Colonial Schooner for Port Jackson 1803 by bundybear1981 - Modellers Shipyard - Scale 1:50

[bundybear1981]

After building my first kit, the HM Cutter Mermaid, I decided to go with another of the Australian Colonial series of models from Modellers Shipyard with the Schooner Port Jackson 1803.

 

Kit Contents Check

 

Laser Cut Sheets

 

 

This time I sorted and labelled all the parts at the start to make it easier to find the bit I need as I built.

 

The Card Parts Organized

 

Drawers Labelled with Parts

[bundybear1981]

Today I made my start on the Jackson.  I carefully cut the bulkheads out of the laser cut ply and checked for a true fit.  Some adjustments were required (a couple needed lifting and others needed to be lowered)

 

Bulkheads Glued (Deck is floating to help square the bulkheads)

When checking the fits after gluing I noted one bulkhead had slightly lifted (#7, you can see in the first picture it no longer has a true fit to the keel).  I adjusted it before the glue had a chance to set.

 

After leaving this to dry for 24 hrs I then glued the deck to the model, pinning down the centre and along each bulkhead towards the outside.

 

This was now left to dry overnight.

[bundybear1981]

Today I made a start on the faring.  On my last build this set wasn't done as well as it could have been leading to issues during the planking so I spent more time to get it exactly right this time.

 

[Jim Lad]

Crikey, that didn't take you long!  As I explained on your 'Mermaid' thread, the name of this little ship should really be 'Mercury'.

 

Looking forward to seeing her grow.

 

John

[bundybear1981]

Today I made a start on the first layer of planking.

 

First Plank Run

 

First Group of Planks

 

Second Group of Planks

 

Third Group of Planks

 

 

This time I had a much nicer finish on the first planking layer with much better meets on the bow and a more even run to the keel.

[bundybear1981]

My next effort was sanding and finishing of the 1st layer of planking.  After the sanding was completed the end result was one that I was very happy with.  The next step will be the 2nd layer of planking this weekend.

 

Finish of 1st Planking Run

 

Sanding Ready for 2nd Planking

 

 

[bundybear1981]

Over the last week I made an effort on the 2nd planking layer.  I was quite happy with the results.  The next stage will be the decking

 

 

 The finish is still wet here making it look more shiny then it actually is...

[bundybear1981]

Another update of my build   I've completed the decking, added the caprails and made most the deck furniture.

 

Had some issues with doing the decking, in the video it showed joggling but I was unable to find reference to it in the written plans or the timber mentioned in the video on the parts list or in the plans.  I ended up forcing a plank around the outer run which came up well.

 

 

Some of my deck furnishing waiting to be installed.

 

[bundybear1981]

Been a bit busy with work over Easter so I haven't had much time to get on and post updates on my build.  She's coming along nicely.  Since my last post I've fitted the deck furniture, side rails, dead eyes and rudder.  She is starting to take shape now!

 

The deck furnished

 

Side Elevated

 

Side Image

[rebekb]

Very nice!  I do have to say, that's a lot of hemostats... :Q

[Jim Lad]

She certainly is coming along nicely, Jason.  Your's is coming along much faster than the original!

 

John

[bundybear1981]

I've been a bit slack on updating this so here is the latest updates on the Jackson

Since my last post I've shaped and constructed the masts, booms, trestlets and started doing the standing rigging.

 

The Masts and Booms constructed

 

Trestlets

 

Up they go - Masts positioned

 

Rigging started

 

 

[Jim Lad]

Crikey, Jason, you're nearly there!  Another 'Mercury' almost ready to sail!

 

John

[bundybear1981]

thanks John Been an enjoyable build so far.  Hoping to get some ropework done today will my little one is having her nap.

[Jeff-E]

Hi Jason,

 I've just had a look through both your builds.Very nice work on both of them.

 

At the rate you build them you will probably have your next build, if it is the Norfolk, finished before I do  

[mathewp]

Looks very nice Jason, a fast build too.

[lister]

Hi Jason

Looks very nice i think i will have a go at this one myself, was looking for a new build

to dust of the cobwebs

 

D  ve

[peterbrowne]

On 4/22/2013 at 1:42 PM, rebekb said:

Very nice!  I do have to say, that's a lot of hemostats... :Q

 

Clamps, unless I missed some blood flow, Jason you OK???

[Peter6172]

I successfully completed the Port Jackson with scratch built sails and associated rigging.  It was my first build and I was pleased with the kit albeit some instruction errors still exist even in 2021.

[mcpwilk]

Quote

albeit some instruction errors still exist even in 2021

This is very nicely done and the sails look just right. I understand that the plans for this kit were based on drawings by Karl Heinz Marquardt. I am currently rigging my scratch built 1/48 scale model, based on the plans from the National Maritime Museum with a sail/rigging plan drawn by David MacGregor. The NMM plans show two options; sloop rigged with a single mast and channels with three deadeyes or schooner rigged and channels with four deadeyes for both fore and mainmasts, the forward three deadeyes for the lower mast, the aft deadeye for the topmast. The rigging plans also show yards crossed on both masts with a topsail as well as a driver on the mainmast.