druxey

That's dedication: making the complete set of oars, Steven! Good for you. The completed ones look very good. How long would the full-sized ones have been?

Your English is fine. And so is your model so far!

Those mortar beds are very substantial! Nice work, Paul.

Again, my appreciation for the complimentary remarks you have posted on this model.

The footboards for the rowers are more complicated than one might think. They are moveable - for long and short-legged crew - and have battens that hold them in place. For six thwarts there are a total of 48 battens to be cut and fitted. There are no two pairs alike. No wonder this detail is omitted from nearly every model!

If you look carefully, you will see a rejected batten showing the joints that need to be cut at each end. It will be a while until all six sets are completed....

For the scale you are working at, impressive stuff! The sense of activity with the figures is especially nice, Dafi.

Nice dodge for the cont splice, Chuck! Something one can't do as effectively with three-strand line.

Further news from the shipyard. First the side strakes of footwaling were installed (there is probably a proper term for them, but I don't know what it is). They required a twist through almost 90 degrees along their length, achieved by steaming.

Next were the risings. I misspelled the name as 'risers' earlier - sorry. The risings were cut after a card pattern established their shape and the pair were made while rubber cemented together, ensuring symmetry. The height of each below the gunwale was marked out at various points along the hull and the risings glued in. Note that paint was scraped off where the thwarts will attach.

Next will be the footboards for the rowing crew.

Well, Mark, you could always have your cake and eat it for your next model. A number of British ships were built to French lines. Examples are the Echo class of sixth rates, as well as the purpose-built fireships of the Tisiphone and Thais classes. In the case of the Echo class, even the decoration was in the French style!

Aren't you glad that you only had two to make? I'd have cheated and gone with the old 'cut nail' shape.

Nice to see you back building, Allan!

How did you turn the ends so cleanly? Was it possible to put them in a chuck?

A good call, Chuck. They look much better now - not that they ever looked bad!

The inner bulwark sheathing proved interesting. It took several pattern pieces to figure out the developed shapes of the planks. The first photo shows one plank being wet-bent into position. The card pattern for this is in the foreground, as well as patterns for the steersman's bench.

The second photo shows both inner sides complete and the vertical portion of the steersman's bench in position. The top of this has been made and painted. The same strategy as for the other horizontal surfaces was used to build it. The paint is in the process of drying and I'll install the top tomorrow.

There are several possible items I could now tackle, but I think that the risers (horizontal planks that support the ends of the thwarts) should be next.

Just found this thread - your project is sooo cool! I guess that the company don't export to N. America, or I'd be tempted. I remember seeing orreries in museums when I was young, and being fascinated.

All the best with moving and your upcoming nuptials, Jim.

Congratulations on a fine model, Vaddoc. Very nice indeed.

Superb work, Johann! Those boats look exquisite.

Whew! Exhausting and exhaustive. Thank you for taking the time to take us step by step through the whole process, Ron. I've learned a lot reading this thread, which should be 'pinned' by the moderators as a valuable resource.

Hopefully the end of your nomadic period, Dan? Nice looking main mast partners. See you when you return.

Well, a start has been made on the inner sheathing of the bulwark. The compound curves involved make this an interesting exercise!

The simplest and most foolproof 'water' would be plain glass, as it's the least distracting and avoids a huge learning curve. Perhaps others may have other opinions. If you wish to try for realistic water, perhaps consult some of the model railway fraternity: they are very good at landscaping.

Again, thank you for the kind compliments. 'Precision' is merely taking sufficient time and care, plus accurate marking out. These come from experience; you know, the 10,000 hour thing.

The aft platform has been made, painted and installed. The next challenge is covering the compound curved surface above this platform up to the height of the topside.

If I'm visualizing your description correctly, the display idea sounds very good. Do you have a sketch or rendering of this presentation for us to see?

That's an interesting mix of wood and iron standards! Beautiful work, as usual, Albert.

Thanks for everyone's continued interest.

More pattern making is required to define the shape of the aft deck. I've modified the design of Prince Frederick's barge to suit this vessel. On this deck, furthest aft, will be a raised area for the steersman, but that cannot be defined yet. The aft deck with its scuttle needs to be made and installed first, as well as a thin panelled lining on the inner sides of the bulwarks.

Good progress, Paul, and interesting artifacts.