HMS Beagle 1820 by Mike 41 - 1:48 scale - Cherokee-class brig-sloop

[Mike 41]

The HMS Beagle served as Charles Darwin's floating laboratory on his historic voyage to the Galapagos Islands.
 

Drawings:

I traced the drawings I needed to generate the modeling plans from the book Anatomy of the ship HMS Beagle using AutoCAD.

 

The Keel Assemble

 

 

The Keel Assembly is 24 ½” long x ¼” thick European Beachwood. Since this is going to be a Navy Board type model I simplified the keel and framing.

 

This set of photos shows the keel assembly and the first two frames. All the frames are double and consist of ten individual sections each.

[Mike 41]

The frames have all been cut out and fitted to the keel. This is a few photos showing the frames and building board.

 

The gantry style building board I am using has been through several previous builds and is holding up well. A description of the board is posted under Jigs & Things as ‘Building Board Gantry Type’ and explains why I like to use it. http://modelshipbuilder.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?5571

 

I am currently working on the stern framing after than is in place the bow framing is next I have found it is easier for me start on the ends and work towards the middle of the model.

[Mike Y]

Looks very interesting! Please keep the pictures coming!

[Mike 41]

Thanks Mike

[Mike 41]

This is a few progress photos of the stern framing. The first photo shows the addition of the poop deck transom.

 

The stern has a 1/32” thick solid Beachwood core that will be planked on both sides I added a photo of my thickness sander it does a great job on very thin material.

 

The next set of photos shows my Folgers sheet bender with the wife’s hair dryer for the heat supply. It is faster than bending the wood wet and waiting for it to dry out. Many other people have been using this system it was not an original thought.

 

The next photos show the lower transoms and stern being installed on the keel assembly.

 

After the timbers on the outer stern timber are installed and the transoms below the wing transom I will start the Knightheads and Hawse pieces.

 

Any comments or questions are welcome.

[WackoWolf]

Nice way of doing it to form the bend.

[Mike 41]

Thanks WackoWolf

[usedtosail]

Looks great Mike.

[michael mott]

Looks like a great start Mike, any particular reason you chose Beech wood?

 

Michael

[Mike 41]

Thanks Michael,

 

I like to use Beachwood for the framing it looks a lot like Oak but is softer with close grain and is easy to work.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

The stern framing is finished for now. The bow framing is next on the list.

[Mike 41]

The bow framing started with the installation of the most forward frame ‘O’. I generated patterns for the Hawse pieces from the existing drawings after the pieces were cut out I glued them to the frame bread and butter style. I trimmed the timbers to the proper height and sanded the interior and exterior smooth. The last step was to drill the hawse holes.

 

I will be adding the rest of the frames and Keelson next. Thanks for the likes and comments. 

[mtaylor]

Interesting, Mike.  Not cant frames but built in the French manner.  

[Mike 41]

Hi Mark,

 

I actually did draw a set of plans for the Beagle in the English framing style but didn’t think I would live long enough to build her.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

All the frames and the keelson went together without any problems.

 

 

I will be adding the breast hooks and deck hook next. The only place they are shown in the drawings is an elevation view of the keel and stem assembly so the patterns will be fun to make.

 

This is a few photos of the frames and keelson being installed.

[Mike 41]

The mast steps, limber strakes and limber boards are shown in this set of photos.

[Beef Wellington]

Just found your great build Mike, lovely what you've done so far.  Definitely want to see how you move forward with this.

[Mike 41]

Thanks Jason,

I will add as much detail as I can.

Mike

[FriedClams]

Hello Mike,

 

Great start on an interesting build. I,m going to follow along.

 

Gary

[Jim Lad]

A very ineresting looking model, Mike.

 

John

[Mike 41]

Thanks Gary and John,

 

This should be an interesting project. The Beagle is a lot more complex than the Galley Washington I will be simplifying a lot of the joinery my old eyes are not what they use to be. Lol

 

Mike  

[Mike 41]

I installed the sheer strake top side planks and trimmed the frames to the proper height. This set of photos shows the addition of the upper and lower deck clamps.

[Mike 41]

This set of photos shows an access platform below the lower deck which have two ladders and the shot locker. All the lower deck framing is in place. I’ll be working on the deck items next.

[Jim Lad]

She's coming along beautifully, Mike.  Very nice work.

 

John

[Mike 41]

Thanks John

[Mike 41]

After spending three months in Myrtle Beach SC visiting my daughter and grandchildren it is good to get back home to do a little work on the Beagle.

 

The lower deck has a series of floor hatches to access the hold and items below the deck. I used walnut for the covers. The deck planking will be basswood and installed next.

[Jim Lad]

Good to see that you're back at work on her, Mike.

 

John

[giampieroricci]

  the line of strakes is very uneven: in some places there are some very obvious indentations. You still have time to correct. Perhaps because there is too much distance between the coasts ....

 

 

[Mike 41]

Thanks John.

Hi giampieroricci,

I agree the strakes are uneven if I had used my original layout I would not have had this problem, it will be corrected soon. Thanks for your comment.

Mike

[Mike 41]

The lower deck planking and interior lining is in place. The stove will be built and installed next.