aliluke

Stop sanding. Carefully apply a final coat being sure to get good coverage. When really dry, rub it back with tissue paper to flatten out any brush strokes. Seal it - I use Testors Dullcote - and then when, that is dry, rub it lightly with tissue paper. The more vigourously you rub the more sheen you'll get so that is your call.

That's my advice. But I'd wait for other opinions before following it!

What paint brand are you using? I use Admiralty for the bulwarks and it has very good coverage.

Looking sweet. Q: Why do you blacken the topside of the bulkheads at the deck and their extensions up the bulwarks?

A very fine stove there indeed. You'll be surprised how little of it can be seen when the forecastle deck goes on .

All looks fine to me Martin. My experience was that all the planking over the bearding line at the stern had be pretty much sanded off to allow the second layer to fit to the stern post. But you'll get to that need or otherwise in due course.

As you'll probably know I had a whole boxwood hull at one point and it sure does look good. Then I painted and coppered - sacrilege.

Agree with the above - fantastic work and you're nearly there. So...what's in the pipeline?

Hi Mike

1/- I'm using Morope mainly because I have a lot left over from my AVS build (a major mis-calulation!). I haven't even looked at the Amati line but you can be sure Chuck's will be far superior.

2/- Remaking all the bitts by hand is pretty easy. I just use a knife, sandpaper and files. I don't have a mill though so can't the compare the speed but I'm perfectly happy with my "by hand" accuracy.

Go far left. My opinion - the others are too strong or uneven. But you'd be surprised by, that, after a few years these little details just settle down.

Looking good Mike. Sounds like I got my jeer bitts around the wrong way. Too late now.

I'd be seriously cautious about staining the deck. Get it slightly uneven and you'd have to start all over again. Definitely not a place I'd go.

Looking very good Vitus. Are you going to post a shot of your stern?

Hi Brian

Sorry I can't recall. I probably use about 7 or 8 coats of paint these days + 4 to 5 coats of lacquer. That is nothing compared to Chuck Passaro who does up to 30 coats! Keep it thin and the layering of paint doesn't end up with a big build up but certainly a resilience. That said the number of touch ups that I've done on Fly due to the fitting of other parts kind of ruined the initial finish. That's just the way it goes.

. But the

I think I'll give you the heads up! Take a tot. Sweet work.

A note of care from my point of view. Don't try to get it too perfect. Reading the planks and their joints and grain through the paint is a better outcome than solid colour. It is a juggling act but imperfections can add up to a more authentic looking model.I intentionally made the plank joints stand out on my AVS and I'm glad I did so.

That looks great. I've nearly finished the heads on Fly. As you say it is definitely a part that you want in the rearview mirror!

It looks absolutely superb Hamilton. Good on ya!

You are in total control there Brian. Great work!

Hi Frank

I wouldn't try weathering myself but you are a master at it. I want my ships to be straight out the yard but that is because I don't have your skills. Still, like Mobbsie, I'm a bit sad to see your great, fresh, planking being given a few dozen years of hell.

This is looking really good Chuck and your explanations are great. I love the lines of this ship. I see you did a wee check in the the forward most plank at the forward most gun port. I can't imagine, given your work, that this was a mistake...Actually I just looked back at the profile drawing and there it is - checked! And the moulding strip stops and starts again at that port. That is precision!

Looking fine. Can you post some box art or other images so we can see where you are heading?

Looking good Mike - very crisp and clean. That maple is a nice colour but has a much more pronounced grain than the holly I used.

Hi Jesse

Nice work on tightening the lines. The problem you had is one reason I like Morope.. Being very springy it will look tight at a wide variety of tensions. The lines on my AVS are still as taut today as when I laid them. The downside is making a line look slack! Near impossible with Morope...

Hi Jonny

I look forward to this as I don't think I've seen a Convulsion build before and I like the bomb vessels.

Call in sick - say that you have to take a year off and then enjoy!

I'll follow your progress with interest.

Looks like a good planking base for the second layer to me. Are you planning on painting the hull (I could look back in your log for that answer I guess)? I fully painted the hull and still find it to be a very nice way to finish it.

Looking very solid Len - good foundations. The balsa fillers are a great idea.

Looks really great Bob. A very nice bulkhead even if does disappear! Sorry, no answer to your question - way past me. But I'm still enjoying watching your work!

Good stuff Brian. It brings back memories. I wouldn't die in a ditch over the issues you describe. They can be fixed later if they still exist at all. My advice is to carry on and see whether it becomes an issue  - sounds like bad advice but sometimes you get trapped in a circle of fixing things that aren't a problem after all.

Your AVS is looking really good!