USF Essex 1799 by RossR - Model Shipways - 1:76

[RossR]

It has been awhile, but here is a quick update.   I finally finished fairing the interior.  I found this to be a very difficult task.   I have the gun ports painted red, and now I will be starting the planking.   
 

[RossR]

I have started the planking.  It is the first time I have felt like I have been making progress in awhile.  The first plank I added was a basswood strip that runs the entire length of the ship to get a smooth run for the planking above.  I am not worried about the lack of vertical seams on this plank as it will be covered with other planks to make the wale later.  

 

 

Above this plank I am using the Alaskan Yellow Cedar that I purchased from Modeler's Sawmill.  Hoping that the planking at the gun deck level, which is left unpainted, will really pop with the higher quality wood.  Two rows of planking were added above the first plank before I got to the gun ports.  

 

 

 

 

I definitely subscribe to the theory you can't have too many clamps.  I bought 4 more  of the black ones used near the stern at Menards today. I am trying to use PVA for gluing the planks.  I really appreciate the ability to easily remove a plank if I decide It isn't right.  I used a 4 inch PVC pipe as a form for adding the curve near the bow.  I just soak the wood in hot water for about 10 minutes then clamp it to the pipe.  Careful to use a old scrap price between the wood and the clamp to limit making and marks in the plank from the clamp.

 

 

 

 

For the next row of planking I needed to notch out the plank to accommodate the gun port.  The planking should reveal 1/32 of an inch of the gun port framing.  For this row, I used a number 11 scalpel blade to cut away to material to accommodate the gun port.  I carefully cut a little bit vertically then cut thin slivers horizontally and repeat until I get close to the total amount of material removed.  The last bit is sanded away.  On these planks the amount left where the gun ports will be is less than 1/32 of an inch.  

 

 

I am adding a row to the port then starboard sides and building up both sides of the ship.  I will continue to use the Alaskan Yellow Cedar until I get to the planking at the height of the quarter deck which will be painted so I will switch back to the kit provided Basswood.

 

 

 

 

[Ronald-V]

Good thing you have upgraded the visible planking, that will definitely improve the overall look! Good start 👌