HMS Fly by vths - Victory Models - Scale 1:64 - Second wooden kit build

[vths]

Hello folks, google's cache still remembers my original HMS Fly log, so this is what I could scrape from it:

 

After HMS Race Horse by Sergal I decided to get a bit more serious and build HMS Fly using the wonderful kit by Chris Watton.

 

What I miss about kit presentations in general are detailed photos of their various parts, so I decided to make them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

I finally found the courage to start the new kit and the first thing I did was, suprise surprise, the hull frame. My objective was to prepare it in order to make the planking job easy.

All the main parts, that is the main keel and bulkheads fit together very nicely with almost no clearance (me like that), so I just sanded those a bit burned edges and glued the parts together checking right angle.

Then it was time to use balsa to fill the free space in between the first three bulkheads and also one layer in the stern will be useful.

Now it is time to finish the main keel. As you can see, I decided not to use the prow, keel, etc. just yet. First I want to sand the main keel to about 2mm of thickness, then make the 1st layer of planks and then glue the other parts in place to make them fit nicely with 2nd planking. 

Next I will have to decide, whether I should cut the main gun deck in half. I tried to dry fit it at first, but without success and I just cannot imagine doing so with already planked deck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

I decided to split the deck in half and fix it before planking, because I do not see any problems in that. However, it was necessary to add some support to the reconnected deck which is now quite strong even in the middle. 

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

Today I started planking the gun deck, but first I created a simple jig made of two blocks with sanding paper to get rid of the fuzzy edges of tanganyika strips. It works surprisingly good and fast.

Then it was time for planking using .25mm black thread to simulate caulking. In my opinion it looks way better than just coloured edges of planks with #2 pencil that I used in the previous build and it is no time consuming technique at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

I changed my mind about creating the captain's cabin, which required some rebuilding and shaping of the last two bulkheads as well as extending the length of the gundeck. That went quite well with a high-speed grinder and a small saw. 

 

Then I got creative and made a wall with two doors, but before that I had to reshape the upper support of the poop deck that was way too thick. The wall part will require more attention later. 

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

The last post of today's feed is about gun deck planking that is almost finished and waiting for treenails. 

 

I was experimenting with small holes with white glue and sanding that filled the holes with fine wooden dust, but I did not like the results. As the glue became dry, the "treenail" faded away and shrinked. 

 

So I decided to use the classic approach - bamboo toothpicks that were put in a microdrill chuck and carefully sanded to about .5 mm. I'm forcing them into .4mm holes in the planks, which is not particularly a speedy process, but I think the result looks rather good. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left side - treenails made of a small hole with glue and wood dust   

Right side - bamboo treenails

 

Edited February 16, 2013 by vths

[rdsaplala]

Hello Vitus,

 

I'm pleased to see your HMS Fly buildlog up and running again, beautiful deck planking, treenails and caulking work there, looking forward to more updates

[vths]

Thanks a lot, I see you've also revived your log which has been a great source of information for me, so you have another follower for sure.

 

The treenailing job goes rather well. After I finished the third line I decided not to create sanded treenails, because they tend to break a lot and it is much faster and easier to use one toothpick for one or two treenails. They are also easy to handle,  force into the tiny holes and cut and the rest of them burn nicely in the fireplace.

 

In the process it looks like a toothpick forrest, well, there are seventy of them in the first picture, which is not even a complete line. 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

Hi everyone. I'm finally satisfied with the state of the gundeck now. I decided to switch from bamboo toothpicks to normal wood (lime I presume). They are much better for this job - they create sharper edges, are much easier to work with (sanding) and the treenails look smaller. I had to sharpen every one of them, but it was worth it. 

 

Then I used fine grain sand paper (1000 and then 2000 grain) and finally Nelson semimatt varnish. 

 

Now it is time for the real fun - hull planking. 

 

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

A labour of love all that trennailing vths, but looking very good

 

B.E.

[vths]

Cheers, B.E. 

 

Just finished attaching the side strips, which is something I did not imagine being that stressful and tough job. The strips, even soaked in boiling water, do not bend that easily, especially when I was forcing them to create the S shape (2nd pic) and in between the bulkheads they were not straight. They tended to bend outwards, so I had to use various pins, rubbers, tapes, ropes and other desperate means to make them behave. Now I'm even looking forward to the first planking.

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2013 by vths

[Blue Ensign]

I think every Fly/Pegasus builder gives a great sigh of relief when that particular job is completed, especially when you lay a level across the top and the little bubble is dead in the centre.

 

 B.E.

[vths]

Well in this case it took me by surprise, since I thought it would be a piece of cake, but that is exactly what I love about model ship building. No challenge - no fun and as opposed to plastic plane kits, wood is forgiving and that is a great combination. 

[flyer]

That’s a very nice ship you are building there! I especially like an realistic captain’s cabin and yours is looking good.

The caulking looks good as well – something to try on my next one. Up to now I used to color the edges of the planks with a black marker which gives an acceptable result after sanding the deck.

Cheers

Peter

 

[rdsaplala]

Excellent work on the pre-cut gunport ply, Vitus, as B.E. has said, this is one of the more challenging portions of the build, and you've managed it beautifully as evidenced by that smooth tumble home, those bulkhead screens you've made also spruce her up very nicely, keep up the good work

 

Just a small note, if I may: those bulkhead extensions can be a bit fragile and prone to crack during hull planking; You may want to add some support by temporarily taping the kit's deck beams as seen below:

 

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x452/rdsaplala/MSW/msw031Medium.jpg

[vths]

Thank you guys, much appreciated. 

 

 

 

 

Just a small note, if I may: those bulkhead extensions can be a bit fragile and prone to crack during hull planking; You may want to add some support by temporarily taping the kit's deck beams as seen below:

 

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x452/rdsaplala/MSW/msw031Medium.jpg

 

Thanks for the hint, I went ahead and attached some of the extensions right away. 

 

During the last days I found time to attach 5 strips on each side. Lime is indeed a much better material for the first planking layer than balsa (HMS Racehorse by Sergal) and 1,5 mm of thickness will allow me to create a nice and shapely surface.I will also use different putty, one that is used mainly for plastic kits, since it is more tough than water-based putty just for wood. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rdsaplala]

She's coming along nicely Vitus, good work on the planking

[vths]

Finally finished 1st planking and now it is time for sanding. It was quite easy but I didn't use proper stealers and so on. Second planking will have to be a lot better, since I'm still planning to leave the hull in its natural colour, not white.

 

 

 

 

 

[vths]

Just a small update. Being a bit lazy lately I'm just playing with the cabin and sanding the hull to provide a nice smooth surface for second planking. 

 

 

 

[vths]

Started second planking using 11cm segments of 4 mm wide walnut and 4-butt shift. If it was doable, I glued the planks with universal glue, but in most cases I have to use cyano. 

 

Now I'm looking forward to seeing the completed segmented and varnished hull (treenails pending). 

 

 

 

 

 

[rdsaplala]

Excellent detail work on the cabin, Vitus, the Captain will be really happy with those goodies  Very nice planking work too, she's coming along beautifully

[lamarvalley]

Just found your build, very nice! Love the staggered planking.

I am at the point of deciding my next build and lately the Victory HMS Fly has interested me and your build has helped push me toward it even more.

Is the build still progressing??? It has been a while since your last post?

[vths]

Just found your build, very nice! Love the staggered planking.

I am at the point of deciding my next build and lately the Victory HMS Fly has interested me and your build has helped push me toward it even more.

Is the build still progressing??? It has been a while since your last post?

 

Hi Randy, the hull is still smiling at me from the nearest shelf, but after long winter there are many other things to do. I will get back to it when the sun, bike and all the other nasty things that keep me outside get annoying.  

[lamarvalley]

Fair enough I'll see it when it happens

[Blue Ensign]

Progressing very nicely Vitus, another fine Fly on the stocks

 

B.E.

[ZyXuz]

wow!! your works always neat!

I followed the way you made your Race Horse by viewing from the other from in Czech (I don't know Czech, I just watch all pictures ).. It really helps me alot

 

Can't wait to see you finish your FLY!

[aliluke]

Very nice work thanks for sharing - the cabin is amazing a shame to cover it up???. I plan to dive into my Fly soon so will be looking here regularly. Don't expect to see me in the rearview mirror though - I'm slow.

 

Cheers

Alistair

[vths]

Thanks everyone for your nice words. The cabin will be covered, there is no way around, but I hope that it will be a bit visible through the windows. 

 

I laid some more planks, ruined the stern and had to make it over the right way. Now she looks like this:

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2013 by vths

[aliluke]

That planking is looking really good vths. I'm also looking back in your log and admiring the deck planking work too. Just being in this phase makes me realise what a fine job you did on that. I never contemplated tapering the deck planks towards the aft - as good as that looks - it is hard enough just to cut them square and to length!! Impressive work by you.

 

Cheers

Alistair

[Blue Ensign]

Nice planking work Vitus, well done

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.