mobbsie

Hi Grant,

It's not easy mate, but if your new drugs are helping then thats great news, if you are able to sleep well at night then you are most certainly on the road to recovery.

It's a good excuse to get into some serious ice cream noshing mate, just to ease the throat you understand.

Dont worry about the build, she's not going anywhere and will be waiting for you when you are ready, no pressure.

mobbsie

Hi Demonborger

I wasnt aware that there was a gel CA, I dont think I can get it from my  hobby shop and I've never seen it advertised so I will just use PVA and thick CA, the thick CA does'nt bleed into the wood but it very quick to cure.

Thanks for the tip and rest assured I will look out for it.

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

To answer your question about the use of CA, I dont really know why, the instructions call for the use of thick CA and so I thought I would follow them, I dont know why as this instruction has never been given before.

I must admit I do prefere to use PVA and will go back to using it, I may use CA on the bow section where I am unable to use clamps and require a strong & quick hold.

Thanks for asking gents and I hope I have answered your question.

mobbsie

Now look what you've done Sjors.    

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

My god Jim, if I had one that big I'd be well happy, and yes he who has 14 guns in a very small area is an ally.

Sjors, to answer your question, yes the bulkhead is painted, French blue and then flattened down with matt varnish.

Grant, Popeye, Kevin, Frank thanks for the kind words gents.

2nd planking continues though at a slow rate, domestic tasks have raised their heads, I blame Sjors, had to get the pressure washer out and do the patio, only the front to do now.

I'm using CA to glue the planks on and though it is easier using scale planks the glue sticks like you know what to a blanket, you have to be so carefull to get it right first time, even with the thick stuff, very little time is given for corrections, fortunately I'm planking an area that will be covered up by the wales although it does'nt look to bad.

I'll do a bit more planking before I post any pics.

mobbsie

Hi Sjors,

She's looking great my friend, just be carefull when moving around her, they look prime candidates for knocking off.

Now that Andy's put you right on port and starboard you'll be able to turn your bus in both directions.  

mobbsie

Hi Grant,

A bit belated my friend but I just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery and hope that the soreness and discomfort wont last long.

I hope you dont look like you've been 12 rounds with Mike Tyson, nose and throat is renowned for bad bruising.

Keep your pecker up mate though it must be difficult. Do what your told and I'm sure all will be well.

Could be worse mate, Sjors could have driven you to and from the hospital !!!!!!!!!!!  

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

As promised a quick update on progress so-far.

Quarter galleries are finished apart from a little bit of rubbing down, I didnt quite get the angles right so I've had to use a bit of filler but once she's rubbed down and painted up she will be good. Frames are still to go on after painting.

Roundhouse bulkhead completed and painted but I dont want to fit it just yet.

Started on the second planking, at least I have 1 plank at the stem on each side, not much but it's a start, I decided to go with the scale planks in the end. I know that there should be at least 3 planks between butt joints but I'm working on 2,  I'm working on a plank length of 119mm and to get a 3 butt planking pattern I will have to cut 30mm planks at the stem and stern, that doesnt seem long enough to me, it's not too late to change so perhaps you could let me know what you think.

Some Pics

First gallery in place

Part two fitted

I'm glad I've still got some filler

One complete roundhouse and the first 2 planks dry fitted

Both quarter galleries

Port gallery

Floors were painted in a force 8 gale

So there we are again, right up to date.

mobbsie

Hi Mark,

Explosives are not something I can buy over the counter, if you have some spare that would be helpfull, not for the Aggie you understand but Keith may be able to help "A & A" spike you know who's guns

mobbsie

Hi Keith,

The biggest hammer I have is a 9lb lump hammer, do you think that that might be up to the job.  

mobbsie

Hi Mark, you are absolutely right mate, when I was looking her up I thought she bore a great resemblance to the Aggie so I assumed she was of the Ardent class of cruiser.

Got that wrong didnt I, thanks for putting me right mate.  

mobbsie

Just found you Derik, great planking.

I'm waiting for Caldercraft's Surprise to come out, shant hold my breath so I'm gonna follow your build.

Keep up your good work.

mobbsie

Good progress Wayne, Nice to see it all coming together.

I bet you finish your ratlines before Sjors.

mobbsie

Dont take any rubbish from them upper class toffs Augie, us lower ranks will stick together.

Andy will have to clean his own tanks, Marks still looking for a brig, Popeye's busy with umpteen builds and Sjors, well he is learning how to water ski !!!!!!!    

mobbsie

Can you see what I'm doing here guys, thought I would try out Sjors method of gaining rank, individual replies, soon be up there.    

mobbsie

Hi Ben,

This is not a task I enjoy very much, she is such a big slab sided beast it seems to take forever but I cant put it off any longer, 2nd planking starts Saturday.

mobbsie

Sjors,

If I worked every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week untill you arrived I'd miss you cos I would be asleep, and I still would'nt be finished.

2nd planking will start Saturday.  

I only just found out that your Spaniard was at Trafalger, does'nt bode well does it, I reckon you had cottonballs then as well.         

mobbsie

Hi Augie,

Plenty of that my friend, brute force and ignorance is my middle name. !!!!!!!

mobbsie

Your not wrong there Popeye, but as long as I've got me filler I'm happy.

mobbsie

Pack your bags guys, the men in white coats are on their way, you'r nuts.  BUT FUN.   :D      

mobbsie

Hi Yves,

I dont know the full range of kits from Amati but I think youll find that the Bellona is of the same class and design as HMS Agamemnon, this kit can be obtained from Caldercraft and is 1/64th scale, the slight differences can be changed and I'm sure you will be able to obtain the decorations for her.

Hope this helps.

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

Thank you all very much for the kind words and looking in.

There was a good reason why the stern fascia would'nt fit right, I was sticking it in the wrong place, what an idiot !!!!!!!!!!!!!, after a lot of deliberation I found out where it should go, a simple error like that seems to take an age to sort out but a big problem does'nt take long at all.  

Starboard side Gallery in fitted and the port side will be done tomorrow, it's taken me the best part of today to do just the one, fiddly little b----rs they are.

I still have to put the window frames in but they are glazed.

I will have some pics soon.

mobbsie

Hi Popeye,

Thanks for letting us join you on two great builds, it has been a trip and a half with superb results.

Very well done my friend. Be proud.

mobbsie

Welcome home Frank, glad all is OK.

mobbsie

Andy, Augie, thanks for the good words guys. Really appreciated.

Second planking is not that far away Andy.

mobbsie