robdurant

Well, half-term is finished, and with that change comes more time and space for sleep and model boat building... 
 
I finished the hull planking a couple of days ago. Whether it's my best effort, I'm not sure, but overall I'm pleased with it. I've taken off the bulkhead tabs above the false deck, fitted the deck, and begun the task of adding the uprights on the inside of the bulwarks. While some glue was drying, I assembled the wooden parts of the rudder. As always the fit of the parts is wonderful.  Here are some photos of progress... (wow - close-ups are brutal!)
 





 



Thanks for looking in
 
Rob
 

Okay - so having had my immune system attack my brain (explained here... An enforced and hopefully not permanent hiatus), I'm currently unable to think at the kind of level required to make any progress on the projects I had going before (Barque Stefano, HMS Bristol (1775), and Nordkap). To be honest, I can't quite believe I ever even attempted them at all! I'm now having to learn a whole bunch of stuff all over again (new neural pathways, apparently!), and this build is part of my exploring what I'm able to do now  Progress is encouraging! Over the past month, I've gone from managing one step of a lego model per day, to being able to use a scalpel again without terrifying everyone within arm's length, to building and painting the brand new 1:48 Airfix tiger moth kit (picture below). I can recommend that kit, btw... it's a fun build! (And no, I didn't attempt the wires between the wings... )

Now, I'm excited to be taking on this beautiful kit as the next step. Having built a model of Lady Isabella before (below), I knew the instructions, kit design and support from this forum, and the simplicity of the build as a whole would be the best shot I have at getting back into this wonderful hobby! So thank you, Chris of Vanguard Models for such an excellent kit!

It will be interesting to see how close I can get to this in this new build... I'm hoping to invest in the more detailed sails for Erycina (a rough set are included with the kit, but I can confirm that they aren't a patch on the sails that I purchased alongside Lady Isabella, which I presume are of the same quality as Erycina's separately sold sail set). That Vanguard sells them separately also means I can get them as a separate purchase and spread the cost . Hooray!
 
There are already lots of excellent build logs of this kit, so I'm not expecting to exhaustively cover every step, but I will share my thoughts on it, and if I digress from the kit (not the plan!), I'll note what I've done and why, and you are very welcome to follow along and comment if you'd like to.  
 
Anyway - Erycina arrived today, and I shall get stuck in tomorrow. Thanks for reading this far. I'm sure progress will be slow! But slow and steady is just fine More sleep, first! Updates to follow.
 
Rob

Well, half-term is finished, and with that change comes more time and space for sleep and model boat building... 
 
I finished the hull planking a couple of days ago. Whether it's my best effort, I'm not sure, but overall I'm pleased with it. I've taken off the bulkhead tabs above the false deck, fitted the deck, and begun the task of adding the uprights on the inside of the bulwarks. While some glue was drying, I assembled the wooden parts of the rudder. As always the fit of the parts is wonderful.  Here are some photos of progress... (wow - close-ups are brutal!)
 





 



Thanks for looking in
 
Rob
 

Well, half-term is finished, and with that change comes more time and space for sleep and model boat building... 
 
I finished the hull planking a couple of days ago. Whether it's my best effort, I'm not sure, but overall I'm pleased with it. I've taken off the bulkhead tabs above the false deck, fitted the deck, and begun the task of adding the uprights on the inside of the bulwarks. While some glue was drying, I assembled the wooden parts of the rudder. As always the fit of the parts is wonderful.  Here are some photos of progress... (wow - close-ups are brutal!)
 





 



Thanks for looking in
 
Rob
 

Well, half-term is finished, and with that change comes more time and space for sleep and model boat building... 
 
I finished the hull planking a couple of days ago. Whether it's my best effort, I'm not sure, but overall I'm pleased with it. I've taken off the bulkhead tabs above the false deck, fitted the deck, and begun the task of adding the uprights on the inside of the bulwarks. While some glue was drying, I assembled the wooden parts of the rudder. As always the fit of the parts is wonderful.  Here are some photos of progress... (wow - close-ups are brutal!)
 





 



Thanks for looking in
 
Rob
 

Well, half-term is finished, and with that change comes more time and space for sleep and model boat building... 
 
I finished the hull planking a couple of days ago. Whether it's my best effort, I'm not sure, but overall I'm pleased with it. I've taken off the bulkhead tabs above the false deck, fitted the deck, and begun the task of adding the uprights on the inside of the bulwarks. While some glue was drying, I assembled the wooden parts of the rudder. As always the fit of the parts is wonderful.  Here are some photos of progress... (wow - close-ups are brutal!)
 





 



Thanks for looking in
 
Rob
 

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Thanks for asking. There are gradual improvements... a long road, but I'm grateful for all I can do. And it's lovely to be getting somewhere with Erycina, too.

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Thanks for asking. There are gradual improvements... a long road, but I'm grateful for all I can do. And it's lovely to be getting somewhere with Erycina, too.

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Thanks for asking. There are gradual improvements... a long road, but I'm grateful for all I can do. And it's lovely to be getting somewhere with Erycina, too.

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Thanks for asking. There are gradual improvements... a long road, but I'm grateful for all I can do. And it's lovely to be getting somewhere with Erycina, too.

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

We won’t tell a soul Rob! 🤣
 
Your planking looks very nice, you are brave putting it on the hob, my Admiral is very precious about not scratching our hob! 🫣
 
Hope your health doing okay Rob. 

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

Hi all,
 
A brief update, as there's no a huge amount to show - just the ongoing process of planking.
 
Nevertheless, I've completed the second-planking on the starboard side, and I have six planks to add on the port.
 
I found that the width of the false keel at the stern was a little narrow to allow the planks to come out to the same width as the keel once it had the outer pieces attached. To alleviate this, I added some card inserts with superglue. Not pretty, but no-one will know, right?

With this done, I continued planking, and here are the results on the starboard side. (Who knew a hob makes such a good photo-backdrop!) The yellow is masking tape to protect the pear from muck, glue, and scratches while I man-handle the hull to get the lower planks on.

To return to a question I posed myself earlier on in this build. I decided to add a stealer in at the stern, so that the planking could drop beneath the counter, rather than curving up. In retrospect, (and perhaps, predictably), if I were doing this over again, I would definitely follow Chris and James' lead and make the planking follow the curve of the rail. The alternatively leads to a slightly weird curve as the plank twists through 90 degrees to drop under the counter.  Well, we live and we learn. I don't regret giving it a try, as I've learned more through the process, and I sincerely hope this won't be the last hull I shall be planking... so there's time to have another crack at it  
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Rob

A small update for you, and I apologise for the dusty model. I need to do a blast over with some canned air.
 
The tiller is now fitted to the rudder and then rigged to the wheel using a series of 3mm single blocks. A lot easier than it looks.
 

 
 
The strops and deadeyes are now completed and secured to the channels with chainplate linkages. 


 
 
Then onto the boomkins which are rigged down to eyelets on the prow. 

 
 
Harpy will now be supplied with TWO boats. An 18' cutter will hang off the stern and this new 22' cutter will now sit on the deck. 

 
 
She's looking very, very pretty.




 
 
Lastly, the bowsprit. I'm now currently on masts, but that's for another update!

Exciting stuff! Pulling up a chair.
 
Rob

Well, the summer holidays are over, and, whilst I love the family to bits, I find myself with a much quieter house . I lined off the whole hull for this final part of the process. Four more planks have gone onto one side, and two on the other.... It's nice to make some progress again.  If my plans come together (and that's a sizeable if!), I shouldn't need any more stealers. Time will tell

Thanks, as always, for looking in
 
Rob