Craigie65

Productive Easter weekend. First planking on, needs a bit of sanding, but reasonably happy with this.
I did crowd the planks at the counter.  For my next model I will split the hull into bands to give me a better idea of the run of the planks.

Another quick update to bring the hull to date with where I am. I have done loads of other stuff, but I'll keep this log in chronological order.
 
Onto planking. One untapped row, and then onto tapering. I split these lengths in half to show a beginner that they can do this if they wish. You really don't need to otherwise.
 



 
 
The inner bulwarks are now trimmed back to the stern timbers and then sanded flush to the stern board can be fitted. This is then sanded flush with outside of inner bulwarks (not shown in this log).


 
 
If you've followed any of these build logs or built a VM kit, you'll be familiar with how the keels are then faced with another layer of pear, creating a ready rebate for you to neatly plank up to. 

 
 
The outer stern board frame is temporarily clipped into position (NO glue!) so that I have the position to fit the pear lower counter. The counter is then sanded flush with the sides of the hull.

 
 
Now, the outer bulwarks can be glued into place, and then sanded flush with the stern fascia. 

 
 
One of the bits I like doing. The MDF bulkhead ears are now twisted on pliers and the remnants sanded flush with the deck.


 
 
Ranger comes with an engraved maple veneer deck. This is test fitted to the model and adjusted (if necessary) so it lied flat on the ply deck and across the camber. This is then glued into place and a 'few' clamps used to hold it down around the edged while it dries. These little 2 inch clamps are great for this. 



 
 
More next time. 

According to Robert Gardiner's Frigates of the Napoleonic Wars, Indy (and the other two razee's converted at the same time) had the quarterdeck and forecastle removed, and transforming the old upper gun deck into a frigate style quarterdeck with gangways. But because the great cabin was at this same level, a poop was needed, and the position of the stern and quarter galleries betrayed their origins as a two decker. She must have looked very distinctive when compared to standard frigates in her squadrons, with her oddly positioned stern and quarter lights and of course, being on average around 15 feet longer than a standard 36 and 38, and the full mast and spar plan as a standard 64 (although with the main mast cut down to compensate for the one missing deck).
 
So Indy does have a certain 'Beefy' look about her.

Amati have a range of crew in various sizes. 25mm is the close to 1/64, depending on the original height of the crew member.

Amati have a range of crew in various sizes. 25mm is the close to 1/64, depending on the original height of the crew member.

Amati have a range of crew in various sizes. 25mm is the close to 1/64, depending on the original height of the crew member.

This is a lovely and straight forward model - I have just finished mine and started Erycina.
Your fairing looks spot on.  You will also need to fair the stern parts. Look at step 49 and you will see that they need to be faired before adding part 60. Otherwise the counter will only sit on the edges.

When adding the bulwarks (parts 45 and 46) you may need to fair part 24 just a touch to get a smooth run. 

Hey we all have our moments.  The main thing is you went the extra mile and fixed the problem.  

Just about completed designs for the poop area. Pics look a little rough, but please remember this model is used as a test bed, nothing more, to see how well parts fit. They are altered if required (and this is often...)
 
The chequered floor is actually laser engraved high grade card. All false pillars in this kit for stern, quarter galleries and poop screen will be in pearwood. I think they are much better than the usual photo etched ones.
 
I have just glued down the poop deck. Next - second planking...
 
Oh, I also added a pic showing the two designs I did for the poop screen bulkhead. I decided to go the upper pattern.

Indeed. The detail on both the rudder trunk and the Officer's poop screen look excellent.
I must admit this level of built-in detail is tempting me to think about building this model in the "dockyard" style. Hmmmm. decisions, decisions! I already have a 64-gun fully-rigged, so perhaps the razéed one ala' Navy Board will be a nice change-up. It would be considerably smaller to display!

Nothing wrong with Navy Board style, IMHO.   I'm headed there myself as display space is at a premium in my place.

I didn't do this and when I went to fit the Stern Counter I discovered it needed doing, I had to remove the rear part of the Bulwarks and sand down the outer Counter Frames, a real pain.

Time for the first plank. However when I offered up the plank it was below the level of the counter.  A shim was added to fix.  A bit of plank bending and the first one is on

A little progress. Counter now glued and drying. Next step planking!

Time for the first plank. However when I offered up the plank it was below the level of the counter.  A shim was added to fix.  A bit of plank bending and the first one is on

Time for the first plank. However when I offered up the plank it was below the level of the counter.  A shim was added to fix.  A bit of plank bending and the first one is on

Time for the first plank. However when I offered up the plank it was below the level of the counter.  A shim was added to fix.  A bit of plank bending and the first one is on

A little progress. Counter now glued and drying. Next step planking!

A little progress. Counter now glued and drying. Next step planking!

With the frames all faired and checked it is time to add the inner bulwarks. These parts do no seem to go fully into the slot as I first envisaged. Looking closely at the build manual and at other logs it seems as if the forward edge of the bulwarks barely rests inside the slot.
 
I decided to soak the forward bulwarks to put less strain on the stem as the top of the stem cracked just above the slot whilst dry fitting the bulwarks.  I will wait a few hours before glueing and pinning given the amount of swelling pear seems to have.  
 
Also took the opportunity to clamp the pre soaked counter to get the shape.
 
PS forgive the desk - it has been my office and shipyard throughout the pandemic.

With the frames all faired and checked it is time to add the inner bulwarks. These parts do no seem to go fully into the slot as I first envisaged. Looking closely at the build manual and at other logs it seems as if the forward edge of the bulwarks barely rests inside the slot.
 
I decided to soak the forward bulwarks to put less strain on the stem as the top of the stem cracked just above the slot whilst dry fitting the bulwarks.  I will wait a few hours before glueing and pinning given the amount of swelling pear seems to have.  
 
Also took the opportunity to clamp the pre soaked counter to get the shape.
 
PS forgive the desk - it has been my office and shipyard throughout the pandemic.

After about an hour or so the basic hull shape and false deck was done. No dramas getting to this point. The stern frames are delicate and I was a more careful than I was with Nisha to make sure I did not snap off the outer frames.  There is still a bit of fairing to do, but the sun is out and that will have to wait until tomorrow.

With the frames all faired and checked it is time to add the inner bulwarks. These parts do no seem to go fully into the slot as I first envisaged. Looking closely at the build manual and at other logs it seems as if the forward edge of the bulwarks barely rests inside the slot.
 
I decided to soak the forward bulwarks to put less strain on the stem as the top of the stem cracked just above the slot whilst dry fitting the bulwarks.  I will wait a few hours before glueing and pinning given the amount of swelling pear seems to have.  
 
Also took the opportunity to clamp the pre soaked counter to get the shape.
 
PS forgive the desk - it has been my office and shipyard throughout the pandemic.

After about an hour or so the basic hull shape and false deck was done. No dramas getting to this point. The stern frames are delicate and I was a more careful than I was with Nisha to make sure I did not snap off the outer frames.  There is still a bit of fairing to do, but the sun is out and that will have to wait until tomorrow.