yvesvidal

No, I have decided to only show the bottom of the hull, unplanked. Everything else will be complete, as much as I can do it. Thank you for the compliments. Yves

I just started the planking, using the nice maple pre-cut planks, provided in the kit. From the instructions below, you can see that I have derived from the recommended directions, once more. As mentioned, the planking is too small (not wide enough) as provided in the kit. I used a wider master plank of 8 mm wide to go in the middle: Proper alignment is done using additional side planks. You want that master plank to be perfect in the center. And then, it is the slow process of gluing one plank at a time.... until we come to the entire half: Now, I have to do the other side, which will not so easy since I cannot use the open space for my clamps. Quick CA will have to come to the rescue. Yves

The next step is to complete the framing of the rear quarterdeck: And so it is: All frames have been sanded and everything is level and straight for planking with a maple floor: Yves

Time for a small update. I started working on the guns and they turned out to be a royal pain in the ****. I tried assembling them, using the PE parts provided in the kit: The copper/brass is very flimsy and does not withstand any bending. The cannons are nicely molded but the wood comprising the chariots is very dry and will split when drilled. I have decided to resort to the same technique I used for Bellona and drill with a #61 the vertical side of the chariot, to receive small blackened nails. The PE parts are simply too fragile and too small to do anything with them (at least for my skill and patience levels...). The rigging of the guns is also simplified with the exception of the retaining rope attached to the chariot (French way) and not to the end of the cannon (British way). I will see if I can do better for the guns which are more visible. These are located under the rear quarterdeck and will be really hard to see. One gun installed.... Two guns.... (sounding like the Count in Sesame Street) And all four guns: Yves

Incredible and amazing work. At this scale, this is fantastic. Beautiful object at the end. Yves

Beautifully executed Rob. Maybe you should have a group picture of all your Model Hiro Factory models..... What is the next candidate? Yves

Here they are: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Cellphone-Adaptable-Fastening-Compatible/dp/B0DHGVLX59/ref=sr_1_22_sspa?crid=1IF7OPO8BUICR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7U0XEdagigfcY5ua3SLhqXfny7vezKNSHAj4-oY2JM_lBhMpqKD8eZMPPoO9KUElyqCBlrr4Forq4fAhneJBApdsm2vro0KYXTCOTjbEmKKhuFlszCSUcQcaWPTLudEdDDccF9GOZWir1FXzKhicXb_vOBL3WLpsi827lTVUd6PXjVjq4mW2aDbJkdbU77up.NFr1PGVXLpiZGg8hSEUgkY1W0rAonStv7x26dBLQsd8&dib_tag=se&keywords=mobile%2Bdevice%2Bclamps&qid=1752690770&sprefix=mobile%2Bdevice%2Bclamps%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-22-spons&xpid=9Sf7wwcZ9MxkF&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1 Max opening: 15 mm. Yves

What a marvel !!! Yves

Stern has been completed, finally. This phase belongs in fact to Phase 1, but I would recommend to not assemble it until your hull is completed. The opening provided by the stern are so helpful when clamping planking and other parts. Now to work on four guns, so that I can at least complete framing and planking of the rear quarter deck. Yves

It is nice to see someone else assembling CAF Model kits, on this forum.

The Port side has been completed as well. During the dangerous cutting phase..... And finally, after a lot of sanding, bending and gluing: I have also added the strip under the gun ports. I need to complete the stern framing. I would recommend leaving it open until you have reached that stage, as this open space is very convenient for clamping parts. Yves

I can see a small Company producing rare 3D printed kits, in your future, Craig. Yves

Here is a picture of most of the paints I am using on that model: Yves

A quick update: I have installed the lower "toe" rail that will be used as a platform for all the ornaments of the railing, around the quarter deck. This was done with a strip of 6 x 2 mm (not provided in the kit), slightly bent with isopropyl alcohol and left in a jig for a few hours. The strip is pre-painted and then glued in place. Now, I have to redo the same crazy and dangerous cutting on the port side. In the meantime, I also installed the base of the mizzen mast and started planking two small strips on the deck: We will revisit the material offered for the planking, but I had to install a Master Plank (in the middle) of 7 mm wide, since the two sets of planks provided in the kit are not covering the entire deck. It is missing about 8 mm in the center and I used some left over wood to create that Master Plank. Anyway, at that point, I cannot move forward with the planking yet, as I need to install the guns under the deck. And before installing the guns, I need to finish all the rails on the hull. Therefore, It will be a while before we plank. Yves

Crazy...crazy....It is time to call the White Coats.... !!! I have been thinking about the railing of the rear quarter deck. If the planking was done in a curved and harmonious way with stealers and all the necessary stuff, the shape of the planking would follow the curvature of the railing. That is a view of the mind and it does not happen too often. So, after postponing this stage for a while, I decided today to jump into it and go "Crazy". The first thing to do is glue that nice strip (not included in the kit) that is supposed to delineate the hull from the railing. That is done after many dry runs and positioning of the freezes and ornaments. The rear of the hull is painted with that rare greenish blueish color described in the Monograph and that was in fashion at that era, in the French harbors. The strip is then positioned, secured and glued with liquid CA (1-3 seconds), carefully dropped from the top. The glue runs gently following the strip, without leaking underneath. I have used that technique with the HMS Bellona and the strips are still holding fine. Another final checking that all the ornaments are fitting between the two strips..... And then we go crazy..... Using my Dremel with a cutting disk, I am butchering all the planking and framing above the top strip: You have to be super careful and hold your Dremel with two hands to prevent an irrecoverable slippage of the cutting disk.... This is it. Now, we have to sand to bring everything to the level of the top strip. From that point, I will install a flat rail that will be my base for building the decorative railing comprised of freezes and other CNC carved parts. The original ship (and the kit) uses the frames as holders for the railing. My model will not have that. I think I can live with its absence. A little bit of painting, to make things more elegant: I kind of like that deep cobalt blue/green. Below is the other side, which has not been butchered yet. You can clearly see that the planking would never align with the elegant curves of the stern. To make your mouth water and as an appetizer of what to come (it will be a while...), here is what it will look like: The White Coats have arrived and I must go.... Yves

Great kit and beautiful trawler. I will be following your build log. My brother has the kit but never started it. Yves

Installation of the door and the remaining deck beams to the cabin wall. The other beams cannot be installed yet, because of the guns. I started building the planking of the rear bulkhead, after using some spacers to account for the quarter deck planking. I am approaching the construction by mixing elements of the instructions: I am also modifying very slightly the rear wings (1K-5) to better accommodate that platform on the stern (3K-1 on the picture). I am adding a small strips to support the platform, on both sides: I am also adding a 2 mm strip to increase the height of the "wings" and compensate for the thickness of the platform: Before gluing the platform, I am trying to finalize all the gold painting of the freezes, that will be hard to reach, once glued: Finally, the platform is glued, making the stern a lot more solid and sturdier: There is still a lot of sanding and painting that has to take place, to make it presentable. Yves

It should fit in your tub, for the ballast testing. Seriously, what a beautiful model. Yves

Glad to see you back on this beautiful model. Yves

James, I read your description of the kit, in detail. I have to say that CAF Models improved immensely their instructions and approach to building their kits. These instructions make sense, are clearly detailed in English (and not in Chinese) and they are providing you with pictures, which is a first in the History of CAF Models !!! The acrylic jigs are also a great addition. After building two of their earlier kits (HMS Bellona and Le Requin), I can tell you that their original instructions and directions were not that great....and you had to spend a lot of time, just wondering and trying to find a solution to the assembly. Yves

I am not sure, but it would make a lot of sense to have them there. Will you be posting some pictures of your fantastic model? Yves

Moving on with the installation of the beams supporting the quarter deck. The guide holding and aligning the mizzen mast has been installed. I also added a couple of poles underneath to make it sturdier. Now, I have to finish the door, glue it to the cabin wall and complete the assembly of the beams, at least up to the wall of the cabin: Below, you can see the extra support. Once the deck is in place, it will be quite solid, but you never know.... Yves

I am still progressing without following the official instructions, just going along with what makes the most sense for me. After installing the stern panel, I managed to glue the side extensions of the hull: All this is still very fragile and will require a lot of care to avoid breaking them. The large wooden grid on top will help re-enforce but cannot be installed until I built the planking on the stern from the inside deck. And before doing that, I have to build the quarter deck and its planking. The following drawings will give you a better idea of what I am trying to do and how it needs to happen: Of course, before completing the quarter deck planking the door of the cabin and the guns must be installed, on the gun deck. Therefore, the various hooks are set in the frames: Yves

Caldercraft Kits are among the best. Excellent choice. Yves

Great stuff. Very clever. Yves