egkb

Eamonn,
 
Don't you mean 'clinkered'!

I actually built my Sherbourne with no other wood strips than those that came with the kit. They seemed perfectly adequate, although you have to be a little careful with the walnut second planking, as it is somewhat brittle.
 
As to whether she was clinker built or not is debatable. Chris Watton her designer said that she was carvel built, and this figures as she was built in the Naval Dockyard at Woolwich, where this type of construction was preferred. However, I wanted to try clinker building as an experiment, and because many other cutters were at that date, especially those built in private yards. I suppose it's up to the builder and what he prefers.
 
I don't see any reason for not using Sherbourne as a first kit. The build is quite straight forward, and you would still get difficulties with other models. The rig is also what you make of it, and it's not that difficult. Keeping it simple as per the instructions, or improving on it with the help of various publications, it's entirely up to you.
 
Tony makes a good point. Treat each stage as a project on it's own, and do the best job you can. the finished model will be all the better for it. As he implies, take your time. It's more important to make a good model, than to finish it quickly.
 
You've also the resources of MSW at your disposal!

Just one further thought on this point. Many, including myself, see each stage of a build as a model or project in its own right. So there's the planking, then each different type of deck structure (catheads, anchors, windlass, guns, hatches, companionways...), then the rigging, the painting, the sails and so on. Each little bit has its own skills to develop. So to my mind the question is how many of these bits do you want to start to learn with your first kit (I say 'start' as I have a feeling it's an endless process)?
 
Linked to this is how quickly you want to achieve a completed ship build. My own answer is that I am more than happy tinkering away at each little project on the Sherbourne. I am not in the least fussed as to when or if I get 'to the end' -- each of the bits so far has been more than totally absorbing with the research, the planning, the learning of the use of each tool, the making, the mistakes and the re-making.
 
There's a whole range of attitudes to this kind of question amongst the builders on this and other sites. So don't be worried about your own thoughts. Whatever they are they'll generate interest on this site and much pleasure for yourself.
 
Tony

Am currently at the rigging stage of a 1:46 Bounty which came to me in 'part-work' some 10 years ago (following those instructions leaves a lot to be desired , it isn't that they are bad more that they aren't in proper build order, but instead are in sections.. ie Deck,  Hull, Rigging, etc.. sounds great until you realise that you can't 'rig' without parts of the deck gear in place, and you can't put them in place without knowing exactly where the lines run.. particularly when you haven't been told to put them in place in the first place.. teehee. There are NO PLANS with this build it is purely done using text and photos ahhhhhhhh! ) Still lots of fun though trying to second guess what the 'designer' had in mind though.  OK rant over
I didn't realise what a 'proper' wooden kit looked like until the Sherbourne arrived and I unfolded ACTUAL plans
 
Phew I feel better now that that's off my chest..
 
Eamonn

You can see a few builds of the Swift on this site (including Dirk's completed build!). The rigging appears to be simpler than that for the Sherbourne and there's not so much to put on the deck. Others have also recommended the Bounty's jolly boat, which has several builds as well.
 
Tony

A small update for everyone. I was in touch with the company this afternoon, and they have a relief for me. I'll be able to go home when the ship gets back to the Welland Canal in 6 or 7 days or so.
 
Never in my life did I ever think I would actually be looking forward to going to a funeral.....................
 
 
Andy

Not sure if this would be classed as cheating or resourcefulness, but when I saw these toothpicks a little light bulb turned on in my head!  
I needed to make some columns/pillars for the bow and these seemed to "fit the bill". Just had to cut the preformed tops off and sand them a bit and "voila" instant columns!
 

 
Here you can see the end result with the doors, moulding and columns.
 

 
I'm now working on the railings and have a couple of them installed:
 

 
 

Another small update!
 
Access doors to the bow:
 

 

 

 
Followed by moulding for the upper hull - not sure of the proper nautical term for this?
I cut a profile into a razor blade using my dremel and cut off disc, then proceeded to scrape the wood strip. I can't take any credit for this idea - it's been demonstrated on a few logs here.
 

 

 

Jan, I've seen about 3 or 4 models of the Sherbourne with clinker planking but not any with wood from the kit. There was a debate on MSW1 about whether a cutter of that date would have been clinker built, but it was as likely to have been so built as not -- so definitely something up to the builder to decide.
 
From what I've seen, although it might be possible to do with the 4mm strips from the kit, a lot of people use thinner strips of wood for the second planking, whether clinker built or carvel built.
 
Sumner has clinker-built his Sherbourne, which you can see at http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/661-hmc-sherbourne-by-sumner-caldercraft-scale-164-kitbashed-to-1763-nmm-plans-first-wooden-ship-build/?p=106782. He used 4 x 0.5mm strips. I used wider and thinner strips (bought from Cornwall Model Boats) but didn't clinker build, as you will have noted.
 
I suppose the answer is that you try with the wood from the kit first and see what you think.
 
Eamonn: I wouldn't worry too much about confidence-building with another kit. The fact is that many (including myself) have had the Sherbourne as a first build and almost as soon as you start you'll find you're surprising yourself with the fact that you can do it. Try not to be put off by the wonderful skills shown by others with the Sherbourne -- I think they all have had several previous models under their belt and have built their skills as gradually as we all do. The great thing about these wooden models is that mistakes are for the most part rectifiable. Some people have even taken their planking apart and started all over again! Whenever you come up against a problem, search the forum, have a look at builds of other ships, go to the books, and, most important of all, think. I really do recommend Hubert Sicard's website as he does show how to do most of the basics (and not so basics) with ordinary tools -- the only powered one being his mini-drill.
 
Tony

Ok, so when last we looked I had finished planking the hull and had it sanded.
 
Well, it went downhill from there.  I did a terrible job of staining one side and not so hot on the other. 
 
The side below is "not so hot
 

 
The next side is terrible...  I was way to heavy handed with the stain (golden oak-minwax). and I did not handle it well.
 

 
So I decided to remove the stain by sanding... and sanding.... and sanding... well, you get the idea.  I was not sure how that would turn out so I only did the really bad side.
 
I started from the keel since that would be covered up anyway with copper
 

 
I thought I would sand of so much that I would create a hole.  But as Chuck has said, there is a surprising amount of depth to the wood and you can really sand it.
 
Next I sanded above the wales,
 

 

 
The good news is that I realize just how much rework the wood can take if necessary. Lesson learned.
 
Now my choice is to stain it again with the golden oak, or sand down the other side and go for a different finish.
 
I am leaning towards re-staining but with a lighter touch and more focus as  I am working. If that comes out decently I may just sand and refinish the other side also.  (Just that the thought of all the sanding makes my shudder....)
 
Richard T

I just was test fitting.  bulkheads 7 and 6 actually stick up I believe to help create the structure.

Take a quick look at the time differences over those posts, you'll see why I got behind so quickly again well done Jan & Nigel and Jason in there too!
 
Eamonn

grrrrr.... one minute.....oh well, at least there is no need for me to look for a picture of Arklow Friesland

Hehe got the name as well Got to lay down,that was like being on supermarket sweep sorry guys quiz show in the UK I will see what I can find
Kind Regards Nigel

Wow that got hectic there for a few minuets , hope my trying to keep up didn't annoy anyone to much
 
Eamonn

Jose Luis Diez?
Kind Regards Nigel

one of 16
It's a churruca clas destroyer, there are 16 of them....
 
Jan

Churruca class
Alcala Galiano?
Kind Regards Nigel

You were right Jan
Kind Regards Nigel
 
Arklow Trinnidad?

But the spanish alsedo-class (early twenites) has 4 funnels, and not 2
The other class is not early twenties, but does look very, very much like yours.
(or is 1925 still early, in your definition?)
 
Jan

Yeah, santissima trinidad

This is my first crack at a Corel kit, the instructions look very good for this ship.  Well, at least for now!

Yes, the time has come for me to temporarily abandon my beloved Midwest Boats and seek a more intermediate ship to build.  Alas, the Corel Scotland has been on my list for quite some time and I decided last night to start it up.
 
Looks like all the parts and there and in good shape.
 
Started out with the keel and frame, will be busting out the exacto and the mini chisels tonight.
 
Can't wait to get this ship started!!!
 
 

I sometimes wonder how people do it
I am fairly limited where I can sand because of the dust
I thought I had it sanded pretty good but when I got it back under the spotlights I have set up over my work table in the bedroom it just showed how bad it was   
 
Anyway I have filled and cleaned off round the top of the hull and sanded for ages, with what looks like a lot more to do 
 

 
It was really annoying as it was quite dull out when I wanted to do the sanding so I had to do it in the hall
Now the sun is shining as it was this morning when I was doing something else   
Oh well, these things are sent to try us
I will have to fit up some spotlights in the hall
All that just to do a bit of sanding     

I have given up.It seems in the 1930's acme must have offered a flat pack destroyer and everyone bought one    
Kind Regards Nigel