Royal Caroline by DaveSchmidt - 1:48 - from plans

[DaveSchmidt]

Ive decided to take the leap into scratch building. I'm nearing the end of my HMS Winchelsea and I have to say trying to find a decent kit after that build is a difficult task. So ive decided to just build my first ship from drawings. I got the Anatomy of the ship book and I have some prints I obtained a long time ago. Ive scanned all the drawings I have and checked them for accuracy after printing. After that task was done and after lots of staring at the prints I've started on the keel. Ive gotten all the parts cut and fitted about as good as I can get them. After I get that finished I can start cutting the spine and bulkheads. Im sure this will be a slow process because of my checking over things again and again because this is my first full scratch build. Any guidance or advice is greatly appreciated.

[DaveSchmidt]

Got the keel all glued up, got the false keel cut and started fitting bulkheads one at a time. Trying to be as accurate as I can because any mistakes at this point will make for bigger problems down the road.

[Arthur Goulart]

Modelling noob here, but looking forward to seeing what you will come up with!

[DaveSchmidt]

Not much to report. Just have all the bulkheads fit, and faired. Next I'll finish up the stern framing, drill mast holes and permanently attach the keel. After that I'll start planking. Still up in the air on which species of wood I'll use for this ship. I'm thinking either cherry or pear. The price between the two may be the deciding factor.

[Ondras71]

Hello Dave. I'll be happy to watch, I like Carolina. Your start looks very honest..!!

[allanyed]

On 8/1/2022 at 7:37 PM, DaveSchmidt said:

trying to find a decent kit after that build is a difficult task.

You speak the truth!👍   

 

Is the moulded dimension on the upper area of the frames correct?  They look heavy in the photos, thus my question.   As good as the AoTS series is, it is still a good idea to check everything against contemporary based sources, even if only scantlings.   For Royal Caroline 1750, the Establishments may be the best and most detailed source and   would have the tops at about 2" to 3" in and out.   The Shipbuilder's Repository 1788 and Steel's The Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture1805 would have them closer to 4" or 5" in and out.

 

Thanks for sharing your build with us.

 

Allan

Edited September 7, 2022 by allanyed

[DaveSchmidt]

Small update on the slow process I've made. I'd like to let everyone know now that this is my first scratch build so I'm not looking for 100% accuracy. I'm trying to use this ship to learn techniques and pitfalls of a scratch build. My goal is to have a nice representation of this ship without losing sleep over the miniscule details. With that said I'm open to all input. I've got the upper upper wale placed according to my measurements on the prints. Now I have a good measuring point for the cannon and window frames. After that I'll be able to finish planking above the wales, permanently mount the keel and start the lower hull planking. This model will be single planked. I've decided to stick with the Alaskan yellow cedar I used on my Winchelsea. 

[DaveSchmidt]

Guess I should give an update on this project. I've gotten the planking started above the wales. Gotten the bulwark bulkheads shaved down so the cap rails aren't too thick and started inner bulwark planking. Also got a start on the cabin. More updates to come. I'm not a fast builder

[DaKea90]

There is no need for speed while building models (of any kind). If you rush things, you either make mistakes, that need to be corrected, or you end up with a result, that doesn't look good in your eyes. You will always see this "imperfection" and regret your rush. I've been there myself and for a matter of fact, I'm still in the process of improving my patience 😅

 

So take all the time you need to build the best model that you can 

[CiscoH]

Dave it seems you're moving pretty darn fast to me.

Any pics of how you're clamping/bending the hull planking, and what are you using to represent caulking lines?  pencil or paint?

and what are you gluing with?

 

thanks, Cisco

[DaveSchmidt]

I'm just using a bending iron to shape my planks. I use Bob Smith CA glue to attach them to the model. As far as caulking goes, on this model I tried a different method. I painted one side of my board with black paint before I ripped it into planks. 

[DaveSchmidt]

Guess it's time for an update on this project. Hull planking is finished, bottom paint is still has a few spots to fix before final paint. I've gotten started on some deck fittings as well