US Confederacy 1778 by Bossman - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64

[Bossman]

Good day Gents. After a long absence from ship modeling, I am back in the game. I am new to the log business so my apologies in advance to the moderators if there is something amiss in the log but here goes. 

The Model shipways kit is so far been very nice to work with. I have finished the framing so we will start with the false deck. The center bulkead and all the frames went in without a hitch. I encountered a problem with the 2 quarters of the false deck. I read in another log and I think it was the same problem but figured it out with a little coffee and thought. The laser cut center line is about 1/8" off to the right. The hatch layout is correct. The formast hole and forward scuttle is centered on the laser cut which makes them wrong. 

Here is my fix. No harm no foul.

 

I hope from this point on I can stay up to date. Thanks to all who who have posted their build logs on this ship. They have been a great help.

 

 

 

 

[Bossman]

the planking of the beakhead bulkhead is done. Just need to clean it up a bit. I milled some planks from my 20 year old stash of boxwood. The deck planking is kit supplied. I am using scrap basswood from the bulkhead sheets to use as bow fillers as I am comfortable with this. The stern will be done in the same fashion. 

 

The decision to use treenails or not will have to be made soon. Make em’ or fake em’ that is the question! 

 

Any helpful criticism is appreciated and thanks for the thumbs up!

Edited January 1, 2020 by Bossman

[Bossman]

A little more work in the shipyard today. Main deck port sills. These are laser cut but require trimming. A few suggestions for anyone building this kit. As you can see in the photo I put an arrow pointing towards the stern before removing from the sheet. Some of the curves are very subtle and this helped me keep it in the right orientation while marking, trimming and find sanding. Also I used the paper clips, set on my level pencil mark so that the sill is level and not tilted up or down. Came up with this one after some excess glue obscured my mark. 

So far so good. 

[Chuck]

Nice start!!  It is looking very good. 

[Edwardkenway]

This kit has always looked very good and it will be interesting to follow along from the start, I'm booking my place early. Looks like you've made a good start. 

[Bossman]

Chuck, thank you very much Sir! You did a wonderful job in designing this kit. 

Edward, if the Confederacy cranks your tractor, I would highly recommend it. Very good plans. Chuck’s instruction’s  are very thorough. And as you say, she is just one sexy ship. I hope I can do her justice. 

[Bossman]

A small update Ladies and Gents. I am coming along with the gun port framing on the main deck and hope to get the quarter deck framing in a few days. I almost forgot to plank the inside of the beakhead bulkhead. The clamps used there are scrap PVC pipe cut in 1/8” and 1/4” widths. 

[Bossman]

Finally finished with the sills and lintels. Everything is faired pretty close. Now to define the gunport frames then on to the sweep ports! If anyone sees something amiss, I’m all ears. Thanks all for the thumbs up. It is encouraging!

[Bossman]

Why do I like warships? I have to ask myself this every time I frame gunports! Not to mention assembly and rigging of cannons. The quarter deck uprights are installed. I measure the opening with calipers, mark and then cut. Works pretty good. Most times I don’t even have to sand a little. The template for the gunport positions is great! Thanks Chuck. So far everything is going smoothly. 

[Bossman]

Thanks for the thumbs up folks. It is much appreciated. As this is my first ship in 15 years or so, I’m learning a few new tricks, such as Chuck’s tree nail method. I made up a test strip using it and while not perfect, I like the effect. I’m still not sure as to using it on the model or without. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. 

[Chuck]

It looks really good....BUT,,,if you decide to add treenails, you need to go much much smaller.   Try a #78 bit.

 

Chuck

[Bossman]

Chuck, thank you Sir! I used a #75. The old eyes are not what they used to be. 

[Bossman]

Small update. Finished the sills and uprights. Ready to install sweep port backing pieces. A final fairing and we can start closing this puppy up!

[Bossman]

I was able to spend some time in the boatyard and made some progress. Only one small self inflicted wound. While marking the starboard sweep ports, I used the reference marks for the bottom of the template.  On a whim, I reread Chucks instructions and the reference marks are the bottom of the sweep ports, not the template. A quick reference to the plans confirmed my mistake. As they are just pencil marks it was an easy fix. Getting ready to plank the stern counter. 

[Bossman]

Another good day in the shop today. I spent most of the morning making a jig to edge to edge bend planks using Chucks simple method. I finally got an acceptable over curve which allowed the proper bend for the counter planks. 
I used drawn bamboo treenails on this step for som extra holding power, warranted or not. If anyone sees something amiss with the counter, please speak now. 
Also, after a fine sanding of the inside of the gunports with 400 grit sandpaper, I painted those. Every fine lady needs some lipstick! Thanks for the thumbs up Gents! It is most appreciated. 

Edited January 26, 2020 by Bossman

[Bossman]

Good day Ladies and Gents. I have finished the lower counter and have started the planking. The two boxwood planks at the bow are the black strake and the first first plank above it. The two lower wale planks are kit basswood and will be covered with ebony. There are mistakes but if I tore out everything that did not suit me I would never finish the ship. As my modeling friend Russ Barnes says, “have fun.” I have to keep reminding myself of this saying. 

[Bossman]

Thank you for the likes Gents! Some more progress today. Notching around the sweep ports will try one’s patience! 
There are a few gaps I will have to address. Being a bit more careful would help. 

[Bossman]

Does anyone else have one mistake compound on itself? While eyeballing the planking on the starboard side I noticed a slight upward bulge about 9” from the stern. It seems I made a 3/64” mistake while placing the batten for marking the the position of the top wale plank. Mistake #1. 
Now if you look at the 3rd plank from the top, the black strake, you can see that is a bit wider at this spot. Poor cutting and milling on my part. Mistake #2. By the time I would have made it to the top rail it would have looked like a humpbacked whale!  So, off with their heads. The offending planks and those above are removed and the offending workmen have been fired. The new batten is correct and the lines marked. Now let’s see if I can make it look right. Gotta love this hobby!

Edited February 8, 2020 by Bossman

[Bossman]

Good day Folks! The likes are much appreciated. I finally topped those pesky sweep ports and now working on the channel Wales. It’s a long way from perfect but I will take it. 

[Edwardkenway]

It's looking good, I'd definitely be happy with it !!😁👍

[Bossman]

Edward, thank you very much Sir! I’m hoping she will clean up nicely once sanded. 

[Bossman]

Just a short update. This model is one big puppy! With 1/8” wide planks you get nowhere fast. I should finish above the wales tomorrow and then can go to the other side which is planked above the sweep ports. As that is the side that will show I am hoping all I learned can be improved. My apologies for the poor photography. My camera is an iPad and that’s as good as it will get. Thanks for the thumbs up Gents! 

[Bossman]

Thank you all for the likes folks. The encouragement means a lot!

[Bossman]

The painters finally arrived today. I always like seeing a bit of color on a model. I used Tamiya simi gloss black with my air brush. Also added the second fancy rail. My faults as a modeler are getting in to much of a rush and not paying attention to detail. The first leads to mistakes. The second means you didn’t catch the first mistake until later. The other side is planked to the top of the sweep ports. Finishing that side is next. 
 

thanks again for the thumbs up. 

[Bossman]

Well I have finished both sides above the wales finally! It’s a long way from perfect but for my first foray back into modeling I will take it. Relearning some old tricks and some new. Thank you Chuck for your planking tutorial. The iron method works like a charm. I made one major mistake with the planking which threw the fancy rails off at the stern on the starboard side. Two choices, use some Kentucky windage or tear out half the planking on that side.  With no apologies to the purist here but I used the first method. One of the reasons I quit way back was my work was never satisfactory to me and I am determined to have fun and finish this ship. A thank you to Peter B. And Dubz  for their excellent build logs. They have been a big help. 
I may work on the stern to take a break from planking. It’s time for tea and cookies. 

[Bossman]

Thanks for the likes Gents. All encouragement is appreciated.  

[Chuck]

Looks really good....you are doing a fine job on her.   You picked a super advanced kit for your dive back into ship modeling.  That is a job well done.  

[Bossman]

Thank you Sir! Let’s hope the final product deserves such praise. I am relearning a lot. 

[Bossman]

Good day ladies and gents. I hope you are all well and staying safe in these times. Work has progressed well in the boatyard. I finally finished the planking below the wales! It sure will be nice to work on other things. The planking was not as good as I would like but passable. To quote my favorite movie. “Mistakes were made, things were done”. When I gave the basswood a coat of clear minwax poly it turned just a shade lighter than the boxwood. So, out comes the white stuff. 

I have attached the stern piece which I hope is correct. It should be. 

I am now working on the sweep ports. They are so small that after marking I used my old exacto miter box and saw to cut them. Making a reference mark on them helps keep the grain oriented. They were then given a slight bevel on the backside. Apply glue and tap with small modeling hammer. 

In one of my books, name escapes me at present, is a contemporary sketch of the Confederacy after her capture. The beakhead is painted black and I plan to do this as it looks more pleasing to me. 

[Bossman]

Thanks for likes gents. Encouragement is always appreciated!