Cross-section by russ - FINISHED - 1/48 scale

[russ]

This is a model I posted on a bit on the old site. I am presenting here as a build log of sorts.I built this model back in 2003 as a learning experience. It worked. I learned a lot about how to build a model and also how not to build a model.

 

There are a few things I like about this model as well as a good deal I do not like. One thing I am proud of is that the entire model is treenailed. That was important to me. There are numerous mistakes in the size of timbers, as well as the way they are joined. Still, this model taught me a good deal and it sits on my shelf and it has survived the last ten years quite well.

 

Here is how the model began.

 

 

 

 

Note that the framing is all double frames. Also note that the keel and keelson are a tad small, and that the mast step is just plain wrong. It works, but it could have been some much more accurate. On a  positive note, those fillers stiffened the framing well and made it easy to sand it out fair.

 

More later.

 

Questions and comments are welcomed.

 

Russ

 

 

[mtaylor]

Hi Russ,

Is this a "generic" cross-section?  Or from a specifc ship?   Looks to be interesting to follow along. I'll expect to learn something too.

[russ]

Mark:

This is very generic. It is supposed to be a smallish vessel from about the late 18th century. I designed it myself just to get some experience in framing and planking. I designed this model before I really knew very much about how these early ships were built.

 

Russ

[russ]

Here I have attached the bulwarks planking and the wales. The wales have been painted. 

 

I also started the bottom planking.

 

Questons and comments welcomed.

 

Russ

 

 

[russ]

Some more progress. Here is the ceiling taken up to the lower deck clamps.

 

And here is the outer planking completed with some finish on it.

 

More later.

 

Russ

 

 

[michael mott]

Russ these cross sections seem to be very popular and also a great way to get your feet wet, (they obviously wouldn't float;~) ) but great to see what one is going to encounter when building a full ship.

 

What woods did you use?.

 

Michael

[russ]

Michael:

This cross section model was what gave me the idea to offer the Triton cross section project since it would provide the beginning builder a feel for built up framing and scratch building in general. Perhaps that idea has caught on in the past several years.

 

I used American cherry extensively in this model. It is hard enough, holds an edge, can be worked fairly easily with hand tools or power tools, and I was able to get some heart wood so the color is reasonably deep throughout. I also used boxwood for the outer bulwarks and gratings. It was great to work with. The mast and decking were both Western Alder; very straight grained stuff and good for spars, but a little soft. The hatch coamings were American walnut. The treenails were all bamboo.

 

Russ

[rlb]

Nice work, Russ.  

 

It seems we are ever learning about the authentic ship building practices, as our interest and our reference materials expand (not to mention MSW itself!!).

 

Our guesses sometimes come back to haunt us, but this is a handsom model, and thanks for sharing it.

 

Ron  

[russ]

Ron:

Thanks. You are absolutely right about the learning process. It never ends, even for the most experienced of us (I am far from it). Having a place like MSW makes it soooo much easier than the old days to learn new things.

 

Russ

[russ]

Here is a little more progress. The lower deck beams were installed. No camber on these. You can see the support stanchions, some iron ballast down in the hold, as well as a few barrels and spare cordage.

 

More later.

 

Russ

 

 

 

[42rocker]

Nice job. I like the ballast and the water barrels and cordage. Adds a lot to it.

 

Later 42rocker

[russ]

Thanks. I recall doing a bit of research on the ballast to get the dimensions of it. The barrels and cordage were probably an effort to make it more realistic. It was interesting work though. The barrels were fun to make. The bands are masking tape painted black as I recall.

 

Russ

[WackoWolf]

Russ,

 

     I want to kick myself, I didn't notice this build until today. I must still be jet lag or I am really getting old. Great job, keep the pictures coming.

[captainbob]

Russ,

 

At the start you say, "the entire model is treenailed."  Did you use any glue at all?

 

Bob

[russ]

Joe:

Thanks for stopping by. I will have some more porgress in a bit.

 

Bob:

Yes, everything is glued, but it also treenailed. That is something I wanted to do in a model and I can say that the treenailing has made this model a good deal stronger than if it was just glued together.

 

Russ

[russ]

Here is a little more progress. The lower deck has been planked. Note the hideously tall hatch coaming. That was replaced with a smaller, more appropriate coaming.

 

Russ

 

[gerty]

Hey Russ  - the deck really looks great !   Nice job.

[russ]

Gerty:

Thanks. That is the Western Alder. It has a nice tone to it. I recall I clear coated it so the color has remained fairly stable over the years.

 

Russ

[russ]

Here is the main deck framing. In the first photo, you can see the hanging knees installed. I was very proud of these knees because I had harvested them from my own trees in the front yard. They are maple. However, they should really be placed alongside the beams instead of under the beams.

 

The main deck beams have about 3" camber on them.

 

Russ

 

[rlb]

Nice, Russ.

 

Sure sign of one who's been "bitten" is when they're in the yard cutting branches for compass wood.

 

Ron

 

 

[russ]

Ron:

Thanks. I read about this idea in Charles Davis' The Built Up Ship Model and I thought it would be a fun thing to try. It worked beautifully and over the years I have made a small collection of crooks from other trees that I will eventually use in other models.

 

Russ

[42rocker]

Harold Hahn talked of using his and his neighbor's tree cuttings in his book. Looks like it worked good for you. Nice job.

 

Later 42rocker

[russ]

Rocker:

Thanks. I recall it was a cold day, maybe even Christmas Day, that I went out in the afternoon and collected my crooks. I held my poster board template up to each one to see if it was large enough to suit. I recall slabbing them in my 4 inch table saw. I was able to get two knees out of each crook. That was a lot of fun.

 

Russ

[Long9Ron]

Russ

 

Just came across your build today. Thanks for sharing it and showing me that it will take time and experience to progress to building better models. I myself believe that you learn from the mistakes that you make and will think twice before making it again. I also very much like the idea of showing cargo in the hold. I think it makes the model more authentic looking. That's why I was trying to gather the true dimensions of barrels used on the ships of that period. So I could turn them on my lathe to the scale used. But, that's another story.     

[42rocker]

Wow that in itself should always bring back good stories and thoughts when you are talking about your cross section. Enjoy.

 

Later 42rocker

[russ]

Long9Ron:

Thanks for looking in. This model still appeals to me because of that journey that it took to make it. I learned so much from this model that, even with all the mistakes, I still like it.

 

Rocker:

And to imagine, all this began with a book, a pencil and some vellum, and the desire to learn how to make a built up frame. Hmmm.

 

Russ

[mtaylor]

Russ,

Sweet looking build.  And the discussion and descriptions you're posting make it even better.

[russ]

Mark:

Thanks. It has been a fun trip down memory lane.

 

Russ

[russ]

I decided to take some close up photos of the finished lower hatch coaming and grating. Good for me, this unit slides right out of the model so we can get a better look at it.

 

Here is the coaming by itself. It is walnut, it has half lapped joints at the corners, and you can see the support strips for the grating.

 

And here is the grating. It is boxwood and it was made according to a method I found in Shipmodeler's Shopnotes.

 

Russ

[russ]

Here is a look at the model after the main deck was planked. You can see on the outer bulwarks there is a slot for the channels and note the same on the far inner bulwarks for a pin rack. Also note the ladder.  

 

Here is another look at the deck planking. I had the coamings, shot racks, ladder, and one of the guns installed.

 

More on the guns and tackles in a bit.

 

Russ