HMS Fly by TimC - FINISHED - Amati/Victory Models - First Time Builder

[TimC]

Hi all

 

i was able to make some more progress this last week with adding a bunch of the tiny deck fittings into their respective locations. 
 

I was able to complete the midship section that includes the ships pumps, gallows(?), poles and ropes around the stairs, and my addition of elm tree style pumps

 

not sure why, but I have been excited to complete this specific section for quite some time. 
 

I was also able to complete the decorative railing in this section as well after I modified the side deck section that still needs ladders. This part was fiddly to get the fit right.  I actually had to extend the cross length of the hook section of the rail.  Other wise it was not wide enough to meet the side extensions properly.  All turned out well though 

 

Today I was able to get the rest of the railings and timber heads painted and attached along with the swivel gun posts.  Time consuming but pretty easy overalll. 

 

unfortunately I have found that I am missing or have lost one of the swivel guns.  This may be the push I needed to get replacement guns that are better quality and more suited to the time period as I have seen in other logs.  
 

Does anyone have input on a decent replacement and a recommended company that you like? 
 

thanks for looking !

Tim 

[Blue Ensign]

Hi Tim,

The kit provided Amati swivels are of very poor quality, I replaced them with RB Models brass 15mm guns which are perfect for scale but do need the yokes making to hold them.

I think Chris Watton may have some swivels as supplied with the Cutter Alert kit, but I don’t know if he supplies these as a separate fitting.

I also have an idea that Chuck (Syren) also makes a gun suitable for use as a swivel.

If you wish to stick with the kit versions you don’t have to fit them to all of the posts, I left some of them off on my Pegasus build.

Cheers,

 

 

B.E.

Edited February 28, 2021 by Blue Ensign

[Richard44]

12 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

I also have an idea that Chuck (Syren) also makes a gun suitable for use as a swivel.

Hi Tim,

These are the ones I bought to replace the Amati ones. But like the ones B.E. bought, they are not complete - barrels only. You'll have to make up yokes for them.

 

Your ship is looking really good. Well done on adding the elm tree brake pumps,  these make a nice easy addition.

Cheers

Edited February 14, 2021 by Richard44
Spelling!!

[glbarlow]

I think it’s ok to leave them off altogether. They were easy to move in reality. To me they seem a bit of clutter to the otherwise graceful look of the frigate. I didn’t replace mine on Pegasus, but I should have. 

[TimC]

Thank you all for the likes and suggestions!

 

11 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

I replaced them with RB Models brass 15mm guns which are perfect for scale but do need the yolks making to hold them

I was able to find these and order a full compliment of them.  Oddly enough the international shipping was only 4$ extra so that’s a win!  I’ll probably use your mounting methods as I like the effect you achieved.  Did you have enough spare PE hooks or did you end up buying more? 
 

I may end up leaving a few off as you and @glbarlow suggested.  If I do leave some out is there a place they are typically stored on the deck or are they stowed away??  Id love to have them visible if possible even if not mounted. 
 

11 hours ago, Richard44 said:

Hi Tim,

These are the ones I bought to replace the Amati ones. But like the ones B.E. bought, they are not complete - barrels only. You'll have to make up yolks for them.

 

Your ship is looking really good. Well done on adding the elm tree brake pumps,  these make a nice easy addition.

Cheers

 Thank you Richard! I looked at the syren ones but they didn’t seem to have small enough ones on his schematic.   They may be there but with his store down at the moment given the frenzy this week, I couldn’t look any further.  I’m looking forward to seeing the coppering of your hull!

 

thanks all

Tim

[dunnock]

Hi Tim,

Only just caught up with your log so apologies for my lateness!

 

Your ship is looking really good. I used the kit pivot guns but wished I had made an attempt to replace them with barrels and new brackets. I did replace the posts though with 3mm boxwood because the kit supplied walnut ones were not very nice and I couldn't get them to fix firmly.

 

David

[TimC]

On 2/15/2021 at 8:49 AM, dunnock said:

Hi Tim,

Only just caught up with your log so apologies for my lateness!

 

Your ship is looking really good. I used the kit pivot guns but wished I had made an attempt to replace them with barrels and new brackets. I did replace the posts though with 3mm boxwood because the kit supplied walnut ones were not very nice and I couldn't get them to fix firmly.

 

David

Thanks Dunnock for taking a look!  I appreciate it 

 

I was able to get my posts attached without too much trouble thankfully. I’m still waiting on the guns to arrive but I have plenty to keep me occupied 

 

Tim

[TimC]

Started to work on the channels and the bits beneath the channels.

These are proving to be a challenge to get initial attachment to the hull. 
 

Currently I’m using a spare piece of dowel, measured to show where the shroud line would attach, with a piece of string to get the closest angle for the pieces to attach in line with tension. I think I have the angle mostly right (or as close as I will be able to at this point.  I may improve or figure it out as I move back and then do the other side).  
 

This side profile shows the angles in getting now as well as an idea of how everything is laying. 
 

Please feel free to offer any and all advice on making this process more efficient or better.
 

These took me about 2 hours to get all the pieces cut, measured, blackened, glued and pinned. 
 

have a great night all!

Tim

[Richard44]

For a first time builder, you're doing extremely well. You should be very happy with how the build is going.

 

Cheers

[Blue Ensign]

Looking good Tim, the design of those chains and plates is very well done.

 

I do recall that I had to fiddle with the chains  for the Main channels to get the plates to fit above the wale, hopefully you will fare better.

 

B.E.

[TimC]

Thank you all for the likes and comments.  I appreciate the encouragement and extremely kind words more than you know.

 

Tim

[TimC]

Hi all

 

Minor update tonight.  I was able to complete the starboard side chain plates and orient them to the projected path of the shroud lines.  This was much more cumbersome than I initially expected but I’m happy with the result 

 

I’m hopeful that now that I have some experience placing them, the port side will not be as fiddly. 
 

I also received my replacement 15mm swivel guns from RB Models.  I was impressed that they only cost 11$ US including shipping all the way from Poland. They are extremely well done in my opinion 

 

I had to drill through the center to insert a 0.7mm wire on which to attach the yokes(?). The yokes I decided to make from 24 gauge dark annealed wire that I formed into the appropriate shape and twisted the bottoms together to form a pin to insert to the post.  They are not perfect, but they fit nicely and I feel they look good to the eye. 
 

for now they are dry fitted, but I will paint them black once completely assembled. 
 

That’s it for now. Onto the port side ! 

have a great night

—Tim

Edited February 28, 2021 by TimC

[Blue Ensign]

Neat work on the yokes,  the swivels look good.

I'm a big fan of RB guns, nicely proportioned and economically priced.

Well done Tim.

 

B.E.

 

[dunnock]

Nice work on the swivel guns Tim

[TimC]

Thank you BE and dunnock for the comments as well as Richard for the like 

Tim

[TimC]

This may be a bit of a dumb question but I figured I’ll ask.  On the plans, does the length of the dowels include the depth that goes into the ship?  For instance on the bowsprite plans 

does the 161mm include the portion that goes into the bowsprite hole until the point that it is fully in place? 
 

also, the plans do not seem to indicate a taper to the bowsprite, but it seems that there is a slight taper. Is there a portion of the instructions where this is listed and I am not seeing it or should I just measure directly from the plans on this one?  
 

thanks! 
Tim

[TimC]

Ended up just going for it and assuming I understood everything correctly.   Everything is mostly dry fitted at this point, but I had to redo the cap as most have done.  I couldn’t see any way to get the angles right or otherwise.
 

i decided to use Ramin dowel since I can use light staining as needed. The walnut in my kit seemed like it would have been too dark to my eye given the rest of the ship.  I rigged a lathe by using a standard power drill and my feet/toes to operate the trigger, leaving my hands free to sand and hold the dowel steady. Glad no body was around to watch that show 😂😂
 

here is my attempt at the bowsprite.  Almost all of it can be adjusted so please let me know if something appears off. 

 

Tim

[Blue Ensign]

Hi Tim,

The kit plan lengths tend to represent the full length taking into consideration the below decks element.

The Bowsprit does have a taper, in my case I followed Steel - Taking a 20” heel (8mm ø ) 1^st Qtr = 19¼” (7.86mm) 2^nd Qtr 18¼ (7.33mm) 3^rd Qtr 16” (6.4mm) End 11½”(4.5mm)

The kit arrangement does have some simplifications, the jib boom inner end should be octagonal, I used 4mm square stock, and there should be sheaves set into the boom at the inner and outer ends and a hole at the inner end to facilitate the heel lashing.

In practise Bowsprit caps were slightly wider on the starboard side of the mortise for the bowsprit and hole for the Jib boom, to allow for the Jack staff.

Having said all this the proportions of your arrangement look good to my eye.

 

B.E.

[glbarlow]

The masts are the full length including what goes below the deck.  The instructions don’t typically address tapering, that’s what the plans are for. As you gain experience you use the plans far more than the instructions. There will be a lot of belay points, ring bolts, blocks, and other misc stuff that’s only on the plans.  Look through ALL the rigging plans before you mount masts or spars to find what’s needed. It’s far easier to add the detailed stuff off the boat than it is on.  You’ll want to invest in ‘Quad Hands’ it will make rigging far easier, again doing as much off the ship as you can.  

[glbarlow]

The good news is BE and I said essentially the same thing🤣

[TimC]

10 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Hi Tim,

 

The kit plan lengths tend to represent the full length taking into consideration the below decks element.

 

The Bowsprit does have a taper, in my case I followed Steel - Taking a 20” heel (8mm ø ) 1^st Qtr = 19¼” (7.86mm) 2^nd Qtr 18¼ (7.33mm) 3^rd Qtr 16” (6.4mm) End 11½”(4.5mm)

 

The kit arrangement does have some simplifications, the jib boom inner end should be octagonal, I used 4mm square stock, and there should be sheaves set into the boom at the inner and outer ends and a hole at the inner end to facilitate the heel lashing.

 

In practise Bowsprit caps were slightly wider on the starboard side of the mortise for the bowsprit and hole for the Jib boom, to allow for the Jack staff.

 

Having said all this the proportions of your arrangement look good to my eye.

 

 

 

B.E.

 

 

4 hours ago, glbarlow said:

The masts are the full length including what goes below the deck.  The instructions don’t typically address tapering, that’s what the plans are for. As you gain experience you use the plans far more than the instructions. There will be a lot of belay points, ring bolts, blocks, and other misc stuff that’s only on the plans.  Look through ALL the rigging plans before you mount masts or spars to find what’s needed. It’s far easier to add the detailed stuff off the boat than it is on.  You’ll want to invest in ‘Quad Hands’ it will make rigging far easier, again doing as much off the ship as you can.  

thanks for the information guys!  I measured against BEs numbers and I ended up pretty close within about 0.3 mm (ish) at each section so I will probably leave it as is.   I have been following the plans much more than the written instructions for the most part.  I’m very much more visual in how I process things so it’s good to know the plans are more important in some regards. 
 

luckily I have a quad hands from my dealings in plastic ships so that will be handy again. 
 

thanks again 

Tim

[TimC]

Hi all

 

Got to work on adding some of the blocks to the bowsprite this weekend.  These are taking more time than I would have guessed, but I am playing with serving lines (courtesy of Chucks Serv-o-Matic— such beautiful tool) and creating eye splices that I finish with frapping(?).  I think that’s the right term....
 

love the look, but it’s an adventure getting there sometimes.  I’m sure I’ll figure out tricks as I go on. 
 

everything is dry fit right now with the jib boom held on by a small dab of putty.  

 

I think the cleats for the gammoning may be my favorite feature so far on the bowsprite. I got them evenly spaced and they have a nice little profile. 

 

I have test fitted the gammoning but will leave it off for now until I place the parts for good.  
 

I was fortunate to purchase a Proxxon lathe recently so I’ll be playing with that for the rest of the masts and yards.  Should make things easier but I’m sure there’s a learning curve there too

 

Cheers 

Tim 

[TimC]

Thank you to those that liked my last post

 

Minor work done this weekend.  I had purchased a lantern kit from Chuck at Syren a while back and was finally at a point where I could put this together.  I have to say the mini kit was a pleasure to build...extremely well crafted. I chose to leave the acetate out as I liked the look without it.  
 

tonight I got it mounted on the stern and I am very happy with the look 

 

 

 

Next I will be moving onto the masts and attempt to use my new lathe properly.  If there is any advice on lathe work, I am open to any and all comments

 

have a great night 

Tim

 

[Richard44]

Great job on the lantern Tim. I've also got one of Chuck's kits, but it will be awhile before I need to build it.

[alanroy]

Always lurking, rarely commenting. That's me!

 

For a first time wooden builder, you are doing fantastically! As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, small manipulation would come naturally. Wait 'til you guys see him rig the masts. He has trained spiders for that!

 

It would be interesting watching a sailor sitting on the tiller housing, legs hanging over the stern galleries, and leaning out to light that lantern!!

 

I do have a question regarding the swivel guns. I have always seen them with a handle on the cascabel to facilitate aiming. Yes or no?

 

Since you have now sworn off plastic, guess I'll have to do my own Revell Kearsarge. I've finally located plans of the Kearsarge and Mohican, her sister sloop, as launched, in Civil War configuration, at the National Archives. I just have to wait until they reopen to get in there and copy them. The build itself could take a while. My last build was in 1998, an Essex-class carrier in Korean War configuration for my late father-in-law's 80th birthday. He was either the cat officer or flags, on the USS Princeton. I can't remember which.

 

Again, great work, Tim!

 

Alan

Edited March 27, 2021 by alanroy
added information

[TimC]

Hey Alan!  Great to see you on here.  Thank you for taking a look and your compliments 

 

8 hours ago, alanroy said:

I do have a question regarding the swivel guns. I have always seen them with a handle on the cascabel to facilitate aiming. Yes or no?

I am going to put the handles on there.  I just haven’t gotten around to it...got sidetracked with the bowsprite, but they’re still dry fitted so I’ll be adding them in soon

 

are you planning to put a log of your Kearsarge on here??

 

Tim
 

 

[TimC]

First go at marking some rope with Syrens Rope Rocket.  I was expecting to have absolutely terrible results my first few.  Luckily I was not so disappointed. This tool is an absolute gem to work with. 
 

my try’s are not anywhere near perfect but I’m extremely satisfied with my first try’s.  1st rope was brown, 2nd was white, 3rd was tan

 

@Chuck, your tools are invaluable and expertly crafted. 
 

Tim

[Chuck]

Thank you......

 

A quick tip....try more twists and get it a bit tighter lay.   Both with the initial twisting and final twisting.

[TimC]

19 minutes ago, Chuck said:

Thank you......

 

A quick tip....try more twists and get it a bit tighter lay.   Both with the initial twisting and final twisting.

Thanks for the advice Chuck.  I’ll give it a few more spins next time 

 

Tim

[TimC]

Very small update tonight. 
 

I decided to redo my bowsprite gammoning with my own self made rope and I decided to switch from black to dark brown. I like how you can see the details of the rope more clearly compared to the kit supplied .75mm black.  I had previously set the black on there but after playing with my rope rocket, I decided to remove it. 
 

I have also begun making the masts.  I feel like this is going to take a while.  I am learning how to use the Proxxon lathe as well as using wood chisels to get the proper squared sections and tapers which is proving to be more challenging than I was expecting.  
 

 

more Ramin dowels are on the way, so for now this is the first and only attempt. 
 

any and all advice is always welcome! 
 

Thanks

Tim