Cutting gunports into bulkheads

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

My kit has 4 gunports (2 per side) that are positioned over bulkheads

 

I am interested in hearing from others who have dealt with this and their solutions. Is there any prep work that can be done to make this task easier. I was thinking about making the vertical cuts in the bulkhead prior to planking as they are dummy cannons. Currently I have not glued anything so all options are on the table

 

It is the HMS Victory by Corel

 

Thank you

Edited October 4, 2013 by JPett

[demonborger]

How does Corel do its gunports?

 

Are they metal frames with a socket for the false guns? Or do the false guns go into holes drilled in wooden blocks ? Or something else?

 

For my Occre Santisima Trinidad I just cut the bulkheads to make room for the wooden backing for the gunports while the bulkheads were assembled. However Occre bulkheads are made of a light material that is easy to cut. Additionally Occre used a gunports pattern to go accross the bulkheads rather than individual strakes so the shape wasn't affected.

[JPett]

Ahoy Demonborger

 

Thanks for responding

 

The Corel kit uses metal gunport frames with a length of wood installed between the bulkheads to mount the dummy cannon. The bulkheads are pretty substantial on the Corel kits too. The instruction "if I am deciphering them correctly" suggest you to apply the planking and then cut out the gunports. It's going to be a hell of a party  

Edited October 4, 2013 by JPett

[Sjors]

Hi JP,

 

My manual was saying that I have to do the first planking around the gun ports.

Not as with the Aggy, you do the first planking and then you have to drill it out.

 

There where no frames in the way.

Everything was free.

I hope this help you.

But you can always play a little with the space.

See what works for you the best.

 

Edited October 4, 2013 by Sjors

[NMBROOK]

Hi J.Pett

Looking at your drawing,an easier solution in this case,would be to cut the notch out before planking and glue some scrap ply to the right hand side of the notched bulkhead.When set this could be sanded to the hull profile and provide support for the planks.

Kind Regards Nigel

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

Thank you for you advice

 

After further review it was found that there are eight gunports that will require a section of bulkhead be removed. There is another on the gunwale and B14

 

I have also decided to mill out an area about two to three mm. back in the bulkhead at each location. It should be no problem to remove the remaining wood when the gunport is cut. I feel this option will allow me to create a slightly larger area to facilitate some room for error without changing the profile of the bulkhead. The depth being determined by the wood needed to mount the false gun.

Edited October 10, 2013 by JPett

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

Just a follow up on my progress

 

I have decided that this idea requires way too much effort to execute. With the amount of time spent to confirm the gunport position is correct I could have cut this port out of a fully planked hull with a wet noodle. Measurements came from two different plates, which had to be compared and adjusted for the hull in its current state. I allowed myself 2mm on each side for error.

 

I would not rate this as a failure only because I did learn how to correctly measure for the gunports which for this project will be a necessity. This bulkhead will become the point from which the remaining gunports positions will be derived.

Edited October 9, 2013 by JPett

[HIPEXEC]

I faced the same dilema with my USS Constituion. The plans called for me to plank the hull then cut the gun ports. I didn't like that since I'm not that good at measuring and cutting and the hull planks are heavy duty and hard to cut.. So, I made frames in the hull for all 30 gunports then I  cut the hull planks in my miter box and get nice square cuts. It worked! I'm happy with the false gunports. For me it was easier to measure and make frames.  They didn't have to be perfect. The ports wound up be fairly accurately placed. I made a strip of light balsa wood and drew the ports on it from the plans. The I used that  to locate each port one at a time. I also made a exact square the size of the port to use as a check before I glued anything in place. Sounds more complicated than it was. I'm sure I didn't save anytime, but I wound up with nice ports.

Hope this helps a little

Rich

hipexec USS Constitution

[Shipyard sid]

Hello

I have just had a question about the gunport positions on the corel victory. Is there a template for marking the positions , and if not how do you determine were they need to be. Thanks in advance. DAVID

[pirozzi]

I agree with Brian. I am building the Royal William which has 3 gun decks. On each deck there are at least 2 or 3 ports that wind up in the middle of a bulkhead. Just closing those ports makes it simple. Also, it adds to the appearance of the ship, as ports were often closed here and there for one reason or another. If a port just overlaps a bulkhead to one side, the bulkhead can be trimmed and painted black and the false gun barrel placed alongside.

 

Vince P.