Newport by Jolly Jo - Mamoli - Scale 1:57

[Jolly Jo]

looked nice but not too simplistic and toy-ish. Something to learn the ropes, literally, before tackling a more serious build.

 

In the end the ship should be displayed as a waterline model under full sail.

 

Looking at the build logs of theoracle09 and maso and their Newport models (here and here) encouraged me to keep going and that I was doing okay so far (I think).

 

As of now I finished planking the hull.

 

The transom in picture 11 was just loosely put in place and as I didn't like the flat top I added another stripe and shaped it round. All the pictures I found of these vessels showed curved transoms. 
The Lynx/Mosquidobit schooner build of SaltyScott which I am totally excited about and all the wisdom posted there confirmed my resolution.

 

[Dr PR]

All right! Another schooner build!!

 

You did a nice job on the planking.

[Jolly Jo]

1 hour ago, Dr PR said:

All right! Another schooner build!!

 

You did a nice job on the planking.

Thank you very much!

[Jolly Jo]

I made a jig to cut the deck planks

 

Later I added another jig to poke the fake nail marks

 

Then I cut out the gun ports and shaped a piece to add to the transom (the black line on top is left from tracing the shape with a pencil)

 

Shaping the caprail didn't go that well because it cracked. I'll let it dry over night and hope to fix it tomorrow.

Edited Sunday at 09:28 PM by Jolly Jo

[Jolly Jo]

Fortunately I was able to glue the cracked caprail. But as I just went with the shape of the bow on the first piece, It isn't shaped right going aft (yet).
So today I grabbed some scrap wood, shaped it like the complete side of the hull and glued it on a base plate so it doesn't bend.

The caprail wood was soaked over night and held over a pot with boiling water. Then I did some gentle bending, clamped it on the sides with spring clamps, loosely fitted the F-clamps and carefully pulled them tighter.

 

I also redid the "frame" on the stern. I thought it was too thick and bulky so I reshaped it and now I'm happy with it

 

When I loosely laid out the deck planks I thought they are off in scale too much. A model plank is 4mm wide which would make 228mm on the real ship (although it's fictional, I know)...
Thanks to the great literature post on Schooners SaltyScott started I've ordered Howard Chapelle's "The Baltimore Clipper" and Karl Heinz Marquardt's "The Global Schooner". Hopefully I can determine the correct width of the deck planks or at least a plausible range.
Splitting my planks into 2mm would make for 114mm in reality. That sounds plausible...
Also I would like to make cover boards.

Edited Monday at 06:32 PM by Jolly Jo

[Dr PR]

228 mm (9 inches) might not be too wide for deck planks. I have seen references to vessels with wide deck planks. However all the vessels I have been on have had deck planks closer to the 114 mm (4.5 inches). Splitting the 4 mm planks will be tricky. When you start to split wood the split tends to follow the wood grain. Unless the planks were cut exactly parallel to the wood grain you will get a lot of scrap wood.

 

You can buy 2 mm planks from model lumber supply companies.

 

I don't recall either Chapelle or Marquardt discussing what the deck plank width was. However, there are some lists of materials that were purchased for specific vessels that might give the deck plank dimensions. For example, Chapelle's The Baltimore Clipper on page 168 lists material for H.M. schooner Spider of 1815 that says deck planks were 7 inches wide.

Edited 8 hours ago by Dr PR

[Jolly Jo]

Phil,

thanks a lot for the advice and information!

 

I don't think I will or can be as accurate as Mark but rather then just going along with the plan and material provided to "just" learn the basics, my idea is to make improvements were I can to get a result I am still happy with in the years to come when I hope I'll be an experienced modeler.

 

[SaltyScot]

On 3/11/2025 at 4:28 AM, Jolly Jo said:

my idea is to make improvements were I can to get a result I am still happy with in the years to come when I hope I'll be an experienced modeler.

 

This a fantastic mindset, Jo. It is important to be happy with what you do. We all get frustrated now and again but that is just reality telling us that our high expectations need taking down a notch or two  Making mistakes is part of the hobby, it is also how we learn. You are definitely on the right path, your planking looks good and you have a game plan. I will de following along, sir. Ich bin jetzt dabei!

[SaltyScot]

On 3/9/2025 at 3:36 PM, Jolly Jo said:

I made a jig to cut the deck planks

 

Schlau  This is just another example of how much you care about your build!

[SaltyScot]

On 3/10/2025 at 2:24 PM, Jolly Jo said:

Karl Heinz Marquardt's "The Global Schooner"

 

I have that book out on loan from our local library right now (seriously considering buying it!). It is a fantastic reference book with a lot of information. You may not find your particular model in there, but it has a great section on privateer schooners near the front of the book with very explicit images. Enjoy!!

[Jolly Jo]

6 hours ago, SaltyScot said:

 

This a fantastic mindset, Jo. It is important to be happy with what you do. We all get frustrated now and again but that is just reality telling us that our high expectations need taking down a notch or two  Making mistakes is part of the hobby, it is also how we learn. You are definitely on the right path, your planking looks good and you have a game plan. I will de following along, sir. Ich bin jetzt dabei!

 

Mark,

Thank you very much for your help and encouragement, vielen Dank!
I once built a portable workbench I saw on YouTube. Being an inexperienced woodworker I bought the plans, acquired the tools step by step and even went to a carpenter's shop to get the large piece of oak cut as I was uncomfortable to do it myself on the table saw (safety first). Took me three month but it turned out beautiful.
Making improvements, learning new skills  and doing research is so much fun!
I'm glad to have you aboard, sir!

Jo

[Jolly Jo]

6 hours ago, SaltyScot said:

 

I have that book out on loan from our local library right now (seriously considering buying it!). It is a fantastic reference book with a lot of information. You may not find your particular model in there, but it has a great section on privateer schooners near the front of the book with very explicit images. Enjoy!!

 

I am waiting impatiently for it's arrival...

As the "Newport" is not designed after an existing vessel I have some leeway in the details. That's good for a beginner's project. Nevertheless I aim to get it as realistic as (for me) possible.