HMS Portland 1770 by scrubbyj427 - 1:48 - 4th rate 50-gun ship

[Theodosius]

wow...

[Chuck]

Looking good.

 

chuck

[yvesvidal]

Beautiful and very well engineered work.

 

Yves

[jfhealey]

This looks wonderful!

 

I assume when you are ready you will release the model in chapters as Chuck did with Winchelsea? Any idea when chapter1 will be available?

 

Will the production version have mdf frames and what will you select for the "show" wood - or are those decisions yet to be made?

 

All the best

Fred

[scrubbyj427]

5 hours ago, Theodosius said:

wow...

Thank you Theodosius!

4 hours ago, Chuck said:

Looking good.

 

chuck

Thank you Chuck, I appreciate it.

 

3 hours ago, yvesvidal said:

Beautiful and very well engineered work.

 

Yves

Thank you Yves.

 

3 hours ago, jfhealey said:

This looks wonderful!

 

I assume when you are ready you will release the model in chapters as Chuck did with Winchelsea? Any idea when chapter1 will be available?

 

Will the production version have mdf frames and what will you select for the "show" wood - or are those decisions yet to be made?

 

All the best

Fred

Thank you Fred, I do plan to release the model in parts. I cannot say when the structural part of the model will be released yet, probably within a year.

This is the most critical and challenging part of the design and I need to make sure it’s buildable and able to tie in with future construction. Once this is completed the only real uncertain challenge I face is the two part deck beams with deck camber and making sure all decks are at proper elevations.

 

I do plan to use MDF for all future production of the main structure, it’s very consistent, usually very flat, doesn’t seem to warp and it sands quite easy. You will see some AYC appear on the next model as well as thin plywood. Obviously some boxwood will show up and possibly some pear, I’ve been entertaining that idea. Cherry is always an option to.

[scrubbyj427]

Today I made some progress on the transom and frames, including the jig. I’ve been staring at this on my computer

for months in anxiety wondering if this will even make sense let alone work. It did. Some minor adjustments need to be made but I’m very happy with the results. 

the jig is fit to the hull dry and it’s pretty snug in order To keep things lined up properly. There are two pieces of the jig that align all the frames as well as the vertical components of the jig, none of these parts should be glued to the frames otherwise you’re in trouble. There are a series of transverse structure pieces that tie the frames Together and help with QG assembly.

you can also see the gun port framing, this is all laser cut and etched for the gun port sills, they should just slide into place.

The base for the upper balcony was also installed to test fitment and it worked, it’s made up of two pieces one lower and one upper, together they also create the deck camber at the balcony and are a landing for the balcony planking. The notches in the frames help hold their shape and then just clamp the upper on after the lower is dry.

I also ran a test on the longitudinal piece for the gun ports on the lower deck, this also ties all the bulkheads together. On the bottom you will see the etchings for the gunport sills, tomorrow I will cut out the remaining 8 and possibly add

all the sills.

after all the gunport structure is in place and the bulkheads are stabilized, then I can remove the framing jig, the transverse parts of the jig will have to be cut loose in order to lift it out but this shouldn’t be a problem. Another jig will Be made in the center to contain the bulkheads when fairing, I will hopefully build this tomorrow. 
Thanks for looking in! Questions and comments are always welcome.

JJ

[rookie]

wow!!

this is extremely impressive.

I am amazed at the software design, I am playing around in Blender to attempt to 3D print whaleboat hulls for my Charles Morgan.

I am struggling mightily... 

 

ALso love the marks for decks, wales and planking; what a great idea! 

 

Going to follow this with great interest 

[scrubbyj427]

2 hours ago, rookie said:

wow!!

this is extremely impressive.

I am amazed at the software design, I am playing around in Blender to attempt to 3D print whaleboat hulls for my Charles Morgan.

I am struggling mightily... 

 

ALso love the marks for decks, wales and planking; what a great idea! 

 

Going to follow this with great interest 

Thank you. Im Not familiar with blender but I use rhino which is geared towards work like this, it’s easily plugged into any CAM software and makes converting 3D to 2D very easy as well as the opposite. 

I definitely borrowed the reference lines idea from Chuck, it is brilliant and necessary on a large model like this. The planking reference lines however will not show up on the next prototype. 
JJ

[scrubbyj427]

So I got most of the structural prototype completed, again this was mostly to check the fit of major components and adjust my cut files.
I ran way behind on schedule due to my machine being down but managed, with the aid of a lot of coffee and loud music, to crank out another set of parts for the prototype that I will begin to build shortly. These are now packed up and on their way back to work with me. 
More updates to come soon.

JJ

[bdgiantman2]

That is one ambitious project you are undertaking, Joe! So far looks great, HMS Portland really compliments Winnie side by side. Soon it will be our favorite time with this hobby - the endless sanding and fairing. I am enjoying this build and keep it up!

 

Brian D

[Chuck]

Looking good….but thats not a fair fight…

 

the Winnie is hopelessly outgunned!!!

 

 

[glbarlow]

I’d love to build this but all the fairing and planking. Actually that I could do, finding a place to display it might require marriage counseling. 

[scrubbyj427]

3 hours ago, bdgiantman2 said:

That is one ambitious project you are undertaking, Joe! So far looks great, HMS Portland really compliments Winnie side by side. Soon it will be our favorite time with this hobby - the endless sanding and fairing. I am enjoying this build and keep it up!

 

Brian D

Thank you Brian. So far I’ve noticed that sanding MDF is quite easy so I’ve got my fingers crossed. Biggest challenge will

be stopping those tall frames from snapping off.

1 hour ago, Chuck said:

Looking good….but thats not a fair fight…

 

the Winnie is hopelessly outgunned!!!

 

 

Thank you Chuck.

 

Maybe outgunned but definitely not outmaneuvered!

38 minutes ago, glbarlow said:

I’d love to build this but all the fairing and planking. Actually that I could do, finding a place to display it might require marriage counseling. 

Thanks Glenn, I’ll let you know how the fairing goes soon. 
I left a model display with a friend for a few years while I rented my house out…he had to deal with the marriage counseling for me, that’s how you know who your friends really are.

[Trussben]

She’s a big impressive Beastie there JJ!

 

What are your calculated dimensions of the finished model going to be?

[Hubac's Historian]

Super impressive!

[scrubbyj427]

On 10/11/2023 at 5:00 PM, Trussben said:

She’s a big impressive Beastie there JJ!

 

What are your calculated dimensions of the finished model going to be?

Thank you Ben. The finished model will be just under 43". it's actually not unmanageable. if you look at it next to Winnie, its only about 5" longer, slightly beamier at 10 3/16" and obviously another deck taller, coming in at 12". I think they both look good next to each other, a 5th and 4th, maybe ill try a 3rd rate next lol

[scrubbyj427]

21 hours ago, Hubac's Historian said:

Super impressive!

Thank you.

[FrankWouts]

Following with great interest JJ!

Have you got any time release schedule yet for a first chapter?

Frank

[scrubbyj427]

On 10/19/2023 at 9:46 AM, FrankWouts said:

Following with great interest JJ!

Have you got any time release schedule yet for a first chapter?

Frank

Hi Frank and thank you for following along.

I don’t have a date yet, I’m making some slight revisions to a few parts on the 1st chapter as well as adding a much needed frame support jig. I will hopefully begin building soon but I need to be well ahead in the construction before I can release anything otherwise I could leave people hanging. This is a hobby for my hobby and I cannot dedicate myself full time yet. But  once I complete the hull and planking I plan to move much quicker…unless I decide to rig all the guns again.

JJ

[DeMaster76]

Hello

 

I am a big fan of your attention to detail and the technical complexity of your model. I am eagerly awaiting the release of your kit.

 

Best regards from Germany 🇩🇪
Gerd

[scrubbyj427]

12 hours ago, DeMaster76 said:

Hello

 

I am a big fan of your attention to detail and the technical complexity of your model. I am eagerly awaiting the release of your kit.

 

Best regards from Germany 🇩🇪
Gerd

Hello Gerd,

Thank you for your compliments and interest in the model. I have a few setbacks right now but I will begin building shortly. Stay tuned.

JJ

[allanyed]

I really like the marks for the planking on the outsides of the bulkheads.    

Allan

[scrubbyj427]

1 hour ago, allanyed said:

I really like the marks for the planking on the outsides of the bulkheads.    

Allan

Thank you Allan, I’m still experimenting with the lines as well as a partially framed version. Materials are hard to obtain right now. 

[scrubbyj427]

I have a small update on Portland, I’ve been designing a QG for 3D print, this is just an initial test to check rigidity of the structure and if it’s even possible.

The QG will fit onto existing wood structure and should require a slight bit of finesse to attach to the hull. 

The basic structure and shape of the QG will be printed, once painted the moldings, columns, windows and carvings will all be in wood, so the finished QG should be very convincing. 
 

The model requires some revision but the basic idea looks promising so far.

Thank you to @Gabek for his expertise and print assistance.

 

JJ

[glbarlow]

Very innovative and ambitious. Nice!

[scrubbyj427]

21 hours ago, glbarlow said:

Very innovative and ambitious. Nice!

Thank you Glenn. Im hoping this will work well after some print modifications. She’s coming along…at a glacial pace.

[cdrusn89]

JJ - sign me up as an admirer.

 

I have two Vanguard models (Speedy and Sphinx) lined up behind Winnie but would work Portland in as soon as it is available.

[scrubbyj427]

11 hours ago, cdrusn89 said:

JJ - sign me up as an admirer.

 

I have two Vanguard models (Speedy and Sphinx) lined up behind Winnie but would work Portland in as soon as it is available.

Thank you for your interest Gary and happy new year!

I began construction on Portland last night so I will be posting updates shortly. 
 

JJ

[jfhealey]

4 hours ago, scrubbyj427 said:

I will be posting updates shortly. 

I shall look forward to that. May I wish you a happy, peaceful and productive New Year.

 

Best wishes

Fred

[scrubbyj427]

2 hours ago, jfhealey said:

I shall look forward to that. May I wish you a happy, peaceful and productive New Year.

 

Best wishes

Fred

Thank you Fred! And happy new year to you as well. I very much look forward to your Winnie progress.