LyleK1

Although not really historically accurate, the Launch is a fun little build. So, I started on the frame pieces and the interior of the boat: The instructions are minimal but the pictures are good... a fairly simple build but time consuming! I added the keel and stern post: Some light sanding... Worked on the Cutter too. Still not sure if it will make the final cut, we'll see how it turns out. An interesting build, using a stacked method with a ton of sanding to shape both the outside and inside: Before moving on to the planking (port side only, just like the Bounty), I painted the launch interior and upper areas. Still need to distress and weather it though: More to come soon.

Some incentive for you... a great teaching tool AND a pretty impressive model to show-off! The NRG half hull project was a great teacher for me!

Good advice!

Welcome, R! You’ll find a wealth of experience and help with your new endeavors. Ask questions, any questions! And spend some time looking at the build logs before jumping in, lots of logs to help you through the rough patches. Good luck!

After spending some time researching the boats on the Bounty deck, I've come to the conclusion that the boats in the kit are not accurate... shocking, I know! I am not going to spend a lot of time changing them to be accurate as my focus has always been on the Bounty, not the little boats. I considered leaving them off since my version is more or less with the Bounty as anchor. I decided against that too. I will build the Launch (kit version) and will decide on the Cutter after it is complete. I did find a color scheme that appears to be relatively accurate and I will use it for the "Launch". Still debating on the Cutter... More to come soon.

Work has begun on the deck boats. The Launch and Cutter are included in the kit for assembly. I've started on the Launch first. false keel and frames: Very straight forward assembly, no major problems: The decks were "etched" using a No. 2 pencil and then treated with polyurethane: And, the decks in place: So far, pretty easy stuff... before moving forward, I need to research the proper colors for these boats and figure out a method for aging them. As I recall, in the Mutiny on the Bounty book(s), the Cutter was lowered first into the water and Bligh's men began to board her only to find out that it was rotted! So, I need to figure out how much of this info should show on the my version of these boats. Be back soon!

Hope the weather was better up there than down in the Puget Sound! We were in southern Cal visiting family... much warmer! Like you, I have many projects and trips planned for the next several months. Life on the Bounty will be sporadic during the summer.

Or you could glue flats to it... they would need to be cut to fit.

Yes… the boat in my profile is my home away from home. A Sea Ray 420 AC… she’s been updated over the last two years getting ready for my retirement! Now it’s time to go!!

Thanks Tim! Off for a few days but looking forward to wrapping up the deck work and moving into the rigging. Probably a bit of a slow go as summer will be busy on the big boat! How’s your latest build coming, I need to stop by for a look!

Anchor retrieval hook soldered and blackened, super close-up. Ready to be attached to the cat head: Shows all the flaws! Thank God, nobody has that good of eyes. Anchor rigging is mostly done, just rope coils to be added. I don't like the unnatural way the ropes lay: I need to do some research on how to shape them. Lastly, the steering rigging was straight forward but I managed to screw it up by missing one of the pulley blocks... Doh! Practice makes perfect! Off for a week in the sunshine! Next update will be the start of the Jolly boat and the long boat that will be mounted on deck. Other than that, the deck is essentially done!

That's a really good thread... pun intended! I used it and a few others when I did my cannons on the Bounty. The size of the breeching line is what Starlight mentioned above. First time doing cannons, might change things a few things next time. My results:

Thanks for the kind words and sticking with me through the build Dave, Joe and Trond (amongst many other followers!). You guys have inspired me with your comments AND your builds! So, off we go with another installment. I finally finished the cannons to my satisfaction! Third time was the charm... still some room for improvement but it was my first time doing cannons and the associated rigging. I learned a lot. Considering my next build will more than likely include more cannons, it was a good teaching aid. Next up are the steering mechanisms and the anchors... a ton of intricate work to be done to prepare these for installation. First off, the kit pieces for the steering were not accurate. Using the Anatomy book, I fashioned the pedestal pieces from some scrap wood I have in my shop: The piece on the left is from the kit and now resides in the garbage! Some sanding and weathering along with the steering wheel (which I also replaced) and the final assembly: Installed on the deck... and a good view of the cannons installed and rigged: You may have also noticed that I added the smoke stack to the binnacle... again, not part of the kit but is part of the original plans. The anchors were not difficult to assemble but took a lot of time and some head scratching because I didn't like the kit plans for them either! It started with a simple gluing of the stock pieces with the anchor sandwiched between. The anchors were blackened first: The stocks were weathered and for the banding, I cut card stock into thin strips and painted them black. I used them to simulate the steel bands around the anchor stocks... so much easier than trying to get brass strips to bend to all the different angles! I also, weathered the anchors and added some rust to them. Lastly, I wrapped the rings that attach to the anchor with rope. The finished anchors: The hardware to raise and lower the anchors from the cat heads is all made by hand, no kit pieces: And then soldered the piece closed. I also needed to make an anchor line as the kit stuff is not to my liking: The rope on the left will be the anchor rode while the rope on the right was a bit too small. For the record, I made both ropes using Guttermann polyester thread MARA 30. The left side was 3 strands with 4 threads used for each strand. The right side was the same number of strands but with 3 threads on each. Much more work to come on the anchors and the steering mechanism rigging. May have another update tomorrow or Monday before leaving town for a week or so!

Good points… I plan to display the model as at anchor but ready to depart. Sails will be furled… at least mostly. Since the Bounty has 4-5 anchors, showing two either hanging from the cat heads or stowed to the timbers and attached to the cat heads seems like a feasible look. Thanks for the comments.

Good info! Thanks Allan and Phil.

The kits offer a great starting point… And, an opportunity to learn as you go. If you find your level of interest increasing with the build, researching the vessel will tell you that the kit manufacturers often times cut corners for various reasons. I’m not criticizing them but pointing out that “kit bashing” is where you, as the builder can go so many different directions. You can stick to the kit directions and have a beautiful model or you can go for historical accuracy or weather it to look less new or many other directions. Whatever you choose, the end product will be something to be displayed proudly!

Thanks Joe! More updates this weekend! And pics! Cannons are done and working on the steering system and anchors...

Thanks Allan. I’ll take closer look in the morning

Unless I've looked in the wrong spot, Lee's book has a vague drawing and not much more. I have the book... I also have Peterson's book. I can figure it out if I play with it a bit but figured someone might be able to show me the correct method. According to the Anatomy book, the Bounty had 5 anchors... the kit came with two and since my version is after she arrived in Tahiti but before she was burned, it will have two anchors! One was lost and one was cut free by Fletcher, if I remember correctly. The last one was a "sheet" anchor.

If there is a thread on this subject, please direct me to it as I have not been able to find anything real helpful! I am rigging my anchors for the Bounty... tying the anchor rode is not a problem and the associated hardware is not a problem. My problem arises from how to properly rig the anchor for stowage using the cathead sheaves and the pulley block on the anchor. Can someone provide a diagram or walk me through it? Thanks in advance for the help!

Try Syren Model Ship Company for the grating kits… good stuff!

I'm fairly certain the decks was laid in a similar pattern to what you have done! Looks good!

You can access my log too. A link is in my signature below.

Quick update... lots of pictures. I laid down a coat of boiled linseed oil from the deck down and over the wales. Most of the deck work is done and I am ready to add cannons, long boats, etc. Here are a few before pictures: And after: Lastly, the first cannon in place:

Really nice work!