HMS Atalanta 1775 by tlevine - FINISHED - 1:48 scale - from TFFM plans

[druxey]

Frieze background colors vary. Blue is common, but I've seen black as well as red. The painting by Marshall in 1775 of King Fisher (sic) shows quite a vivid blue! (Science Museum collection, Kensington.) Your choice, Ms. shipwright.

[tlevine]

Thanks to everyone for their input regarding the planking below the transom.  Obviously, somewhere along the way, a measurement was off by about 1/8" (6" full size).  I decided to make up for this by making the planking below the transom look like it was designed to have a filler piece and not a correction for an "oopsie".  I am pleased with the look so far.  The same number of planks end on the wing transom as shown in TFFM.  The difference is that there is no need for a slight flare at the end because of the filler piece.  After installing the first row of planking below the "gang of six", I decided to lay out on the hull the rest of the runs of planking.  Tick strips were used at every station to obtain the remaining width.  This was divided by nine (the remaining number of rows) and the width was transferred to the hull with calipers.  After all the station marks were drawn in, the marks were connected in a fair line to show the run of the planking.  I also marked out the butts of the planks.  This makes the rest of the job much easier.  While there was a significant amount of framing visible, I decided to mark their locations on the planking so the lines of treenails would be fair.  At the stern this involved also marking out the fashion pieces and the location of imaginary cant frames going up towards the wing transom. Everything looks a little rough at this stage, having only lightly sanded with 100 grit.

 

 

 

 

[druxey]

The planking at the tuck looks much better now! Well done, Toni.

[Dan Vadas]

Hi Toni,

 

Don't take the Planking Expansion in TFFM as gospel, especially around this stage of the external planking. David himself admits that there will be variations, as this Expansion was done using a CAD program. Any slight deviation in measurement over a couple of planks, or more significantly a variation in Fairing the frames WILL result in an error somewhere down the track. I found I was quite a way off the TFFM expansion by now, and had to "Become My Own Shipwright" to get them to fit.

 

From the explanations in your last post it looks like you're on the right track .

 

  Danny

[Maury S]

Looks great.  The ends of the tuck are very clean.  The holly was a great choice.

Maury

[Trussben]

Got to agree, very nice tuck.

 

Ben

[tlevine]

Thank you Druxey, Maury and Ben.   And thank you everyone for the likes.  You're right, Danny.  In laying the hull planking, the tendency is to make the planks too wide.  This becomes a cumulative error which would result in one or two rows of skinny planks.  Hopefully, only a few more weeks to go before the wood worms go to work.

[Alex M]

Very fine planking, Toni! I also like the contrast between Holly and Pear!

 

Alex

[tlevine]

Today I laid the final hull plank.    No pictures coming for a bit as I have everything lined off for the treenailing to commence and it looks rather messy as a result.

[dvm27]

Congratulations on a major milestone, Toni. Looking forward to those after treenailing/sanding photos!

[tlevine]

I am not sure which is more tedious, treenailing a hull or tying ratlines.  At this point I am over halfway done with an estimated time so far of 15 hours.  This includes marking the locations for the treenails, drilling the holes (#75 bit), drawing the treenails (hole 20 on the Byrnes drawplate) and finally inserting the treenails.  I have used bamboo for these to give me the least color contrast with the holly.  I usually dry-fit treenails but for extra strength these are all dipped in dilute yellow glue.  I hope to finish them up next weekend and then start sanding the hull.  Right now it is pretty ugly, covered in lines and holes and little bumps which make it look more like a plucked chicken than a ship.

 

 

 

[druxey]

I've never heard of the 'plucked chicken' analogy before, but you are right about that! Your model is looking very good now, Toni.

[SawdustDave]

Treenailing vs. ratlines..... Hmmmm

Hard choice Toni. I envision building a ship and saving all the treenailing until I begin rigging the ratlines.

Then I could tie a clove hitch, then fit a treenail....clove hitch...treenail, clove hitch....treenail, etc.

Maybe throw a scratch deadeye in the mix here and there just to add a little variety.

 

Hull looks great! Nice work Toni.

[Jim Lad]

Just catching up, Toni - she's looking 'the bees knees'.

 

John

[tlevine]

Druxey, it was either plucked poultry or measles.  I went with the less contagious analogy.  Dave, if I did that sequence I would be admitted to the asylum post haste!  And don't forget adding a scratch block in there as well.  John, thanks for looking in.  

 

Since the posting I got a little more accomplished.  Only 25% more to go.  

[dgbot]

I normally do not like tree nails mainly  be cause of the pox effect, but I have a feeling your lady is going to shine.

David B 

[SawdustDave]

Yep....I agree Toni. Straight jacket and padded walls time for sure.

 

[Trussben]

Good progress Toni - glad I'm only going to plank above the Wales on Pegasus.

 

Ben

[tlevine]

Thanks, everyone for the comments and the likes.  I have finished the treenails.     I estimate that the whole process consumed about 25 hours of my life.  So my ugly duckling is now in the process of becoming a swan (class).  Sorry, couldn't help it.  I removed the hull from the board for the sanding process.  I find it easier to sand a curved object while holding it in my lap.  This gives me easier access to the various rabbets and the intersection with the wing transom.  In the process, despite using masking tape, the main wale has gotten fairly scuffed up and will require another coat of paint.  In the pictures the hull has been sanded down with 100 grit.  The treenails are hard to see because no finish has been applied yet.

 

 

 

 

 

[dgbot]

A great looking model Toni.  Do you plan on putting any type of finsh on her when done with the sanding?

David B

[tlevine]

I have decided to use a finish that will not yellow the holly.  In TFFM David mentions a solvent-based sealer for his finish.  For those of you who own his Comet book or have seen the photos, that is the look I am trying to achieve.  The bottle of solvent-based sanding sealer I have was quite a few years old so I purchased some from Midwest Models, as well as a bottle of flat finish.  I have not decided whether to stick with just the sealer or put a coat of finish on as well.  The pictures are taken after two coats of sealer, the first sanded down to 320 grit and the second sanded to 400.  Later this week I will test applying a coat of the finish on some scrap wood.  One of the nice things about the sealer is that the drying time is very fast but as this is solvent based the smell is pretty strong.  Unlike a oil based finish, the odor dissipates quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dvm27]

I love the sanding sealer non-finish, Toni but i's just personal preference. I haven't found an oil finish that doesn't yellow the holly somewhat.

 

Are you planning to touch up the undersides of the wales or is it invisible in the upright position? I'd worry about bleeding into the holly even with tape. Perhaps a scored line as David suggested elsewhere?

[druxey]

Looking very nice indeed, Toni. I bet you are glad only one side is planked!

[tlevine]

Greg, initially I was not too sure about the dead flat finish but it is starting to grow on me.  The wale definitely needs more than just touching up.  It is painted with dull enamel so it should be reasonably easy to control application.  It will be good practice prior to attempting the friezes!

 

And yes, druxey, I am glad only one side is planked.  I never want to see another treenail again, at least until I get to the quarter deck.  But seriously, leaving one side exposed gives me two models.  The exposed side demonstrates just how crazy I am to fabricate all those parts and the planked side shows the beauty of her lines.  The other models that I have made this way are displayed in a case with a mirror on the back wall to show both styles.

[michael mott]

beautiful job on the planking Toni, I also like the subtle contrast with the bamboo treenails.

 

Michael

[tlevine]

I have proclaimed the lower hull planking finished!  In the end I applied three coats of sanding sealer and one coat of flat finish.  This was sanded to 1200 grit.  The finish coat adds luster without shine and is a harder finish than the sanding sealer.  The upper planking will be finished with Watco's to match the rest of the Costello after the channels, moldings, etc. have been installed.  I repainted the wale and put her back in the cradle.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Remcohe]

She looks wonderful Tony, I really like the contrast of the fully planked hull side next to the bare one.

 

Remco

[WackoWolf]

One side plank and one side open, nice touch. Looks beautiful, nice finished on the planking. Keep the updates and pictures coming. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Mirabell61]

Great looking Swan Class Toni,

 

beautiful planking Job of the port side....

 

Nils

[gjdale]

Just beautiful Toni!