ian robert

Good evening gentlemen, I have spent more time reading about deck planking plans and scale representations of such . Some might call it research but in truth I think I am procrastinating for fear of making a mistake! Is the deck planking plan in the kit realistic or should I aim for a repeat every four or five planks, also I am sure I have seen a technique of laying and glueing the planks on tracing paper and then glueing it all onto the false deck.It seems an almost 'get out of jail free card' in case of mistakes. Does anyone have experience of this technique. I have almost decided to take Snug Harbour Jonny's suggestion and make new bulk heads to conform to the outlines he has supplied. I downloaded and printed them and then on comparing the print to the actual kit bulkheads reduced the size by 62% to give me full sized templates for the new bulkheads. I have sourced some ply of appropriate thickness from my stash and as an insurance made a copy drawing of all the kit parts on it. The keel and frames are 'dry assembled' as well as the replacement frames fretted out. The new narrower deck planks have arrived. So all I need is to actually 'screw my courage to the sticking post' and start glueing. Just one thing is holding me back. Jonny says in passing that the new bulkhead shape may make the hull planking 'more' difficult. As a complete novice who will have to learn this black art, just how much is this quantity ' more' Am I pushing my luck? Kind regards Ian

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all, gentlemen and thank you for your advice last year.I have sought refuge at times from the festive "Hullabaloo" doing more research both into the vessel and modelling techniques. A few tentative attempts at splitting the kits supplied deck planks in two lengthwise to try and make more scale deck planks have convinced this parsimonious Scot to part with some pennies.I intend to purchase replacement 2.5mm stripwood from probably Cornwall model boats. Despite much reading and perusing of pictures I am still a little unsure of the best wood to purchase. I think the least visible grained the better but pictures do lie so advice would be appreciated. On a more cheering note for a Scot of parsimonious persuasion, I obtained a second hand copy of "South With Endurance" from a well known internet book dealer for the princely sum of £1.54. Hours of pleasure and such detail. If life was long enough I would be seeking a source of scale linoleum for the 'Ritz" Once again thank you and may 2023 be kind to you and yours. Ian

Thank you gentlemen. The ice bound endurance is stunning. What a piece of art. As for the planks, just need to find the average shoesize ( male), 1912, to calculate size! Thank you again for your help, Ian Seriously, what is fascinating is the staining/ discolouration of the deck planks.

Thank you, Discovery has been on to do list for a while , everytime I go hill walking in southern highlands intend to visit but something else always turns up to take precedence. Thanks again Ian

Dear Sirs, I am a complete tyro as far as wooden model ships are concerned, my main hobby being building 5" gauge live steam. However, since my wife and I visited the antartic and sub antartic islands 5 years ago , I have been bitten by the antartic virus. We were incredibly lucky to land on elephant island and stand on the rocky spit where the crew sheltered , our guide had visited 5 times before and never been able to land! When I chanced upon the Occre kit, well it was a " no brainer". I am now doing as much research both into techniques and the vessel as I can before commencing the kit. My first question is , I believe the decking planks supplied are too wide . What wood is best to replace the kit items and is 3mm width acceptable in 1:70? Second question is how long were each individual plank and ,I have seen generic decking plans , how realistic are they ? kind regards Ian