HMS Diana by realworkingsailor (Andy) - Caldercraft - 1:64

[realworkingsailor]

We now return you to your regularly scheduled build already in progress.....

 

Well, it's been a while since I've posted much of anything. My temporary shore job went temporarily bust just after Christmas (it all came down to a numbers game, there are simply not enough ships running this year to justify the overhead expense blah blah blah (we'll see what happens in audit season!)). Anyway, I'm not out of gainful employment, they've sent back to the fleet (yeah...what fleet?!) at any rate. Long story short, I've had some free time on my hands, so I figured I would start hacking my way through another build.

 

If some of you may recall, I've got two frigate kits sitting around waiting to be built. As the title suggests, I decided to tackle the HMS Diana first. I didn't take any photos of the early part of the build, mostly because at the time my head wasn't in to documenting for posterity, every minute (mis)step I went through.

 

Reviewing some of the other build logs (Ray's and Jason's), they pretty well sum up all the pitfalls to watch out for when building this kit, and there are many! In general I found the CnC cut bulkheads leave a lot to be desired in terms of cut accuracy, in many places I had to sand down or shim up in order to get a smooth run of planking without dips or bumps.

 

I've finished the first planking, and I made an attempt to try something like the method that Chuck espouses for his builds, and ended up with (to paraphrase Douglas Adams) something that almost, but not quite entirely, doesn't resemble it. But it was good practice. I found that the kit was short 4 strips of the first planking material. But rather than order replacements, I found I had enough long scrap pieces lying about that I could reasonably cobble together the missing planks without compromising on the strength of the hull. You may be able to spot one or two of the odd planks in the attached photo.

 

At the moment I am currently marking out the gun ports. As has been observed, the included template is pretty much garbage. It's a lot easier to take the base dimensions given in the instructions and draw out the ports using a ruler and dividers. Around ports 7 and 8, I found the distance between the ports needs to be slightly greater, around 37mm as opposed to 30. This is where the entry ladder and fenders will eventually go.

 

Going forward, I intend to replace much of the kit supplied second planking, and last week I ordered a good supply of castello boxwood from Crown Timberyard. Below the wales will pretty much be kit stock, as it will be largely covered by the coppering. I am going to try to make any of the exposed walnut planking look more tarred than painted.  I have no intention of using the kit supplied copper plates, I find the Amati plates much better looking and far less.... pimply. I also intend to replace all the blocks, rigging fittings, deadeyes etc., and rigging line. I will probably replace all of the guns, as I'm not a fan of the supplied versions. That oversized bowling ball of a cascabel and weird muzzle shape detracts from their appearance, but the two largest size guns that Chuck sells do match closely with the dimensions of the supplied guns (discounting the aforementioned bowling ball). 

 

I would have some more photos, but the battery on my camera ran out of juice (I really should check these things more often). I'll have some more photos soon.

 

Andy

 

[Kevin]

nice to see you posting again andy, will be following you again if permission is granted

[realworkingsailor]

Hi Kevin, no need to ask permission, you're always welcome!

 

I got the batteries charged so here are a few more photos as promised.

 

I used the kit supplied tanganyika for the deck. I expected it to be splintery, but useable. After sanding the edges, I used a pencil to simulate the caulking. I've seen a lot of discussion on whether to plank the deck before, or after installing the false deck. I suggest doing both! OK, now you're confused, but it's really not that complicated. After marking out the centre line and the butt shift, I planked the centre section only, until all the hatch ways and other openings where surrounded. There's still more than enough spring in the false deck to install it as once piece.

 

The other two photos show the first planking at the bow and the stern. Not much more to show for the moment.

 

Andy

 

[mtaylor]

Nice progress, Andy.  And welcome back.    

[mort stoll]

Welcome back.  you are right there's plenty of spring in that deck. I installed mine in 1 piece.

Keep up the great work,

Mort

[Blue Ensign]

Good to see you back posting Andy

 

B.E.

[hamilton]

Welcome back Andy! Looking forward to following along with this one!

hamilton

[WackoWolf]

Welcome back Andy, sorry about work, sure you will find more. Glad you back to building again. So if I may pull up a seat, I will be watching for the beginning to the finished.

[gjdale]

Welcome back Andy. Nice to see you posting again. I'll look forward to following along with this one.

[Barbossa]

Welcome back, Andy

I'll follow along.

To replace the copperplates is a wise decision ( I regret I didn't ).

 

 

 

 

 

[Piet]

Missed your friendly and interesting stories but good seeing you back in the shipyard.

This first planking looks excellent, good enough to pass for the final planking.  Good luck with the job situation.

 

Cheers,

[Elijah]

Looks like a nice ship you have there! I will follow as well, if I may.

[realworkingsailor]

Hello again everyone, and thanks for all the likes and comments.

 

Time for a small update. I've been busy lately with the gun ports. I was reasonably satisfied with the layout on the starboard side, so I decided to start hacking them out. It's not 100% accurate, but it will be one of those things that separates my build from everyone else's. 

 

As has been identified by other builders, the forward gun ports cut through two of the bulkheads. For my approach, I decided to laminate leftover pieces of first planking in order to build up the thickness and support the bulkhead extensions. For the first layer, I offset the planking by starting with only a half width plank to improve the overlap between layers and make for a stronger structure. So far no observed issues and the bulkhead extensions appear to have retained some strength.

 

I've also made a stab at the lower counter. The instructions say to simply plank the area, but I read in Jason's log where he created a template. I used some 1/32" basswood sheet I had kicking around to create my own version.

 

Moving on, I need to verify all the port side gun ports to ensure things line up as closely as possible before cutting them out. I've had to redraw the forward ones a couple of times already. But I'd rather waste sand paper and a pencil lead and re-do it as many times as needs be!

 

Any day now I should receive my order from Crown Timberyard as well as my first order of replacement bits! Can't wait!

 

Andy

[hamilton]

Wow - the planking looks amazing - even at this early stage I can tell she's going to be a beauty!

hamilton

[edmay]

Hello Andy, sorry to hear of yours woe's ,missed your good stories and pic's glad your back. As for your present build as others have said it's going to be masterpiece ,impressive workmanship,will try to keep up,hope things get better job wise . Edwin

[Trussben]

Good looking build Andy,

 

I'm just about to get back to modeling myself after a years hiatus, I will follow with interest.

 

Ben

[realworkingsailor]

Hi Ben, glad to hear you're getting back into it. I'm looking forward to seeing your next update(s).

 

Ed, thanks for the kind sentiments. I'm not totally sunk, but just undergoing my own personal recession! Hopefully I'll have some stories to share soon enough.

 

Thanks again to everyone else and all the likes, and especially all the compliments, they are very much appreciated.

 

So a small update on the goings on last weekend.

 

After re-checking my measurements, I've begun to cut out the gun ports on the port side. In some areas it looks like you need to put on a pair of those old blue and red 3-D glasses in order to make sense of all the lines. But it all works out after a fashion. 

 

To help break things up a bit, I decided to intersperse one monotonous task with another equally monotonous task, and began lining the starboard gun ports. I'm using the kit supplied walnut for this task, as the end product will be painted anyway. The instructions say to use the 6mm strip, but I found the job easier by adding widening the strips to 10mm by adding a 4mm strip. It means I'm not fudging around trying to get all the angles right, and in some cases the thickness between my bulwark and outer planking is a bit over 6mm anyway.

 

Not much more to add for the moment.

 

Andy

[riverboat]

Look'n good Andy...... nice to see you back in the shipyard!!

 

Frank

[realworkingsailor]

So.... One of you, not sure who, was hoping too hard that I'd get back to work soon!

Seems like fate has a sick sense of humour, as I was just getting underway to head up to the cottage for the May two-four weekend (aka Victoria Day weekend), the first long weekend of the summer, when the stated objective is to do as much damage to as many cases of 24 bottles of beer as possible, the dreaded phone call came... Stupid hands free blue-tooth... No excuse to not answer....

 

But I digress, at this point I'm not going to say not to work, even if it is only for a few weeks (allegedly). So I'm off first thing tomorrow morning, and as usual all building comes to a halt, and I was so looking forward to playing with that most excellent castello boxwood that arrived in the mail just a couple days ago... Oh well

 

Andy

[mtaylor]

Andy, have a good trip and make a few dollars to buy more tools and wood.  That seems to be the way it goes...   Cellphones are the bane of our existence.

[gjdale]

Great to hear the good news on the work front Andy, but timing really sucks! We'll still be here when you get back, though I can't promise the same for those beer cartons..................

[amateur]

We just wait for you to return!

Jan

Edited May 29, 2016 by amateur

[S.Coleman]

Ship is looking good. If no more work had arisen shortly you might of had to change your MSW name!!!!

Work safely and look forward to a new update.

[mobbsie]

Jeez Andy, I nearly missed this.

 

Good to see you back with tools in hand mate, it's been a goodly while.

 

Diana's looking splendid and is in skilful hands.

 

Shame about still getting screwed about by the job, but, it does keep the wolves away from the door, or in your case, doors.

 

I've locked onto you now mate.

 

Be Good and Stay Safe

 

mobbsie

[donrobinson]

I might be a little late in this offering, but I could babysit those cases of beer for you if needed  

[realworkingsailor]

Hey guys, thanks for all the well wishes.

 

So the "allegedly" has now been expanded, possibly until the end of June, which I really don't mind too much, as long as I get some time up north at the lake in July.

 

Andy

[riverboat]

Hey Andy....... " HAPPY BIRTHDAY"..... 

 

Frank

[Piet]

Happy birthday Andy.

 

Cheers,

[realworkingsailor]

Thanks Guys!

 

Andy

[Barbossa]

Happy birthday and get back soon !