup Coquillier, for a shanty man who loves Brittany. 
 
I had better be off to the workshop and get started!
 
Mike.

Here we are back again after knee surgery. This will be the final post for this build as the model is now in my study in its final position.
 
Making the internal fittings and fixtures:
 

 
The anchor and its rope and stowage.
 

 
Two buckets made by parting a solid barrel and turning out a recess and adding a lid to one. This is not the LA method.
 

 
The gun serving tools. There are also two smaller versions for the small cannons.
 

 
One of six oars.
 

 
General view of some of the internal kit.
 

 
Milling the cannon ball tray. I thought I would try this rather than making a framed tray. The "milling machine" is a Dremel drill and stand above a Proxxon X-Y table. There is so much "slop" in this device that I hesitate to call it a milling machine but, with care, a result can be achieved. I must improve on this aspect of my tooling!
 

 
The completed tray and some buckets with contents.
 

 

 

 
The model on its display base. I have not mounted the vessel vertically but allowed it to come to rest on its port side skid.....it is on the beach.
 
The profile on the base was made using my old and trusted Wadkins Handy Trimmer. I reckon I have had this for about 40 years. They were sold as laminate trimmers and came with a selection of jigs for that purpose. I have made lots of "special" and "one off" bases to enable various routing tasks to be performed. The unit is small and can easily be use one handed yet it is powerful enough to take most things in its stride. I reckon it will outlive me!
 
The following images show the various internal fittings in situ:
 

 

 

 
Thats it folks! Done and dusted. I am reasonably pleased with the result and my decision to make this model as a hard working boat. I could have gone further with the "distressing" work and I will once I have got to grips with weathering techniques and materials.....and that is an art within an art.
 

 
I have greatly enjoyed this build with the possible exception of triple planking. I found the kit to be pretty good. The instructions were not great but the pictures told most of the story. The materials were ok and mostly sufficient with the exception of the sail cloth which was woefully short. To my mind this is a good kit to experiment with.The scale is large enough to encourage an individual approach rather than a slavish adherence to the build notes. I recommend it as a very interesting project.
 
Mikeaidah. 11th July 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Early April '14
 
Must make bit more progress before an enforced break in proceedings so time to fake the furled sail, attach it to the lateen yard and rig both to the mast.
 
First the sail was marked out on the material. The kit was short on material so this sail will look ok as presented but would not set correctly if one were to try.
 

 
The edges that are to cut have been sealed with dilute PVA.....
 

 
....and the cloth is cut.
 

 
The seams are sewn in on a sewing machine and the bolt rope is added.
Because the sail will only ever be displayed furled I am only adding bolt rope to areas that will be seen. This is to make the attaching of the sail an easier task.
 

 

 

 

 
In this last image ageing and dirt have been added to both sail and yard.
 
Now the sail is attached to the yard.....
 

 
....and the yard to the mast.
 

 
Now that all the rigging is in place some rope hanks are needed to finish off the belays. My method of fixing belays, for what it is worth, is to pass the line under tension through the belay pin hole then use the pin to lock it in place. Leaving a short length of line below the pin allows for future tensioning. The belay is then completed by hanging a shaped hank over the pin.
 

 

 
The larboard boom cradles are fitted and the boom stowed. This repeated starboard side. 
 

 
The anchor is made but not stowed......
 

 
...and the boat hook.
 

 
Thats it for now. Just a few final up to date images and then I am off to the MSW Sick Bay (see) for month or two. Whilst laid up I shall ponder the Panart Gun Deck kit that is awaiting my attention and think about the Sloup Coquillier that I hope to scratch build after that.
 

 

 

 
 
Bye for now,
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back again at last but with a good deal of progress to log.
 
I have just finished repairing this build log and my HMS Surprise log and I would like it known that i would prefer not to have to do that again! A complete pain in the fundament!
 
The following images will illustrate progress on general hull fittings, mounting the large cannon in it's final position, hanging the rudder and  making the tiller and rigging it.
 
Hull fittings…..
 

 

 

 

 
Tiller….
 

 

 

 

 

 
Big cannon…….
 

 

 
Rudder and tiller…..
 

 

 

 

 
Mast is tapered and top rigging sheaves fitted…...
 

 

 
Rigging the cannon…..
 

 

 
Fitting the mast….
 

 

 

 

 

 
Making the lateen yard…….
 

 
Temporary fitting of yard…..
 

 

 

 
That is all for now. The next task is to make the sail and then finally rig the yard.
 
After that things will be on hold for a while as I am having knee replacement surgery on April 15th.
 
See you next month!
 
Mike.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back to the build log.
 
The skids are fitted to the lower hull and, somewhere out of site, the wales a some trim strips are being painted.
 

 

 
It is now time to paint the outer hull. Firstly masking off......
 

 
.......in preparation to using this.
 

 
Various stages of painting.......
 

 
...first the primer then the top coats.
 

 

 

 
Initial hull paint job completed.
 

 

 

 
The figure in the last image is a bit tall for the period at c6ft 4ins but he is useful for assessing the position of items that would have been handled by the crew.
 
After spray painting I found the finish to be too even and smooth so a further coat was applied all over by brush. The hull will be further "weathered" later on.
 
The next round of jobs should see all the remaining exterior hull fittings in place before hanging the rudder and moving on to masting and internal rigging.
 
More anon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back again after Christmas and other interventions ! Time to progress this build a little.
 
I left off before the holiday when starting to fit the thwarts so finishing that job comes first.
 

 
I then got sidetracked by the arrival of a Carrs kit so needed to try that out.
 

 

 

 

 
Back to the thwarts and fitting all into hull...
 

 
....including the mast support structures.
 
]
 
All done.
 
 
Having recently acquired a micro shaper the next task was to use it to produce knees, thole pin blocks and the two bow fairleads.
 
First the knees.
 
The shaped timber has been sliced into twenty four pieces and....
 

 
...they are glued together in pairs to a piece of dowel....
 

 
..and then glued to the thwarts as seen here.
 

 
This image also shows my ongoing attempt to "age" this build a little as I want it to represent a working boat rather than a pristine model. I am using water colour crayons and spit at present but fully expect to add other techniques as time goes on. In passing, if any reader has experience of "ageing" a model I would love to have your comments.
 
Next the thole pin blocks. The piece of timber on the right was machined to profile then sliced into twelve pieces and finally drilled for the pins.
 

 

 

 
And finally the two fairleads. The piece of machined timber on the left in the image above was sliced into two pieces, drilled, slotted and cut to shape.
 

 

 

 
Various other small parts have been made and fitted…….
 

 

 
....and the large gun and it's carriage is almost complete. 
 

 

 

 
The big gun will not be finally fitted until later in the build. The next task is to complete the outer hull fittings and then start on the paint job. Once that is complete then the fun of rigging and fitting out can begin.
 
More anon.
 
Mike.
 

Many thanks for the kind words Wacko.
 
Mike.