HMS Beagle by johnb72 - after 1831 refit

[johnb72]

Hello every one,

My first build log for a wooden ship....

I have been modelmaking for many years, mainly architecture and space craft structural models.  For those of us ancient enough to remember them, I started off in the late '40's on Micromodels, a Roman period ship.....something must have stuck and thank goodness for having a keen modelmaker in an elder brother who taught me so many skills.

I did start a plank on frame model of the Endeavour some forty years + ago but my then five year old daughter sat on the keel... why had I left it on the sofa ?  I was also then gathering and researching material for the Beagle but such material was scarce.  Even the National Maritime Museum could help but little, with one sheer plan of a Cadmus class brig sloop. But then, in 1997, came Karl Heinz Marquardt's extraordinary  book. ( I already had his Endeavour and Nepean Longridge's Victory ). With further much later published discoveries regarding Darwin's cabin, deck layout and now Darwin Online and a full size Beagle projected + splendid recent books it seems logical to have crack at the Beagle.

Have decided on a sectional / partially decked  model with some framing showing in part admiralty style so no masting or rigging.  I also intend to finish her in a 'well travelled' condition.

But .....I am a great project starter but appalling project finisher.......fingers crossed.

The majority of the work will be / is in lime, easy to work and  have used it in the past.

No doubt I will have questions for all you experts out there as the build progresses.  Finding this web site was a revelation....such wonderful work within its pages.....

So have made a start .The pics below are, I hope, self explanatory.

[johnb72]

Slow but steady progress. A very steep, but enjoyable, learning curve.

Have 'cheated' with the exposed frames but just wanted to get a feel for their actual structure.

The idea will be to view the sectioned area from the starboard side and from above to give a hint of the internal arrangements.

Thinking ahead : as the model will be painted in period colours.....despite internet searches, have not been able to discover the internal finish I should apply to simulate Royal Navy brigs of this period.  Were that just 'tared' in the hold area and white  thereafter ?  Any help here would be much appreciated.

Cheers

johnb

 

[usedtosail]

Hi John. I look forward to following you along on this project. A few years ago I started with the Mamoli Beagle kit and modified as much as I could to match Marquardt's  book. It came out OK, but a scratch build will be even better.

[Mirabell61]

Good work John,

 

Nils

[mtaylor]

John,

Internally, whitewash seems to be the "paint" (if it can be called paint) of choice.  It was cheap.

[Mike 41]

Hi John, welcome to the site. The Beagle is on my future build list and I am looking forward to watching your progress on this build. You have made a good start on your interesting design concept. There is plenty of help here if you have questions or problems. Good luck with the build.

 

Mike

[johnb72]

Hello everyone,

Many thanks for your comments and encouragement...it really is appreciated.

I did look at the Mamoli Beagle some time ago Usedtosail but found it it reminded me of the old Revell plastic kit in the '60's ? which was really just a re-work of their Endevaour kit with a 'few bits' it seemed. Lack of info' then I guess .  The sheer plan I had from the NMM showed a bow profile much less bluff I remember.

Thanks mtaylor : Must have been an oil bound distemper perhaps.   White lead perhaps...? this was used everywhere on  buildings .  Do you have a source for your info ?  If you have could you pass it on please. It would be very useful am sure.

Thanks Mike....good to know someone else is thinking of her and thank you so much for your offer... there are bound to be some questions. 

Cheers

johnb

Edited October 24, 2016 by johnb72