FriedClams

Gorgeous and breathtaking work. I'm very impressed. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the comments and the "likes".
 
Life and other things continues to take my shipyard time.....   
So.. some replies first, update next.
 
Eric,
I was tech writer for 25 years in a previous life (the one before I went into IT work)...  I still get caught on such stuff.
 
 
I did some manuals in my previous life for equipment used by the Brits.  I had to learn a whole new language for them.  I believe (and am probably wrong) that it was Winston Churchill who said "We're two countries, separated by a common language".  
 
 
After sorting out how the deck was planked by referencing other French frigates as much as I could, used the cross-section drawing as my baseline.  Licorne is definitely an oddball in this regard.  The references show the traditional planking that follows the waterway and tapers.  Some use nibbing at the bow, some use hook scarfs.  Others... nada.  Towards the stern... there's where I ran into headaches.  Some use drop planks, some don't.  Some have parquet floors in the great cabin.  Some don't.  
 
So.. decision time. I went with the spirit of the beast. No drop planks, no scarfs or nibbing at the bow,  There's two wide planks thicker than the rest at the waterway.. much like binding strakes.  Then theres 3 stakes of "normal planks", a very wide binding strake, and 5 "normal planks.  None of the works showed hook scarfs in the binding strakes like the English used.. So.. I'm going with what I have.
 
I began by doing a reference drawing (actually reworking what I had done already) with actual dimensions to account for errors in building with respect to width of the area to be planked and beam placement.  I then added tic marks along the centerline of each beam for the plankwidth starting at the 0 station line (dead flat, widest point) and scaled them to both the stern and the bow.  Next came drawing in the planks.   The cutting part was the easy part and am now installing the aft planking first.
 
The first picture shows the result of this work in the great cabin aft of the mizzen mast.  The drawings and cuttings were tweaked to account for the kerf of the laser.  Also, the planking that showing is actually the bottom side of the sheet.  Given the way the kerf is, this provided a natural beveling.  I lightly sanded the char but didn't remove all of it as a) there's little glue used on the edge of the plank and   it gives a nice (to my eye) simulation of caulking. There's also another plank laying on the beams ready for installation.
 

 
The second photo merely shows the planks cut and still held in place in the sheet stock.  These planks are from where the existing planking is to the waterway.  I left a bit of extra meat on the outside plank goes by the waterway for fitting.
 

 
I'm having a lot of fun with this once I figure out what needs to be done.  The "how" is just as important as the "what" in this case.  Frustrating at times, but very satisfying when it comes together.
 
As always, feel free to point out errors, misadventures, etc.  This is pretty much virgin territory for me...

Rob:
The masts look great. The model as whole looks wonderful as well. Nice work.
 
Russ

Thanks Patrick.....The masts are temporarily stepped...so I can remove them to finish the tops and add all the hardware and eyebolts
 
I hope to finish up all the tops this weekend.
 
Rob.

Hi Rob
 
Lovely work, Rob.  She's really looking the part now, especially with the masts being stepped.
 
I can't wait to see her all rigged with sails.  That'll be quite a sight.
 
All the best!
 
Cheers
 
Patrick 

Thanks Russ and everyone for all the likes.....
 
I worked  about 40 minutes on the GR and finished the first top...2 others will proceed in similar fashion.
 
Rob 

My thoughts exactly!!!

Just amazing work, Ken.  The helmet and breastplate look full-size.

Surprise, surprise look what just showed up in the mail! The sitting Joe figure.
 
Even a blind pig gets lucky for they used the exact same head as the standing figure so the helmet and breastplate even fits Joe perfectly. I also tried my first hand at Sculpty and made a hat for Tim (standing figure) just to get a feel for using the material. 
 
Now I will have to put together my clay color list now to go purchase the colors of Sculpty that I will need to make the dive suit. 
 
I will have to break his ankles and re-glue them to match the deck surface.
 

 

 
 

Jack, Patrick, thanks, and yes I plan to try and do a complete suit on the sitting figure I have ordered. It is amazing how much one learns when researching a subject to model. I have learned that there are many different styles of both helmets and suits. Here is a photograph that I will use a a guide. I have never used Sculpty Clay before so it looks like I will get to add another skill to the tool bag.
 

 
Research and writing continues.

Hi Ken
 
Marvellous workmanship. Will you be doing the full diving suit as well?
 
Cheers
 
Patrick

Looking really good Patrick. Kind of like show and tell with all of the sections.
Very Cool!
 
Jeff

I wish there was a "love it" button. Just a "like" isn't enough.

Patrick,
 
I see your creative juices are running free again. Looking good!

Shadow is looking really great now, Patrick! She is beautifully coming along, mate.
 
Brian

HI everyone - many thanks for all of your comments and Likes.  A special thanks to Leo-zd for the photos of his 1:1 ships!
 
A quick update.  I've spent the last couple of weeks cutting out and individually planking all of the internal decks.  In doing so, care was taken to ensure that each deck could be removed and inserted easily and smoothly.  
 
Here are the results so far.  I hope you enjoy the photos.
 
All the best everyone.
 
Cheers
 
Patrick
 

Hello Pat,
 
What an interesting vessel and build this is going to be, and the progress to date is looking very nice indeed.  I admire your determination in turning over every rock and going down every rabbit hole looking for information and history on this ship.  That's a lot of work, but worth the effort - you're keeping history alive.  I look forward to watching your groups progress.
 
Gary 

Hello Russ,
 
I am so glad I found your build.  I am really attracted to fishing and other work boats of this era.  In fact, I'm in the planning stages of a 70' sardine carrier from 1940 - and it's a similar looking vessel to your lugger.  You're moving right along on this model and she's coming to life and looking great.  I wish you much success with this build.  Your other models are excellent BTW.  I'll be quietly in the back row taking notes.
 
Gary 

Hello Pat,
 
What an interesting vessel and build this is going to be, and the progress to date is looking very nice indeed.  I admire your determination in turning over every rock and going down every rabbit hole looking for information and history on this ship.  That's a lot of work, but worth the effort - you're keeping history alive.  I look forward to watching your groups progress.
 
Gary 

Excellent work on those railings Michael. Exacting, precise and well thought out. Your restoration is so interesting to follow.
 
Gary

The spirketing is being installed.
 

 

 
The spirketing piece is held down on the waterway and against the frame with braces that are notched and  clamped to the bulwarks. The notches will be lengthened when I get ready to install the inner bulwark planking (? thin stuff ?).
 

 
I had to make up a dummy rudder to make sure the planking on the transom will not inhibit the turning of the rudder.  I'll shape the hole as I move up with the transom planks.
 
Maury

Another

Tinkered on the GR for a bit and added the cheeks to the foremast.

WOW! So realistic. Beautiful, Ken.