Glenn-UK

Hi Kevin Thanks for the visit, when I was about to fit the middle window strip I noticed the glazing that I glued the night before had gone AWOL. It took some time to find the clear plastic glaze which had not been glued very well and had fallen on the floor when I was checking the final dry fit. Jerry Once again many thanks for you kind comments. We try all sorts of tricks to help the building process, some work well and others not so well. It's good to see you're progressing with the rigging; it looks a tough challenge but I'm confident you will do a great job and I look forward to following you progress with great interest

Completed adding the outer skins to port quarter gallery, this was quite a fiddly little build, not my best bit of work but will learn the lessons and try to make a better job of the starboard side. Sun reflecting of the glazed windows Started working on the side entry lining, I think I may have oversized the first one!

Hi John Thanks for the comments, I don't think I'm going that fast, it's certainly not the plan, I'm lucky as I can usually spend a hour or two a day working on the build.

Build area for the last 3 days, so no chance to work on the ship. I finally cleared the build area last night after new carpets had been fitted and have been able to resume work on the ship thankfully. First task was to complete the middle deck planking by the side entry ports. Followed this fitted the quarter gallery part 220 and the lower stern counter. Still need to complete some sanding of 1st planking to remove some excess filler. I was then able to fit the additional quarter gallery support strips (221 to 224) Some strips required some filing to get a good fit, good to see a well glued finger! Finally started to look at fitting of quarter gallery skins 365 to 370. To make sure I get the cut right decided to make a paper template, and this worked like a dream.

Good Morning David Progress may be slow, but the end justifies the means. I have always found it best to take a short break when the going gets tough because I can return back to the job in hand in a much calmer frame of mind which normally enables me to move forward with the build. You have done such a good job I'm sure it will not be long before you have completed the rigging which will be a fantastic achievement. Well done Glenn

Thanks Patrick, I must admit I did begin to wonder if I had made a mistake but you have confirmed what I had also rechecked, Many thanks; 3 or 4 butt shift patterns are most common and I agree build to what feels right to you.

Hi Jerry I believe I have fitted the middle deck using the 4 butt shift pattern. The first plank is set at 0mm and each full length plank fitted measures 85mm long. Each subsequent plank is then offset by 34mm. Thus the 2nd plank starts at 34mm, the 3rd plank starts at 68mm, the 4th plank starts at 102mm (or 17mm) and the 5th plank starts at 136mm (or 51mm). This means the 6th plank restarts the sequence at 0mm (136mm + 34mm = 170mm = 2 x 85 mm), QED. This means there are 4 planks between each 0mm reference point. I have checked my planking and it does conform to the above description. I decided not to bother adding caulking effects to this planking layer as it is pretty much hidden from view, I just wanted to try the 4 butt shift pattern out on a large test area where the end result would not matter too much if I made a complete hash of it. I have tried many different methods to simulate caulking and if I do decide to go down that route then the method I have liked the best is the use of a HB pencil down 1 edge of each join.

No access to workshop area, but can add some pictures from last night. Upper stern counter fitted and clamped Start of middle deck planking Middle deck planking completed, exception side entry ports Stern counter once glue dry and clamps removed

Quick update, without pictures. Stern counter upper edge bevelled and then glued in place and held with clamps. Will check in morning that it has stuck properly. Also planked middle gun deck, using 4 shift butt pattern, didn't need to use this method but wanted to try it out large scale before I tackle the other decks. Only side entry ports still left to plank. I didn't add any caulking effects due to location of this planking and still not sure which way I want to go when I start to plank the other decks. Very limited time over weekend day looking after grandkids and the I also have to get up all the carpets and laminate flooring from upstairs and then paint the skirting boards because we are having new carpets fitted first thing Monday morning.

Hi Jerry Your deck planking looks very nice, and I can appreciate your caulking effect does looks good. You make a very good point, food for thought.

Hi Jerry As far as I can tell opinion seems to be divided, I did experiment with using a pencil to blackened edges and I also tried using black thread between planks on some test pieces last year. The pencil gave the best result. Others have advised against adding caulking effects. I think it's a matter of personal preference and I'm still undecided.

Continued working on the quarter gallery assembly tonight, found this to be quite an easy assembly, and didn't break the corners off the stern fascia panel - result. Here are some pictures, enjoy. Starboard side Port side, part 215 added Port side, part 216 added Port side, part 217 added Port side, part 218 & 219 added Whilst quarter gallery glue is drying I started looking at middle deck planking. Decided to use a 4 butt pattern for this deck, not sure if it is really necessary, but I think its better to start as I mean to go on. Centre line added Initial dry placement of first 85mm strips

Happy to report after leaving the packing pieces in for over 24 hours, I have been able to finally fit stern fascia panel without any windows obstructed by the stern extensions. Checked position of the inside patterns and upper and lower stern counters, all looks good. Night out tomorrow so will probably fit the inside patterns on Thursday / Friday.

Moved on to quarter gallery dry assembly last night, as thought this was going to be a relatively simple job, maybe a bit fiddly, but I was going to take my time to get the key components correctly positioned before gluing. Seems this going to be a bit more problematic that I first expected. When I offered up the stern fascia inner skin (374) I noticed the outer stern extensions were showing in the upper outer window frames. I thought I would have to do some hard filing to make sure the windows were clear, not great but workable. After the first dry fit I then noticed the quarter gallery pattern tab would not fit in the stern fascia inner skin (374) slots. On further investigation I finally noticed that both the outer stern extensions were warped at the top. This must have happened as the glue dried when the gun port strip was added. To overcome this I have made some filler blocks which helps maintain the correct spacing, see photo below. They are not glued in, so when the stern fascia inner skin (374) is finally fitted in position they can be removed before strips 371 an 372 are glued in position. Its not ideal, but I think it will now be OK. Top view showing the warp End view Secondly I noticed the instructions for the fitting of top quarter gallery pattern (215) and main quarter gallery inside pattern (373) is not 100% correct. The instructions state top quarter gallery pattern (215) tabs should locate in the slots on gun port strip (270) and also in the top slots of the main quarter gallery inside pattern (373). This is clearly not possible due to the depth of the tabs on top quarter gallery pattern (215). I will use the slots on gun port strip (270) as a guide for positioning main quarter gallery inside pattern (373). Hopefully tonight I will now be in a position to dry fit stern fascia inner skin (374) and main quarter gallery inside patterns (373).

Hello Muggebigge Many thanks for your picture. I was aware I needed to fit the quarter gallery parts before the start of the second planking and I also plan to plank the deck area as per the instructions in the manual. I will also be dry fitting the keelson and stern post to made sure everything is straight and gap free. When I do start the second planking I will follow the lead of David and Patrick and plank down to water line and then plank up from keel to water line, as I do like the look of this and I think will also help when the copper tiles are ready to be fitted.

Hello Jerry Thanks for your comments on my build, it's much appreciated. Looking forward to seeing the progress you make with the shrouds now you have a serving machine.

Hello I take Dave's point, the idea of using plenty of filler is that when sanded away it should only be retained in the key areas. I have being able to do some more sanding, and also getting stern down to 3mm depth at edge of beading line. Stern Amidships Bow

After the first sanding I used plenty of filler in key areas so I can get a nice smooth shape once I complete the sanding process. After some initial sanding decided I need to add some filler for bow gun port strips as can be seen from this photo. Added plenty filler for bow gun port strips, excess can be removed when sanded smooth. Bow needs plenty of filler as there are a few areas which needed building up, again plenty of filler added so I can sand smooth and true. Amidships filler added Stern filler added

I have been able to get into workshop today to start the sanding and filling of 1st plank. Due to number of photos, will split over two posts. HMS Victory in front of the map of the world waiting for the first sanding to commence. Thanks to a tip from Shipyard Sid I glued a strip taken from circular sander course disk to a small block of wood- worked a treat - thanks Dave. Removed excess ready for stern keelson, to be fitted after 2nd planking. Sanding at stern Sanding at bow Sanding at amidships

Hi Jerry I've not really thought too much about the 2nd planking. I was not intending to use pins above the copper. I was thinking maybe using map pins to hold the 2nd planking in place with the pin only going in to the 1st planking and using the map pin edge for added support. I will probably use a mixture of ca and super phalic glue.

Had a good evening working on the ship tonight and finished the first planking, except for two very small filler bits; now comes many hours of sanding and filling to get a really smooth surface ready for 2nd planking. As I got about 10 planks from keelson I found it better to start working back up from keelson. Starboard side, you can see the very small gap near stern by blue pin to be filled. Port side, small filler piece needed near clamp at stern. Bow, you can see I have put a bit of filler on the port side already. Stern I have enjoyed this task which has taken two weeks to complete, but I'm glad its time to move on from gluing and pinning the planks. Not sure when I will be able to start the sanding as I have a busy weekend with family, but will hopefully get a couple of hours ship time, fingers crossed.

Hello Jerry Nice looking anchors, it's good to keep busy. I've just about finished the first planking. 2 or 3 good sessions in workshop should see the job done. I'll post some pictures when complete. Hope your serving machine arrives soon as I'm really looking forward to watching your progress with the rigging. Keep up the good work. Glenn

You have done an amazing job with the rigging so far, a very impressive looking model.

Yesterday with another day looking after the grandkids so only managed an 1 hour build time, hope to spend more time working on ship today. I estimate I'm about halfway through the first planking, and hopefully should be getting the near the end by next weekend. It's not my finest piece of work but given its primary function to provide a firm base for the 2nd planking I'm not too worried, and as has been said by others, no one can see the imperfections, use of wood fill, etc. On the positive side I've have learnt a lot from this task and now I'm actually enjoying the repetitive nature of this task. Stern end to date Picture taking of starboard side, I have moved away from but joint and mid point, and I'm now shaping and joining near the bow end Port side - You will note I have an area to fill, the gap at the widest will take two planks, and it is quiet an easy infill Bow end to date

1st Planking still progressing well, just reached rudder point at stern end working down from gun port strip 272 The question I have been pondering is: is there any benefit in starting the planking at the keel and work up to some point in the middle? At the moment I’m more inclined to continue working down toward the keel.