Yankee Hero by BlackGSD - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - Scale 3/8” to 1’ - first build

[BlackGSD]

Hi MSW! 

 

This is my first model ship build. I chose the Yankee Hero from Blue Jacket because it was designed with inexperienced people like me in mind.

[ccoyle]

Good luck on your project!

 

[BlackGSD]

I started by sanding the hull to match the laser-cut bow and stern templates. I immediately ran into a problem when the bow did not come close to fitting the bow template. 

[BlackGSD]

I got the bow to match its template and then ran into the same problem with the stern.

Edited April 6, 2019 by BlackGSD
Me learn to spell good

[BlackGSD]

I sanded the stern down to fit its template, which proved relatively easy.

[BlackGSD]

The bow in its template.

[BlackGSD]

The next step is to find the center line using the laser-cut deck as a guide. I lined up the mast hole in the deck with the mast hole in the hull and made three tick marks. 

 

Edited April 6, 2019 by BlackGSD
Replaced photo woth a better one.

[BlackGSD]

While the bow was straightforward, the stern is . . . wonky. The deck overlaps considerably. I’m not sure what to do, exactly. Cut the overlapping portion of deck with an Xacto knife?

[J11]

14 hours ago, BlackGSD said:

While the bow was straightforward, the stern is . . . wonky. The deck overlaps considerably. I’m not sure what to do, exactly. Cut the overlapping portion of deck with an Xacto knife?

Welcome!!

 

Check you scale measurements from the BL plans, see if you can get a good reference number to how wide the stern should be at your over lap point. If it is smaller than your actual deck board then cut and sand it down to match, (When cutting the deck board watch your deck board lines for proper fitting) If the overlap (deck board) is correct you will have to add some wood putty to increase the stern of the ship and sand the bottom solid hull to match you upper stern deck. Or add some wood extensions to in create the solid hull width at the stern and then sand her down.  The BL solid hulls won't be perfect and there are a;ways adjustments one way or another.

 

Once you have this completed, my suggestion is to individually plank your deck when it's time.  

 

[BlackGSD]

Good advice. Thank you!

[MrBlueJacket]

I'll add your name to the list of people who will get 10% off their next kit when you finish this one! Send me a PM with your actual name so I can put it in your customer file.

 

Nic

[BlackGSD]

I had a busy couple of weeks and returned from out of town and got to work marking the centerline of the boat. A fair amount of trial and error so far, but the instructions that came with the kits are very good.

[BlackGSD]

Got back to work carving the hull...

[BlackGSD]

After carving, sanding, and stabbing myself in the hand (✋🏻🔪ouch), I glued the sternpost, keel, and stem assembly onto the hull.

 

My only concern is the gap between the bow and the stem assembly. It’s about 3/16ths of an inch—much wider than it should be. I plan to fill it with wood putty...

[MrBlueJacket]

"Putty and paint........

Makes it look like what it ain't"

 

Sounds like a plan

[MrBlueJacket]

Further thought - where the stem separates from the hull, cut it at that point, then glue to the hull. The remaining wedge-shaped gap will be easier to fill, and the stem won't look elongated.

[BlackGSD]

Great idea! I’ll do that. Thanks!

[BlackGSD]

This glue seems to bond human skin and nothing else...

[BlackGSD]

...and now that I’ve watched the YouTube video on cyanoacrilate, I learn that using too much slows the cure. Mystery solved.

[Jeffrey]

Looking forward to more posts on your progress.  I purchased the Revenue Cutter from Blue Jacket a year ago, and although I consider myself an experienced modeler of many sorts, solid wood hulls seem to be a whole different ball game of which I have had little experience.  After purchasing a new hull, I put the Cutter aside and recently purchased the Yankee Hero to get my confidence back and some basic experience with solid hulls.  Although I am an avid model builder, my only venture into wooden boats is the Midwest Models Maine Lobster Boat.  Looking forward to a new adventure, and I am glad we have folks like Blue Jacket Models and this forum who are very helpful in our success.