gieb8688

Afternoon, 
Hope everyone is well. 
 
The build continues!
 
Started to piece together the wings and the engine area.
The engines themselves are starting to come together.
These were easy enough. 
Not too bad fit or flash wise. Some seams, I'll see if I can fill these. I do have a putty.

All of the landing gear have been painted. 
A basic Tamiya flat aluminum with Tamiya thinner. 

There are some PE pieces for all three.
I had some fun with it, see what I could do.
I find myself gaining confidence handling PE.  Not perfect, but fun. 

I finally realized I had forgotten to install support struts on both the rear landing gear. 
The fix is not seen in these pics, but has been done. 

Continuing with the "extra's", time to see what the resin gun barrels bring to the table. 
The kit supplied part is self evident. 
These should add a nice look. 

As for the yellow stripe on the bombs...…...
I am not knocking myself out on these. 
Yeah, sure I would love engineered precision, but what ya gonna do!
Found the longest, thinnest, finest brush I had and gave it a go!

Meh...…..
Looks like the bomb techs were out late at the USO the night before. 
And four feet away buried in an enclosed fuselage...…...they look perfect!   

Dinner time!
 
Tom E 
 
 
 
 

thanks again for having a look and comments- progressing slow but sure- got the main yard attached (just via the sling at the moment), and rigged the t'gallant lifts though not tied off/ belayed yet- never thought i was ever going to get to this stage!


take care all and keep up the good work everyone.
 
Keith

Following completion of the deck planking I completed the quarterdeck and midships capping rails out of 5x2mm beech. I am afraid the transition from ax to midships didn't look quite right so I improvised and moulded a bit of beech around the curves of the midships section.  Not as per plan but for some reason my model's bulwarks seem a little low; not to worry  it looks fine.  
 
I started on the bow area.  Having assembled the various pieces, effected the gluing and painting, I came to fit the various gratings and catheads.  Not for nothing do the instructions highlight that building the bow is the hardest part of the model - it very much is!!  I have not been able to achieve the correct levels and positioning therefore I have had to tweak the lower rail extensions to allow the hawse pipe/anchor fairleads to fit.  I will attach the lower rail extension shortly and will run them from the back of the hawse fitting tot he base of the cathead: another deviation but again to the non expert eye (no comments from you lot) will be entirely acceptable. 
 
The forecastle gratings look awkward so I am minded to follow Rob and build my own - before or after I fit the bowspit and do the gammoning....that is the question? Hmmm.
 
All somewhat annoying as I'm not sure where I went wrong...be careful!
 
I've also started on the deck furniture.  Ill do a few of the guns before lookin at the hullside fittings.  I would rather get all those out of the way before starting the mizzen channels and associated rigging blocks.
 
Onwards and upwards.
 
Peter   

I have quietly cracked on and completed the deck planking. I managed to also achieve the nibbing (must be a made up word!) around the quarterdeck area.  Sanded and varnished so good to go!

Wow - that post made me sit up... Hope you don't mind me adding a few pictures of the last (very dusty) radio controlled semi-scratch model I built...  (Also HMS COTTESMORE, in 1:48). Fascinating vessels. That's a beautiful waterline model of her!    

someone asked about the ships on the wall - these are pictures of my various seagoing commands in the RN: top left clockwise: HMS COTTESMORE - HUNT Class MCM ship; HMS ALBION - Assault ship; HMS NURTON - Ton class minesweeper; HMS NORFOLK - T23 ASW Frigate.  Great ships.  A dear friend, Eric Dyke, made me a scratch model (in plastic) of HMS COTTESMORE which really ignited my interest in the hobby - he is to blame for the modelling mess that bedevils my study all the time!  Desk bound now....

Having sanded and carried out a little gap filling, I planked and then painted the inner bulkhead.  I then began to plank.  I required 10 4mm planks either side of the centreline plank before I need to commence the joggle cuts.  The guidance I followed referred to half width of the plank being cut into the margin and then shaped; some recommend a third plank width but I thought that would be quite fiddly and difficult to achieve an even look on both sides of the deck.  Slow and methodical - it needs a thought to keep the sequence - was the approach and it turned out well.  The deck was then sanded and a couple of coats of matt varnish applied to seal the wood.   Whilst I was at it I finished off a little more of the head rails.  Im now planking the remaining parts of the upper deck...slow progress though! Speak soon. P

Thank you David!!  Yes, these davits were measured to a length developed from our conversation a while ago.  Looking forward to seeing how they look mounted on the ship.  Thank you too for sending this picture.  
Mark

I've done a whole series of photos for the forthcoming HMS Flirt. 
 
There is some repetition on these sheets as parts such as lower mast trees are shown on ply, although the kit will have them in wood instead. You'll notice a few quirks here with some parts added and removed from sheets. There will be two editions of this kit, with a standard kit supplied with pear, and also a Master Shipwright release with boxwood. The latter also has 3mm birch ply bulkheads and false keel, plus a number of other differences. The standard release and MS release both now have laser engraved lower decks, with the standard in 2mm Ceiba, and the MS in birch ply. 
 
I'm sure Chris will answer any questions. I'm off to finish the Fifie so I can make a start on Flirt!
 
 

Some other pics of the laser at work...

Greetings Mark
                            Hope all is well. Well done, they look really good. Did you work out the  length you needed yourself ? Telling you the road you know, fit them at the end of your build. Keep enjoying it.  DAVID
                            

Hello,
Decided to take a break from rigging and work on the boat davits.  Here is the first, three more to go!  A bit of finish work needed, but I am happy with the results.
Thanks,
Mark

I have completed installing the risers and now I will start on the thwarts.  I hope everyone has a happy and safe new year and I wish good health to you in 2020.
 

Thanks everyone for the comments and the "Likes".
 
Rich, thanks for the link to the Jax blackening agent.  I ordered the 4 ounce jar and received it very quickly.  This should last me a long time.
 
I initially painted the cap rail and did not like the color that I chose.  I stripped the paint off by scraping and sanding and will repaint it later with a different color of red.  I decided to move on to Chapter 4 and install the floor boards and the bow and stern platforms.  I felt this would be better for me as there would be no paint on the cap rails for me to mess up.  I found it easier to make a pattern out of card stock as recommended in the instructions for the platforms and then transfer it to the laser cut platforms.  This helped to locate the notches for the frames.  Here is a picture of the paper patterns that I made:
 

I used a sharp blade and small files to make the cuts on the platforms.  I also had to bevel the bottom of the platforms to sit properly on the frames.  This was a slow process for me, but I was satisfied with the fit.  Here is a picture of the bow and stern platforms with the simulated nails installed and two coats of wipe-on-poly applied:
 

And here is a picture of the platforms dry fitted to the inside of the hull:
 

 
I will be installing the risers next.  I am really enjoying this build.

Thanks everyone for the "Likes".  I finally finished installing the simulated nails using 10LB black monofilament line.  I cut a short length of the line, dipped the end in some titebond glue and then inserted the glued end in the holes that I had previously drilled in the planks using a #77 bit.  Once finished and the glue dried, I trimmed the monofilament line close to the plank using a sharp blade.  I then gave the hull a light sanding and applied a light coat of Wipe On Poly.  Here is a picture of the line before I trimmed it.

Here is the hull with the monofilament line trimmed and a light coat of Wipe On Poly applied:

I then sanded the inside of the hull and applied Wipe On Poly.

Next up is to paint the cap rail and then install the friezes and the molding.  That will complete Chapter 3 of the instructions.

Thanks Michael and Rusty for your comments.  I am doing great now and should make a full recovery.
 
I completed the planking and it was time to remove my Longboat from the build board.  I removed the supports at the stern and the masking tape that I had used to tape the bulkheads to the build board.  I removed the fore section first and then the aft section.  A few slight twists of the build board and the Longboat was free from the build board.
 
Next came the removal of the bulkhead centers.  I used a razor saw to cut the bulkheads free.  Chuck's design made this an easy process.  I used my razor saw to cut the bulkhead at the top down to the laser cut line on both the port and starboard sides, gave the bulkhead a slight wiggle and the centers popped free.  This was an easy process and I had no issues removing the centers.
 


 
The model is now starting to look like a boat:

 

It has been awhile since I have posted on my Medway Longboat Build Log.  I thought that I would give an update on my progress.

 
In early July, I was having some chest discomfort and pains in my left arm.  After numerous tests and procedures by my cardiologist, it was determined that I needed quadruple heart bypass surgery.  This was performed on July 26th and I came home on July 31st.  Recovery was going along as planned until I started having breathing problems and light headiness.  I went back in the hospital on August 9th and they found that I had massive blood clots in my legs, groin and lungs.  I was put on blood thinner and they placed a filter just before my heart to catch any blood clots that should make their way toward my heart.  I was released on August 14th and have been getting better with each day.  I feel that I should make a complete recovery and am very lucky to be writing this post on MSW.


 

 
I have completed the planking and installation of the wales on my Longboat.  I still have some sanding to do.  I did drill the holes for the simulated nails after the installation of each plank.  I felt this was easier to do than doing it after the hull planking was completed.  I have attached some pictures of where I am on my build.
 

It has been a while since I have updated my build log.  I am about half way through the planking process.  I have only snapped two planks in the process of contouring the planks.  It was easy to make replacement planks using the excess wood on the bottom of the laser cut plank sheets.  I am finding that the planks fit much nicer now that I am beyond the first three rows of planks from the keel.  I am drilling the holes for the simulated nails when I install each plank as it seems easier to me not to miss the bulkheads below the plank with my drill bit.  Here are some pictures of my progress to date:

Thanks Michael for your comment and for the "Likes".  I have completed the lining off of the port side of the hull.  Now I can start the planking.
 

 

Hello,
Decided to take a break from rigging and work on the boat davits.  Here is the first, three more to go!  A bit of finish work needed, but I am happy with the results.
Thanks,
Mark

the wooden fittings in the middle of the main yard are thimbles for trusses - see pic regards trusses for yards on ships like victory.
 

hope that helps, and yes been doing this for around 35 years!
 
Keith

It seems almost impossible to bend the planks on the stern so sharply. Then having them fit into the rabbet cut so well.  You have been at this stuff a long time and it shows.

Alright, think I am at the end of the road for this prototype.  All outer bulkhead bevels added and the blocks shaped fore and aft.  I am not beveling the deck portion on this build.  I did have to add a 1/16" skin to a section of one bulkhead but other than that, everything worked out.

The blocks I kept putting off thinking they will require lots of carving, sanding and other.  In my mind they had grown into 1" by 3" by 5" monsters.  The truth very different.  Pretty straightforward.


I might add some dowels through the keel to keep it in place.   -Mark

I think I am left with beveling the lower frames, and adding a block at the extreme fore and aft for plank affixing.  Maybe this afternoon.
 
Added a false keel.  Had to cleave off the keel forward of the scarph joint (don't ask) so vertical line at V7F frame is this fix (ignore).  Everything appears ship shape and to plan.  Making templates coming up.....

I feel like I am posting the same pics over and over again but there are HOURS of work in between.  This series is called 'Almost There' haha.  I am thinking another solid day and this just may be.
 
Did some sculpting of the stern (again) but pretty complete.  I still need to add a block below the wing transom to allow shaping of the stern and better attachment for planking.  The bow is pretty set, with the exception of the bow block (same purpose) and a few other minor details.  I (of course) got messed up with the railing height (my template meant for above the false deck, started to apply without it so......some 'repairs' are required.  Final shaping of the bulkhead bevels are soon to come.

This process has been very educational (and frustrating) but getting back into the groove needed some re-education.  I am looking forward to the next step of a good set of drawn plans and then a full POB build to validate.
 
Stay Building My Friends,  Mark