Norske Love by Nelsons Dockyard - Billing Boats - 1:75

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Here we go, first model of this type and first build log. Initially, I wasn’t going to do one because the standard of other members was a little daunting but if others can learn from my pitfalls, I guess we all win.

I did start this kit some 35 years ago and only got to the bulkheads, decks and partial planking. At that time, it was beyond my ability and patience, and I was “one of those who bit off more than he could chew”. But as the years have passed, hopefully I have improved on both. The internet has been a great help and access to sites like Model Ship World and build logs is invaluable.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

15 minutes ago, Nelsons Dockyard said:

Here we go, first model of this type and first build log. Initially, I wasn’t going to do one because the standard of other members was a little daunting but if others can learn from my pitfalls, I guess we all win.

I did start this kit some 35 years ago and only got to the bulkheads, decks and partial planking. At that time, it was beyond my ability and patience, and I was “one of those who bit off more than he could chew”. But as the years have passed, hopefully I have improved on both. The internet has been a great help and access to sites like Model Ship World and build logs is invaluable.

 

As mentioned above, I started this kit 35 years ago and decided to pick it again in March this year. I had contemplated purchasing the kit again but decided to continue with the original and see how it went. If nothing else, it was going to be good practice for any future builds.

I continued with the planking, despite my original effort having gaps (darker planks). From memory, I soaked the planks, bent them into shape and attached them immediately using glue and pins. As the timber dries out, it shrunk and left gaps. Lesson learnt.

 

[Nelsons Dockyard]

I didn’t like the pins, so this time I glued the planks and held them in place temporarily with larger removable pins. I steamed the planks, bent them into shape and then left them to dry before fixing them on. This was relatively successful but still had some gaps and planks that didn’t sit flush to the bulkheads.

Note: Make sure you file the bulkheads to the shape of the hull before fixing planks.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Originally, Billings sold the main kit with the fittings kit sold separately. I thought the fittings would be simple to locate and with a bit of research, found I could also buy most of the parts individually. I tried to find the complete fittings kit through various marketplaces but without success. It is available from Billings, but few outlets have it in stock, and the cost is approx. 75% of the complete kit which now comes with all the fittings. Decision made, buy a new kit

 

New kit arrived and the first thing I noticed is it is laser cut. The original had to hand cut from multiple pieces which was time consuming and prone to size differences. Billing instructions are somewhat sparse but as they clearly mention, the kit is for experienced model makers. So as many have advised, read, check, measure, re-read, re-measure and check again.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

I hadn’t planned to do a build log so marched on without pictures. I have tried to backtrack and note any issues I came across.

 

First job was to mark all pieces with their relevant part number using the template in the instructions. Take care, as not all pieces are numbered. I spent a few hours pushing most of the parts out and putting them into little kit bags in order of my proposed build.

 

Keel laid, Bow and Sternpost attached. Minor error. Should have attached Rabbet (#17x2) and Stern Rabbet (#18x2) before attaching to keel.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Cut distance strips (#20) using 1:1 plan. Attached frames starting with #7. Worked forward and then aft using distance strips and double-checking plans for spacings. Unsure what angle frame #1 should be. Using the plan, it seems to touch the bottom edge of #2.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Nearly correct but found on attaching deck #23A it didn’t quite reach and on deck #32 it was now further out. Hopefully this doesn’t bite me as the build progresses.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Stained and painted bulkheads in preparation for assembly. Will need to rub down edges of green parts to get a good bond. Planked Bow bulkhead #60 using kit supplied mahogany strips. Stained them mahogany and added doors and frames.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Added hatch box but first added planking to the base. This was going to be a trail for adding decking so used kit supplied mahogany strips and stained them mahogany. This was too dark so decided to use Tanganyka strip 0.5 x 4. See next post.

 

Attached main deck 23 and 23A. Formers all lined up well, but it didn’t sit straight down the centre line. Filed out a couple of former notches and all was good.

 

The instructions say to mark deck planking with a pencil, but I wasn’t keen on this method. On the older kit I had, the deck was marked with black lines, but this wasn’t brilliant either. Decided to lay individual planks using a 3 butt system. Saw on a video that someone had used black cotton to imitate caulking. This seemed a good idea so practised on the hatch box first. Results were ok so went for it on the main deck. I used Tanganyka strip 0.5 x 4. The kit did have 62 unspecified mahogany strips which I could have used but after staining, these were too dark. Billings later confirmed these strips were for decking but no mention of it in the instructions.

 

Cut the planks to 10cms and stained them dark mahogany (Billings 006). Should have noted a previous build log by Ed, saying it may be a little dark. It was but got around it by brushing the laid planks with a cut down brush. This gave a “weathered” effect which looks ok now. Laid the King plank down the centre line and went from there. I used a fine tip Staedtler permanent pen to mark the plank joins and nails. Apart from a silly error of not wiping of excess glue with a damp cloth (resulting in a few hours of cleaning afterwards), happy with the result.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

As Ed stated in his build of this ship, not sure how much of the rear cabins are going to be visible so went for black and white diamonds. Cheated a bit on this. Painted the white base then marked the lines with pencil. Overdrew them with the Staedtler and inked them in. Did find some vinyl dolls house flooring which was the exact size I wanted but decided I would get more satisfaction from doing it the other method.

 

I am hoping to open up light into the cabins if I can later in the build so in hopes that I can, I have added LED lighting under the cabin roof.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Next up is to add the centre bulkheads on the main deck. As Ed did, I am making them longer and adding sides.  I want to light the ship up, so I cut 3 windows into each side and put an LED light behind them. I used cotton for the window crosses and added a piece of acetate to keep them in place and give a bit of blur to the LEDs. Added 2 doors to the rear bulkhead.

 

Fixed them in place along with the kit supplied bulkheads. Had to reduce the height slightly to account for the planks. I used a spacer to get the correct depth to the former #7A and small spacer butts so the front bulkheads don’t move.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Next up, the quarterdeck. Attached a back bulkhead to the lower deck cabin and checked it fitted before fixing. As with the lower deck, it was slightly out but after a little filing, all was good. Glued and nailed in place which is when I realised the deck didn’t quite reach the end of the rear frame #1. Added floor diamonds and started preparing the planking.

[Nelsons Dockyard]

Planking well under way but need to order some more supplies. Made up two more bulkheads. 1 for the Quarterdeck cabin and one to go under front deck. Not sure how far back this will go and if I want side bulkheads. Hoping to add another LED and open 3 cannon ports but on checking the plans, 2 of the ports protrude into the frames. Not sure moving the ports is going to work as they will be out of line with the others and look like a dogs dinner. Back to the original build to see what can be done. Will also see if I can open up the rear cabins in anyway by removing some planking behind the stern gallery.

[Paul Le Wol]

Nice start to your build and build log!