Where to start the top plank

[acaron41120]

I am building a 1:50 scale Golden Hind kit. I want to plank the hull using the method shipbuilders of that time used. But I am confused as to where to start the upper plank. I have found that if I start the plank level with the deck, the plank will have to be forced into place (as in bent) to keep it level with the deck. However, all literature on the subject of planking states do not force the plank into position, rather let it take its natural flow. I thought a bit and realized no matter where I start, some planks will be full size at the forward end and have to be shaved to a point (which is wrong) at the rear end. Will starting the first plank along the frames where the plank stays level the entire length, bow to stern be best? Or am I overthinking it? I appreciate any suggestions. 

[mtaylor]

Have you looked at the planking tutorials here on MSW?   They are located here:  https://modelshipworld.com/forum/98-planking-downloads-and-tutorials-and-videos/

[acaron41120]

Mark. I have read all the tutorials and one other that have all helped but none actually tell someone where to start the first plank. So I started searching through my other books and in one I actually found the answer. And I am happy to post here in the off chance someone else is having the same problem.

 

From the book Ship Modeling Simplified, by Frank Mastini, page 36 “you must start the planking about one-half plank width below the deckline.”

Edited September 13 by acaron41120

[Gregory]

 

 

You might also look at  the NRG  Half Hull Planking Project

 

Skip down to  here to see the start of planking: 

 

 

[ERS Rich]

Who makes the kit?

[acaron41120]

Kit was made by Billing Boats. and has been discontinued years ago.

 

[Chuck Seiler]

    I agree with Mark and Gregory...look into the NRG Planking Tutorial.  It is much more than a "Read this or watch that" tutorial.  It involves actually planking a half hull.  I know that doesn't answer your original question...but it actually does.

 

    "Using planking (shipbuilding) methods they originally used" is complicated and not completely replicatable on a plank on bulkhead model.  The tutorial teaches you about spiling,tapering, cheaters and spacers (and maybe edge bending) so your planking comes out right. 

 

    Some start with the wale and work up and down.  I like Mastini's recommendo about starting a half plank below deck level.  It allows the next plank up to overlap (strength) and give space for waterways, etc.

[Baker]

Baker fragments ( from the real Baker )

 

 

Pricess channel

 

 

Spanish (Red bay)

 

Starting with a wale.
And then using this wale as a base, planking up and down was the most logical method in my opinion.

 

 

More about this planking see link in signature

[acaron41120]

I have started the NGR Half Hull Planking Tutorial and I now know where I was going wrong and misunderstood a lot from reading the books. If one waned to learn to plank a hull like they originally did I highly recommend this tutorial. It's money well spent. And even an old geezer like myself can understand it. 

Quote

 

 

[acaron41120]

Made it through Helene and Milton and now getting back to the Half Hull Tutorial. A friend asked me what was the biggest thing I learned so far and I told him that I was always under the impression that all the planks were straight/level the entire length of the hull which I now know is incorrect. So if I understand it correctly, a person building a plank on bulkhead kit will have to cut the straight planks into a more curved shape. For example a 7mm wide plank may be 7mm at the stern and be 4mm at the stem. Correct?

[Louie da fly]

That's right. That's what they mean by 'spiling' - planks are very far from being simple long thin rectangles. They curve, they get narrower and wider, to follow the complex 3D curves of the hull. Then there are 'stealers' (short added planks where the hull widens near the ends) and 'drop planks' where three planks become two as the hull narrows. Never have a plank come to a sharp point at the end. It would be impossible to nail it to the frame. Have a look at the planking tutorials to see how this is done. I've planked  4 models so far and I still regard myself as a newbie on planking. But practice improves your technique, and don't be afraid to pull planks off and start again if you're not satisfied. It's out of your comfort zone to start with, but bit by bit you'll get on top of it.

 

And In the real world they didn't have a single plank run the whole length of the ship - there'd be several that made up a single 'run' of planking, joined over the top of the frames behind them (each plank overlapping half the frame) and the joins were 'offset' from one run of planks to the next  so all the joins didn't line up causing weakness in the planking.

 

Steven

Edited October 22 by Louie da fly