HMS Bellona by yvesvidal - CAF Model - 1:48

[AJohnson]

The stern decorations have come out really well, lovely job! 👏

[yvesvidal]

Again, a quick update after almost two weeks of working on one of the Galleries. What a royal pain overall.....

 

 

The first thing was to position and glue (after bending in a jig for a couple of days) the rear stern wall: 

 

 

 

The construction of the galleries can then be started. Again, the parts provided by CAF are not matching exactly and need to be modified. It is extremely tedious, requires a lot of trials, sanding and CA glue is your best friend in this kind of endeavor.

 

The most horrible parts are the slanted window frames: they are poorly machined and require each glass pane to be individually cut, with the most care. The wood is very brittle and the rungs are only asking to break in the process. It is so unfortunate that CAF did not print these frames in resin. They are printing so many other parts and these would look so much better in resin. Anyway, cutting nine glass panes on each window, gluing rungs and microscopic pieces of wood is not exactly  fun and I will take a break before assembling the second gallery.

 

 

Same goes with the pilasters: They should have 3D printed them instead of using that carved/machined wood which does not look very realistic at that scale. For someone with 3D design skills, it would be worth re-designing these parts and getting the window frames correctly aligned and matching the openings.

 

 

 

 

Yves

 

Edited July 24, 2022 by yvesvidal

[AON]

Looks like a real challenge.  I'll bet standing back 2 feet it looks pretty darn good.

 

[Kevin]

looks brilliant from less than 2 feet as well

[yvesvidal]

Night sailing....

 

 

 

Yves

[Blue Ensign]

You really shouldn't have to work that hard to achieve a good result with those Quarter Galleries Yves, I agree they would be so much better in printed resin. Perhaps someone from CAF will see your comments and address the situation.

The QG construction is  so complex and poor materials are not what you want.

 

Still a model is more than the sum of its parts and once you've worked your magic  such deficiencies will tend to fade into the background.

 

B.E.

[carlo_l]

Very nice and clean work 😃 Impressive stern decorations =D 

[DocRob]

Impressive work and I can feel your pain, as such amounts of time has to be spent, because of suboptimal designed parts. I hope you pull through and finish this beauty which will be satisfactory all over.

 

Cheers Rob

[yvesvidal]

5 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

Still a model is more than the sum of its parts and once you've worked your magic  such deficiencies will tend to fade into the background.

 

B.E.

 

Thank you Blue Ensign, coming from you that is very encouraging and supporting. I use your Build Log as a reference for a lot of details on my model.

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

Yes, the Quarter Galleries are a royal pain in the **** to put together. However, they also contribute so much to the beauty and splendor of the ship, that all these efforts are worth it. When you look at the entire model, these small deficiencies vanish as there are so many details to grab the attention of the enthusiasts. Thank you all, for your encouragements and words of support and wisdom.

 

I will try to do better on the starboard gallery. In the meantime, I am building a few more big pounders for the gun deck, so that I can make some more progress on the main deck. A slight change of pace, so to speak....

 

Yves

Edited July 27, 2022 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

It is time to build a few more cannons, that will sit under the main deck. This task, as many of you know so well, is tedious and repetitive. That is why I do it in small quantities at a time (almost homeopathic doses).

 

 

 

The brass parts are immersed in a mixture of vinegar (apple cider) and baking soda. The parts are then carefully cleaned in lukewarm water and then dipped into the black solution. Again, rinsing, drying and waxing are performed on each barrel.

 

 

 

Touch-ups, when necessary are made with the Model Shipways cannon black acrylic color, that matches so well the chemical blackening.

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

Now, is the time to prepare all the details of the gun deck, before closing the lid on it: 

 

 

I have precut the square holes that will be used for the bitts. I also painted black the wood surfaces that will sit below the grates.

 

The guns are then placed, on one side only....for the time being.

 

 

 

It is starting to look very menacing (above).

 

I am then installing the large ropes used for the anchors.

 

 

At this point, I can start covering the port side of the central section. The main capstan has been inserted in place, since it will be very difficult to position it when the central main deck section is glued.

 

Yves

[Blue Ensign]

Nice touch including the Pump dales Yves,  have you left the Royal cipher on the guns bright for artistic preference?

 

B.E.

[yvesvidal]

47 minutes ago, Blue Ensign said:

have you left the Royal cipher on the guns bright for artistic preference?

B.E.

 

Yes, exactly.

[yvesvidal]

Still taking a (well deserved...) break from the galleries, I am now moving to the partial completion of Session #3. This is basically, the building, planking of the main deck with some parts added here and there.

 

 

After installing the four guns underneath, the lid is placed permanently. 

 

 

The two anchor ropes are installed and wrapped around the bitts: 

 

 

At this point, the other four guns are glued and the other side of the  deck can be installed: 

 

 

 

 

Of course, the preliminary work of adjusting all the deck parts, pays big at this stage. All parts are dovetailing perfectly.

 

 

The planking can now be started. Most planks are 20 cm long and staggered by 5 cm. Two coats of Wipe on Poly have been spread and I will most likely use a third coat, before adding anything to the deck.

 

 

You can clearly see the demarcation of the Wipe-On-Poly, below. I like that grayish and still warmish hue that it gives to the wood, and the protection it brings to that fragile wood. On the picture, the WOP has just been spread, causing that wet look on the maple wood.

 

 

Overall view: 

 

 

Yves

Edited August 2, 2022 by yvesvidal

[GrandpaPhil]

Bellona is looking amazing!

 

Have you thought about just making your own window frames and pilasters for the starboard quarter gallery?

 

 

[hamilton]

Very impressive work Yves!! Been out of town for the last couple of weeks, but you certainly have not been idle! 

hamilton

[yvesvidal]

Folks, I need your help. I am trying to replicate the rigging used to retract and retain the guns on the deck. According to the Anatomy of Ship (Bellona), this was done with two double blocks and a ring attached to the deck.

 

I tried measuring the blocks on the book and I came up with about 4 mm in size. I have no idea what the rope should be (1/48th scale) for that usage. Same goes for the gun breaches, to retain the cannon and absorb the recoil.

 

Any pointers and source for these blocks and ropes would be much welcome. None of that equipment is included in the kit. I thought, it would look nicer on the deck and would add a few useful details.

 

Thanks in advance.

Yves

Edited August 5, 2022 by yvesvidal

[AON]

I am certain I have this info and can look through my files when I get home later... unless someone else answers before that.

[AON]

Just PM'd some info to you.

[yvesvidal]

Moving along on the main deck with the building of an additional eight middle size guns: 

 

 

These guns will be positioned centrally on the main deck. I am doing this to allow me the possibility to start building the rear quarter deck: 

 

 

The red columns (bitts ?) holding the support for the belaying pins must be installed and prepared before you start installing the floor and planking of the main deck. Otherwise, you will suffer to make sure they fit correctly as they almost interfere with the pumps. You have been warned.... I am thankful, I prepared these parts (four of them) ahead of time.

 

The kit does not provide any internal paneling for the main deck, with the exception of the central part. I decided to build some panels as they may be visible from outside, if you lean low enough while looking: 

 

 

Not perfect, but better than nothing. This section of the deck is ready for the installation of the 18 pounder guns: 

 

 

 

Yves

 

 

Edited August 17, 2022 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

All eight guns have been installed. I have implemented some of the rigging used to roll back the guns for reloading. Again, these details may be visible from the outside and contribute to the quality of the model. Nothing is provided in the kit. Parts were sourced from Model Shipways.

 

 

The 12 mm belaying pins are also provided from Model Shipways and are made of wood. The CAF Model kit does not provide anything.

 

 

Aerial view....

 

 

The Upper capstan is coupled with the lower one and they both spin in synchronization.

 

 

At this stage, I can start installing the beams that will support the rear quarter deck.

 

From the outside of the hull: 

 

 

Hmmm... I may need to sand a little bit that upper wale..... These pictures are too revealing....

 

Overall view, that is where we stand. The model weights a little bit more than 13 pounds at this moment (poop heavy...as you can guess). 

 

 

Yves

 

  

Edited August 17, 2022 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

I agonized about making the rudder controlled from the wheel. I would have had to go through two decks and implement a system of pulleys that conflicts with the positions of the guns. In the end it was too crazy and the kit does not offer an easy (for me) way of doing it. Besides, the wheel itself is not easily accessed from the outside and the lack of coupling will prevent curious (and big...) fingers to actuate the mechanism.

 

Therefore, the rudder will be mounted free with a device to bring it back to the central position: 

 

 

Very simple and very efficient.

 

Yves

Edited August 17, 2022 by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

Time for a quick update: I am working on the mid-section of the main deck. First, we need to prepare six 32 pounders guns: 

 

 

After assembling so many guns, I am starting to get the gist of it and can put together quite a few in a short time (usually less than 24 hours).

 

These main guns are installed on the gun deck and will be covered by the "B" section of the main deck: 

 

 

 

 

 

Above are the final pictures of this section of the hull, never to be seen again.

 

The main deck flooring is installed, one half at a time: 

 

 

 

 

Yves

 

 

 

[yvesvidal]

Time to plank. This is where we are at this point. We are still in SESSION #3, although we took a lot of bifurcations.

 

 

Planking is extended as much as possible, keeping the plank length at 20 cm.

 

The delicate installation of the bulwarks is then done. The original parts from CAF are fitting rather well in the longitudinal side, but need to be reworked on the vertical side. Because of the inclination of these parts, the cutout of the guns does not match perfectly. I am surprised they did nto correct these parts during their dry assembly tests: 

 

 

After a few hours of work, both sides are completed and waiting for more details: 

 

 

I have installed only two knees, because I cannot complete the planking yet. The main capstan rotates in synch with the lower level.

 

 

 

Above, the box printed on the bottom edge is the location of the stove. That will be for later, of course.

 

Below, a goofy picture: 

 

 

The Bitts and belaying pins are not easy to place and I would recommend working all the details of their installation before the installation of the floor. The rear ones are located right against the bilge pumps and the front one are actually on top of the bilge pumps. It is kind of a mess to install and it is a good thing in a way, that the gun deck cannot be seen in details.

 

The belaying pins are from Model Shipways and not provided in the CAF kit.

 

Yves

 

 

[yvesvidal]

I am now waiting for some extra parts from CAF. The quarter deck guns are missing from the contents of SESSION #5. The brass barrels are there, but none of the cradles to mount them. Tom is sending the missing parts as well as an extra set of ropes for the anchors, as I need more for the presentation of the model I intend to do in the future....(distant future).

 

In the meantime, there is still plenty to do and I put together the last four 32 pounders guns: 

 

 

These are installed at the bow: 

 

 

I am not covering that section yet, as I need the extra set of ropes, before closing the lid.

 

Overall views: 

 

 

 

 

 

Still plenty of work left on the main deck.....

 

Yves

Edited August 26, 2022 by yvesvidal

[Kevin]

stunning work, i love it, and agreed that is so much  quality work, just to cover it all up

[John Ruy]

I agree with Kevin, “stunning”. Beautiful work Yves. 😎

[yvesvidal]

Some progress and the completion of the Session #3. Things went a little bit slow as I was waiting for some extra parts from China (CAF Models).

 

Below is the last section ("A") of the main deck. Half of it has been installed, while waiting for extra length of ropes to arrive from CAF Models. I am envisioning how I will be displaying the model, and some additional ropes may come handy. Tom from CAF Models, was very generous and sent me multiple meters of that beautiful and thick rope, used for the anchors and for pulling the ship on the dry-dock. Being stuck waiting, I started assembling half of the A section: 

 

 

Planking was installed as usual (20 cm long planks):

 

 

This section of the bulwark will be visible from outside and the kit did not include any covering. I have added the framing and painted it red: 

 

 

The rope arrived, was tied under the main deck to the Bitts, the other "A" section was installed, planking laid down and treated with multiple coats of Wipe On Poly Satin clear.

 

 

At this stage, Session #3 is almost completed with the exception of the remaining 18 pounders guns, eight of them will be installed at the very end after I get a chance to work on the railing and gangways.

 

 

Last grate hatch is built and glued: 

 

 

Et voila : 

 

 

SESSION #3 is officially completed !!!

 

Next time, we will be starting the Session #4 (front and rear quarter decks), although multiple strides into it have already been completed. 

 

Yves

Edited September 11, 2022 by yvesvidal

[Kevin]

lovely