USF Essex by mtbediz - FINISHED - 1:50

[mtbediz]

Hello friends. After a long Summer break I have started building the US Frigate Essex. I used Aeropiccola's kit plan (which is already on the internet) to cut the bulkheads and the bulkhead former. I modified stern section of the bulkhead former according to Model Shipways' Essex kit plan and I added stern frames. I do not have a detailed plan so I will mostly make use Bob's (Rafine) Essex build log on MSW. Many thanks to Bob in advance. He did a great job on her and detailed build log.

 

Here are the first pictures.

[mtbediz]

First pics.

[mtbediz]

First pics.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Mustafa for the compliments on my build. You're off to a great start and I look forward to following your build.

 

Bob

[mtbediz]

28 minutes ago, rafine said:

Thanks so much Mustafa for the compliments on my build. You're off to a great start and I look forward to following your build.

 

Bob

Thank you so much Bob. 

[mtbediz]

Thank you so much for the likes. I am back in the shipyard after a short holiday with my mom in the neighbour city. I completed gun port frames and painted them scarlet. I completed stern planking and started planking of the upper hull. I am using 1,5x5 mm of Spanish cedar strips in the upper hull and stern planking.

[Old Collingwood]

Hello my friend  - how did I miss the start of this build   - excellent work, consider me well and truly  following now  (even brought a chair)

 

OC.

[marktiedens]

Great start - I have the complete Aeropiccola Essex kit & hope to start it after my current project,so will be watching with interest.

 

 

Mark

[mtbediz]

OC and Mark, dear friends, many thanks for the kind words and the likes.

[mtbediz]

The upper hull planking continues. The wood is Spanish cedar.

[marktiedens]

That wood looks really nice!

 

 

Mark

[mtbediz]

Hello friends. I completed the upper hull planking and the starboard side hull planking. Not sanded yet.

[mtbediz]

Lower hull planking is completed.

[mtbediz]

I installed false lower deck pieces and reinforced mast slots.

[mtbediz]

I cut the gun deck in three parts and installed. I planked inner bulwarks.

[mtbediz]

I completed deck planking

[Richvee]

I'm a little late, but I'll be following along. My Kate Cory is getting close to complete and I'm looking for my next build. I have an old Model Shipways 1/8" scale Essex kit from the mid '80's in the closet...The machine carved hull and the plans and instructions are probably all that's left that's useful. The rest would be scratch. I'm not sure I'm ready for such a build, but I'll be following here looking for tips and inspiration. 

[mtbediz]

I completed the gun deck nail effects. I made a simple marking tool to keep constant the distances of the treenails. I drilled with 0,8 mm drill bit and used a 0,7 mm of mechanical pencil.

Edited December 7, 2020 by mtbediz

[mtbediz]

The stern windows are complete. I made a simple jig to get a standard in windows. They haven't been glued in place yet. They will be painted white first.

Edited December 1, 2020 by mtbediz

[mtbediz]

I completed the upper hull nail effects. I drilled the holes with a 1 mm drill bit and used a mechanical pencil.

[mtbediz]

I painted the hull black. Below the waterline will be coppered. I ordered self adhesive copper tape for the task. I worked on stern transom. Since I don't have detailed plans I draw some parts myself.

[rafine]

She looks great Mustafa. I can't believe how quickly you are going.

 

Bob

[mtbediz]

1 minute ago, rafine said:

She looks great Mustafa. I can't believe how quickly you are going.

 

Bob

 

Thank you Bob. I am retired and work in my shipyard at least 8 hours a day. Of course this Covid virus forced me to stay at home and work on my hobby at the same time.

[mtbediz]

I started coppering. I am using a ponce wheel to make the rivet effects on the copper tape.  I made a simple tool to create the joints on the copper strip as well.

[mtbediz]

The coppering is complete.

[NovaStorm]

Mustafa great to see you back in the shipyard. Looking forward to watching your latest build. 

Regards, Robin ~

[mtbediz]

Thank you Robin.

[allanyed]

Just checked in on your build Mustafa.  She looks very well made.  I hope you don't mind me asking, but as you have not yet finished the knee of the head, will you be tapering it up and down as well as fore and aft?  It should go down to about 6" wide (or maybe less) at the forward edge near the top and then widen as it goes down and as well as towards the stem.  

 

Great work!!

 

Allan

[mtbediz]

The stern transom and quarter galleries are done.

[mtbediz]

I made and added the hawse holes, bowsprit bitts, fore riding bitts and the main cable bitts