HMS Harpy 1796 by Glenn-UK – Vanguard Models - 1:64 scale

[Glenn-UK]

More progress on the copper plating task.

 

I just have to add the infill plates up to the waterline on the first side, as can be seen in the photos attached below. Once that is done I will repeat the plating process (and hopefully I will make a slightly better job) on the other side of the hull.

 

I am using cotton buds, dipped in acetone, to clean the copper plates once they are been positioned. Thankfully there is no sign of any ca glue of the plates that have been fitted so far.

 

[chris watton]

Looking good, Glenn

[ECK]

Well done !  It is a good way to clear the mind

[Glenn-UK]

Today I completed the copper plating on one side of the hull. I will add a 1mm square batten along the top of the cooper plates to neaten of the edges.

 

I did a test fit of the rudder assembly. I will need to trim the rudder copper plate sheet to match the hull lines.

The following is an insight in to how I went about fitting the copper plates along the water line.

 

A copper plate is offered up to the hull and the pencil mark is made where it meets the waterline.

Next I draw a line between the pencil marks.

The copper plate is then cut to size, using my guillotine.

The next copper plate is marked up and test fitted against its adjacent copper plate.

When I am happy with how they look they are glued in place.

[SaltyScot]

It's always good to have a system in place, Glenn, it makes for a smother workflow. You did a nice job on the coppering, it looks very neat.

[Glenn-UK]

  On 3/18/2025 at 11:51 AM, SaltyScot said:

It's always good to have a system in place, Glenn, it makes for a smother workflow. You did a nice job on the coppering, it looks very neat.

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Thanks Mark

[Glenn-UK]

Copper plating the other side of the hull continues, I have made reasonably good progress today and feel the end is in sight in the next few days. I will be adding a 1mm square batten to neaten up the copper plating along the waterline.

 

For the most part I have made a better job of this side of the hull.

I will need to redo the copper plates fitted up to the waterline, as can be seen in the photo below.

The copper plates will be buffed cleaned.

I will need to revisit on small area, as indicated by the yellow arrow as for some unknown reason I had a senior moment. I also need to replace the upper most right hand copper plate .

 

[SaltyScot]

  On 3/19/2025 at 7:46 PM, Glenn-UK said:

For the most part I have made a better job of this side of the hull.

 

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I guess that proves that practice does make perfect, Glenn  

[Glenn-UK]

Copper plating the second side of the Harpy has been progressing well, in between my wife's post operative hospital visits, and I reached a stage where there was only 1 or 2 more days work left to complete, as can be seen below.

However I have hit major a problem in that the copper plates, when glued in place are simply not adhering to the hull. I have tried a few different things to try to overcome this problem without any luck. The problem is definitely with the surface of the bow section of the hull which is not allowing the ca glue to react, adhere and cure. Clearly I need to resolve this issue but I have no idea what to do for the best as I have already tried several things, such as:

a) adding a new WOP coat.

b) adding a paint layer

c) sanding

d) brushing water on hull

 

As can be seen below I have had several failed attempts at adding more copper plates to the hull.

Unless I can find a solution I feel I might have to resort to painting the lower section of the hull. This will mean I will have to remove all the copper plates. At the moment I feel this will be lesser of the two evils.

[ECK]

I painted the hull copper before plating. The plates stuck pretty well with the cyano after.

[Glenn-UK]

  On 3/25/2025 at 9:50 AM, ECK said:

I painted the hull copper before plating. The plates stuck pretty well with the cyano after.

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Thanks. I have tried painting and WOP. This morning I have cleaned the area and applied a new WOP coat and have been able to add a few more copper plates, but some still refuse to stick.🤨

[wvdhee]

I did what ECK did, only a think layer of copper paint, no varnish or wop. And the plates stick super well, so well that I have to use ca gel or they stick too fast.

 

More importantly, wishing you and your wife the very best!

[Blue Ensign]

The only thing I did  perhaps differently to you Glenn was to clean the back of the plates set with fine wire wool and wipe over with isopropanol.

I can't understand other than that why they are not sticking.🤔

 

B.E.

 

[SaltyScot]

Yes, I was going to make a similar suggestion, Glenn, wipe the backs with an alcohol solvent. I wouldn't put WOP on there either, but that is just my preference, not based on any experience.

[Glenn-UK]

  On 3/25/2025 at 11:10 AM, Blue Ensign said:

The only thing I did  perhaps differently to you Glenn was to clean the back of the plates set with fine wire wool and wipe over with isopropanol.

I can't understand other than that why they are not sticking.🤔

 

B.E.

 

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Hello Maurice

I did clean the back of the plates. I am bemused.

Cheers

Glenn

[Knocklouder]

Hello, would trying a different glue make any difference?  I was told to use Super Phatic glue for the copper on my Pegasus. It seem to work really well for me..

Bob  M.       

[Glenn-UK]

  On 3/25/2025 at 3:54 PM, Knocklouder said:

Hello, would trying a different glue make any difference?  I was told to use Super Phatic glue for the copper on my Pegasus. It seem to work really well for me..

Bob  M.       

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Hello Bob. I have tried two types of ca, the issue seems to be the hull as the copper plates do adhere to other surfaces.

[Glenn-UK]

After another day of copper plates not adhering to the hull I finally took the decision to remove all the copper plates. With the exception of a few copper plates they fell off with a quick flick of a craft knife blade and only took approx. 15 minutes to complete.

A big pile of used copper plates.

I probably have enough spare copper plates to redo however as I have not got to the root of the problem I have decided to paint the hull.

 

After sanding the hull to remove all traces of any excess ca glue I brushed on some white paint which highlighted a few areas which need some attention. I brushed on some brushed diluted water filler where necessary, as can be seen in the next photo.

In the final photo the hull has been sanded smooth and I am happy with how it looks so I can now tape up the hull and start painting. My current thinking is I will use red oxide below the waterline then to have a thin black band for the waterline and to paint the section between the waterline and wales either yellow ochre or white.