HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne by Zvr - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[Zvr]

Finally after number of unsuccessful attempts started to build the first model, something that has been planning to do for years but due to circumstances in life never actually made enough progress. 

Still need to learn how to bend parts but luckily transom when I submerged in the water which turned out to be hotter than was supposed to be took the right shape/curved by itself right away!  need to be more careful next time and use different method.

This seems such a nice kit!  Parts go well so together, I found that what I needed to worry about was not to get overzealous with sanding - took too much of the back part of the ship (one of the last pictures).  Contemplating now whether to add some type of filler to it or whether the first planking will make this not-visible and it isn't an issue.. 

A bit scared of how planking will go but watched some videos on this forum and feel myself prepared - this is fun!  

[Jim Lad]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You've made a good start on your model.

 

John

[JFMJr]

I am on my first build. Did start a build log. Many here were very helpful. The model I am building is made by Occre has a video for each model. Has been very helpful.  Planking is one of the first things you do and very important for the overall look of the ship. It is worth it to search videos on bending wood. And practice bending some planks. Was very beneficial for this rookie.  Start a build log. Would like to follow your progress.. Enjoy your build...I have. 

[Zvr]

Thank you very much everyone!  will definitely do!  

[Zvr]

Installed base gun ports, so far so good...  next is the decision whether to fix the keel from too much sanding or not (most likely yes) and then do the plan for the first layer of planking.  Following the videos and instructions from this forum will be measuring them out, tapering all of them, and then bending them vertically as well as curving them so that they follow the outline better. 

[Zvr]

After really long pause with all kinds of life stuff in there back at it... Finally semi-fixed the overzealous sanding issue on the keel from before by inserting a strip of wood; re-attached and glued again the starboard side to be more aligned with the height of the transom... and then did the step I dreaded the most - first two planks, one on each side. 

 

One part of the starboard that was holding on with the very thin layer of glue has come off again while pushing the pins through the planks... will need to be glued again.

 

One had to be redone since broke off during bending.. hopefully the first and the last.

[Thukydides]

Good luck

 

Are you edge bending the planks? The planks not lying flat at the bow suggest to me that you aren’t (though it could just be the camera angle that is fooling me).

 

I would recommend taking a look at chuck’s planking tutorial if you haven’t already:

 

[palmerit]

Definitely need to edge bend (and bend bend) a bit on the Sherbourne. The hull is painted, so you can get by with filler and sanding. But better to do edge pending. 

Edited May 10 by palmerit

[Zvr]

Thank you!!  This is very helpful!

i did try to do this but with hands after soaking planks in hot water - and after watching this video i got together a similar thing for the planks  to bend them "vertically" and will go for the method for the other plans (i am taking it is fine to leave the other two as is)

[Zvr]

Still working on the "vertical bending" process - realized i used too thin of a central "pusher" piece to push the plank vertically while bending and applying heat.  Also used the electric bending planking tool on the plans already glued which helped to smooth them better to the frames. (going a bit slow at the moment)

[Zvr]

First planking is done!! Thank you so much for the suggestions! took a bit but the method of bending planks vertically helped - i had to do this in multiple pieces and took a while before i had a hang of it..  I was holding the plank at 2 places on the table with big clamps and then moved the 3rd point of the plank up in the direction of the bend twisting it a bit to not break it - and then went over with the hot planking tool to get it into shape with a little of water.

 

Now need to figure out how to hold the second layer of planks in place while glueing since nails on the finished layer don't appear to be the best choice..  i was thinking to use regular push pins but they seem to be too big/thick to go in.. What would be the best method?  I am considering perhaps using the nails on the small pieces of the spare plank but it would take a bit to create them all plus not sure if will hold well...

[Desertanimal]

The first planking is the dressed rehearsal for the second layer of planking. Once you are sufficiently adept at bending the planks fit the fit layer you will just fine tune that fit the second layer. You want the planks to sit in position without having to push or pull the hold them in position. Once the dry fit looks good use a few drops of  medium CA glue and you’re off to the races!! 
I would say to look at several build logs to get what I mean. 
looking good!

 

 Chris

[palmerit]

It takes a few models, a bunch of patience, rereading some build logs and write-ups, and re-viewing some videos, to really "get" planking. I'm definitely still a novice at it. Even if you're going to fully paint the hull - which means you can use filler liberally and sand the heck out of it to shape - use each model as an opportunity to figure out planking a little more. My Sherbourne hull ended up okay even though both first and second plankings were garbage and I ended up using a ton of filler and a bunch of sanding - jokingly I say that I might as well have carved the hull from a solid piece of wood. My Ranger was a lot better. I know what I'm going to do different on my next planked hull.

 

I did the NRG Half Hull to get more of a handle on planking and it did help. But to be clear that tutorial gives you a sense of what the shapes of pieces should look like - you really get a sense of what you're trying to accomplish with edge bending in 3D for example - but in that model you're cutting planks from full sheets of thin wood, not doing strip planking. I'd love to see someone do something like a Half Hull project with a full write up and tutorial - maybe even videos - for doing strip planking.

[Thukydides]

4 hours ago, Desertanimal said:

You want the planks to sit in position without having to push or pull the hold them in position. Once the dry fit looks good use a few drops of  medium CA glue and you’re off to the races!! 
I would say to look at several build logs to get what I mean. 

This is what you want to do.

 

If you have to force the planks into place they are not shaped right. The best advice I can give you it to treat every single plank as its own project. The planking is one of the more consequential parts of the model in terms of determining its look. So it pays to take your time with it.

Edited May 27 by Thukydides

[Zvr]

thank you SO much to everyone with your advice!  I bought thick and med CA glue in preparation for the second layer of planking as you guys suggested (and from reading other posts on this forum on glue recommendations, Bob Smith Industries one)...

 

Meanwhile sanded the planks and glued some parts.  Looks like there is not enough space to slide some planks and too much space at the front but i think extra glue with sawdust should cover it after planking...

 

Trying to prepare/think ahead... what would be recommendations around protecting the painted and unfinished wooden parts? Are there different types of finishes that go on the painted surface as opposed to the unfinished wood one?  Something matte I imagine...?  Would there be an option to use one type of finish over painted and unpainted surfaces? a bit worried about putting inadvertently a drop in the wrong place and then not being able to get rid of it..

[Zvr]

Found this nice thread!  Looks like the best direction for a beginner is to use shellac as base coat/primer and then paint (then varnish again to protect the paint?)... and use the same for the varnish for unpainted areas. I will start out with acrylic colors, not sure yet if airbrush or hand brushing... 

[Zvr]

Slowing getting second planking on using the advice - thank you!

 

It might not apply to this one since it will be painted but will accidental drops of super glue be visible if the model is left unfinished/i.e. is there a specific way to get them off?  I wonder if others have run into this problem...  

[Knocklouder]

My way is to use a small  paint scraper, or the back side of wood chisel,  then light sanding, good to go. A damp rag with isopropynol 99.9  works for me as well. Nice work so far Zvr  

Bob  M.

[Zvr]

thank you!!!

that's a relief!