Le Chebec by Yvesvidal - CAF Model - 1/48

[bdgiantman2]

What is the size of these frames?  I know they are all laser-etched in the wood by CAF but can't tell dimensions. I'm guessing that each of these frames are 1/8" thick? And looks like 3/16" wide?

[yvesvidal]

Frames are 3 mm thick and from 5 to 6 mm wide, depending of their positions in the hull. CAF is a Chinese company and as such uses the metric system.

 

Yves

[Landlubber Mike]

Looks like a great kit Yves.  That berthing box is such a great idea!  Looking forward to following along!

[aliluke]

Wow. I'd never really thought about CAF until I saw this. It looks like an incredible kit. Will be following!

[Trussben]

Did you do any fairing to that frame yet?
 

That frame may need pre-fairing on the outer sides so as to fit in the jig correctly, especially true around the far extremes fore and aft.

[yvesvidal]

17 hours ago, Trussben said:

Did you do any fairing to that frame yet?
 

That frame may need pre-fairing on the outer sides so as to fit in the jig correctly, especially true around the far extremes fore and aft.

Very true. I have not done any "detailed" fairing yet. Yes, there will be a lot of sanding required on that kit. If you do not like sanding and adjusting, then this is not a kit for you 🙂

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

This past weekend I worked on the bow and got very confused at the beginning. The instructions are showing this:

 

 

I tried the assembly C1-C5 in all directions but it would not fit in the cradle or on the keel. Then I started looking into the Monograph and CAF plans:

 

 

 

And it made much more sense. C1-C5 is just a jig and is not part of the ship. As a matter of fact, that jig is useless and if you glue carefully Frames A to H and 01, on top of each other, following carefully the laser marks, you end up with a very good result:

 

 

 

Below, you can see the assembly with the jig inserted underneath:

 

 

A lot (and I say a LOT) of sanding is required to come up with a decent shape that fits tightly in the keel and slide into the cradle accordingly.

 

 

I like the slight separation of the frames, as it brings more depth and realism to the model. Most bows I have seen on the Internet look like a big block of wood perfectly shaped, which would not have been like the real ship.

 

 

 

Inside fairing was also done to a certain extent:

 

 

Yves

Edited Monday at 05:08 PM by yvesvidal

[yvesvidal]

Major point of no-return.... The bow assembly has been glued to the keel:

 

 

 

 

When reaching that stage, the only thing left is to place the keel/bow assembly in the cradle and start assembling the numerous frames:

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this stage, pulling out the keel is still very easy. Once the frames are installed and glued to the keel, it will be another story....

 

Yves

[yvesvidal]

The tedious and repetitive assembly of the frames has started. I have decided to populate first, the "easy" frames located in the middle of the hull. These do not require any fairing, for the most part and are composed of only three parts. Bow and stern will be kept for the end as they are significantly more advanced and delicate.

 

Frames #30 to #40 are now completed and ....glued to the keel:

 

 

 

 

 

The next series will be #41 to #50. I have started using a DREMEL equipped with a round abrasive head, after loosing a good chunk of skin on my fingers....due to sand paper abrasion. It really helps.

 

Yves

 

Edited 5 hours ago by yvesvidal

[bdgiantman2]

I don't know if this would help, but 've been hearing on sites like this of people using foam blocks and even pool noodles as sanding blocks to assist as well as relieve hands. Keep up this beautiful model.

 

Brian D