builder_Nick Posted January 18, 2021 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2021 Hello Everyone! I am starting a build log for the Wappen Von Hamburg kit from Corel. The start of my build comes with some back story as I am not the one who purchased the kit or started the build. A number of years back I was along for a family visit to my wife's grandfather. During the visit he took interest in my woodworking experience and asked if I would be willing to fix a few ships he had build years earlier that had been damaged. I enjoy models, tall ships, and a good challenge so I took them home and restored them as best I could. When returning the ships, I was presented with two kits and an assortment of tools and supplies that he felt should go to someone that would appreciate them. One of the kits was the Wappen and the other the Victory. The Wappen had been started and the Victory untouched. Life was too busy with work and family. The kits remained in storage for many years until recently. The adventure begins as I tackle what I understand to be a very complex and advanced kit as a complete novice. I look forward to documenting this journey and hopefully getting feedback and advice from those with more experience than I. chris watton, Duanelaker, Hubac's Historian and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubac's Historian Posted January 18, 2021 Share #2 Posted January 18, 2021 I appreciate the backstory, and your intrepidness to take the journey. I’m in! Pio and builder_Nick 2 Quote We are all works in progress, all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted January 18, 2021 My wife’s grandpa passed away shortly after giving me the kit. It had some damage and a few elements in progress that I adjusted. He had built custom frames for the gun ports. Unfortunately, they were varied in size and location so I opted to remove them and use the frames from the kit. This allowed me to align them and know that each will be of uniform size. They are now glued and sanded to match the curvature of the ship. I also added blocking for better attachment of the planks. Pio, Duanelaker, Gregory and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 19, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted January 19, 2021 I have been comparing the instructions, drawings, and model to determine the completed steps. I’m hoping I have all the literature. The instructions refer to figure #s that I don’t see. The picture below states, “Fig. 8 shows in detail...” Is there more than the assembly instruction manual and plan drawings? Some elements have been completed out of sequence with the instructions. I know that is fine and that many builders work in different ways. I just want to make sure I understand what has been done and what I should do next. Hubac's Historian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 20, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted January 20, 2021 I was looking through the box and found the stempost. It appears to have been glued on the bow and then removed. I’m not sure if it was intentionally or accidentally removed. It suffered some damage and doesn’t seem usable. I have some walnut to mill a new one. The stempost doesn’t appear in the instructions yet, but I like the technique of leaving a rabbet to tuck planks cleanly. I’ll be doing a little more research as I plan out how to mill the stempost and incorporate the rabbet. GrandpaPhil, Hubac's Historian and Duanelaker 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 20, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted January 20, 2021 While hunting for reference pictures on the web, I stumbled across an image of the instructions. It clearly showed a technical drawing reference that I don’t have. Time to figure out how to get a copy. Duanelaker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted January 24, 2021 The ports on the bow are unique as they are meant to be cut in through a crescent piece of wood without frames like the others. While probably a minor detail, I was pleased with the way the other ports looked and decided to give these two a similar treatment by making the openings bigger and creating custom frames. The first picture shows the over cut opening on the left and one of the frames installed on the right. I made the frames deep enough to get the inside and outside curves. The second picture shows the frames trimmed, sanded, and installed. All ports on the gun deck are now uniform with clean, accurate, square edged frames. Now that the ports are installed, I am going to give the ship a once over to do some fairing. I need to figure out what was happening around the bow that caused some deviation from the original plan. As the pictures show, there is a slot cut in that I don't see mentioned in the instructions or any pictures of other builds I have found. I am hoping it was only for additional strength. My concern is that it will bring the stem back and interfere with future alignments. I may adjust my new stem that I am milling to accommodate the slot depth. There is also some strips of wood added and saw marks that make me think some fairing had taken place to correct the shape. I am going to do some research into fairing techniques and then get this ship a step closer to planking. Baker, Ondras71, GrandpaPhil and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubac's Historian Posted January 24, 2021 Share #8 Posted January 24, 2021 It is an interesting exercise to try and climb into the mind of the prior builder. You are doing a lovely, clean job! builder_Nick 1 Quote We are all works in progress, all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted January 25, 2021 Thanks for the compliment! It is an adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdurant Posted January 25, 2021 Share #10 Posted January 25, 2021 Seeing that angled break on the stempost, I was expecting to see it's matching break on the bow of the model... It looks like it could be pretty vulnerable if it were stuck on too early in the build. You've made a great start. Those gunport linings look really neat. Hope you won't mind if I follow along. builder_Nick 1 Quote Current build(s): Plymouth Ketch-Rigged Trawler "Erycina" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Paused on the lofting floor: HMS Bristol Portland class 50-Gun Ship (Scratch build, 1:64) Paused builds: Barque "Stefano" (MarisStella, 1:63) / Trawler "Nordkap" (Billings Boats, 1:50) / HMS Triton 28 gun frigate cross section (1:64) / F138, HMS Rapid Type 15 Fast Anti-Submarine Frigate (based on above Deans Marine hull, semi-scratch, 1:96) / HMS Mercury (1779) (Shipyard Models, Paper, 1:96) Previous builds: ἈΘΗΝΑ (Athena) (6th Century B.C.) Greek Bireme (Dusek, 1:72) / Zulu "Lady Isabella" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) / HMS Ethalion (1797) from HMS Diana (Caldercraft, 1:64) / HM Cutter Sherbourne (Caldercraft, 1:64) / Completed partially built Royal Yacht Caroline (Panart, 1:47) / HM Schooner Pickle (Caldercraft, 1:64) / M32, HMS Cottesmore MCMV (Sirmar / Fleetscale, Semi-scratch, 1:48) / D98, HMS York, Type 42 Destroyer (Dragon with White Ensign Photoetch, 1:700) / K166, HMCS Snowberry Flower Class Corvette (Revell, 1:72) / R97, HMS Grenville Fleet Destroyer (Deans Marine, 1:96) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted January 25, 2021 Glad to have you follow along. I was trying to figure that out too. It seems like it was well glued and then removed for some reason. I don't have the broken piece from the top, but the bottom part that connects to the keel was still attached to the keel. robdurant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted February 2, 2021 Working on a template for the new stempost. The shape of the bow is a little different than the plans so I needed to make sure the template is good before working in walnut. robdurant and GrandpaPhil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted February 6, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted February 6, 2021 The new stempost is ready to go. There are a few details to finish, but those are going to wait for later in the build. Hubac's Historian, GrandpaPhil, robdurant and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troycorr Posted February 10, 2021 Share #14 Posted February 10, 2021 The fabricated stem-post looks great Nick.. builder_Nick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted February 12, 2021 So it begins... the first row of planking is attached on both sides. The plank bending around the bow went well for my first try. I’ll be getting plenty of practice moving forward. GrandpaPhil, etubino and robdurant 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share #16 Posted March 3, 2021 A quick update to show that I’m still progressing on the planks. I decided to try for more realistic scale lengths. I like the look of the joints and the variations in tone it creates. I also darkened the edges with a pencil. robdurant, JeffT, GrandpaPhil and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdurant Posted March 3, 2021 Share #17 Posted March 3, 2021 That's looking great 😀 builder_Nick 1 Quote Current build(s): Plymouth Ketch-Rigged Trawler "Erycina" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) Paused on the lofting floor: HMS Bristol Portland class 50-Gun Ship (Scratch build, 1:64) Paused builds: Barque "Stefano" (MarisStella, 1:63) / Trawler "Nordkap" (Billings Boats, 1:50) / HMS Triton 28 gun frigate cross section (1:64) / F138, HMS Rapid Type 15 Fast Anti-Submarine Frigate (based on above Deans Marine hull, semi-scratch, 1:96) / HMS Mercury (1779) (Shipyard Models, Paper, 1:96) Previous builds: ἈΘΗΝΑ (Athena) (6th Century B.C.) Greek Bireme (Dusek, 1:72) / Zulu "Lady Isabella" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) / HMS Ethalion (1797) from HMS Diana (Caldercraft, 1:64) / HM Cutter Sherbourne (Caldercraft, 1:64) / Completed partially built Royal Yacht Caroline (Panart, 1:47) / HM Schooner Pickle (Caldercraft, 1:64) / M32, HMS Cottesmore MCMV (Sirmar / Fleetscale, Semi-scratch, 1:48) / D98, HMS York, Type 42 Destroyer (Dragon with White Ensign Photoetch, 1:700) / K166, HMCS Snowberry Flower Class Corvette (Revell, 1:72) / R97, HMS Grenville Fleet Destroyer (Deans Marine, 1:96) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troycorr Posted March 5, 2021 Share #18 Posted March 5, 2021 The plank lengths to scale is something I only recently became aware of (from Nick) and it does look so much better... builder_Nick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share #19 Posted March 21, 2021 Not too much to report. The planking continues on with each strake keeping me humble. I feel like my process is working well and that I’m seeing better results with each strake I complete. I have about 20 more to go before I reach the keel. Baker and GrandpaPhil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share #20 Posted March 21, 2021 I also want to mention that I now have the instructions that I was missing! Model Expo was a huge help and contacted Corel about getting it. I received an envelope with the instructions and a note written in Italian. I’m grateful to finally have the images that the instructions reference. mugje and GrandpaPhil 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubac's Historian Posted March 22, 2021 Share #21 Posted March 22, 2021 I wasn’t sure how you were going to approach this, but I am really impressed that you are tackling an authentic planking job. Your progress looks really great. Yeah, I’d say your process is working! builder_Nick 1 Quote We are all works in progress, all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share #22 Posted March 22, 2021 Thanks! I was nervous about planking this way, but I’m glad I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troycorr Posted March 25, 2021 Share #23 Posted March 25, 2021 Nick putting together a builder-log for this ship sure will be helpful for future builders! I’m working on the San Francisco (the older one, not the II), and grateful after finding a builder-log for it! builder_Nick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted April 2, 2021 Author Share #24 Posted April 2, 2021 I’m getting closer and closer trying to add a strake each day. I might finish a side by early next week. GrandpaPhil, ccoyle and etubino 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baker Posted April 7, 2021 Share #25 Posted April 7, 2021 Very nice work Nick builder_Nick 1 Quote Regards, Patrick Finished : Soleil Royal Heller 1/100 Wasa Billing Boats Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch) Pelican / Golden Hind 1/45 scratch Current build : Mary Rose 1/50 scratch Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch To do : Prins Willem Corel, Le Tonnant Corel, Yacht d'Oro Corel, Thermopylae Sergal Shore leave, non ship models build logs : ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72 Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72 Autoblinda AB40 1/72 122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72 10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e) Centurion Mk.1 conversion M29 Weasel 1/72 SAM6 1/72 T26 Finland T26 TN 1/72 Autoprotetto S37 1/72 Opel Blitz buses 1/72 Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72 Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72 Si vis pacem, para bellum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubac's Historian Posted April 7, 2021 Share #26 Posted April 7, 2021 Yes, this is excellent! All POB builders would benefit from a look at what you are doing, here; so many of the un-realistic POB planking conventions could be avoided, if one were to see just what is possible with a little extra care and layout. builder_Nick and Baker 2 Quote We are all works in progress, all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share #27 Posted April 9, 2021 GrandpaPhil, Hubac's Historian, marktiedens and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builder_Nick Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share #28 Posted April 26, 2021 10 strakes left on the port side GrandpaPhil, Hubac's Historian, etubino and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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