HMS Grecian 1812 by ECK - Vanguard Models - 1:64

[ECK]

Having just finished a fun build with HMS Harpy, my next build will be another Vanguard offering, HMS Grecian although it is a dual citizen and could be USS Grecian.

 

So first the unwrapping:

I also bought the paint with the kit. It also uses copper tape

 

 

 

I think I have enough copper tiles (2 sheets) left over from Harpy and I think it should cover so will use them

 

 

 

Like all vanguard kits, things slot together quickly and then wedges glued to keep together. Final gluing of all the seams occurs later.

 

 

Stern area requires a bit of faring

 

Then slotted into place

 

Next finishing adding the various bow pieces and then sub-deck snaps into place followed finally with gluing the seams

 

[ECK]

So today I had at it with a hand sander, sand paper and file to fair the hull. Below is one side done compared to the other. You can see the bow requires a lot of work

 

 

 

 

Now after both sides done

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, the false keel added

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Nice job, it's a very elegant hull!

[ECK]

Indeed she looks quite the thoroughbred.

 

 

[ECK]

Next step is attaching the bulwark. The outer and inner sides will be covered with engraved pieces so this is the backbone so to speak.  It is important to glue keeping the edge of the deck along the lower of the two interior engraved lines.  Can never have to many clamps. You will also notice I temporarily pinned the lower edges to ensure a tight fit so the first plank will abut without gaps.  If you look closely at the instruction manual you can see James also used pinholes. 

 

 

 

The lower stern edge needs to be turnedinward. I scored it as the manual suggests. Later with filler and sanding it will be nice and rounded.

 

 

Lastly, it is important to make sure the end of the bulwark sits at the same height above the deckhouse at the stern.

 

[ECK]

Finished gluing outer and inner bulwarks. Then sanded/filled/sanded the tops of the bulwarks and the gunports. Those arches are a real pain, quite a few breaks.

 

[ECK]

Few days into it, hull more than half planked

 

[ECK]

No first planking done, here pre-sanding/filling. Had 2 stealers in the stern

 

 

 

 

Now post sanding, filling and sanding

 

 

Next gluing on the veneers

 

 

Now ready for second planking

 

[ECK]

TO start the second planking I first soaked then tapered then laterally bent the planks

 

 

 

 

Now 5 rows into it, I do sand some after each row. I have taped up the veneers and gunports to prevent damage

 

[brunnels]

Is a long narrow hull like this easier or harder to plank in your experience so far?

[ECK]

So far easier as the curve of the prow is minimal compared to the square rigged ships and so less twisting of the planks

[BurgundyModels]

This is a beautiful boat! Following along

[ECK]

Second planking done. Here she is pre-sanding

 

 

 

 

 

Now post sanding/filling/sanding again

 

 

[Dr PR]

Very nice work. The books say Grecian was a fast ship, and the hull looks it!

[ECK]

Started painting today. Lots of tape being used. I also drew the water line and painted the area below copper so when I do copper, any gaps will not be glaring. Have not added the cabin doors and siding yet although I did pre-fit them , sanding/filing so they fit.

 

[Dr PR]

It seems to me that your water line (LWL) is a bit too low, especially at the stern. Not much, but a bit low. I am looking at Howard Chalelle's drawings of Grecian in The Search for Speed Under Sail (page 223). These "Baltimore clippers" had deep "V" shaped hulls that displaced much less water than the commercial vessels' "U" shaped hulls. This meant less buoyancy so the hulls sat deeper in the water. But it also meant they were very fast.

 

About even with the main mast the distance from the waterline to the wales was about 2/5 the height of the wales and maybe 1/3 the height of the bulwarks.

 

I made this same mistake on my topsail schooner build and had to go back and repaint the waterline a bit higher.

[ECK]

Thanks, I raaied it about 2 mm.

[ECK]

Spent the day finishing the painting and adding the stern cabin doors. I used door latches I had left from Harpy. The roofs are drying after soaking them to get the curve set overnight.  The copper paint looks pretty good to me  but I likely be starting coppering proper later this week.

 

[ECK]

Coppering has begun. Using plates rather than the provided copper tape.