Gasket or seal at base of masts at deck?

[Admiral Beez]

I’m building a plastic kit, Heller’s Le Superbe.   Before I permanently install the masts, shouldn’t there be a gasket or seal to close up the large holes in the deck around the masts.  I understand that the hole was supposed to be bigger to allow for flex and rake changes, but we can’t have the water flowing in.  What do we recommend?   Online HMS Victory and Trincomalee appear to have a seal of some sort around the base of the masts.  Thanks for any guidance or info.

Edited November 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez

[allanyed]

There were wooden wedges between the mast and the partners. These were then often covered with canvas so you can just add a painted ring before you set the masts.  Below is a sketch of a wedge ring that is actually just the ring and without the wedges going down and through the partners.  They can be glued on top of the partners (or planking) as is.  In reality the planking ends at the partners but this does not look possible on your model.  The second picture is from Goodwin's  The Construction and Fitting of English Ships of War. 

Allan

Edited November 26, 2023 by allanyed

[Admiral Beez]

Thanks @allanyed.  This is a great help.  I shall cut out some circles from card stock and paint them black to serve as the canvas ring.   Question, should my canvas reach up the mast, like on HMS Victory below?

I like this image.  The Type 45 destroyer in the background is just slightly shorter than an Invincible class battlecruiser.

 

 

Edited November 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez

[allanyed]

14 hours ago, Admiral Beez said:

Question, should my canvas reach up the mast, like on HMS Victory below?

I am not sure it really matters as it could have been done that way.  In general I would not use the modern Victory for examples without looking at contemporary evidence to confirm.  Below is what is more common on contemporary models.  This pic happens to be of a model at Preble Hall.

Allan

[Admiral Beez]

I'll go to the hardware shop and buy some fiber washers to mimic the mast seals.

[AON]

I don't think the canvas back in the day was painted.

I could be wrong.

I plan to use light khaki coloured paper, like the kind used for packing by Amazon.

Dry fit and trim.

Glue on one surface with white PVA so it dries clear and wrap it around with the seam facing aft.

If you like add pencil dots to simulate nail heads the next day, after everything is completely dry.

Should look gorgeous.

If not, dabs of water will help soften the glue to remove it.

[allanyed]

3 hours ago, AON said:

I don't think the canvas back in the day was painted.

Good point Alan.  I was taught that it was painted/coated but do not recall where I got that information.  I checked in Goodwin's Construction and Fitting of English Ships of War and he states that the canvas was coated with tar, not paint, to make it waterproof.  Unfortunately he does not give a reference and I cannot find any other reference regarding this cover so even though he is a single source, it may be valid.  I do notice that on contemporary models the cover is very dark compared to canvas.

 

Allan

[AON]

Lord knows they had lots of tar.

[popeye2sea]

Falconers Dictionary of the Marine states mast coats are heavily tarred.

 

Regards,

Henry

[AON]

I'll make a note of that. Thanks

[Admiral Beez]

On 11/26/2023 at 2:42 PM, allanyed said:

There were wooden wedges between the mast and the partners. These were then often covered with canvas so you can just add a painted ring before you set the masts.  Below is a sketch of a wedge ring that is actually just the ring and without the wedges going down and through the partners.  They can be glued on top of the partners (or planking) as is.  In reality the planking ends at the partners but this does not look possible on your model.  The second picture is from Goodwin's  The Construction and Fitting of English Ships of War. 

Allan

Thanks again Allan.  I used some fibre washers and I’m pleased with the results.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez

[AON]

That looks really good.

Could you please post a closer view of one.

[Admiral Beez]

On 12/26/2023 at 9:22 AM, AON said:

That looks really good.

Could you please post a closer view of one.

Will do today. 

 

I'm also keeping a photo journal of the entire build.... https://modelshipworld.com/topic/30073-hms-spartiate-by-admiral-beez-heller-1150-kit-bashing-the-heller-le-superbe/

 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez

[Admiral Beez]

@AON Here we go…. I usually reduce my displayed images to 700 pixels in order not to crowd people’s screens and not to delay page load speed, but if you click on the photos they’ll open to full size. 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez

[AON]

Thank you! That looks like it was made for just that purpose.

How could you get so lucky?!?

Edited December 27, 2023 by AON

[Admiral Beez]

52 minutes ago, AON said:

Thank you! That looks like it was made for just that purpose.

How could you get so lucky?!?

Here's the set https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092V33YX3

Edited December 27, 2023 by Admiral Beez