USF Confederacy by Wahka_est - Model Shipways - 1/64

[Wahka_est]

Confederacy has always catched my eye together with USF Essex. I started with Essex but ran into so many troubles that i put it asaide until i make up my mind  what to do with it.

My Cruiser isnt done yet as running rigging is still to be done but i needed some wood dust on my work bench...

 

So here it is: USF Confederacy by Chuck Passaro and Model Shipways.

There are many superb build with box reviews so i skip that.

 

So far it has been really good build with my own mistakes: bulkheads wrong ways so ribs are other side etc. But nothing major-those deviations lets say....make it stand from crowd  

 

Chuck has done superb job with instructions, only problem is that im used to follow drawings - i guess i have to turn that around.

 

Challenges in this kit are single planking and inches (im metric guy). 

 

Other than that it should

be straight out of the box build with dream maybe in future with full rigging.

So lets see how rookie with no ships 100% finished handles its 2nd (i dont consider Terror successful build) build.

 

Progress so far:

Most of frame and gunports done. False deck glued today. 

 

[Wahka_est]

Small update. Last heavy sanding before planking. Managed to brake stern frames....so rough but practical reinforcements there. Ugly as hell but works.
Got positive Covid test today so MAYBE i will get planking going in few days and have good progress as i have to stay at home a while. Lets see.

 

[Wahka_est]

Slight update. First planks going in.

Somehow keel got bend in stern area. I guess i just have to live with it.....

[Wahka_est]

So decided to show some progress.

 

Its still planking of upper wales. Only one layer of planking is a great challenge but it also teaches you a lot.

Outcome requires nice sanding but im sure it will be good in the end. Plan is to finish all planing and then start with wales etc.

 

Surprising is that  ME planks arent the same thickness, not to mention the width that i have to take into accout.

 

Edges of gunports are something i wasnt happy about but with chisel set from Mikhail i could make them much better. Will finish all those after planking.

 

Upper wales planking might be done next week. Boarders have  opened a bit so now its possible to go on business trips again.

 

And yes one thing i did is that after planking i noticed its quite soft surface on planing and planks move ,so i added layer of glue inside to make it steady enough. I like the result and will definitely help with sanding.

 

[Wahka_est]

99% done on upper wales. Decided to sand before moving on and adding wales. Pictures beforeu and after. Uite pleased, cant wait to put on the stain.

[Tim Curtis]

Planking looks really good....

[Wahka_est]

10 hours ago, Tim Curtis said:

Planking looks really good....

Thank you. Its my first single layer planking and hardest part is still yet to come.

[Wahka_est]

Started with upper wales.

Also did test with beeswax, small area below upper rail. Will probably do lower hull with it.

 

Still trying to find correct mix for golden oak. I have CC stains and paints but their oak stain is more dark brown.

[Wahka_est]

Just small update.

 

Have to say that stripwood quality for planking is bad. Is hairy and dimensions vary a lot. But have  to just manage somehow.

 

 

[Wahka_est]

Small update.

Planking ongoing.
Takes time as every piece is 12,5cm long. 
Made a mistake with wales position one side and had to take them off with alcohol. Dont have any spare ones so i have to wait until mu Byrnes saw will arrive to make some.

Kind of messed up in stern area i think, maybe i will replace some planks with stealers.

I looks rough for now but it will look nice when sanded. Have small Proxxon delta sander that will make miracles  .

 

For next build i will follow planking guides posted here with dividing widths and starting to tapper each plank etc. As bending wise im good as Chucks tips are superb.

 

 

[Wahka_est]

1st rough sanding to smooth the hull. I made it slightly moist to see how it would look after wax. Quite pleased.

Will look awesome when upoer hull is painted and stained.

[Wahka_est]

Still planking….at least for few months

 

[WalrusGuy]

So beautiful!!! 

[Wahka_est]

1 hour ago, WalrusGuy said:

So beautiful!!! 

Thank you. Needs quite a lot of sanding.

Im still missing wales as i glued pieces to wrong height so i had to take them away and kit does not have extra strips. I should get that done in few weeks also.

Funny is that in real life it looks better than photos. On pictures you see flaws that you dont see in real life

 

W

[Wahka_est]

Not that i havent done anything but planking takes time.

Now when milling planks myself i see how good the steipa could really be, sadly i cant change hull planking strips in middle of the build but will definitely use my own for decks.

So but…looks rough before sanding but will look nice afterwards. Like said before not the best but satisfied for 1st  try with sigle layer. Nicely bening ayc, pear or boxwood would make it much better. Lets see if i can finish planking this year.

 

A and yes….frames somehow i managed to install to other side-make it to stand out of the crowd  (nice excuse).

 

Vahur

Hobbymill.eu

 

 

 

 

[WalrusGuy]

Very nice planking! Are you edge bending wood strips at the bow? 

[Wahka_est]

11 minutes ago, WalrusGuy said:

Very nice planking! Are you edge bending wood strips at the bow? 

Tnx. Yes all planks at bow are edge bended-makes life much easier.

Just wife isnt happy i use water boiler for that  

 

vahur

[Wahka_est]

Hi

 

Havent posted a long time.

Planking dine, would give myself 7/10 due to lack of experience.

Some minor sanding still needed and yes keel got some damage so i have to sand and stain it again.

 

For next chapters i will probably open hobbymill stash and change as much as possible as tolerances are out of the roof and would love to see my own wood on ship. Lets see where and what i will replace. Will unglue the wales and change it to black hornbeam for sure.

 

Keep safe and until next update  

 

Vahur

Hobbymill.EU

 

Edited January 2, 2022 by Wahka_est

[WalrusGuy]

The planking looks great, Vahur! 

[Chuck]

Beautiful work…i bet you are glad the planking is done.  

[Wahka_est]

1 hour ago, Chuck said:

Beautiful work…i bet you are glad the planking is done.  

Thank you.

Took “only” half a year, couldnt wait to get it done. Made a plan to glue something every week.

 

Vahur

[Wahka_est]

3 hours ago, WalrusGuy said:

The planking looks great, Vahur! 

Thank you. Yours also, you are fast with progress.

 

Vahur