Flying Dutchman by Fubarelf - Occre - 1:50

[Fubarelf]

I came across the Flying Dutchman when it was first released a couple of months ago and quickly decided that it was a model I wanted to build.  I am a big fan of the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies and pirate movies/stories in general and this looked like it would be a fun model to work on.  This is only my second wood model, and barely that, as I have been taking my time on the Bluenose (https://modelshipworld.com/topic/32741-bluenose-by-fubarelf-model-shipways-scale-164/ and have a long way to go.  I figured this model would be good as a skill builder and provide an opportunity for some creativity.

 

I have no experience with Occre, but the kit seems to be well made.  There are lots of laser cut parts and two boxes full of detail parts.  Nice feature to have all of that neatly organized in the plastic boxes.  Something I am sure to reuse down the road.  When I bought the kit, the offer included the paints and stains needed along with a custom base and LED light kit.  I plan to build this with the open hull as designed and to utilized the lights.

 

Occre creates a very easy to follow, color illustrated manual for the build.  No drawings to follow along, but they do have a detailed rigging plan.  Occre has also posted a full video series on building this model to YouTube.  They pretty much follow the manual verbatim in the videos.  

 

An interesting feature of the parts list is that, instead of listing out all of the stock (i.e. - 48 - 1mm x 3mm x 600mm strips) they give specific dimensions for pieces to be cut from the stock (i.e. - 12 - 1mm x 3 mm x 65mm).

 

Well, on to the build...

 

[Fubarelf]

I started with cutting out the keel and all of the bulkheads  Since there are no drawings of bulkhead layout, I just assumed all of the bulkheads needed to be set at 90 degrees to the keel when flat on the table.  I test fit everything, and it all fit nicely.  After staining all of the parts, I glued into place using a square and lego brickss to make sure everything was lined up.

I have completed all of the decks and installed and will go through that in my next post.

 

Tim

 

 

[JeffT]

Looks like a fun model to build. Enjoy!

[Fubarelf]

The decks for this model are split into multiple pieces of plywood that get fitted in-between the sides of the bulkheads after decking planks have been added.  Following the directions leaves the first deck with unsightly lines across the deck and down the middle of the fore and aft sections that just don't look right.  to correct that, first I joined the two pieces each of the fore and aft decks to plank as one unit.  It's a tight fit to install as one piece, but it works.  Second, I used tape on the bottom of the decks to align the full deck, so that I could plank continuously along the length to cover the seams.  where the decking plank overlapped onto the next section, I did not apply glue and will wait to secure until all the deck is installed on the ship.

 

After installing the decks I glued down the loose ends of the planks.  Lesson learned...CA soaks in and seals the wood!  No amount of sanding will clean it up to allow stain to penetrate, so I ended up with plain wood spots on the deck.  I tried staining with a furniture touchup pen as well as using paint to blend in the spots.  It doesn't look horrible and I would not expect pristine decks on a ghost pirate ship, but will apply that learning on the upper decks.  

In between decks, the plan calls for the ladders to be built.  This was a tedious task, but I'm happy with the result.  I felt like the ladder sides were much too wide, so after I had them all built, I used the disc sander to thin them down for a more scale look.

 

I followed a similar plan for the remainder of the decks, working to hide the seam and dress things up where I could.  I added the framing to the hatches, even on the potions of the decking that will never be seen.  I wanted the practice and I know they are there even if no-one else will see them.

Work on the cabin walls and doors is next.

 

Tim

Edited December 7, 2022 by Fubarelf

[Fubarelf]

I planked and painted the cabin walls.  I added planking to the back of the double door wall that extends above the deck.  I don't like that the exposed surfaces are plain.  I plan to do this to the interior of the hull as well.

 

For the doors, I planked them with narrower strips and added bracing strips for a little more detail.  I also stained them vs painting for a little contrast and so the detail on the doors stands out.

 

Cabin walls installed.

 

 

On to the plywood side pieces.  I fit the side and stern pieces on the hull and marked them to outline where the internal surfaces would be visible.  Using these lines I planked the interior.

 

After I cleaned them up a bit, I installed the sides and stern pieces.  This took some adjustments to the sides and the slots in the bulkheads to get everything to fit and line up properly.  Where I was unable to push the pins in below the surface of the plywood, I used a file to make them flush to the surface.  I plan to add some additional detail to hide the gap where the sides and deck meet and to cover exposed plywood bulkheads on the interior.

 

Next, I worked on the grates.  After assembling, sanding down to size and adding the cutouts, I framed them in and then rounded off the frames.

 

Tim

 

 

[JeffT]

The doors look much better with the extra detail

[Fubarelf]

Thank you Jeff!

[Patrick B]

Hi, may I ask you: what color fif you use for staining? Just bought the occre sapelli stain and was wondering if this is the color it makes.

[Fubarelf]

Patrick,

The sapelli stain is on the decks and the interior of the hull. Everything else is the walnut stain, except for the cabin walls, which are painted black. 
 

Tim

[Fubarelf]

Have been focusing my available building time on the Bluenose.  Finished the hull planking and deck planking on that ship and needed a break before tackling the hull on the Dutchman.  In the interim, I have added some additional detail to the interior of the gunwales.  I wanted to cover up the gaps along the corners between the decking and gunwales and the vertical seams between the cabin walls and gunwales.  Probably not how a full size ship was done, but the full size ships have much tighter construction than what this model has.

Tim

[Fubarelf]

Haven't worked on the Dutchman in a while, as I have been focusing my time on the Bluenose.  While I was waiting for some additional rope to come in for the Bluenose, I finished up the starboard side of the hull.  I decided I wanted to have the hull planking go all the way to the stem, vs leaving the plywood bow fillers exposed as per the instructions.  Still in need of a good sanding.  I also installed the below deck lighting while everything was still open.

I started on the port side planking and, in between rows of planking, started on the stern cabin and details.  I planked all of the balcony flooring and exterior cabin walls to give them a little more texture and keep the door details the same as the others on the ship.  I painted the cast pieces with flat black enamel and highlighted with white with a few red details.  I used tiny faux, red jewels for the eyes on the cabin figures.  

Will continue on the planking in-between rigging work on the Bluenose.

 

Tim

[Twokidsnosleep]

This look like an excellent project, keep at it!!

I am eyeballs deep modifying the plastic Black Pearl, but you have me contemplating this as my next ship build

[Fubarelf]

21 minutes ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

This look like an excellent project, keep at it!!

I am eyeballs deep modifying the plastic Black Pearl, but you have me contemplating this as my next ship build

It's been a fun build.  Lots of opportunity for creative license and straying from the basic plan, which based on your Black Pearl, seems to be right up your alley.  Your build is fantastic!  

[Old Collingwood]

How  did  I miss  this  build  -  serious  face palm  from  me  -  I will   follow  along  with  much  interest   -  lovely  job.

 

OC.

[Fubarelf]

Thank you O.C.!  

[Fubarelf]

Finished up the planking and started sanding out some of the rough spots.  The planks in this kit are really thick, so plenty of material to work with, although not looking for a perfect finish.  

After sanding, filling in a few gaps and low spots and sanding again, I added the wales, and other features to the hull.

Planked the exterior of the fore cabin, painted and highlighted and added the doors.

Planked the stern.

Finished up the main structure of the hull by adding the railings.  I built the bow and stern railing off of the hull so that they could be painted prior to installation and used mitered corners rather that the end joints shown in the instructions.  The stern side railings had to be shaped so they curved down from the transom.  I soaked the wood and used the plank bending iron.  Also used the iron to bend the end of the side rails rather than cutting into pieces to form the shape.

Next are all the small bits.  20 cannons to build!

 

Tim

[Fubarelf]

Continued progress on the Dutchman.  Completed painting the hull and then painted and attached her figures on the cannon ports.  I used small "jewels" for the eyes where they fit and painted yellow eyes for the others.  Wanted them to stand out against the black hull.  

Next, mounted the cannon to the main deck and rigged.

I added weathering to the bottom of the hull to simulate algae and salt, and mixed some course sand Ito the paint in an attempt to simulate barnacles.  Not perfect but I think they look pretty good at this scale.

It took several sessions to build all of the fife rails, bits, belaying pin rails, anchors, figurehead and other details. Once I had them all finished and painted I installed everything on the ship.

 

 

Finally, I added the deadeyes blocks to the chain plate channels.  Rather than wrapping wire around the deadeyes and twisting to form the chain plates, I wrapped the wire and soldered.  Thought this was cleaner look and it made for a better fit in the channel.

That's it for now.  Tim

 

 

 

 

[Fubarelf]

Slow going on any ship building this summer.  Lot's of other things keeping me busy and out of the shipyard, but have made some progress on the Dutchman.  

 

Finished up the railings, the stern balconies and several other details on the main deck.

.

All of the masts have been completed.  Just temporarily fitted for now, as I think it will be much easier to add the spars off the ship.  Will start with the bowsprit and see how it goes.

Have a few finishing touches left on my Bluenose and hope to have both finished soon, so I can get started on one of several other ships I have in waiting.

 Tim