HMS Sirius by TK1 - Modeller's Shipyard - 1:48 - Cross-section

[TK1]

Hi all,

 

I decided to finally venture back into wooden ship models, after a long break where I focused on plastic kits (ships and other subjects).  But I have been getting into woodturning also, and love working with wood.  Having built my fair share of full-hull (mostly POB) models both kit and scratch, this time I have decided to focus on cross-sections.  This lets me focus on fittings, masting/rigging, and detailing a smaller model which is easier to display, won't (hopefully) take years, and less workspace to build.

 

So I thought - where to start?  I managed to pick up the cross-section kits from DeAgnosti of Victory (1/72) and Endeavour (1/48) off a builder who only did the main ship builds.  And I have a HMS Vanguard (1/72) with a damaged hull which I'll use as a basis for a cross-section of that, and there's some other nice kits and pracitums out there now.  But to start, I thought I'd go for something potentially simpler.  Enter, the Modeller's Shipyard HMS Sirius.

 

I won't go on too much about the ship itself, many are familiar with the flagship of the First Fleet which settled Australia.  But in short it started life as Berwick, built in 1780 then bought by the Royal Navy in 1781, she had a few adventures before being renamed Sirius in 1796 as a 6th-rate and prepared for the journey to New South Wales. Wrecked in 1790 off Norfolk Island.

 

As for the kit - some contents pics below before I get started.  All timber and fittings appear nicely done, with the deck planking laser-engraved sheets rather than initial planks.  I'm thinking of using these for simplicity this time around.  Mine weren't engraved very well, so I'm waiting on replacements.  Not as many parts as a proper kit, but all nicely packaged. I can't comment on accuracy at this point - I read some questioning of the full HMS Sirius kit by MS, but as I get the frames made I'll do a measure against drawings I have.  Instructions appear very good, but no actual scale plans are included.

 

In terms of improvements I plan, beyond individual planks TBC, I will aim to:

- add copper plates, since multiple sources describe the ship as being coppered

- add more items in the hold.  It comes with a few barrels and an (anchor?) cable, but records state she was heavily laden for the voyage so I'll add more barrels, sacks, etc - maybe even the ship's surgeon's piano it reportedly carried!

- replace engraved gratings with built-up wooden ones

- improve mess deck details like the hammocks, tables, etc and add lanterns (lanthorns?), maybe some gear, etc

- include additional cannon details and tools

- try to make nicer barrels

- and maybe other improvements like pumps, any identified missing rigging details, etc.

 

So, thanks if you've read this far!  I hope to make a start on it this weekend, along with setting up a space for "indoor" tools (any major surgery will be done in the shed).  Really this intro is just to motivate me to start, and complete, a build log 🙂

 

 

 

[Craigie65]

Always been fascinated by a cross section model.

If you don’t mind I will pull up a chair.

[yvesvidal]

Finally, a fully rigged cross-section at the 1/48th scale. I will be following your progress with enthusiasm. That should be exciting.

I was not aware of that kit maker and will explore their offerings.

 

Yves

Edited August 17, 2023 by yvesvidal

[TK1]

Right, finally on to the build!

 

A delayed start, since I'm away from home caring for my parents, but got my wife to bring me a care package including the kit.  And fitting as my father was a great wooden model ship builder, and this will be the last one built in his house and using some of his tools.  But, I digress...

 

The first few steps see you building up the keel from 3 pieces, then attaching the 3 frames and longitudinal beams.  Finally, bulwarks with gunport cut-outs are attached to each side.  All pretty simple so far, but without an alignment jig or proper baseboard, it was all a bit fiddly and required a couple of squares, a drill-press vise, a couple of levels, lots of measurements, and even more clamps.  

 

Here's the photos of the first few steps - apologies for the messy work area (he was recently doing plastic models so it's been a hunt for ship/wood tools but I'm making do!); and the large pics, I couldn't edit on his PC.

 

Next up, the first layer of planking and on to the lower decks.

 

Thanks for looking - early days but it'll get more interesting soon, I promise!

 

 

[TK1]

Made some minor but worthwhile process.  

 

All frames done and aligned, so I've started the first layer of planking - in limewood as is typical in kits.  Cut them a bit oversize and will then trim.

 

Still undecided on the amount of effort/detailing I'll do - depends if I'm at home or not during the build, and how long it takes.  It's intended to be a practice/ease me back into it, so don't want to get bogged down in too much extra work vs focus on a neat finish.  Will wait and see....

 

Anyway, here's the planking.  You can never have too many clamps, of course.

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2023 by TK1

[TK1]

Finally an update! 

 

This was going to be a quick build, but life got in the way, as it often does.  But I have a few weeks off work, and am house- and dog-sitting for a friend, so that gets me away from other demands, and leave time for some modelling at night. And why not build whilst watching Master and Commander? 🙂

 

So, initial progress made....the hull has been planked. First layer outside, and single layer inside. The instructions don't call for planking on the inner plywood bulwark, but I'll add that when I get the gun deck on.

 

Interior stained with a light walnut, and I'll probably paint the frame ends to cover the ply parts.

 

Stones (supplied with the kit) have been glued in for the ballast, and the orlop deck piece glued in place.

 

Next step is some hold storage items including a hawse cable and barrels.  I was going to add more, but bought limited supplies so may do more later.

 

Next update won't be quite so far away!

 

Darren

[dvm27]

Nice job so far Darren! The ballast they supplied you looks like it came from an aquarium store though. Shingle ballast should be the size of a small ball. If you are able to remove the ballast visible fore and aft and replace it with small smooth pebbles (such as you could purchase from a store that sells diorama supplies such as Woodland Scenics (https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/BAL-G) it would provide a much more realistic impression of this area. Their gray ballast (medium or coarse) would work fine here. You place them where you want and apply layers of dilute white glue until they are fully adhered.

Edited December 30, 2023 by dvm27

[TK1]

Hi Greg,

 

Yes, good pick-up. Its definitely like aquarium gravel.  I decided to go with it as I didn't bring an alternative. I do think I'll add some scale ballast when I get home.  The gravel is just attached with white glue, so easy enough to remove some to replace it.

 

Thanks,

Darren

[TK1]

Progress continues....whilst it's summer here in Australia, more rain than sunshine combined with a broken foot allowed me to spend the day on the next steps.

 

So, for now I've left the hold/lower deck with just a coil of rope.  The only other items included were a few barrels. I'll modify them by sanding off the wooden turned bands, and replacing with black tape for a more scale-like appearance.  I'll also add more barrels, plus some timbers and perhaps crates or sacks of supplies for the new colony.

 

One item I'll add when I get home is an upright piano - according to records I found, the Sirius carried the new Governor's piano. So I should add this!

 

Work then moved to the mess deck.  I replaced the laser-etched kit gratings with new ones built up, whilst still a bit oversized, the photo shows the comparison and improvement. 

The hold ladder was built, and posts and knees added to the hold. These will be painted later after a bit of putty has been applied to gaps.

 

Next step is the furniture and fittings for the mess deck - tables  hammocks, lockers, etc.

 

More updates soon hopefully! 

Thanks for watching, next updates should be more frequent. 

 

Darren