Sloop Norfolk 1798 by Fernando E - FINISHED - Modellers Shipyard - Scale 1:36

[Fernando E]

I've finally decided to start on my model after doing some research on this website as well as on other sites. As is custom attached are a couple of photos of the package I got from modellers shipyard which appear to be in good condition and all there. I also bought the "How To Build" dvd and have watched it to get an idea of what I can expect over the coming months of the build. One question I do have already is what do other builders do to "blacken" or "age" the brass fittings that come with the kit (ring bolts etc). Is is better to paint them (if so, any suggestions on what paint to use) or dip them in some solution(mix of vinegar etc). SO here goes......!

(PS. I'm not brilliant on technology so apologies in advance if I make a mess of my uploads!)

[Jim Rogers]

You can buy blackening solution. You place the brass part in for a minute or so and it is chemically blackened. I bought mine at a Stained Glass shop. You can also get it online.

[Fernando E]

Hi Jim, many thanks for the info, much easier than painting individual pieces.. Do you have a name for the product.

Cheers Fernando 

[Jim Rogers]

There are numerous products available and I have no clue what is readily accessible Down Under. Do a search for Metal Blackening Solution and dozens will show up. I looked for Brass Antiquing capabilities.

[Fernando E]

Many thanks Jim...will do some research over here.

Cheers...........Andy

[Steve 12345]

hi Fernando utube has videos of the chemical being used it looks very impressive however I have struggled to source a supplier as its not the type of stuff aloud to be put in the post so I just use a black primer from Vallejo airbrush paint range

[Fernando E]

Hi Steve, have been looking at a number of sites and as you have experienced,  it seems I can't get any solutions over the post or it will be shipped from overseas which is very expensive. I think the easiest thing to do would be to use a black primer (very inexpensive at about $4:00 a bottle) and will give it a go. 

 

[Fernando E]

So, after a couple of very chilly days in Hobart I've started in earnest on the Norfolk. Below are a few photos of the start of the build. I must say that the laser cuts are very precise and needed very little in terms of sanding to fit in the bulkheads to the keel. I only had to do some very minor sanding for one or two to slot in nicely. The bow fillers were a little more work and , although not completely sanded I am happy with the way they are turning out. 

[Fernando E]

Whilst waiting for the glue to dry on the on the keel and bulkhead frames I thought I should start on some of the deck furniture. The quality of some of the furniture is pretty good but I thought some of it I would try my hand on doing it from solid wood rather than the kit plywood (eg. the tiller and barrel base). I've never done this before but, hey, I can only botch it up and try again! I did complete the cargo hatch as the grating supplied was very good. Below are some pictures of the reasonably simple process of putting it all together. I've already put one coat of matt satin finish and will give it a slight sanding before another coat is put on. I've also started on the companionway. When building this I realised that the walls would need some bracing whilst building it and hence I have put some bracing on the inside of the companionway....perhaps over engineered however it is very solid and ready for the outer planking. The kit provides silver ash strips for this but am thinking that I may use walnut planking which I have left over from my Mermaid build......just thought it would contrast nicely to the silver ash decking.

[Fernando E]

Have been moving along slowly but have now started on the first layer of planking. The bow filler was a bit more work than I thought it would take but eventually was happy with the way it turned  out. The next part of preparation was bending the planks for the first layer which is much harder than I thought it would be. I broke a couple of planks but after much reading up on the subject, including on the NRG website have managed to settle on the boiling kettle approach....slow but very successful! I have also been doing a little more of the companionway.I'm not totally happy with what the kit has suggested I use as it makes the whole structure look much too big for the size of the schooner. I have also been playing around with the front of the companionway and have already removed a couple of bits I had glued on as I was not happy with the look....will keep on trying but this time will dry fit before going ahead and gluing.

 

A few more photos to show was has been done to date...slow but steady!

 

 

[Fernando E]

A little bit more on the companionway. 

[Fernando E]

Slow and steady as they say! I have been slowly putting on the first layer of planking. As mentioned earlier I've settled on the "boiling the kettle" approach which has been a godsend....I think I should have enough of the first layer of planking after destroying a few when using the crimpers. I should have the first layer of planking finished in the next week, time permitting.

I have now finished the companionway and am pretty happy with the end result. All I need to do now is a very light sanding and a final coat of satin finish and I can move on to other fittings. 

 

[Fernando E]

Apologies for the delay in uploading progress on the Norfolk,  but due to financial year end over here my so called "semi-retirement" had become full time for the past couple of weeks. I still had time up my sleeve for completion of the first layer of planking which as it turned out was much harder than anticipated....notwithstanding I was able to get a fairly good finish and I will be posting the next lot of photos showing the finished and sanded hull.

Following my earlier questions re blackening the brass parts of the model kit I was able to source "Brass Black" from a gun store here in Sydney. If anyone is interested the bottle costs $22.00 and should last me a lifetime!

[Fernando E]

After a bit of sanding and some wood filler I was able to get a pretty good finish in preparation for the second layer of planking. Firstly though was getting the false deck in place which was a pretty good fit...so far so good. As with the Mermaid I will be putting on the deck planking first before the bulwarks as I find it much easier to cut the planking to fit the shape of the deck. I will be dry fitting the bulwarks to ensure that they fit properly before putting on the planking just in case I need to do more fine tuning on the hull itself. 

[Fernando E]

The deck planking is on with no real concerns and it was only a matter of checking the bulwarks to ensure that they still fitted OK. 

Before fitting the bulwarks I cut out the wash holes as I thought I would at least hide any mistakes under the second layer of planking. As you can see I think the wash holes may be a bit big so am hoping they can be "reduced" with the second layer of planking. The bulwarks are now on and I will wait till the weekend to sand down the whole hull again to ensure a smooth overall surface before the next stage. I will first be putting on the false keel and stem post as soon as I cover these with teak strips provided in the kit....my job for tomorrow!

[Fernando E]

Another update on the build. The inside planking on the bulwarks have now been placed with no real difficulty, other than I used all my bulldog clips just to hold it in place whilst the glue was drying. After that it was a matter of putting on the false keel and stem post. Once dry its on to the second layer of planking. I'm not sure how that will go as it's my first attempt at a bluff bow ( I think that's what it's called). As they say if you don't try it won't get done!

[mollusk]

It's looking good Fernando. I like the detail of the companionway especially.

[Dan Vadas]

G'day Fernando.

 

Have you had a look at the Norfolk Sloop I built a few years ago? The Link to my Build Log is in my signature below. There were a few problems that I found with the kit, the solutions I came up with are in the Log.

 

The Companionway does look big, but if you were to place a scale figure alongside it you would see that it is actually rather tiny - a real squeeze actually using it . Don't forget, this boat was rather small - not much more than a large Ship's Longboat.

 

There are several pictures and/or Links in my Log concerning the Norfolk Sloop Replica built in Tasmania. This kit is based on that replica.

 

You're doing a pretty good job of her so far, keep it up .

 

  Danny

[Fernando E]

Hi Martin and Danny, many thanks for your comments and for looking in. I have been rather slow in updating my build log due to other commitments so will try to put in a few more before I head off at the end of this month for a holiday.  

 

Dan, I had a look at your build log and was amazed at the quality of the build....I can only hope that my finished product looks as good as yours. I was very interested in your "add ons" and am thinking of copying some of your ideas. I was able to see a scratch build model of the Norfolk when in Tassie last month at the Hobart maritime museum but unfortunately did not have time to head to the Bass and Flinders Museum where the replica currently resides....maybe next time

 

As to my second layer of planking I have had some difficulty in keeping the planking on. I started using Selleys Quick Grip water based glue and found that for some reason it was taking well over 40mins to touch dry. When I placed the first planks on (both port and starboard) they were fine until I looked at my handiwork the next day and found that some of the planking lifting off!!! I used normal wood glue to try to fix the issue up but eventually had to pull out a couple of planks and sand back the residue. I then wen't back to the normal quick drip glue and it appears to be working OK although, again it's taking quite a bit of time to touch dry (maybe because of the cold weather...any hints or clues as to why ?). Anyway here are a couple of photos showing where I'm at with the second layer of planking and lets hope they stay on!! Updates to follow in the next couple of days. 

[Dan Vadas]

Nice job Fernando. I've found the Selleys PVA to be a bit on the thin side, which is OK for some applications. I used Fuller Maxbond (available at hardware stores), which is a lot thicker and grabs quickly.

21 hours ago, Fernando E said:

it's taking quite a bit of time to touch dry (maybe because of the cold weather...any hints or clues as to why ?

Yep, that would be another reason.

 

 

[Fernando E]

Many thanks Danny, will hunt some down.

 

Fernando

[Fernando E]

Apologies for not posting for some time. I spent most of September on holiday (managed to visit the Vasa museum in Stockholm on my travels...worth the 4 hours I spent there!) and arrived back home only to get a shocking flu which kept me in bed for nearly a week! Anyway have been able to do some more work on the Norfolk and have just about completed the second layer of planking. Apologies for the clarity of the photos (my phone has also been playing up...must have caught the same flu bug that I had!!!).  I will be finishing the planking later today then a sanding job together with the first coat of a matt satin finish. The bluff bow was a lot harder than I originally thought it would be but the experience has been both frustrating and enjoyable...if that makes sense.

 

More to come........Fernando

[Heinrich der Seefahrer]

That looks fine, Fernando! 

You do a fine job. Have you got a picture from the stern side of the planking? That would be interesting.

 

I saw a plenty of kits in this scale pimped by adding woodnails (to fix the planks on the formers). Are you going to go in such detailing? Is there any authentical drawing that would give the placing of the formers to you?  So you will know where to drill the holes for the teethpicks?

 

Go foreward it looks great! 

 

 

 

Edited October 9, 2017 by Heinrich der Seefahrer

[Fernando E]

Many thanks for looking in.  Many thanks for the kind comments Heinrich. As this is only my second build I am still learning many of the intricacies of building model boats. I did think of adding wood nails but in the end decided to concentrate on the instructions from Modellers Central....maybe a bit lazy but still unsure of how these builds go. Will probably be more adventurous by adding more detail on my next build!

 

I've finally finished the second layer of planking and although not perfect am generally happy with the result. After a light sanding and a couple of coats of satin finish the hull is looking OK. Next comes the cosmetic frames that go on the inside of the bulwarks. I will also need to cut out the wash holes which will be done after the false frames have been inserted. Have also been finishing off some of the deck furniture which should be finished before I put on the cap rails. More to follow!

 

[Fernando E]

Have been busy on my so called semi retirement but have been able to some more work on the build but not enough time to upload photos of where I am at with the Norfolk.

Firstly, I have been doing a lot of work on the deck furniture as well as adding the cap rails, transom cap and gunwales. The gunwales were easier than I thought as I made up a simple jig to match the curvature of the hull and after soaking the walnut for 10 mins and leaving them overnight in the jig to dry. They fitted on perfectly. After putting them on I thought they looked a bit too bare and having a look at what Danny had done on his Norfolk build log decided to add some tree nails. Again, not that tricky but time consuming to make sure that they were all level.  Am pretty happy the way they turned out (many thanks Danny!)

[Fernando E]

Here are a couple of photos of the deck furniture including dry fitting them on to the decking. I clearly need more practice on some of the  detail work but overall I am happy with the work. I, again deferred to Danny's great build log and added some little detail on the cat heads (tree nailing) as well as making small channels in between the holes (sheaves?). The pumps needed no work on them other than to glue the parts together and then putting on a light satin finish. Other than putting a dark walnut stain on the anchor winch I did not need to do anything else with it.

[Fernando E]

The deck furniture dry fitted on to the deck! The kit suggested I cut 2mm x 30mm lengths of teak veneer leftover from the second layer of planking for the foot grips. I was not happy with the look so cut some walnut (1mm x.25mmx30mm) and placed them on instead...a much better finish I thought. (if this is "kit bashing" I think I'll do more of it!!).

I'm still working on the tiller and rudder so will add more pics when finished.

[Fernando E]

With the wet weather over the weekend I was able to do some more work on the build. I've finally decided on some small kit bashing on the rudder and tiller after getting an idea fro Danny Vad's Norfolk Sloop build on this site. (I have said it before, I have found Danny's build log to be a great source for my build though I know it will take me Many Many years to reach the quality of workmanship he shows in all his build logs!)

 

The only addition to the kit supplied rudder and tiller is the addition of two "cheeks" on either side of the tiller. I've also added some nails to give it some semblance of reality. I used some leftover ply and gave it a good dose of walnut stain followed up with clear satin varnish. Not sure of the scaling but I think it looks OK.

 

I have also added the transom and gunwale railings (all kit supplied) which, other than getting my fingers glued together with CA glue,  was not too difficult.

 

Next will be the main mast, bowsprit, gaff and boom....more pictures to follow.

[Fernando E]

Spent today working on the mast, boom, bowsprit and gaff. The kit provided various lengths and thicknesses of dowel which I had shaped using a mini plane and sandpaper over the past couple of days to get the right size and shape. The dowel was of good quality...very straight and easy to deal with. I then put on two coats of old baltic pine stain as the dowel wood was far too white for it to just have a coating of varnish. Adding the gaff  and boom yokes were a bit tricky as I needed to work on the yokes which were rather thin and made of ply. I was a bit worried they would snap but in the end after a bit of fiddling with the shape and some cutting and sanding they fitted on reasonably well. I then stained the yokes with a double coating of walnut and I think they don't look too bad. I don't know if the colours are historically accurate but I am pretty happy with the overall look of the masts.  

I then set about adding the various blocks to the masts and this is where I have my first real complaint/annoyance with the kit supplied blocks. The quality of some of the blocks were below par as far as finish was concerned. The only positive is that the kit came with additional blocks which makes me think that this is a normal problem from the supplier. ANyway despite me having to drill some holes on a couple of blocks I had sufficient to see me through.

 

The bowsprit is now on as well as the mainmast so its starting to look like the home stretch

 

I should add that to date ,as a newbie to this game, I have been generally very happy with the contents of the kit including the ease of reading the instructions provided (plenty of very helpful photos as well as explanations  which was vital for this novice!).  

 

The rigging comes next so am looking forward to starting on this stage with some trepidation.....watch this space!!!

[Dan Vadas]

You're doing a great job Fernando, she's turning out much better than my first attempt many years ago . Your work is very clean and precise.

 

5 hours ago, Fernando E said:

The rigging comes next so am looking forward to starting on this stage with some trepidation

Nothing to fear here, the rigging is really quite easy on this model. I don't remember if I used the kit-supplied rigging thread on mine, I have an idea I may have replaced it with some better quality stuff (or maybe Modellers Shipyard source theirs from a different supplier now). If you're not happy with it there is plenty of good thread available from sites like Syren Ship Models, one of our sponsors on MSW.

 

I couldn't see whether you made the Mast Hoops before fitting the mast, and I don't remember whether the kit actually mentioned them, but if you are fitting sails you will need them. Click HERE to go to the appropriate post on my build log where I made mine. You could make them from brass wire if need be, but wooden ones would be more accurate. My rigging starts on the post following that one, if you need clarification on some detail.

 

Keep up the good work, and I'll be dropping in to see your progress .

 

  Danny