Swift 1805 by RussR - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Scale - Virginia Pilot Boat

[RussR]

This will be my second build. I bought it on eBay for $15.00 + shipping. It looks like all the major parts are there. If not I will either make them or buy them. The frame and false deck was already built. But it wasn't to my satisfaction. So I bought somemore basswood. My plan was the take everything apart trace the old parts and make a new frame. But  the old parts weren't symmetrical and wound up scraping the new cut out parts.  So what I did was scanned the drawings and cut the parts out and glue them on to the wood and cut them out. I only wish it had sails. That is okay.

 

I want the experience before my HMB Endeavor build.

Tomorrow I will start putting it together.

As long as I don't get tired I will keep working on it.

This is a hobby not a job.

 

Russ

 

[Ryland Craze]

Good choice for your second build.  I am definitely going to pull up a chair for this build.

[Worldway]

I'm in, i'll sit in the back so i can leave room for the boys whos vision isn't the best.

[stripehunter]

I'm sure you've seen my active build almost complete.  Hopefully I can be of assistance.  Your kit is a different generation than mine ( I think there are three unique variants) but my biggest mistakes should be common to all.

1. I didn't fair the top of the bulkheads well; I focused on the sides.  I had one come out a little low.  While I had it balanced perfectly side to side, it resulted in a slight dip in my deck.  It looked good in fishbone form, but became noticeable when I applied the deck.  I guess that's more of a first build issue than a kit specific issue.

2.  Biggest mistake I made was in the rub rail in relation to the scuppers.  I measured the rub rail based on the top edge of the bulwarks.  My one side bulwark must have been a hair lower than the other in relation to the deck at that point.  Result is, my rail was a bit low on one side.  When I went to cut the scuppers, I found I had to cut that side at a downward angle and rely on some clever optical trickery else it would have punched through the bottom portion of the rail.  I'd definitely cut those scuppers in before applying that rub rail to ensure it goes in exactly the right place despite measurements.  it can't be the slightest bit off in relation to the scuppers.

3. finish your companion hatch doors before installing the rails for the sliding top and finishing the roofs.  The door widths will dictate how wide apart those slide rails need to be.  Also if you go with working doors, the cutout for them in the roof panel may not be wide enough to allow them to open fully.  After finishing my doors I found I needed to reposition my rails and enlarge and refinish the roof notch to have them open completely.

4.  I saw it coming and didn't get burned, but there is no false keel rabbet in the plans.  My instructions implied you shouldn't first plank the deadwood area; only second plank it.  I think it should all be first planked to keep a nice shape, but if you do, you will need to really thin out the false keel down to almost nothing in that area.  Otherwise the planking will end up much thicker than the sternpost and keel.

 

Enjoy her. I'll be happy to watch.

[RussR]

stripehunter,

Thanks for the tips and heads up. I will have to keep what you said in mind.

By the way, your Swift build looks good to me. I will keep watching.

 

Not much done today because some of the frames didn't match up to the false keel. Had to decide whether or not to remake the offending frames or build them up and use them as is. I opted for the later. Their is about a 2mm difference in the frame and false keel drawing. 

 

Some of the built up frames.

But did get a start on putting the keel and frames together.

 

That is it for now.

 

Russ

[RussR]

Made a little progress this weekend.

Made a building board and got the frame put together made filler blocks and fared.

Will start work on the false deck tomorrow.

Also took a few pictures

 

Making small steady gains.

 

I spend most of my time figuring out what to do next and looking for missed placed tools.

 

Until next time,

Russ

[Robin Lous]

Good show Russ!

 

Robin

[Dutchman]

Good start! Keep on sailing!

[RussR]

Sorry that I haven't updated my log in awhile.

I don't have anything innovative to share, have been following along other builder logs.

 

Thanks, stripehunter for your insight, they have been very helpful. I also didn't plank the deadwood area as others have recommended.

 

Was apprehensive when it came to adding the bulwarks, but as you can see I think they came out okay.

The photos show the deck, hull, and bulwarks before filling and sanding. It looks rough now.

I am finding that the instructions are very lacking, but the logs on MSW is key to my succesfull completion of this build.

 

Until next time, model on.

[RussR]

I almost forgot to take pictures and post.

This is my progress so far.

The hulls 1st planking is done and sanded. It looks rough but is good enough for the 2nd planking.

The transom is planked.

And started the bulwarks outside planking.

 

 

 

Also I would like to say that I have gotten another HMS Endeavor (received yesterday) that is partly done.  The workman ship looks good (not perfect but good). In the future I will have to decide wheather to finish this one or start the unstarted one. I would rather start the unstarted one but there is something to be said for finishing one that was already started.

 

This 1805 Swift Pilot Boat was started by some one else and I had to scratch build the false keel and bulkheads. There is plenty of models that either someone can't finish or has given up on. This is enjoyable to me plus I can save a lot of money doing so.

 

Here is some pictures of the Endeavor I just picked up.

 

 

 

And as Porky Pig said "Th-Th-Thats all Folks".

 

Thanks for all the Likes and comments.

RussR

 

 

[Jim in KC]

Hi Russ - when do you attach the actual keel to the false keel.  I have the same kit and I'm just starting to build.  I've been over the instructions multiple times I don't see it anywhere.  It looks like you haven't done that yet which, I guess, is why you used angled metal strips for your build board.  The false keel is nor deep and the frames slide down too far to use parallel wood or strips to support the keel.  Anyway I would appreciate your input.  Jim in KC

[Cabbie]

 

Hello Jim i will jump in here, but be warned I am on to my third boat and have not done one in a proper way to date.

I would think that the keel would be attached just prior to the 2nd layer of planking.

Do a search in this forum for other swift builds to see what others did, in fact look through any ship build for tips.

https://modelshipworld.com/forum/10-build-logs-for-ship-model-kits/page/2/

But also start your own build log to let others help.

Also some instructions i found along the way.swiftnot (2016_05_23 09_55_48 UTC).pdf

for an AL boat swift01 (2016_05_23 09_55_48 UTC).pdf

swift02 (2016_05_23 09_55_48 UTC).pdf swift03 (2016_05_23 09_55_48 UTC).pdf

Edited May 15, 2020 by Cabbie

[Maury S]

Russ, check your PM