Auvergne

Getting there my friend.  Take a break, take your time.  When you're happy......it's done!

Played with a mockup of how much of the gundeck will really be seen.  It was a real eye-opener to me.
 
The first pic show both the foredeck and quarterdeck and walkways mocked up and on "beams"   The second shows how much is actually visable.
 
Based on this, there's not going to be a MkV deck, but I do want that whole deck smooth as a baby's backside. And all appropriate furniture in place. 
 
Back to sanding and sanding and sanding and.....
 

Time for an update... been much going on in real life and in the shipyard.  Janet's healing nicely and is ahead of therapy.  She hopes to be back in the pool in about 2 weeks.  Work is still a four-letter word.
 
The gundeck is finally and completely planked.       
At least for now the planking is version MkIV there may be a MkV.  Per the picture, the yard crew is sanding and holystoning the deck. The left side is in progress.  The right awaits them and their implements of smoothness.
 
Version MkI was an attempt at planking where the planks follow the run of the hull. The planks have a curve to them.  I started by full-width at mid-ships and planned to taper at bow and stern.  After about 50% planked, I found that I needed to do some drop planks so off I went.. However, at 1/8" (approx. 3mm) wide planks, I soon realized I was making mess and ripped out the planks.
 
Which lead to MkII.  Nibbed!!!  I put in a margin plank and started nibbing.  Again, the width of the planks became an issue along with, as I found out, the French at that point time didn't use nibbing.  Yep... ripped it out.
 
The, MkIII...hooked scarfs.   Yes.!!!..  Hmm... er.. no.  Needed wider planks. Nothing in stock. Rip out the few planks installed and back to the drawing board.
 
So we come to MkIV.  I've ordered sufficient stock of silver maple in boards of sufficient dimensions to permit hook scarfs.  But decided not to wait.  Figured since about 75% of the gundeck won't be seen ("uh-oh", the crowd mummers) I'd figure out a method.  Got out the dremel and put a groove into the lower part of the waterway where it meets the beams thinking I could slide the deck planks into the groove and give the appearance of the waterway on top of the planks.   That works.
 
When the wood gets here, I'll make another executive decision on ripping it out and doing it right, or letting it go and do the forecastle and the quarterdeck "properly".   The decision will be based upon how does it look with a ship's boat, guns, etc in place.  Once the sanding is done, and I've made some cardboard cutouts to see exactly what's visable and what isn't, I'll decide.   Before I get hit with "that's not the way the real ones were done"... I know.  I'm taking similar liberties at this point much like H. Hahn.  No knees for the deck beams, etc.  His pictures show planking much like what I have done, but admittedly.. I'm no H. Hahn.
 

Thanks JP.. I'll consider that idea. 
 
Russ & Mario, Thanks. I'm convinced clothespins are greatest tool we can have.  I use them for a lot of things.

Thanks ZyXuz..    I get lazy and use my phone to take photos when i should get out the 16mp Canon, which i did just now.. Detail cant hide then
 
So I thought i would share this technique i just came up with to make a bucket.. (I really dont like the look of those churned out by the thousand ones..)
 
So i found a nice size tapered lid off a epoxy tube and screwed the base to that and waited till everything was in position with bands to hold it tight, then I "spot weld" with CA and it popped out no worries after a few minures., just dont over do glue at this stage... Then i sanded inside round and mixed Araldite 24Hr super strength to coat the inside.. Tomorrow it will under go trimming and sanding down to a much thinner thickness..
 
Also a close up of water cask.. This time i cut the bands from aluminium cans in about 2mm strips and sprayed matt black before glueing on, then satin clear coated the lot...     Cheers again all commenting and helping .. Ollie

Ian, thanks very much friend...wise words I believe, and, I shall give her a go.
 
Thanks so much Ian for the kind words and advice....
 
John

Augie,
Thanks for the tips which I will give a go at....planking that is. I have finally appropriated a booklet on planking any type of vessel. I have seen it on the site as well. I must take whatever time it takes for the next ship. Already figured to spend whatever it takes as you state, thanks Augie...appreciate your tutor.

As you all may have seen, I have had more than my share of difficulty with this Bireme. Simply put, I could not figure out the planking and with no experience at planking the hull, I decided to use the paper clay to complete the hull. She is planked by the way, all the way through except for the stern up to a certain point. I could not get in all the twists and turns. I did however for future builds purchase a wood steam bender and an electric heating iron and my tool inventory is growing rapidly.
 
I began painting the hull yesterday...one coat, with my airbrush and for a first try at everything makes for quite a demonstration model as well as a fair display model. Though not completed as of yet, probably a few more weeks or so. (I was anxious to get this one completed), but have promised myself if it takes 9 months to finish her or a year, so be it. I have 2 kits on the way. One is a Chebec and the other the Fair American.
 
Sing praises friends if I complete at least one of them.
 
John E

Ian, thanks very much friend...wise words I believe, and, I shall give her a go.
 
Thanks so much Ian for the kind words and advice....
 
John

John,
 
My input - don't give it a Viking funeral. There are two ways that you can look at it. Carry on with it, make all the mistakes now so that when you do the other ships you will have much more experience to tackle them. Alternatively if you are frustrated with it put it aside for a few weeks. You may look on it more kindly then and carry on. Either way there is much to be gained from it - and it does look very nice to me.

John  That old bug is biting. Buying tools to improve things 'next time' is a sure sign. Sorry mate but there's no hope for you.
I like the choice of ship too very elegant those romans. Keep up the good work.
 
Nick

Your attitude on completion time is spot on.  It takes whatever it takes......usually longer than you thought.
 
There is lots of information on planking here on MSW....I'm sure there are some turorials right on the home page.  Have a look!

Let me try Ian....Thank you Ian!!! Grateful for your assistance, sir.
 
John

Let me try Ian....Thank you Ian!!! Grateful for your assistance, sir.
 
John

Let me try Ian....Thank you Ian!!! Grateful for your assistance, sir.
 
John

Hum. What is different? You were successfully adding photos at the start of the log. There is a 2Mb limit on each post - though reasonable photos only need to be up to a few hundred Kb. How many Kb are your photos after resizing?

John,
 
I look forward to the photos.
 
I have no personal experience of building a bireme but my assessment is that it is a ship that looks easier to build than it actually is. Keep up the good work.

John,
 
One of our credos is "nautical related"... we even have cross-stitch here.  Feel free to post your Connie in General Discussion for now, and if we find a better place, we'll move it.   If it's intended to be a half-hull, then post it in Scratch Builds.

Sorry if I'm late to the party.  It's nice to see a bireme under construction.......interesting vessels that I know little about.
 
Welcome aboard MSW by the way.  No better place to move up the learning curve quickly with the great bunch of knowledgeable folks on here (not to mention the tutorials).  It takes courage to put your first build on here for all to see.  But it is absolutely the best way to channel your enthusiasm and to stick with it.  Trust me
 
Looking forward to your continues progress!

I must thank all for waiting to see more of my build. I did not go with a traditional hull after all. Somewhere, and I am not sure where, I saw a ship with a polished clay (perhaps Cold Porcelain), as her hull only, included with all the wood topside and rigging, fittings, blocks, etc. of a normal model ship.
 
So I decided after I completed planking a good solid hull, my bow on this Greek Bireme was giving me a lot of trouble, as well as the stern. So I am fashioning her from a light coat of Paper Clay which dries as a kind of white wood if you will, fully carveable, sandable, and able to file if necessary.
 
Upon completion, she should have a smooth finish of paint with my airbrush and a coat or two of a polished satin polyurethane.
 
Honestly, I did not think all the twists and turns of the bow and stern would be so difficult for me so this was a good alternative I think.
 
I would like to hear what everyone following has to say.
 
And furthermore, I shall never give up this ship!
 
I forgot to resize my photos so I am off to do that and will post here shortly.
 
John E (Auvergne)

I must thank all for waiting to see more of my build. I did not go with a traditional hull after all. Somewhere, and I am not sure where, I saw a ship with a polished clay (perhaps Cold Porcelain), as her hull only, included with all the wood topside and rigging, fittings, blocks, etc. of a normal model ship.
 
So I decided after I completed planking a good solid hull, my bow on this Greek Bireme was giving me a lot of trouble, as well as the stern. So I am fashioning her from a light coat of Paper Clay which dries as a kind of white wood if you will, fully carveable, sandable, and able to file if necessary.
 
Upon completion, she should have a smooth finish of paint with my airbrush and a coat or two of a polished satin polyurethane.
 
Honestly, I did not think all the twists and turns of the bow and stern would be so difficult for me so this was a good alternative I think.
 
I would like to hear what everyone following has to say.
 
And furthermore, I shall never give up this ship!
 
I forgot to resize my photos so I am off to do that and will post here shortly.
 
John E (Auvergne)

I must thank all for waiting to see more of my build. I did not go with a traditional hull after all. Somewhere, and I am not sure where, I saw a ship with a polished clay (perhaps Cold Porcelain), as her hull only, included with all the wood topside and rigging, fittings, blocks, etc. of a normal model ship.
 
So I decided after I completed planking a good solid hull, my bow on this Greek Bireme was giving me a lot of trouble, as well as the stern. So I am fashioning her from a light coat of Paper Clay which dries as a kind of white wood if you will, fully carveable, sandable, and able to file if necessary.
 
Upon completion, she should have a smooth finish of paint with my airbrush and a coat or two of a polished satin polyurethane.
 
Honestly, I did not think all the twists and turns of the bow and stern would be so difficult for me so this was a good alternative I think.
 
I would like to hear what everyone following has to say.
 
And furthermore, I shall never give up this ship!
 
I forgot to resize my photos so I am off to do that and will post here shortly.
 
John E (Auvergne)

Ollie, you are doing a wonderful job! It is evident you are quite passionate about your craft! Best wishes and keep us posted...your work is phenomenal.
 
 
John E

Hi all, progress has been a bit slow, I have many other things that need to be done, would spend a lot more time if the boss alllowed it,... .. I have worked towards getting my interior madness finished and onto the planking and the plan... doing reading and research on planking.. think i have sorted in my head..
 
I have made some brass handles and planked one of the walls.. Made a few items for the cupboard and just enjoying it really... Will let the pictures do the rest of the talking.. Happy crafting all.. Ollie

Awesome Mark!!! Simply Awesome!!
 
John E