HM Cutter Alert by PhillH - Vanguard Models - 1:64 scale

[Theodosius]

Great build so far! How's your second planking going? 🙂

 

[PhillH]

On 2/13/2022 at 11:20 AM, Theodosius said:

Great build so far! How's your second planking going? 🙂

 

Thanks, there has been very little time spent at the shipyard Theodosius. I have been spending a lot of time caring for my father who is suffering from Alzheimer's and I have been making the most of the time we have together. That said I have managed some work on the counter so I must get round to updating my log with progress so far.

Phill

[PhillH]

I used masking tape as others have done to temporarily fit the spacer for the top 4mm planks which finish off the first planking and then glued in place the final two planks.

Phill

[PhillH]

Next on the agenda was the counter which is an area that I had been trying to decide on for some time.

The manual shows that part 76 should be cut to fit along the top edge of the main wale with a straight counter.

 

However, this picture shows it cut to fit along the top edge of the main wale with a more curved counter.

 

 

 

And finally in this picture it is fitted abaft of the main wale with a curved counter as per the ATOS book

 

 

 

I was unsure whether to go with a flat or curved counter but have finally decided on a curved counter which looks the most appealing to my eye.

 

Phill

[Thukydides]

Looking really good. I also spent a bunch of time puzzling about the counter. In the end I think it looks much better making it curved and am glad I did so. I think you will also find yourself better pleased in the end for putting in the extra effort to make the counter curved.

[RDDP]

I am, like everyone else, amazed and impressed by your abilities. This is your first ? Really !! You must be a dentist in your day job... Anyway I'm humbled to say the least. 

[Diver]

Hello Phil.  I am really enjoying your build of Alert.  I am at present muddling my way through the Medway longboat by Syren.  I have decided that when it is finished my next project will be a Vanguard kit.  Your build is inspirationel.  The Medway is my first ever build and it is teaching me patience and skills.

[PhillH]

Thanks RDDP and Diver for the kind words and to everyone for the "Likes".

@Diver I agree, without patience you will never achieve your desired result. I would prefer to spend a day getting a plank correct than to look back with regret because I rushed things, which is why this build is taking so long.
@RDDP I was an industrial controls system specialist but some of my customers made me feel like I was pulling teeth.😉

 

Phill

 

[PhillH]

To achieve a curved counter, I needed to put a corresponding curve into the bottom of the transom frames.

I used the scrap material pattern left after removing the transom frames, to draw a small sketch of the transom area. I then cut out a cardboard version of part 76 and used this to draw on the stern planking and onto the sketch the required curve which allowed me to determine the shape the transom frames would need to be modified to.

I then layered several sheets of paper under the sketch and cut multiple patterns with a scalpel.

 

These patterns where then glued to the transom frames to give a guide for sanding.

 

I used the curve of part 76 to find an item with a similar curvature to use as a sanding guide and in the end the best fit was a jam jar. I wrapped sandpaper around the jam jar and gradually sanded back the frames until I reached the patterns I had glued on.

 

The counter was next soaked in hot water and clamped to the same jam jar and left to dry.

 

I decided not to glue the sternpost permanently in place at this stage but used the packing pieces previously fitted to hold the top in place while the base was held with a clamp. The stern angled planking was then cut and glued in place using PVA.

 

I then removed the temporarily fitted sternpost

 

 

and sanded the stern planking.

I will leave the sternpost off for now as this will allow me to fit the planks overlapping the stern.

The planks will then be cut back flush, and the stern piece refitted once all the sanding has been completed.

 

 

The curved counter was next removed from its jam jar former and glued in place.

 

Finally, the counter was sanded back to align with the hull planking.

 

The next challenge is the second layer of planking.

Phill

 

[AJohnson]

Just found this log, beautiful first planking! 👏

[jpalmer1970]

That is great looking work PhillH and a useful detailed explanation of your thinking and processes.

 

[Joe100]

I always love an Alert build, and this one is no exception. I scratch built a diorama of her about 2 years ago, and it was one of my favorite models. Something pleasing about those lines.