HMS Fly 1776 by Milos-1971 - Amati/Victory Models - Scale 1:64 - First wooden ship build

[Milos-1971]

Well friends here is my HMS Fly wooden build log. As I started some 20 days ago and didn’t thought that I will make the log. Looking for the help on line I come to MSW and us it as the guide line for my build. For those who don’t know me I’m building this model while serving on board the ship during my contract. I was thinking it will be a good time killer. Tools are not an issue but except the material in the kit no other resources available till next time when return to ship so I have to be very precise not overspending. Only material I brought with me is blocks of balsa wood. I chose this model as it was highly rated among modellers and drawing are quite precise and money wise it is not so expensive.

So far I was able to complete basic skeleton of the ship , as well as planked decks , now I moving to planking for which i think it will be a quite challenge. Brought couple of books on the topic which was quite helpful but majority of things I pick up from various modellers at the MSW.

 

I would much appreciate your comments and suggestion, as this whole project will be a quite interesting and adventures  

 

[Milos-1971]

Thanks , I need  some formula or calculation for planking ,how to reduce width of the planks ☹

[Milos-1971]

Continuing with Bulwarks. Prior montage soaked in water for 30 min and let it dry on the model to get shape. Afterwards was easy for assembling.

Curved only longitudinal lateral will do once bulwarks is on place hoping for the best 

  

Mixture of the sawdust and glue for filling up gap between fore and aft  Bulwarks ( no wood putty on board the ship  ). I hope that bond should be good enough till second planking

Edited November 17, 2018 by Milos-1971

[Milos-1971]

After plenty of soaking and bending the Bulwarks by the means of pins , I decide to use heater bender. It turn out fine and I get nice bent downwards

Edited November 17, 2018 by Milos-1971

[Milos-1971]

Result after usage of electrical bender after soaking with wet paper. It don’t not looks nice but bend  , but is good as first plank match it very well.

Cross over from the Bulwarks to planks doesn’t  not looks pretty , but later sanding should give me a good base for second planking . Fingers cross   

First Plank  so fare so good  

Edited November 18, 2018 by Milos-1971

[Milos-1971]

Hi SpyGlass, Thanks, much appreciate your advice .Sorry for asking but  is the "jigsaw joint"  connection of the Bulwarks at ship bow ?

When I was assembling the Bulwarks ,couldn’t find the measure distance from top of the Bulwarks to adjunct ships ribs. I was looking through forum pictures and approximatively adjusted the high of the Bulwarks toward ships ribs. I couldn’t find any measurement on the drawings and also on Fly assembly manuals is not stated.

[Thunder]

I think Spyglass means that where the two parts of the gun port strips join is further back than on other builds. I am not sure as not built this but it seems crazy that this would not be designed to occur at a bulkhead position. His reference to the bows is in regard to the fact that if the joint was further forward then it would affect the termination of the gun port strip at the bow. However, your termination of the strips at the bow looks perfect. This means either:

1. The gun port strips are some how too long
2. Design of kit is poor and that join of the strips does not occur at a bulkhead position.
3. Your forward bulkheads have been sanded too much giving a much sharper run in to the bow and hence less length of gun port strip required. However, doubt this as you would of noticed when fitting the false deck.

Looking at your work, I would think number 2 above but anyway it is looking great so I would just carry on as you are.

[Milos-1971]

Thanks , Thunder , and SpyGlass , yes I can see that error which I made by not sending forjoijnt and my all gun port BH is moved by 2.75 mm aft. I was wandering how is so much left at the stern Facia of BH ?  I just sand excess wood so the aft facia can fir accordingly.

As  SpyGlass pointed i will most probably had issue later in the build with rigging of the masts , as main rigs will be slightly moved astern .I hope that this 2.75 mm will not expand how the build is progressing.

Definitely I have to be more carful, but as I don’t have much of work while on board the ship most of the day I spend building. Seems I become addicted.

This is work progress since yesterday. First planking going well even better as I was expected. I’m using PWA glue and most probably due to dry atmosphere on board the ship my glue is drying very fast so moving forward is good. Hope not to make more mistake. To be quite honest I still didn’t figure it out how to do planking and how to reduce width of the planks

 

One more time thanks Thunder , and SpyGlass specially on photos as wise man say one photos speak thousand words . I apology for not uploading more pictures as internet on board is not quite good as at home  

[Bruce Poliak]

 I too began the HMS Fly. My ship was begun 30 December 2019. The only other ship I have completed prior to HMS Fly was the 1812 Virginia Pilot Boat. This Amati kit is much more complex, but I am confident I can do it justice. I attach my photos of my project up to the present 10 July 2020. I admit construction errors may be present and I welcome constructive criticism. -Bruce