Gokstad Viking Ship by Dr PS - Paul Schulze - FINISHED - Dusek Ship Kits - 1:35 Scale

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I will be starting my third ship build log.  Gokstad Viking Ship, a Dusek Ship Kits - 1:35 Scale  The model is based on a find near Gokstad Norway in 1880. The prototype was built in mid ninth century. The ship was shown to be very seaworthy by Magnus Anderson in 1893. The ship had 32 oars and a square sail. 
 

I will be starting the actual building in a couple weeks but I would like to post the usual kit pictures. 
 

[GrandpaPhil]

I really like the look of the Dusek kits.  I am very much looking forward to seeing this build.

[Cathead]

Cool, I love Scandanavian ships of this period and might someday want to build this. Looking forward to reading about your experience.

[Srodbro]

Ah-ha!  Great. I recently finished mine, and will be following closely. 
I take a lot of “artistic license” liberties with my builds. I thought Dusek made a pretty good kit. 

[Srodbro]

Just a quick follow-up:

I found this reference invaluable for understanding the construction of the ship. It is the original 1882 Norwegian narrative describing the archeological discovery. Text is in both Norwegian and English. (Found it as one of the “further reading “ references in Wikipedia article on this ship, in case the link below doesn’t work). 
 

http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?PPN561535841 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

Well, I have finally started the build. After reading the instructions, I have decided to  follow them for assembling the keel, frames and false deck. I think the false deck should properly align the frames. Some others  have found success building jigs to aid in frame installation and alignment. First I drilled the required holes in the stem and stern posts. 
Next, I glued the two keel pieces together between wax paper held down by a “sad” iron. Sad irons were fire heated clothes irons. 

Then the finished piece was stained Kona color  

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by Dr PS - Paul Schulze

[Srodbro]

Just a suggestion:

I found the jig in this build log listed below very useful. Even using the jig, with the keel and frames quite plumb and square, aligning some of the planks from one frame to another was a challenge. 
Nice color choice. 

Gokstad Viking Ship by jack.aubrey - Dusek Ship Kits - 1:35 Scale

[J11]

Here's the English translation for the book PDF. Looking forward to your build!

 

401201988 The viking ship at Gokstad in Norway english translation.pdf

 

http://dbooks.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/books/PDFs/401201988.pdf

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

6 hours ago, Srodbro said:

Just a suggestion:

I found the jig in this build log listed below very useful. Even using the jig, with the keel and frames quite plumb and square, aligning some of the planks from one frame to another was a challenge. 
Nice color choice. 

Gokstad Viking Ship by jack.aubrey - Dusek Ship Kits - 1:35 Scale

Thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure what I will do as yet. 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

6 minutes ago, Jonathan11 said:

Here's the English translation for the book PDF. Looking forward to your build!

 

401201988 The viking ship at Gokstad in Norway english translation.pdf 35.82 MB · 1 download

 

http://dbooks.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/books/PDFs/401201988.pdf

Johnathan, thanks for the translation. I looked at a bit of it and it looks like a fantastic read. 

Edited May 8, 2020 by Dr PS - Paul Schulze

[J11]

My pleasure, I myself will be taking the time to read the book also. The figures at the back of the book are very compelling along with the documentation.  

[Cathead]

Any further progress on this build? I'm about to start a similar kit and would love to read about how yours is progressing.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

1 hour ago, Cathead said:

Any further progress on this build? I'm about to start a similar kit and would love to read about how yours is progressing.

Actually yes! I have been rather lax on posting. I’ll try to catch my log up soon. 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

 I have not posted in a while but progress was made. The following photos and brief comments will take this log up to date. 

Finished Keel all stained. 

Below, the keel, frames and false deck were simultaneously assembled and glued. 

 

 

 

 

Next the garboard is fitted and glued. 
 

 

Then other strakes were attached. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

The deck and interior. 
 

The mast foot is fashioned using a dremel. 

 

 

 

 

The deck was stained with a light oak stain. The mast foot, shown, was stained and attached. The rudder, hand sanded, is shown ready for staining. 

 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I tried to edit out the last four photos in last post with no luck. Would like to know how to solve this reoccurring problem. 

[Louie da fly]

I used to hit this problem, too. I finally worked out how to fix it. Once you're in "Edit" you have to go down to the bottom of the post and delete the pictures from "uploaded images". Then you have to go back to the post itself, and "cut" the unwanted photos from the bottom of the post - otherwise they'll come back. That will get rid of them permanently.

 

Hope that is explained properly and is of use to you.

 

The ship is looking good by the way and that mast step is particularly nicely done. But I noticed in one of the photos you're about to get rid of (the view from above)  there seems to be a small "kink" in the planking on the right near the bottom of the picture (second frame from the bow - or stern - who can tell with these double-ended ships?). Or is that just a fault of the photo?

[Srodbro]

Outstanding work on that planking. Getting it right at the bow and stern is really challenging. Very good looking. 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

22 hours ago, Louie da fly said:

 

The ship is looking good by the way and that mast step is particularly nicely done. But I noticed in one of the photos you're about to get rid of (the view from above)  there seems to be a small "kink" in the planking on the right near the bottom of the picture (second frame from the bow - or stern - who can tell with these double-ended ships?). Or is that just a fault of the photo?

Yes there is a small kink on that side near the stern.  I noticed it later after I was finished planking and did not know how to fix it except to remove several layers and  reshape the frames as needed. That option was nixed as I have been using CA glue for the strakes.  I should have been more careful and watched the fairing as I proceeded. 

 

Thanks for your comments, Paul 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

4 hours ago, Srodbro said:

Outstanding work on that planking. Getting it right at the bow and stern is really challenging. Very good looking. 

Thanks, Paul 

[Louie da fly]

Yes, I was trying to figure out how it might be possible to remedy it without a great deal of success. Isn't it possible to dissolve CA with nail polish remover? Otherwise I suppose the only other option is to put it down to experience. Never having attempted to do clinker planking I'm certainly not in a postion to criticise, and in fact I was rather loath to even bring the subject up. 

 

IF it was possible to dissolve the glue just at that second frame it might be possible to free the strakes up, let them assume their "natural" shape (i.e. to follow the rest of the curve) and either cut out that side of the frame and replace it, or put a packer in to increase the width of the frame and then cut out the existing part. Just a thought, and it might be completely impractical, but perhaps worth looking at as an option.

 

Having said that, the unevenness isn't terribly obvious and when everything else is added (especially the shields), it will probably become quite hard to see.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I thought about using acetone to free them up, but allowing the strakes to follow their natural flow would result in shortening the strakes at the stem. The only solution then would be to cut new boards  I believe you are correct in saying the shields will hide small errors. I have not had this issue before but I have learned I have to be more careful. 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I have recently put the mast and main stays in place. 
Shrouds

 

 

 

 Now I am working on the yellow shields. 

 

[Cathead]

Cool! Rigging always helps tie a ship together.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

7 hours ago, Cathead said:

Cool! Rigging always helps tie a ship together.

Thanks 😎

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

Finally have the shields done, painted and in place. The picture shows just one side done. I have decided to skip the oars for now and do the sail next. 

[Louie da fly]

Those shields certainly add to the look of the model. I knew the were alterantely yellow and black, but until you see it you don't really get an idea of how spectacular the original would have looked.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I assume the prototype had black and yellow shields else I would have gone with more colors. The boat builders did a fabulous job and they had fantastic skills for the tenth century. 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I assume the prototype had black and yellow shields else I would have gone with more colors. The boat builders did a fabulous job and they had fantastic skills for the tenth century. 
 

I finally finished the sail. Using the following steps :

 

- Cut sail out

 

- Mark sew lines and edge fold line with lead pencil

 

- Cut corners for folding

 

-  Fold sail edges over twice using fabric glue and a hot iron

 

- Mark and “punch” small holes in sail edge every 1/2” for needles. These holes will also be used to attach sail to mast. 

 

- Use needle and .35 rope around sail edge

 

- Use same process for sail ties

 

 

 

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

The sail mounting and sail rigging was completed. The oars were carved, painted and bundled. The Gokstad is finished. 😎

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cathead]

Congratulations! It's been great to follow along on this and maintain inspiration for my own build.