Naval Cutter Cheerful by SawdustDave - 1806 - 1:48th scale

[GLakie]

Confederacy, Cheerful, and Syren are all on my list of ships to get as soon as I get past this power-tool purchasing trip I've been on. But I'm getting there slowly but surely. Actually looking forward to just getting hand-tools and accessories for these power-tools.  Won't be such a bite in the wallet for a change. 

[SawdustDave]

Painting has been a tough issue to say the least. Trying to come up with a UNC look that will not cause all of my modeling friends to heave chunks when you see it. It didn't take long to conclude that painting the entire hull below the wales "Carolina Blue" would do just that.

So I came to a more subtle solution, seen here....

The hull will be painted white below the wales, and the transom will carry the UNC colors.

 

Also completed the two trim moldings above the wales....

The profile of these molds were simply created with a scraper I fashioned from a razor blade.

 

Just noticed in the pic above, the last piece of lower molding had not been trimmed back flush with the gun port. Already been taken care of.

Edited September 29, 2015 by SawdustDave

[Jack12477]

Dave, I like the Tar Heel blue stern. Came out nice. Is the rest of the hull bottom white or a very light shade of blue?  Can't tell for sure from photos. Bamboo looks great also. Nice job.

[augie]

Couldn't agree with you more on Chuck's influence and the quality of his plans/instructions.  And for the record, it took a little getting used to but I like the bamboo.

 

Now as to that blue........ I applaud your 'subtle solution'.  

[SawdustDave]

Jack, the hull planks are white. The "square tuck" seen below the transom is also white (needs a couple more coats).

My next color delima will be the color of her bulwarks. With red being the school colors for NC State (only 12 miles away), I will have to do something different there.

We shall cross that bridge when we get there.

Edited September 29, 2015 by SawdustDave

[SawdustDave]

Before applying primer and white acrylic, thought I would post this shot of the completed planking of the starboard hull. This is mainly for the purpose of commenting on the technique taught by Chuck P in great detail with the instructions provided with this scratch builders kit.

I have always struggled with single planking. Even after building several fairly challenging models, using my self developed method of planking was always somewhat of a struggle.

I must say, this has to be the best shaped single planked hull I personally have ever built. Chuck's methodical approach to marking the bulkheads and shaping the planks has been a huge learning process for this old dog.

 

In this photo, after moderate sanding, you can see there will be very little need for fillers before painting.

 

Now, on to the port side.

Edited October 4, 2015 by SawdustDave

[SawdustDave]

Spent the morning laying out the planking marks for the port side. For those friends who have not tried Chuck's planking technique, here are a few pic's that will give you an idea how it works.

 

First, noting that there are 20 strakes below the wale. I have installed three strakes immediately below the wale, and three strakes from the keel. This leaves the simple task of dividing the gap AT EACH BULKHEAD between those strakes into 14 equal parts.

 

Custom cutting a cardstock strip to the exact length of each gap, this first pic shows, using the "fan divider template" provided by Chuck, to divide that strip into 14 equal markings.... I use knife cuts to make the marks as precise as possible.

 

Seen next is after transferring all of the markings from the custom cut card stock strips to the bulkheads. Note the width of each plank at mid-hull is 3/16th" and gradually tapers beginning at the last several forward bulkheads.

 

Seen next, is my personal technique for getting really exact widths of each plank to match the markings.

First, I have marked the plank where it lands on each bulkhead. Then, using carefully marked card stock strips again, I have notched out the exact widths on the plank.

 

Now, all I have to do is remove the high surfaces between the notches.

 

I really love this technique.

Thanks Chuck.

Edited October 5, 2015 by SawdustDave

[Rustyj]

Great idea Dave. I'll be sure to give it a try!

[SawdustDave]

Just learned that the word got out to Dr. Pillsbury. He overheard a phone conversation about "the ship Dave is building for him".

No problem....I've got it covered.

 

Here's the ship he will first see sitting off to one side when we do the presentation....24 parts....about as complex as a Pinewood Derby racer. I've already assembled the several blocks that form the ships hull and decks. The black wale is my idea.

 

Goes something like this....

"Dr. P, in appreciation for you saving my life, I've built you a special ship...."

He sees this little ugly duckling sitting off to one side and, obviously, thinks it to be his "special ship"....right?

 

The real "Cheerful" is in another room and will be brought in by a staff member at the right time.

 

First time I've ever had three ship projects going at one time.

Should I start a separate build log for this one? Hahahaha

[SawdustDave]

Here's a photo taken of my chest at 4:00 pm today.

 

And here's a photo of my chest about 20 minutes later.

 

After seven weeks of IV's through that tube, what a wonderful relief. I feel like a free man.

Golf tomorrow morning for sure.

[ASAT]

Prayer for your continued recovery, golf sounds good! I have looked at a few of these builds - how long is the hull exactly, without the bow sprit? I am thinking about trying this one.....

Lou

[Omega1234]

Congratulations Dave. A full speedy recovery is all that anyone can ever wish for.

 

Nicely done.

[riverboat]

Nice build Dave....... I'm sure your Dr. friend will just love it!!!

 

frank

[GLakie]

Congrats Dave. I'm glad you got that that thing pulled out. 

[mtaylor]

Congrats on getting the tube out.   I hope you didn't jump and down and clap your hands in the doctor's office.  That always seems to shake them up.  Have fun on the golf course.

[UpstateNY]

Hi Dave,

 

Enjoying your build greatly, including the fun color choices!  Lovely work!

 

Congrats on getting the IV out...I can't even imagine how much better you feel with that gone!

 

Good luck on the golf course...enjoy the 19th especially as a small celebration seems in order now the IV is gone!

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel.

Edited October 7, 2015 by UpstateNY

[augie]

Congrats on losing the IV.  Might have corrected your slice !!!!

[SawdustDave]

Much thanks to each and all regarding my health thing....

OK....back to the project.

This "Ugly Duck" strategy has taken a new turn. Showed my wife this ugly thing and explained the plan. She had a good point.

"Dr. P is so brilliant, he will smell a rat immediately. He has seen all of your models, and knows your work. The decoy model needs to look more like something you would build."

 

Could not argue with her logic.

So I took a couple of days and bashed it up a little. Planked the hull, added stern galleries, planked the decks, planked the bulkheads, added doors to the bulkheads, added deck rails, added ladders, added main deck grating and bow grating along with beak head boards.

 

Guess I can go back to work on the "real deal".

[GLakie]

That's the ticket Dave! He won't be any the wiser. 

[SawdustDave]

Still an "Ugly Duck" but not as obvious. She should look even better once I add the simple rigging.

Actually, this was a load of modeling fun.

[ASAT]

Now that is just awesome to see what a little creativity and talent will do for a hunk of wood.... Well Done!

[SawdustDave]

Thanks guys. I was glad to find enough of the tiny grating in my boneyard, left over from the Mini-Vic build years ago. Also used some larger 2cm grating to create the little ladders. Fun stuff.

[mtaylor]

Now that is exceptionally devious and sneaky.    I like it!!!!!!   And the decoy looks great from here.

 

I think this anonymous quote works:  "Youth and exuberance is no match for old age and treachery."   :P  

Edited October 9, 2015 by mtaylor

[SawdustDave]

Old age wisdom and a blend of deviousness and treachery.... a formula that is hard to beat Mark.

 

So this rainy morning, I managed to complete the hull planking of the Cheerful and apply first coat of white acrylic below the wales. Not ready to show....this will require several thin coats.

 

Between coats, I moved back over to the Ugly Duck and finished the stern galleries and added stern post and rudder.

 

Then wiped the entire model with a thin coat of wipe on poly.

Edited October 10, 2015 by SawdustDave

[Omega1234]

Hi Dave

 

A really nice job on the decoy. I echo everyone's sentiments above.

 

More importantly, what you said that Mrs Sawdust said to you (in Post 48), reminds me of the old saying..."Behind every great man, is a great woman" ...aka your wife.

 

Cheers and all the best

 

Patrick

Edited October 10, 2015 by Omega1234

[GLakie]

I don't think the "ugly duck"/decoy is ugly at all Dave. That little diversion should work flawlessly! 

[Jack12477]

I echo everyone's sentiments also Dave. Great decoy - great workmanship.

[UpstateNY]

I think your doc is well on his way to getting two wonderful models! 

 

He is going to love both!

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel.

[KenW]

I agree with many of these posts:  You are making a really good little model.  I wouldn't mind receiving the decoy as a gift.

Excellent job.

[SawdustDave]

Thanks again guys.

A big problem I had to overcome with the little decoy,.... (and it would be the same for each of you as well).... That being, once the old "modeler" instincts kick in, it's really hard to pull back and say "enough". How many of us were already thinking bits, knight heads, ships wheel, belaying pins, pumps, launch, etc.

I might stick a couple of anchors on, but no windless. May even do a few shrouds.

 

So, today, in addition to painting the hull, I flipped the Cheerful over and began the extremely messy task of thinning down the bulkhead frames that extend above the deck. A lot of grinding, sanding, cutting, chiseling, etc.... So far, managed to not break anything.