EinsteinTaylor

I can't tell from your picture, did you go ahead and build up the stern gallery portions? I have my frames shaped and the decks dry fitted. It kind of looks like the planking stops before getting to the gallery but wanted to be sure. This is sure a PITA having to build around this issue.

Thanks Demon! That's exactly the help I was looking for!

Thanks guys! To be honest it never even occurred to me that I could just dry fit those decks. I will take a shot at that when I get back into town this weekend. Another funny thing I've learned with this build log is how many things you see that need fixed when you look at a picture. Last night in one of the pictures I saw some excess wood filler that needed sanded down that I didn't catch with the naked eye. Also, I fixed the backwards ladder that Patrick kindly pointed out.

I think we're talking about the same thing now. My question was, as the gun deck sits now, there is nothing to secure the guns to(other than the deck). To line everything up I will obviously have to install the gun ports, but even that will not allow me to secure rigging or anything. I think you hit what I am looking for with the "inner bulwark planking". Can that be installed without having any of the hull planking in place? As far as blocks go, I've been making 2mm blocks from the "Model ships for dummies" method, and I will soon be making hooks, eye bolts, etc...Have everything needed but time right now. If I understand you, I need to just install the gun port frames, and inner bulwark planking...ignoring the hull planking for now. Then install the guns. From there pick back up with installing the decks and then moving on to planking the hulls. Sorry to be so confused here, this just seems like one of those areas that screwing up will be really really easy, and really really difficult to recover from.

Totally understand that Grant and that is where I'm looking for some tips. It seems that regardless of whether or not I rig the hidden cannons(which I would only be doing for practice) I would still have difficulties rigging those ones that are visible under the walkways. I've got all the carriages painted up and will be assembling one soon so that I can start working on gun port placement.

So I have what is probably a simple question. How do I install and rig the upper gun deck cannons? I'm wanting to install the cannons before putting the quarter and poop decks on but there are no planks and frames yet to rig the cannons too. Do I just build up the ports and frames as it sits now without the planking, or what would you guys recommend?

I saw that same thing when looking at the pictures on the box. You can't really tell from the plans. I've been pondering the least destructive way to fix it.

And a picture of the handrails using that same homemade rope.

Attached is a picture of one piece of rope made with my homemade contraption.

This is the tutorial I used to make it. http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/blackpowder-mortar-and-cannon-sponsored-by-seacoast-artillery/tutorial-a-simple-device-for-making-scale-rope/ Normally I'm the kind of guy that buys every tool and gadget but I wanted to see if rope making even added any benefit before purchasing anything. The results are actually quite good and seeing as I shouldn't need to make a ton of rope I'm not sure that I will invest in a commercial rope walk.

Spent the last couple days working on the grating for the gun decks. I think the biggest thing I have learned being in this forum is that it's ok to rip something out and start over if you're not happy with the look. I didn't like the idea of the grating just sitting on top of deck planking so I cut the holes below where the grating was to go to give a more authentic look. Then I completely screwed up with the grating by building the frame first and trying to fit the grates after the fact. I realized I needed to rip it all out and build the frame around the grates so that the grates would be trimmed off at border pieces instead of "spokes". They may get ripped out one more time to try and square things up a bit but I haven't really decided yet. Progress has been kind of slow. Waiting on my paint kit to show up before I start working on cannons for the main deck. Also been doing some testing with a homemade ropewalk and making my own ropes. Rather promising so far. Found some stock to make stanchions out of and between those and my homemade rope, I will be making handrails for the gun deck ladders. That's probably all that I will get done for the next 10 days or so. For those of you that know the IT world, I am taking my CCIE exam next week so I'll be out of the shipyard for a bit with that.

Spent the weekend planking the gun deck. After studying pictures of the real thing, I've decided not to do any treenails. I noticed that on the real thing they were nearly the same color as the planking(as opposed to the black, caulk color most people model them as) and therefore very difficult to see as is, and then when you scale it down by a factor of 90, I realized they would not even be visible. I kept with the Danish oil finish, and am still liking the look it gives. I'm pretty sure it is at this point that everyone is saying I should be attaching the cannons. Can someone confirm that? My plan for tonight is to have another extended instruction reading section and start working out the rest of the roadmap. Early in the planking: Sanded and treated with Minwax Pre-Stain The stern after the Danish oil had dried.

You were right about the decks having to be put in first. I dry fit all of them and then drew my planking pattern on before gluing. Now the decks are glued on and I am working on planking the main gun deck. That will likely take a couple of days but I will update with pictures along the way.

Merry Christmas to everyone here. I am now starting my build log for the Mamoli HMS Victory. I realize this is one of the most commonly built ships, and many must be thinking, "Yet another Victory" but I have a real passion for this ship and have been patiently waiting to buy this kit for the last 7 years. I chose the Mamoli over the other kits as I couldn't talk the Admiral into the Caldercraft and the Mamoli seemed to yield the nicest build of the 1:90 kits. As has already been said, the instructions are a train wreck, but useable. My main concern at this point is simply quantity of materials. I don't see how there is possibly going to be enough planking and rigging in this box...but we shall see. My first few pictures are the finished frame and the "false deck" I tested many different stains and finishes on the deck planking before settling on the one in the pictures. I was initially hoping to use Minwaxes "weathered oak" finish to give the greyish teak look but it just never would put down enough color. I instead decided to use the Minwax pre-stain and then a few coats of Danish oil and am actually quite happy with the results. I used black paint to simulate the caulking and a #78 drill bit to partially drill out tree nails. Then I used a barbecue skewer, and dipped the tip in black paint to color the tree-nails. Although I used a 3 butt-shift plank on this false deck, I will switch to the 4 butt shift for the actual visible decks. I know this deck will barely be seen so I just scaled it down a bit. My first of many questions in this log: Should I go ahead and plank the 4 pieces of the upper gun deck(mamoli calls batter deck) before putting the grating and stairs on or do as the instructions say and put them on and then plank around it?

Thanks for looking at the decking for me. Definitely planning to start a build log once I'm past the basic framing. I've been researching for about a month every build log on the net so that I would know what issues might come up. I have the issue about the quarterdeck guns on my radar. As far as the gun ports go, my plan as of right now(subject to change) is to go ahead and use the metal but cut the tabs off and use epoxy like another one of the MSW members so that they line up correctly. If that doesn't work I will fall back to scratch building them. I eagerly look forward to much discussion and tips from the great folks here.

Greetings modelers. I have just recently started the Mamoli 1:90 Victory. This will be my 4th kit but the first one with instructions of this sort. My question is, very early on it has you install false deck #24, I'm wondering if this should be planked or not. It's not mentioned in the instructions and the only picture on any of the plans is in profile so I can't tell. Normally I would just plank it anyways to be I. The safe side but I can already tell that quantity of materials will be an issue so don't want to waste if I don't have to. Of course if the consensus is just plank and be safe/practice I'll go that route and just order more materials.