MrBlueJacket

So the main shrouds, springer stay and topmast stay are installed.

Played around with the pilot house sides. I like the result, don't you?

Of course, immediately followed by the fore stays.

Foremast has all the blocks etc attached, so it is time to attach the shrouds.

Moving to the stern, it is time to add the mahogany bench seats that ring the aft end. Next will be adding the bulwarks to them.

So with the pilot house sides filled and primed, I decided to add door outlines. Using .010" x .100" styrene, I think they look pretty good. I left space at the bottom for a 1/4" step

I'm going to put windows in, since it won't be burning the boiler. I decided on inner frames to make a lip for the acetate to sit up against. Here's a shot of the inside and outside.

And of course, more putty and filling.

And here it is with all the deck furniture and pieces attached. Next stop - Mastville!

Under hull paint as promised.........

And now the cockpit is all decked out. Was that a pun?

After three coats of primer and filler, the hull is painted. Next comes the waterline and dark green paint.

So while I'm filling, sanding, priming (repeat several times) on the hull, I decided to start on the deckhouse/pilot house. Here are the two sides being assembled. Back in the day the parts were band-sawed, so at least one side of the windows had to be open.

So during this past week, I have painted and installed all the deck furniture, lined the cockpit well, and started on the masting. Really taking shape now.

We're looking into the bulkhead issue, thanks for your email about it.

Nic

After installing the gratings, deadeyes and fife rails, I put some of the other deck furniture on to see how it looks.

Here's some bits and pieces ready for a coat of flat black paint.

Bulwark is trimmed, hull is primed, and the bulwark is painted flat white.

The solid railing is on, and mis-matches of the seam are covered with Bondo. The false machinery well is installed and painted, along with two steps down from the pilot house area.

And of course, with the coppering finished, it is time to hang the rudder. I used thin strips of Britannia metal, and pinned the rudder in two places.

During the past week, I have put on the caprails, installed the bowsprit, Sampson post and winch assembly, and drilled holes for the masts and fife rails.

And just to take a little break from the copper, let's put in the timberheads! Then we'll sand them flush to the bulwarks and add the caprail. Almost getting to where I really like the build - adding deck furniture and masting and rigging. I consider the hull a necessary evil to get to the fun stuff. Oh, and did I say, our client wants sails? We'll do those from silkspan. Stay tuned......

And here is the starboard side completed. Now to go back to the other side and do it all over

again.

About 1/32" or a little less. just enough so there is no chance of a gap.

All the starboard side plates are in place, except for the waterline row. Notice two things:

1 - the upper edge of the plating is ragged. Don't worry, the waterline row will hide all of that.

2 - The aft end waterline row is starting to be applied.

I made a diamond non-skid pattern by spraying black through a stretched screen over a gray base. I am happy with the look.