Erebus and Terror

Well, I think I have figured out something what should work.
 
A close comparison of the Hahn plans by the AotS Body lines of the Bounty pointed out that Hahn has drawn the rear Framework to the overall  size including the Planking. It seems he started to increase the Cant Frames from the bottom of the whale towards the sternpost and keel to meet the rabbet.
 
So, I need to reduce the width of Frame 29 - 35 plus the transom wings by the plank thickness for a true and nice run of the Planks into the rabbet.
The Pictures already show a modified deadwood, the thickness of the deadwood is reduced to meet the rabbet.
 
Here we go, making sawdust to see am I right!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi guys,
 
have managet to get a free time at this weekend, here the result. Last two beams of Captains cabin are in place now, and I'm beginning to build the bulkhead. Here the stantions test fitted.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Alex

Hi, and thank you Pat!
 
a small update from the yard. I'm working on hinges and handles. Hinges are from black paper, rubbed with pensil to recieve metal look. Handles turned from brass nail. Now the photos:
 

 

 

 
Alex

Thank you Mark and John,
 
have worked further, and finished the bulkhead.
 

 

 

 

 
Alex

One further addition to the building jig before moving on.  I added some keel retaining strips and stuck on copies of the frame position indicators for good measure.
    The Keel Assembly   The keel assembly is comprised of four components: Keel, False Keel (Upper), False Keel (Lower) and Hog.  The False Keel (Lower) is made from 1/16” thick Ebony, while the remaining pieces are all Swiss Pear. All components are 1/4” thick.
 
The Hog needs to be cut with a series of steps and notches.  Both side and top views are provided in the drawings, so I printed these onto sticky label paper to use as templates and then cut the profile using a 1/4” end mill cutter in my Sherline Mill.  This was the perfect size for the width of the notches.  I was quite pleased with the results.
 

 
And here are the four pieces ready for assembly:
 

 
After assembling the four components, I ran them through the thickness sander with a very light pass just to ensure everything was nice and even.
 

 
The next job was to cut the rabbet, and this is where I ran into the first major hitch.    
 
The rabbet is straight, parallel to the keel for about 2/3 of it’s length, where it changes angle slightly and sweeps up moving aft. I cut the rabbet by hand using a very nice V-chisel.  The first cut was a very, very light one and the wood peeled off beautifully.  Unfortunately, this may have lulled me into a false sense of security, as I may have been a little over-zealous in the end. From this angle it doesn’t look too bad.
 

 
I might have accepted this ‘as is’, until I looked closely at the second side……
You can see here that I managed to induce quite a wave into the angle part.     
 

 
It’s back to chisel school for me I’m afraid!   
 
I thought about this for a while and then decided to try a different approach.  Enter the “Secret Weapon” 
 

 
This is 90º V-Groove Router bit with a 1/4” shaft. It fits nicely into a collet on the Sherline Mill.
 
Here is the set-up I used on the mill.
 

 
And here is the result:
 

 
I’m much happier with this!   
 
The keel assembly was trimmed to length and is now ready for use.  Next up, we start playing with frames.  Oh goodie - more toys to use!       
 
 
 

This will be my first full scratch build. I have chosen the Bomb Vessel Granado Cross Section as an introduction to scratch building as it has all of the components of a scratch build while offering something a little bit ‘unusual’ at the same time. This build is also a ‘group’ build as my very good friend Mobbsie in the UK has agreed to do this in tandem with me, and to make it a truly international build, we are also joined by Jack Panzeca from Texas.  While we will all maintain individual build logs, we will progress at a common (slow) pace and will therefore be able to help each other through any tricky bits.
 
Plans are by Jeff Staudt, based on the drawings by Peter Goodwin in the Anatomy of the Ship series, and also original drawings by Thomas Slade.  The plans are available through the Model Ship Builder (MSB) forum.  Although this is my first scratch build, I have to say that the plans/drawings by Jeff look to be first class.
 

 
We will also be guided by the build logs of several skilled modellers who have trodden this path before us.  I would like to pay tribute here to the excellent logs of Rusty, whose log of his 1:24 scale build is available here at MSW, and also of Mike41, who built the prototype model over on MSB.
 
We will be using timber from Jeff Hayes at Hobbymill, and have chosen a selection of timbers that will allow us to “paint with wood”.  My thanks to Jeff for his patience and guidance in helping me to put together the final timbering package.  Of course, as you would expect, the timber from Jeff is just gorgeous.
 
Here’s a picture of the overall wood package:
 

 
And here is one showing more clearly some of the colours that we have available through these timbers:
 

 
On with the show:
Framing Jig
We decided to start by constructing the Framing Jig - mainly because Mobbsie “cheated” by making his up earlier while testing out his new toys.    It is fairly straight forward to make - the base is 12mm ply that I had lying around, while the top is 3mm “aircraft grade” birch plywood (also spare stock I had lying around). The two pieces were cut to size and then clamped together while 10mm holes were drilled to take the adjusting bolts.  The pattern for the jig was then printed on sticky label paper and applied to the top, and the inside cut out on the scroll saw. After cutting on the scroll saw, the frame notches were finessed to size with a file, using a piece of 1/4” stock (framing stock) to test for a comfortable fit. The top and bottom were then temporarily joined with the bolts and the centreline transferred from the top piece to the base.  The centreline was scribed into the base and then drawn over with a pencil.  Additional lines were drawn parallel to this 1/8” either side to aid in locating the keel/keel supports.  Lines were also drawn across the base board to denote the ends of the frames. In the following pictures, you may notice a partially completed Stephenson’s Rocket lurking in the background ……… 
 

 
Two battens were glued to the underside of the base board to allow for the height of the bolt heads and make the base a little more stable.
 

 
A block of MDF was cut to size from the plans to make adjusting the height of the top easier, and the top was then positioned and the bolts all secured.
 

 
So far, so good.  Tomorrow will be the first attempt at making the keel components and cutting the rabbet.

Fore Tack Step Blocks
 
These are relatively large Blocks which attach to the Boomkins - 14" in real life. I made them from English Box, the pics tell the story :
 

 

 

 

 
Their Strops are served :
 

 
  Danny

Gammoning
 
The Gammoning consists of 9 turns crossing over each other vertically, followed by the same number horizontally to pull it all tight. A couple of half-hitches complete it :
 

 

 
Boomkins
 
The Boomkins were made in similar fashion to the other masts/yards, with the exception that they are curved. I cut them from rectangular stock and "octagonelled" them before sanding them round. They have a step at their outboard ends for the shrouds and Fore Tack Block :
 

 

 
A Capsquare fastens them to the head :
 

 

 
  Danny

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 93 – Main Deck Framing 4
 
The two large fresh water tanks needed to be permanently installed before the main deck framing could be completed.  The first photo shows these two tanks in place.
 

 
The tanks were iron and rest on heavy wood bases in the hold over the keelson.  These bases were shown in earlier posts.  The tanks were made from cardstock glued on to wood blocks.   The picture also shows  tops of the lower sections of the bilge pump suction piping just forward of the tanks.   The next picture shows the run of these pipes down to the limber channel.
 

 
The pipes are copper tube.  The upper sections between these pipes and the pumps on the main deck will be installed later.  The 4”x4” dunnage timbers on the base for the forward tank can be seen in this picture – taken before setting the tanks - just aft of the pipes.  The main mast step can be seen just forward of the pipes.  (This was shot at an aperture of F32 and very slow shutter – much better field depth vs. the pictures in last post.)
 
In the next picture the framing in the midship area is approaching completion.
 

 
All of the full beams have been installed in this picture including their hanging knees and pillars.  In the picture the headers for the main hatch - with scores cut for the half beams - have been fit as well as the main mast partner carlings.  In the next picture the framing over the tanks has been completed and the last pillar under one of the half-beams is being test fit. 
 

 
All of the pillars are pinned with copper wire bolts top and bottom.  The fitting of this last pillar finishes the deck beam setting.  The next picture shows the hull with the main deck framing at this stage.
 

 
Next will come the lodging knees for all these beams and the ledges – but first a few housekeeping items needed to be taken care of.  One of these was literally a housecleaning of the workshop that might be partially noticeable in the above picture.  This tidying up also included installing 10 dozen or so functional copper wire bolts with epoxy to further secure the main deck beams and knees.  One of these is being installed in the next picture.
 

 
There are two at the end of each beam – one through the beam into the clamp and one through the beam into the hanging knee.  The other task was to apply wax finish to all of the structure from the middle deck up to just below the main deck beams.  This cannot be done easily after the ledges are installed. 
 
The deck framing has not been sanded at this stage as might be noticed.  This will be done once after all of the ledges are installed.
 
Ed

It is always gratifying when one is found right in ones research.
David B

Thank you all for the kind words. David, I admit that I bite my nails every time a new photo is released. I've made a lot of inferences, and while most of them are
informed by research, they could be wrong. So far it seems like I'm doing okay, but it could result in a major problem if I build a piece that is later shown to be inaccurate. No more fittings for me for some time! That works as I have a lot of superstructure to build!

Thank you all for the kind words. David, I admit that I bite my nails every time a new photo is released. I've made a lot of inferences, and while most of them are
informed by research, they could be wrong. So far it seems like I'm doing okay, but it could result in a major problem if I build a piece that is later shown to be inaccurate. No more fittings for me for some time! That works as I have a lot of superstructure to build!

Thank you all for the kind words. David, I admit that I bite my nails every time a new photo is released. I've made a lot of inferences, and while most of them are
informed by research, they could be wrong. So far it seems like I'm doing okay, but it could result in a major problem if I build a piece that is later shown to be inaccurate. No more fittings for me for some time! That works as I have a lot of superstructure to build!

Well done, indeed.  What an accomplishment. 

Congratulations On great timing and as mentioned providence. I wager you are waiting with baited breath for the divers to photograph the wreckage. So you can actually see the genuine article.
David B

Beautiful Remco!
 
In regards to your previous post on the draught marks, I wanted to show this (an image taken from the wonderful The Excavation of the Machault: An 18th-Century French Frigate). Your draught marks look like a perfect replica!
 

"BUILDING HMS TERROR" IN CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

 



The magazine with my own "wreckage" - of soon to be assembled parts.

 

Canadian Geographic just released their special magazine devoted to Parks Canada's discovery of HMS "Erebus". It's a comprehensive issue filled with articles by members of the discovery team and some of the world's foremost Franklin researchers. It also includes some wonderful graphics, including never before seen photographs of the discovery.

 

I'm happy to report that Canadian Geographic asked to use my plans for their article on the ships, and if you buy the magazine you can see a custom version of HMS Terror's outboard profile, which is an updated version of a plan I produced many months ago.

 

They also interviewed me about the model itself and that Q and A can be seen on the digital content for the magazine here: mag.cangeo.ca/dec14/ship (it seems the link isn't live right now but should be soon).

 

P.S. Yes, there is a little progress shown above! The copper scarph bolts are now in place, and I've roughed out the groove for the rudder on the rudder post. I've been working steadily on the bulkhead assembly and hope to show major progress soon. 

"BUILDING HMS TERROR" IN CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

 



The magazine with my own "wreckage" - of soon to be assembled parts.

 

Canadian Geographic just released their special magazine devoted to Parks Canada's discovery of HMS "Erebus". It's a comprehensive issue filled with articles by members of the discovery team and some of the world's foremost Franklin researchers. It also includes some wonderful graphics, including never before seen photographs of the discovery.

 

I'm happy to report that Canadian Geographic asked to use my plans for their article on the ships, and if you buy the magazine you can see a custom version of HMS Terror's outboard profile, which is an updated version of a plan I produced many months ago.

 

They also interviewed me about the model itself and that Q and A can be seen on the digital content for the magazine here: mag.cangeo.ca/dec14/ship (it seems the link isn't live right now but should be soon).

 

P.S. Yes, there is a little progress shown above! The copper scarph bolts are now in place, and I've roughed out the groove for the rudder on the rudder post. I've been working steadily on the bulkhead assembly and hope to show major progress soon. 

"BUILDING HMS TERROR" IN CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

 



The magazine with my own "wreckage" - of soon to be assembled parts.

 

Canadian Geographic just released their special magazine devoted to Parks Canada's discovery of HMS "Erebus". It's a comprehensive issue filled with articles by members of the discovery team and some of the world's foremost Franklin researchers. It also includes some wonderful graphics, including never before seen photographs of the discovery.

 

I'm happy to report that Canadian Geographic asked to use my plans for their article on the ships, and if you buy the magazine you can see a custom version of HMS Terror's outboard profile, which is an updated version of a plan I produced many months ago.

 

They also interviewed me about the model itself and that Q and A can be seen on the digital content for the magazine here: mag.cangeo.ca/dec14/ship (it seems the link isn't live right now but should be soon).

 

P.S. Yes, there is a little progress shown above! The copper scarph bolts are now in place, and I've roughed out the groove for the rudder on the rudder post. I've been working steadily on the bulkhead assembly and hope to show major progress soon. 

Beautiful Remco!
 
In regards to your previous post on the draught marks, I wanted to show this (an image taken from the wonderful The Excavation of the Machault: An 18th-Century French Frigate). Your draught marks look like a perfect replica!
 

Beautiful Remco!
 
In regards to your previous post on the draught marks, I wanted to show this (an image taken from the wonderful The Excavation of the Machault: An 18th-Century French Frigate). Your draught marks look like a perfect replica!
 

"BUILDING HMS TERROR" IN CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

 



The magazine with my own "wreckage" - of soon to be assembled parts.

 

Canadian Geographic just released their special magazine devoted to Parks Canada's discovery of HMS "Erebus". It's a comprehensive issue filled with articles by members of the discovery team and some of the world's foremost Franklin researchers. It also includes some wonderful graphics, including never before seen photographs of the discovery.

 

I'm happy to report that Canadian Geographic asked to use my plans for their article on the ships, and if you buy the magazine you can see a custom version of HMS Terror's outboard profile, which is an updated version of a plan I produced many months ago.

 

They also interviewed me about the model itself and that Q and A can be seen on the digital content for the magazine here: mag.cangeo.ca/dec14/ship (it seems the link isn't live right now but should be soon).

 

P.S. Yes, there is a little progress shown above! The copper scarph bolts are now in place, and I've roughed out the groove for the rudder on the rudder post. I've been working steadily on the bulkhead assembly and hope to show major progress soon. 

Beautiful Remco!
 
In regards to your previous post on the draught marks, I wanted to show this (an image taken from the wonderful The Excavation of the Machault: An 18th-Century French Frigate). Your draught marks look like a perfect replica!
 

"BUILDING HMS TERROR" IN CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

 



The magazine with my own "wreckage" - of soon to be assembled parts.

 

Canadian Geographic just released their special magazine devoted to Parks Canada's discovery of HMS "Erebus". It's a comprehensive issue filled with articles by members of the discovery team and some of the world's foremost Franklin researchers. It also includes some wonderful graphics, including never before seen photographs of the discovery.

 

I'm happy to report that Canadian Geographic asked to use my plans for their article on the ships, and if you buy the magazine you can see a custom version of HMS Terror's outboard profile, which is an updated version of a plan I produced many months ago.

 

They also interviewed me about the model itself and that Q and A can be seen on the digital content for the magazine here: mag.cangeo.ca/dec14/ship (it seems the link isn't live right now but should be soon).

 

P.S. Yes, there is a little progress shown above! The copper scarph bolts are now in place, and I've roughed out the groove for the rudder on the rudder post. I've been working steadily on the bulkhead assembly and hope to show major progress soon. 

Oh how time flies when we're having fun.....
 
Ok.. got the shop back into shipyard mode and I'm working on the gunports.   I have to thin the frames down some (to 1/16" at the ports) so that their wide enough... Done!!!!
 
I then have to put in the sills, paying particular attention to the location at each end of the each sill.  I still check each one.  So far, 6 have been done.   I also check each one with check tool made from some yellowheart.  Actually not made.  Turns out the pen blank I bought as a sample to see what yellowheart looked like was about 1/64" inch too big.  A quick bit of sanding and it's perfect for the job.
 
I'm scratching my head as Hahn made most of his ships in 1:96 and just a few in bigger scales.  How the heck did thin the frames for the ports or get the level of detail he got, I'll never know.
 
Anyway.. the pic.  And like the rest of us, right now I'm hating the macro setting.