Harriet Lane by Organ tech - Model Shipways

[Organ tech]

Thanks!

 

[Organ tech]

I bought some wood dough to help smooth the inside of the bulwarks before I paint the inside of them, then add the prepared decking, suppled with the kit. Meanwhile, I made an fitted the jaws for the mainmast boom and jib. They fit the mast snugly. I worked more on the forward companionway and one of the deck skylights. These look OK, viewed with the naked eye, fuzzy and rough in the picture.

Edited June 25, 2021 by Organ tech
addition

[Organ tech]

Since the sponsons and the deck are at the same level, I cut out the bulwarks where the  paddle wheel-water closets will go. Slightly too wide so some putty and paint  will be used here later. 

Edited June 28, 2021 by Organ tech

[Organ tech]

Next, I traced the paper patterns for the deck, a thin basswood piece, suppled with the kit, scored with lines to be the planking. For logical reasons, this pattern will only be approximate, and need to be corrected, with paper "shims" to accurately conform to my actual bulwark outlines.  Reasons for correction---paper and wood both change size slightly with humidity, micro-deviation of my my bulwark carving from the paper pattern, to name a couple. Pics show the tracing,  paper inserted in the hull with a "shim" at the stern. My pattern was pretty close.

[Organ tech]

When satisfied with the pattern, I anchored it to the basswood deck sheet with a couple dabs of rubber cement, and cut it out with a razor knife. The deck sheet was barley large enough, but adequate. I used contact cement to glue it into the hull. My fit is good enough where the waterline "moldings" shown in the instructions, will cover any gaps between the bulwarks and deck. small pieces will need to be glued between the sponsions and deck. Coming up---gun cutouts, outside hull painting, and copper sheeting, as well as keel and rudder.

[Stevinne]

I'm starting out on my own HL build, so I'm following along to learn what I can. Good work so far.

 

[Organ tech]

Thanks Stevinne- I am a rank beginner. This is my 1st. I will always point out my goofs to help others avoid them 🙂

[Organ tech]

I have prepared the bow area for the bowsprit assembly. I also added the "waterline" molding along the deck. 

[Organ tech]

I added the lift for the mainmast gaff. The line passed through six blocks and belays or cleats in the deck area.

[Organ tech]

I made a new bowsprit. 1st one was sloppy. This is model is not going to be done tomorrow so why rush? The old bad one, top is destined for D J's locker. The new one is on the bottom. The new bowsprit fits well in the bow.

[druxey]

Festina lente: make haste slowly!

[Organ tech]

More hull work. I have added the keel. Making the transition cure involved trial and error. 

[Organ tech]

I am working on other hull details such as cutting the gun ports and adding the copper below water sheathing. The better quality copper was mostly missing from my kit, save for a few inches. I bought some stained glass flux, from a hobby supply, to use as a satisfactory substitute. 

[Organ tech]

My painted hull is missing its shearstrake as it will be easier to add it after the paddlewheel sponsions are in place, following up with a black sharpie.

[druxey]

Nice and neat. The coppering should cover stem and stern post as well as the keel.

[Organ tech]

Thanks— I will do that🙂🤙

[Organ tech]

Sheathing done. Tomorrow the rudder, railing, shearstrakes, and finally adding sub assemblies  to the hull, masts, bowsprit, and paddle wheels. Though not obvious in the pic, the keel has sheathing.

Edited July 6, 2021 by Organ tech

[Organ tech]

Bow rails and front cap rails. I am using file folder cardboard for the cap rails. Most wood is too delicate for this scale for me, where the grain runs across the curve.

[Organ tech]

Shearstrake an portholes in place and fitting eight eye bolts in the bow area for the bowsprit stays and rigging. I held the grommets, used for portholes, on a 16 penny nail and pressed them into their pre- drilled holes.

[Organ tech]

I have my cradle made to drill the mast holes and add the other sub- assemblies to the hull.

[Organ tech]

“Precise” locations for mast hole located. Jig made on drill press with the  slight back tilt for the  (F) fore mast and greater back tilt for the (M) main mast, for accurate drilling. 

[Organ tech]

Holes drilled. Mainmast a little toward the port side. Otherwise, the masts look good in place. The pencil marks are where the deck- pilot house goes.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Organ tech

[Organ tech]

Sponson supports are steel wire. I am carefully shaping them so the wheel assemblies sit plumb in their openings, trimming and bending with pliers.

[Organ tech]

One paddle wheel assembly glued in. I simplified this by making “dummy” helper sponsons that hide behind the paddle wheels, giving extra support.

[druxey]

Coming along nicely!

[Organ tech]

thanks Druxey  🙂

Edited July 11, 2021 by Organ tech

[Organ tech]

Ship posing with its main mast and both paddle wheel assemblies in place.   Before I glue in the masts, I will add the fife rails, debating whether to use the Britannia metal parts supplied, or to fabricate from wood. I am not sure why the aft rigged main mast has one. Maybe included in the original builders plans in case an owner wanted to square rig this mast(?).

Edited July 13, 2021 by Organ tech

[druxey]

Aft rigged main mast has one what, O.T.?

[Organ tech]

—-has a fife rail (?).

[Organ tech]

I am redoing my forward companionway and a couple of other deck structures. I can do better. My ship with the deck house in place, not affixed yet, just a photo op.the windows on the pilot house don’t cut it either. I will re-do them.

Edited July 15, 2021 by Organ tech