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Thank you for your word! I’m appreciated if my work will be source of inspiration for your fo’c’sle deck and quarterdeck planking. By the way, your coaming work hiding edge of baseboard is very realistic. This is I didn’t include in my work!

Peter, Thanks for your reply. Deck planking method is one of aspects which are often neglected, but really interesting topic. Judging from two models of Diana held by NMM, gangway is separated structure from fo'c'sle deck and quarterdeck circa 1790s, although these examples are of frigates, not ships of the line. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66533.html https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66303.html BTW, I'm delightful to see your Bellerophon is showing common improvement with me including anchor lining👍

Weatherdecks planking As I wrote previously, deck planking tapering and curving toward both ends is what I want to represent. It was very tedious work to decrease widths of each plank at various stations, but patience and time solve it. Planking material is 0.5 x 3 mm maple strips I bought from Cornwall Model Boats long ago. Although maple strips aren’t necessary supreme materials for deck planking, they are easily available, and their bright colours are quite acceptable to my eyes. Their widths are varying one by one, but I can select widest one as king’s plank, although its width isn't so obvious to eyes. Also their edges are sometimes coarse but it can be resolved by careful sanding. Anyhow I prefer maple than tanganica for deck planking. I planked according to method of 3 butt system basically. Peter Goodwin wrote 4 butt method was used for quarterdeck, but deck planking drawing on pp 46 to 47 of AOTS Bellona shows 3 butt basically and are some of butt positions are shifted against regular rule of butt system at various points. Perhaps regular 3 butt or 4 butt system is aesthetically appropriate as model, I tried representing butt system which is out of regular rule. When planking is closing outer edge of deck, I cut margin plank from maple sheet. My maple sheet show sign of times comparing maple strips, but I accept it as contrast between normal planks and margin plank. Another set of deck planking plan are printed, then temporary stack to maple sheet and cut alongside of lines of planking plan. Then I engraved dummy scarf at some point. Scarf joint positions are determined to not hidden by guns. After glued margin planks onto deck edge, I filled rest of area with representation of hooked planking. They were shaped little by little repeating dry fitting on their positions. Fo'c'sle deck is also planked in same way. Method of gangway planking is also source of trouble of determination. Victory today shows continuous gangway planking from fo’c’sle deck to quarterdeck, but I believe this is later method. Finally I decided to represent gangway as separate structure between fo’c’sle deck and quarterdeck. I positioned forward end of “Fixed part of the gangway” at slightly forward than Elephant plan to adjust it on aftermost skid beam I previously fitted. This was also questionable point, but NMM model of 74 gun ship which is related to Turkey around 1800 shows fairly long fixed part of the gangway. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66611.html I was encouraged by this model and adjusted forward end of fixed part slightly longer forward than Elephant plan. Also I slightly enlarged inner edge of gangway according to depiction of Goodwin. Maybe widened gangway is matching to permanent skid beams. I also planked poop deck at this point while I’m remembering experience of quarterdeck and fo’c’sle deck. Major difference is that poop deck baseboard is temporary dry fitted, not glued to its position because I wanted to plank poop deck at the situation baseboard is cambered. When planking is closing to deck edge, I removed poop deck and glues last of hooked planks and margin plank. This time margin plank is glued at last stage. Inner edge of poop deck margin plank is cut according to planking plan, but outer edge is roughly cut, and cut to correct shape after glued deck edge. Although treenailing is not yet started, weatherdeck planking is completed at last. Widths of caulking between planks are varied because of my imperfect work, but I’m satisfied to see representation of tapering and curving of planks are fairly well done.

Preparation of weather decks planking Though some of these treatments were done before, I want to tell about them here. I marked beam positions onto baseboards of fo’c’sle deck and quarterdeck referring deck beam plans of Elephant. These marks will show the points where deck planks should be butted. Next is preparation of weather deck planking plan. There is fo’c’sle and quarterdeck planking plan of anonymous 74 gun ship of 1798 on pp.46 to 47 of AOTS Bellona. This plan is showing each plank is tapered and curved towards both ends. Also outboard plank is blended into next inboard plank like drop strake of hull, instead of joggled into margin plank. Although it isn't showing those for fo'c'sle deck or quarterdeck but upper deck, plan of another anonymous 74 gun ship also shows same feature. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/382650.html I didn’t represent these features on upper deck planking because planks of both ends will be hidden by fo’c’sle deck or quarterdeck. But most of planks of weather decks can be visible except aft part of quarterdeck which is hidden by poop deck. So I prepared deck planking plan with Adobe Illustrator. Below images are sequence how I draw planking line of quarterdeck. Plan for fo’c’sle deck is also drawn in same way. I only hope images below will be help for readers to understand how I drew these lines. Poop deck is also treated as I did for fo’c’sle deck and quarterdeck except beam positions are referred to inboard profile of Elephant because Elephant deck beam plan isn’t containing that for poop deck. Finished planking plan are then printed. I printed two sheets of each deck planking plan. One sheet will be used for general reference when I plank each deck. Another sheet is cut into several sections at beam positions and temporary stuck on deck baseboard edge as guide for checking each plank width. Planks are set into simple holder I made from surplus woods. I tapered 20 planks at once with help of this holder. Actually planks should be bent sideways as they are going to outboard. They will be bent with help of heat and steam from kettle. After these preparations were done, I started planking of quarterdeck. As posted before I split quarterdeck baseboard at slightly starboard area of hatch opening. https://modelshipworld.com/topic/2926-hms-bellerophon-1786-by-fake-johnbull-amativictory-models-172-vanguard-kit/page/4/?tab=comments#comment-822079 Firstly I only glued port baseboard and starboard baseboard wasn’t glued at this point. I firstly planked fore and aft centre area of quarterdeck because I had to finish tiller rope from wheel and rudder as well as its associating balusters and rail rope. These fittings are last parts to be fitted onto upper deck except heals of other rudders down from gangways or fo’c’sle deck which will be less troublesome. Tiller ropes and rudder rail rope are finally set using tweezers operated from starboard aperture of quarterdeck. Before gluing rest of quarterdeck baseboard, I photographed these areas with poop deck baseboard and stump mizzen mast dry fitted to their places. Although these areas will become can’t be seen as building proceeds, positional relationship of these fittings connecting several deck levels are quite understandable from this picture. Rest of quarterdeck baseboard was finally glued. Although they can’t be seen clearly, tiller ropes are barely visible through rudderway opening by illuminating these areas carefully. I understand this is only my self-satisfaction, but at same time, I’m delightful to see representation of tiller ropes show their value.

Allan, Thank you for your comment and sharing info on program by Adam Preston👍 Honestly saying I'm not good at English hearing, but Adam's broadcasting and pronunciation is very clear. I hope progress of the whole project✌️

Bruce, Thank you for your kind word. Although some of items I had added may be hidden by other items, I myself am satisfied something is surely there behind other items. It is value of building log to record these hidden details, and this is one of reason we modellers record building process.

Steering gear Though steering wheel is itself fitting of quarterdeck, I made it at this moment because I want to confirm tension of tiller rope down from quarterdeck to upper deck and point of upper deck sliding foots. Sliding foots are clearly can be seen on Victory today. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-ships-wheel-on-hms-victory-at-the-portsmouth-historic-dockyard-28568636.html https://andyandjudi.com/2017/07/10/hms-victory-portsmouth-historic-naval-dockyard/ AOTS Victory shows sliding foots are also fitted onto upper deck. Except heels of ladders down from fo’c’sle deck, quarterdeck and gangways, they will be last parts to be fitted onto upper deck in my building. Base of sliding foot is 0.7 x 3 x 8.5 mm walnut and I rounded each edge. Sliding cover and rails of both sides are shaped as one part from 2 mm square walnut dowel and their lengths are 12 mm. These figures are referred to Goodwin’s “The Construction and Fitting”. Those of upper deck are simplified shape, but for those of quarterdeck I add some details including rabbets of sliding cover to be hold into side rails、grooves between sliding cover and rails. Wheels and their supports are upgraded. Decoration of forward support is made of 0.3 mm brass rod and Liquitex super heavy gel medium. Though it is apparently bigger than real one, I accept it considering my skill😅😅😅. After constructions of these parts are finished, I dry fitted them into their places. I split quarterdeck baseboard into two parts at slightly starboard position of hatch opening. Tiller rope is spread with tweezers and passed through sliding foot on upper deck from starboard. Depth of upper deck beam immediately aft of opening is thick because of rigidity, but I thinned it to show tiller rope more clearly. After finishing dry fitting including rest of quarterdeck baseboard, poop deck baseboard and grating just before of ladderway opening,-I shed light there. Happily tiller rope and sliding foot are can be seen through opening. They may be able to seen well after fitting of ladder of this area. Next, I want to start construction of fo’c’sle deck, quarterdeck and gangways.

James, Thank you for your comment. Sometimes, it is very difficult to guess details of specific ship of specific date, so we have to seek infos of other ships of same era. While I'm still unconfident of authenticity of my skid beams construction, I satisfy that they themselves seem to be rigid with pillars and hanging knees😅

Balusters for ladder railings between quarterdeck and upperdeck Maybe they will be scarcely seen from openings once model competes, I added two balusters beside of aftermost coaming of upperdeck. They will form set of balusters for ladder handrails between quarterdeck and upperdeck. They were shaped of 2 mm walnut dowel referring AOTS Victory. Along with upperdeck balusters, I also shaped those for quarterdeck. Required numbers for them are only 6, so I shaped them without help of jig. I passed handrail rope through holes of every 6 balusters at this moment. Handrail rope is prepared with excessive length. I’m planning to split quarterdeck baseboard at slightly starboard of hatch opening. I will place split baseboard, plank, make hatch coaming, place quarterdeck balusters, then pull one end of rail rope, knot there and cut excessive rope. Rest of baseboard of port side will be glued and planked after these works finished. Along with balusters, position of quarterdeck beam of this area is also altered. As a nature of POB ship model, deck beams are lined with bulkheads. But deck beam of this area is running across ladderway opening in kit design. So I made slots to inner planks slightly rear of this bulkhead and notched surplus deck beam there. Forwardmost beam of fo’c’sle deck of kit is also running across ladderway opening position showed on Elephant plan. Ladderway opening of kit design is situated rearward of that of Elephant plan to prevent deck beam lined with bulkhead. Beam of this area is also notched to new slots as did at quarterdeck. Opening of deck baseboard is also altered. BTW ladder rails between these decks of Victory today seem to be wooden or iron bars. But I used rope according to 1/128 Majestic model built by Mr. Philip Reed. https://www.shipmodel.com/acadp_listings/majestic/ Images of above link don't include its detail, but in his book "Modelling Sailing Men-Of-War", Mr. Reed used rope rail for this place. Maybe it would be right for 74 gun ships which were mass-produced in enormous numbers. Alongside with these balusters and rope, stanchions and handrail ropes of ladder to lower deck are partially represented. Stanchions are made from 0.5 mm brass rod, because kit PE sheet doesn’t include surplus stanchions. Next, I will make sliding covers for tiller rope behind this area. They will be last parts to be fitted onto upper deck.

Skid beams Boat stowage method of wooden warships is one of major items which significantly changed through 18th century. Model of 50 gun ship around 1714 shows boat stowed on spare spars hang on between fo'c'sle break and main bits. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66357.html Model of Victory in her original form around 1765 shows gangways are connecting between fo'c'sle and quarterdeck at slightly lower level than fo'c'sle and quarterdeck. Boat is stowed on skid beams on iron crutches projecting from inboard edge of gangways. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66473.html Although skid beams and boat are omitted, model of Queen Charlotte of 1789 shows almost same boat stowage method with Victory model, except gangways are raised to same height with fo'c'sle and quarterdeck. https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/66516.html Sectional model of 74 gun ship around 1795 shows significant change. Skid beams became permanent structural members of the ship and are placed below the gangways. Gangways themselves seem to be broader than ever. https://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?search=1&screenwidth=1280&pixperpage=50&searchtxtkeys=midship+sectional+model&lastsearchtxtkeys=Midship+Model&withinresults=&searchphotographer=&wwwflag=&lstformats=&lstorients=All+Orientations&captions= Victory today in Portsmouth also has skid beams below the gangways, but details of them show not a few differences from 74 gun ship sectional models. https://www.alamy.com/hms-victory-gun-deck-portsmouth-image212002530.html While skid beams of sectional model have hanging knees, those of Victory today have no hanging knees. Instead many Victory reference books are showing skid beams are notched to slots of inner planks. Skid beam of former seem to be directly above of beams of upperdeck judging from skid beam pillars situating near the corner of coamings. OTOH many Victory reference books are showing there are no connection between upper deck beams and skid beams. Finally, pillars of sectional models are fitted to immediately outboard of coamings and those of Victory are fitted on coaming themselves. I can't judge which method is most appropriate for Bellerophon. Considering her building time, her boat stowage method would be same as Queen Charlotte model. But there is also strong possibility that skid beams were altered to permanent structure during her long career. After some (or much?) thought, I finally decided to follow the method of 74 gun ship sectional model. Skid beams themselves are laser cut parts of kit. Pillars are shaped from 2 mm walnut dowel. Total numbers of 12 pillars are required, 2 for each 5 skid beam, 2 for aftermost fo’c’sle deck beam. So I made simple jig from plastic. I firstly tried making pillar from 3 mm dowel, but it seems to be slightly fat. Pillars shaped from 2 mm dowel seem to be slimmer than those of 74 gun ship sectional model. But those of Victory today also seem to be slim, so I decided to go on 2 mm dowel. To placing skid beams directly above of pillars, I stack masking tape on upper deck, marked position of pillars, peel off it, stack it between rearmost fo'c'sle beam and foremost quarterdeck beam, then decided positions of skid beams with help of calliper to maintain equal intervals for both end of starboard and port. Hanging knees are shaped from 2 mm walnut sheet. Main course tacks and fore course sheets are tied to each cleat at this stage. Gasket coil like ones are separately made and CA glued there. Another end of each rope is passed through each sheave and hung on outboard, gasket coiled there until rigging stage. Carlings are also added with 2 x 3 mm walnut. They are glued to just inboard of kit gangway baseboard so that I can broaden width of gangways later. Hanging knees are also added to aftermost fo'c'sle deck beam and foremost quarterdeck beam. AOTS Bellona shows knee of former is thin and latter is thick. So I used 1.5 mm sheet for former and 3mm walnut for latter. BTW, to my eyes afterend or break of fo'c'sle of kit design seems to be slightly rearward than it should be. I cut that area of fo'c'sle deck baseboard (approximately 1.5 mm width), aftermost fo’c'sle deck beam are glued to fit this position. Although kit rigging plans show only ends of foretop yard braces are tied to main bit. But I added other rope coils to crossbars of main bits.

Correction of forwardmost quarterdeck beam NMM Elephant plan shows forwardmost quarterdeck beam is curved and protruding forward at its centre like the other Slade designed 74. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elephant_(1786)_RMG_J2938.png Also position of forward main bit of kit design are slightly rearward than it should be comparing Elephant plan. It may be more natural to move bits slightly forward so that they support centre portion of foremost quarterdeck beam protruding forward. Bits are already glued tightly as per kit design. So I have to cut them from deck carefully. They are re-glued slightly forward by help of brass rod as reinforcement. I also engraved dummy sheaves to bits utilising this opportunity. A pair of 3 mm walnut is glued both ends of beam, and shape them using quarterdeck baseboard as template. Remains of removing of main bits can be seen, but I made up my mind to neglect it😅

Ladders between upper deck and lower deck Although kit contains ladder parts, they shows steeper slope than both of kit plan or Elephant plan. So I determined to scratch build them. I don't have table saw, I made side carriages by laminating. I scanned kit plan and draw lines equal intervals with Adobe Illustrator again. They are printed and used as jig by gluing guide of 0.5 mm plastic strip. I prepared jig only for one side, but I laminated horizontal strip with slightly longer length than required, another diagonal strip is glued onto another side of laminated components, then carefully divide them to 2 separated side carriage parts. Material of them are 0.5 x 3 mm maple strips. They are basically deck planking materials, but I used them because I have surplus numbers of them. Treads are also 0.5 x 3 mm maple strips. Firstly length of uppermost and bottom tread determined by actual parts matching then glue them to side carriage. Length of other treads are determined measurement between each side carriages with calliper. Main ladderway is added with centre carriage by inserting other pieces of wood between each tread. Completed ladders were stained and fitted between decks. Handrail stanchions are kit PE which is chemically blackened. It is difficult to fit them to lower deck. So I fitted them heel of side carriages with holding wood piece. Handrail rope is prepared with excessive length. I placed one of lower pair of stanchions to its holder, rest 5 stanchions are reft free. I pass rope through holes of all 6 stanchions. One end of rope on fixed stanchion is knotted. 5 stanchions are fitted their places after ladder is located. Point to be knotted of another rope end is determined and this last stanchion is once removed, rope end are knotted, then finally this last stanchion are fitted to its holder.

Capstans Capstans are basically made of kit parts. Firstly whelps should be glued with equal intervals around spindle. I divided length of circumference of spindle by numbers of whelp, namely six and prepared scale of this numerical value. They are drawn with Adobe Illustrator. I rolled this scale to spindle then marked according to scale. These marks are lengthened by using simple jig. Then whelps are glued carefully. Aft capstan is almost straight built of kit parts but forward one is upgraded because they can be seen well through opening of waist. Chocks and drumhead top are added. Shape of chock is also drawn with Adobe Illustrator. They are cut from 1mm walnut strip. Then they are glued between whelps and shaped. Disc slightly smaller than drumhead is cut from 1.5mm walnut and rounded to give slope then glued onto drumhead. BTW, I removed round base plate of capstan because I already glued rectangle base plate onto deck.

Cannonballs and shot garlands Firstly I tried using kit cannonballs but it seems to be slightly bigger. As far as my research, diameter of 18 Ponder cannonball is 5.04 inch and it became approximately 1.8 mm at 1/72 scale. Amati cannonballs are provided as 2 mm size, but their actual sizes are slightly bigger than 2 mm and varying little by little. Finally I determined to use 1.8 mm baring ball as 18 Ponder cannonballs. They are blackened with AZ Blackening Spray. Sizes of shot garland are varying from one reference source to another. I took length between holes from HMS Euryalus book published from Sea Watch Books. Sizes of garlands are referred to Goodwin's "Construction and fitting". Width is 2.5mm and depth is 1.5mm. They are made from walnut. I don't have drilling machine with automatic feeder, so I have to drill holes with hand operated machine. Intervals between holes aren't equal, but I have to accept them.

18 Pounder Guns As I posted previously, guns were specially 3D printed by one of my fellow modellers. https://modelshipworld.com/topic/2926-hms-bellerophon-1786-by-fake-johnbull-amativictory-models-172-vanguard-kit/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-751146 Kit PE monograms are CA glued to guns, but I didn't use flintlock PEs because firing lanyards are lost from some of them. I sprayed primer, then sprayed Mr. Color semi gross black, and finally dry brushed with Humbrol silver. Carriages are kit diecast parts. Although diecast carriage of Amati isn't best ones and much more superb carriage can be obtained through market or scratch built by oneself, they can be seen acceptable by applying paints and gun tackles. It was hard task to open holes for eyebolts for gun tackles, but they were done by help of electric drill. Red paint is Humbrol enamel mixed with proportion suggested in kit instruction. Wheels are also painted with Humbrol mat black. Chemically blackened eyebolts are added after paints dried. BTW, kit design is showing varying heights between deck level and gunport openings. Those of forward sections are higher, and those of lower sections are lower. As I posted previously heights of carriages are modified to protrude guns from centre of gunports. https://modelshipworld.com/topic/2926-hms-bellerophon-1786-by-fake-johnbull-amativictory-models-172-vanguard-kit/?tab=comments#comment-81139 Gun tackle blocks are Amati parts, but their shapes are improved with PE saw and Urawa mini router. Hooks are added to gun tackle blocks. They are represented by turning copper wire around strop rope, then twisted and finally bend to hook shape. Eyebolt positions of inner planks of hull are determined by help of template. Gun tackles are fully rigged for guns of midship sections because they can be seen well from opening of waist. But those of each ends are simplified because they can't be seen well. Gun tackles are directly knotted and reeved between eyebolts of carriage and inner hull side, and finally small walnut pieces are CA glued to suggest blocks. Gun tackle ends are separately coiled and glued to deck. They are omitted for aft section guns. Along with 18 Pounders, cleats for main course tack and fore course sheet are also glued. Sheave position of main course tack are altered according to suggestion of Alan. https://modelshipworld.com/topic/16452-hms-bellerophon-by-flyer-victory-models-scale-172/page/4/?tab=comments#comment-627024