bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Share #1  Posted February 17, 2013 Hey all. After the untimely loss of all the data on this site I'm going back and re-doing my build log from the start. This is my first model, the HM Cutter Mermaid 1817. Its part of Modellers Shipyards' Australian Colonial Series of ships. I'll try and remember all the little hiccups I encountered throughout the build as to help others who get this kit make it without the same issues I encountered.  I'll work on getting back to where I am on this build tonight on here (luckily I still have all the pictures on my computers)  Cheers all Jason Tarr  aspesBels and federicoaa 2 Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #2  Posted February 17, 2013 And back to the build log. Each "Day" is broken in to the days I have spend building this model. Some times there are a many days between work days (letting glue works dry ect.)  Day 1- I get home from work and find my lovely package waiting for me  The Contents of the box  The contents spread on the desk  The ship kit  All the contents of the kit spread on the desk Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted February 17, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted February 17, 2013 G'day Jason, nice to see you back, mate! Â John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #4  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 2 Today I made a start on the Mermaid. I've cut the bulkheads out of the laser cut ply and fitted them together. Most required minimal faring to get a nice and true fit.  .     Side on view  . Front View . Angle View . . After leaving it to dry for the day I went back that evening and fitted the deck to her. Now to leave it dry for the next couple of days.    Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #5  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 3 Today I finished shaping the bulkhead ready for the first layer of planking.  Bulkhead Prepped and fared  First Plank in place   I found the dressmaker pins were a bit too big for the overall use so I ended up switching over to smaller map pins. They tend to be single use (the heads fall off them) but they are pretty cheap so its not an issue. Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #6  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 4 - 6  Throughout the next few days I worked on doing the first layer of planking. Some mistakes were made during this first layer but will be covered up come the 2nd planking layer. I used medical vascular clamps to help with alignment of the earlier planks (this tip was shown on the instruction DvD that accompanied the Mermaid)  2nd Plank - Port Side 2nd Plank - Starboard Side     3rd Plank    Planking Complete - Side Shots  Planking Complete - Front Shot  Planking Complete - Rear Shot  Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #7  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 7 Today I fitted the whale board and completed the deck planking. The deck was a nice change of pace from the 1st layer of planking, much easier and faster.  Whale Board On   Deck Planking Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #8  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 8 Today I lined the inlay of the whales and installed the inlay timber on the whales. A fiddly and time consuming days work, but quite easy overall. I used some scrap to make the spacer jib to make it easier to ensure correct spacing. The master cutter was a great tool for cutting the small inlays accurately.   Timber Lining in the deck   Timber Inlays Installed   Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #9  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 9 Over the course of the last few days I've fitted the 2nd layer of planking. Contact adhesive made easy work of fitting them on the first planking layer. There was a slight issue where I didn't sand the whales back far enough and ended up with a bit of raise that made planking a bit more difficult but was able to work around this. For any others building this model I'd say to make sure that its all smooth and flush along the sides.   2nd Planking Layer - Rear Shot   2nd Planking Layer - Side Shot   Had a slight issue with a hollow spot on the laser cut ply for a part of the rudder setup but was able to use some scrap to fill the hollow nicely.  Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #10  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 10 She's starting to take shape now. I've started to work on construction of the deck furnishings and the added the whales to the outside.  Whales Fitted  Gun Holes Fitted   Deck Furnishings Made   Dry Fit of the Deck Furnishings (to see how they will look)     Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #11  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 11 Over the course of the last few nights I've constructed the bitt heads, cat heads and pin rails and fitted them to her. The small triangle file was a great tool for carving the timber grooves, made it so easy.     Deck Furnishings        Pin Rails Placed    Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsaplala Posted February 17, 2013 Share #12  Posted February 17, 2013 Hello Jason,  Just catching up with your Mermaid Cutter log, she's coming along very nicely, excellent planking and detail-work Quote Best regards,AldoCurrently Building: HMS Pegasus (Victory Models)-Mothballed to give priority to Triton  HMS Triton (first attempt at scratchbuilding)   Past build:HM Brig Badger (Caldercraft), HM Brig Cruizer, HM Schooner Ballahoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #13  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 12 Slowly doing all the fiddly bits and fitting the cleats, bitt heads and starting to fit the brass eyes, blocks and the likes. I've got the anchors fitted as well. Its all been going quite smoothly at this stage and haven't had too many issues.   Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share #14  Posted February 17, 2013 Day 13 Well I've caught the build log back up to where I am up to. If I think of anything I have missed I'll add them in as I go  But back to what I'm up to. Today I fitted the mast and bow stem. Next will be starting to do all the rigging work. The Mermaid is starting to look like a ship now!  Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BANYAN Posted February 18, 2013 Share #15  Posted February 18, 2013 Great to see you repost all of the log Jason, she's coming along nicely. You'll be onto yopr next build before you know it  cheers  Pat Quote If at first you do not suceed, try, and then try again!Current build: HMCSS Victoria (Scratch) Next build: HMAS Vampire (3D printed resin, scratch 1:350) Built:          Battle Station (Scratch) and HM Bark Endeavour 1768 (kit 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest midnight Posted February 18, 2013 Share #16 Â Posted February 18, 2013 Glad to see you re-posting your log Jason . I like watching how some else goes about building the same model i have done . Keep up the good work . My only suggestion, and this might just be the camera angle , but a matt varnish might be the way to go next time . Â Â Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share #17  Posted March 8, 2013 Sorry for delays in updates here, had my laptop die. Just got my replacement one today. Fortunately I had the data backed up elsewhere so losses were minimal.  Back to the subject at hand, over the past few weeks I've completed the rigging process for the Mermaid. Overall I was quite happy with how she came out and learnt a lot on the way. I found the rigging to be quite enjoyable overall with only a few little frustrations.  First Rigging Works  Some more works on the rigging  Rigging Completed  In summary, I found this to be a nice kit although I did run short on a few bits (quite likely due to my error or not reading instructions clearly enough) It was a fairly easy build (they rated it at a Skill Level 2, with 6 being the hardest) and the instructional DvD was a great help during the process. I greatly built up my tool collection during the build too.  Now off to build my next model, the Colonial Schooner Port Jackson. GrandpaPhil, bigcreekdad and ccoyle 3 Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BANYAN Posted March 8, 2013 Share #18  Posted March 8, 2013 Very nice build Jason, looks great. Now a man who enjoys rigging, that's a rarity   I hope you had a bundy t celebrate her launching?  cheers  Pat Quote If at first you do not suceed, try, and then try again!Current build: HMCSS Victoria (Scratch) Next build: HMAS Vampire (3D printed resin, scratch 1:350) Built:          Battle Station (Scratch) and HM Bark Endeavour 1768 (kit 1:64) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted March 8, 2013 Share #19  Posted March 8, 2013 That's come out very well, mate! Good on yer!  Your schooner will be the 'Mercury'. The original plans in Greenwich are labelled, "A Schooner for Port Jackson" and were sent out in 1803 on the "Calcutta", but by the time they got here the Government had already aquired some small ships and didn't need the schooner. As far as is currently known, Mary Reiby's "Mercury" was the only ship ever built to these plans (it's the ship on our $20 note).  John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share #20  Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for the history lesson Jim  Its always nice to learn more about these things and our own history. When shes finished I'll have to include a $20 note in her display case. Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted March 12, 2013 Share #21  Posted March 12, 2013 Jason,  You certainly did a great job, did you have much problems with the rigging? have to get back on to mine, I've only started the 2nd planks  Regards Russell phiSuter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share #22  Posted March 18, 2013 Hi Russell, I had a pretty good run with the rigging. Had some tweezers for getting in the fiddly bits and I used a dab of superglue on the end of the rigging lines to ease getting them through the blocks and I retouched the holes with a small drill to make sure they were clean. phiSuter 1 Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phiSuter Posted November 29, 2016 Share #23 Â Posted November 29, 2016 Hi Bundy, I'm a new member and I've just joined NRG and still coming to grips with how to navigate their site and what the terminoligy is. I've inherited the Pt Jackson Schooner from an older friend who has lost interest. He has left me with some very good beginners tools also. I have no illusions that this will not be a 'walk in the park' build. However I have the patience to follow through with care. So far I've glued all the ribs and the basic deck in place. Is it best to start the hull planking first or the deck planking. It looks like it would be easier to do the deck planking first because it would be easier to cut the overlaping planks to the shape of the schooner. But I look forward to your advice. From what I see of your build, you look like a professional. Your ship looks awesome. Regards Phil Suter, Elwood Victoria Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bundybear1981 Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share #24  Posted February 25, 2017 Hi phiSuter Sorry, I have been away from the forum for a period (and changed emails, hence didnt get any notifications) How are you going with your build? If you have and questions please send a message and I'll help where I can! Cheers Jason Quote Thanks, Jason Tarr Current Build : Longboat - HMS Sirius 1786  Completed Build : HM Mermaid 1817 Completed Build : Colonial Schooner Port Jackson 1803  Upcoming Build : Colonial Sloop Norfolk 1798 Upcoming Build : Colonial Brig Perseverance 1807     Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcreekdad Posted February 25, 2017 Share #25 Â Posted February 25, 2017 Very nice job!! Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterbrowne Posted November 12, 2020 Share #26  Posted November 12, 2020 Very nice build and log Jason. You have enough calipers there to do a lung transplant...🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.