SiriusVoyager

Welcome to MSW! I hope this experience is a better one

I do have a CD rom drive, but I cannot plug it into my current laptop without a different USB cable. AL does have the instructions available for download on their website, so I have saved them onto my computer and phone. I usually use my phone for instructions while building. I am not sure why my pics wouldn't be showing. They were uploaded to MSW and I can see them just fine.

Thanks for the reminder Rick. I did remember your log mentioning leaving a few of the parts out for proper fitting. Rereading your log, I won’t add any more pieces in that area until the masts go in.

I started placing the deck planks. The instructions call for placing the inboard bulwark second layer planking prior to the deck. I figured it would be easier to adjust the height the top of bulwark planks than to try and get an exact fit on the last deck planks along the edges. I started on the forecastle. I decided to offset every three planks and use the pencil caulking method. The photo below shows how I estimated the angles on the plank edges. It isn't exact because of the curve of the bulwark, so I cut it short and then sanded to fit. The forecastle planked, trimmed and sanded. I'm not sure where the small nick came from, but it will have a batten covering it. I also started to plank the main deck, but first the small drop in the deck for the mast holes needed to be planked. I carefully made every strip the perfect size and glued them in. It looked great, but when I tried to very carefully drill the mast holes out, the soft thin wood fell apart. I removed that strip of wood and will leave it as is for now and deal with it when the time comes to place the masts. Main deck partially planked. I'm not sure why it looks like the planking is much narrower just aft of amidship. I am thinking either inconsistent strip width (could be me or the manufacturer, the wood is very fuzzy) or camera tricks. When I start the next row of planking I will replace that plank if needed.

The pins supplied with the kits are too wide. Apparently it every Shipwright series kit that they assemble has this QA oversight. I replaced the nails with some brass sewing pins that should be available just about anywhere that has sewing supplies.

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Great looking ship!

Very nice job so far. I think the paint job looks pretty good. The white is a bit white, but it is a new boat! I think the simplest solution for the nails is to get some brass sewing pins. You can get more than you may ever use for a couple of bucks.

I decided to trim the bulkheads to do the decking first. This is to make staining easier and in case I accidentally damage the bulwark. It will obviously be easier to repair damage to the first layer planking than the outer layer. I think this was a good plan because there were a few small gashes in the planks, and some of the planks did need to be glued together because without the bulkheads, they were not being held in place. I used some dilute white glue to get in between the planks, then wiped down the sides so that the outer layer can be properly glued. As far as trimming down the bulkheads, it went easier than I expected. A little IPA and some time with a blade and they came off the planks fairly easily. The trickiest part was actually cutting the bulkhead extensions. I couldn't get a straight cut and it took a bit of careful cutting to avoid damaging the planks. The next step will be to sand everything down to smooth it out and plank the second layer inboard of the bulwark.

Welcome to MSW!

The first layer planking is completed. I was hoping that I wouldn't need to use any wood putty to fill in gaps, and I likely could have gotten away with not using any. In the end, I decided to go ahead and use the putty just to make sure everything is nice and smooth. I didn't expect so much filler to be left after sanding, but that is ok. I will need to decide how I want to proceed next. I want to stain the deck and would prefer to do that prior to the second layer hull planking to avoid any unintentional splashes of stain onto the hull. However, the second layer planking probably adds structure that would help any breaking or deformation of the bulwark when trimming the bulkheads in step 8. I may try removing one piece of bulkhead and see how the bulwark holds up. The prow isn't quite straight but it will be under the keel/stem and will be hidden by the second layer planking.

Thank you for the link and compliment. Fortunately for me the model does have double planking. I should have some updates to the log very soon. I happen to have the song Sultans of Swing loaded onto my phone twice. I'm not sure why but as a result I tend to hear it fairly regularly.

Nice work!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

Welcome to MSW!

I like the top right. It looks just a bit aged.

Very nice work! She really looks old, weathered and spooky.

Nice start. I think you will appreciate the making the planking the deck the way you did in the end. The slight variances in color and cut on each plank will add texture and realism.

Very nice work!

Welcome to MSW!

This is such a cool build! Unique and well done!

Welcome to MSW!