Drakkar Viking by Bettiso - Artesania Latina - 1:75

[Bettiso]

Hey everyone,

 

This is my first build log and my first-ever wooden model - so I’m both nervous and excited to get started! (Admins please inform me of any incorrect tagging or formatting)

 

I initially planned to build the Mare Nostrum as my first project, but decided to start with something smaller to get a feel for planking and hull shaping first. A quick disclaimer: I’m brand new to the hobby and still learning the terminology, so please feel free to correct me whenever necessary - I’d really appreciate it! I’m here to learn as much as I can.

 

For my introduction to the hobby, I’ve chosen Artesania Latina’s Viking Ship at a 1:75 scale. Perhaps I haven’t explored the site deeply enough yet, but I haven’t come across many build logs for this particular model. Only a few.

 

 

I began by counting and labelling all the parts before cutting them out, then used sandpaper to clean up and level the cut edges.

 

 

 

From what I’ve gathered on the forums, most builders prefer using wood glue over CA glue, reserving CA for specific parts, so I followed that approach. After a dry fit to check alignment, I glued the first bulkhead into place, using LEGO bricks as makeshift squares while it dried.

 

 

 

 

That’s as far as I’ve gotten for now. Only a small step. Once I’m confident with the clamping and gluing process, I’ll move on to attaching the remaining bulkhead. I’m taking things slowly, experimenting with techniques, and trying not to rush any step. I’m definitely nervous about making mistakes, but I know that’s part of the learning process - or a rite of passage, really - and I don’t want that fear to get in the way of enjoying the build.

 

I plan to stay active with this project until it’s finished, so expect regular updates along the way!

 

Cheers,
Matt

Edited Sunday at 10:21 AM by Bettiso

[Nearshore]

Hi Matt,

Welcome to to hobby. looks like you picked a good project for your first build log. I look forward to watching your progress.

 

Cheers 

Nearshore

[Ronald-V]

Welcome to this forum! And have fun with your first build 🙂

[Bettiso]

[UPDATE 1]

 

Thanks for the welcome, Nearshore and Ronald-V!

 

I’ve completed the rest of the bulkheads. I found it a bit tricky to get them perfectly level (foreshadowing of an issue I’ll have), but squaring them was pretty straightforward.

 

 

 

When the time came to glue this next flat piece onto the bulkheads, I assumed it would handle the bend without any help. Probably a rookie mistake because I was definitely wrong, and the wood split right at the point that takes the most stress.

 

 

 

I decided to fill the split with some Loctite super glue and let it set for a few hours.

 

 

This time, I boiled some water and poured it into a plate, soaking the wood for about 30 seconds. After a quick wipe with a cloth, I carefully shaped it into position on top of the bulkheads, and it worked perfectly. 

 

 

 

Three things I noticed while it was drying: 

 

1) The flat piece doesn’t line up flush with the ends of the ship. A gap can be seen where it's meant to connect (see below). I decided that aligning the flat piece with the bulkheads was more important than having the ends flush (I tried to get both but couldn't figure it out). I'm hoping that this won't be a problem for me later!

 

 

 

 

2) Something I realised was that I probably should have sanded a slight bevel on the two closest bulkheads at each end. If those frames had been beveled, the connection might have been a bit stronger. 

 

 

3) Finally, remember when I said I had trouble getting the bulkheads perfectly level? Well I’m pretty sure this bulkhead (see below) is slightly leaning more to one side which makes everything the tiniest bit wonky. It's not the end of the world, but worth noting for next time. If anyone has tips for getting your bulkheads perfectly level, I’m all ears!

 

 

 

That's all for now!

- Matt

 

Edited Sunday at 10:16 AM by Bettiso

[Dr PR]

Welcome to the hobby! The problems you are encountering are things we have all been through. What is important is you are learning!

[Bettiso]

Thanks Phil! I'm glad to hear that the mistakes I am making are relatively common when starting out. However, even with the mistakes, I'm really enjoying the process, I'm not going hard on myself, and I'm learning lots. I'll have a new update for the build log in a day or so. Currently making plenty more mistakes in my first attempt at planking 😅

[Bettiso]

[UPDATE 2]

 

I’ve been busy sanding and shaping the bow and stern to match the hull’s contours. I got them to a good place, though I accidentally took out a small bit of the piece above (on both ends). I don’t think it’ll cause any issues since that section will be covered later on.

 

 

 

 

I also spent a fair bit of time shaping the bulkheads too. I tried to be extra careful here, so hopefully I’ve done it right!

 

 

 

Then came the big step - planking a hull for the first time. 

 

 

 

The instructions were quite vague, so I did my best to follow them. The tricky part was that many videos and books suggest a more methodical approach, with careful measuring and tapering, which I really wanted to try. But since this was my first build, I wasn’t sure whether to follow the kit instructions or the advice from others.

 

In the end, I chose to stick with the kit’s instructions as I figured it would be best suited for this model… and I regret that decision.

 

 

 

 

I stopped here, as I wasn't happy with how this was going. Soaking the planks didn’t help much, and I had trouble shaping them without forcing them into place or relying on CA glue… which I quickly learned I don’t enjoy working with! As you can see below, the planks weren't bending well which left gaps all over the model.

 

 

So, after a day or two, I decided to start fresh and try some new techniques.

I removed the plank that wasn't working, and measured all the bulkheads to estimate how many planks I’d need and what sizes they should be. This is once again the method I wanted to try.

 

 

 

But yet again... I abandoned the method because the instructions didn’t mention it (although, like I said before, they don’t mention much at all, lol). For future builds, I’ll definitely use the measured planking fan method to taper correctly toward the bow and stern. Another lesson learned.

 

This time around, I borrowed some techniques from a YouTube channel “G kip”. I pre-bent all my planks and took my time fitting each one before gluing with wood glue and pinning in place. I still used a little bit of CA glue here and there, but far less than before. I also switched from the long steel pins to shorter brass pins. I much prefer working with those. Once each plank was on, I trimmed and adjusted them for a cleaner fit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This result was a lot better, far from perfect, but good enough to make me quite pleased with my progress.

My only concern now is getting the plank alignment to look natural, since the mid-section needs more planks than the bow and stern areas. That’s where the measured method would’ve helped - but for this model, there will be a workaround that doesn't look too bad. I'll just keep this in mind for the next model.

 

I'll finish planking, sand the hull, and then begin the second layer!

 

Cheers,
Matt

 

Edited Sunday at 10:27 AM by Bettiso

[Bettiso]

[UPDATE]

 

I'm looking for some advice on where I might’ve gone wrong, and on any potential ways to fix this, please!

 

I’m sure I’ve made a few rookie errors, and in hindsight, I think the best thing I could have done before starting the planking was use a planking fan and actually measure everything properly. I did consider it, but since the instructions didn’t mention any of that, I decided not to… and now I really regret that decision (although I'm not discouraged). At this point, I’m a bit stumped on how to move forward.

 

 

 

The middle bulkhead needs three full planks and about two-thirds of a fourth. But as the planks bend toward each end of the hull, everything starts to bottleneck and then open up again. I’m not sure how to line this out properly from where I currently am. The good news is that this is a double-planked hull, so maybe I can fill the gaps as best I can on this first layer, then take the time to do everything correctly for the second layer.

 

Or… maybe I just buy the same model again and start fresh with a better planking method? 

 

Any advice here would be appreciated!

 

-Matt

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Bettiso

[GrandpaPhil]

Wolfram Zu Mondfeld wrote an excellent book called “Historic Ship Models” with an excellent introduction to planking (and all of model ship building).  I have personally read it several times through.

 

To get the last layers to fit, test fit the planks and trim off the overlapping portions to get a snug fit.  Then glue them down.  Since this is the inner planking, none of it will be visible.  Then I would recommend using Chuck’s text on lining off planking for the outer layer of planking for the best results.

[Bettiso]

Thanks so much for the book recommendation GrandpaPhil! I'll order it today. It's comforting knowing that I have another chance to nail the "vanity" aspect of the hull (even if the inner planking is a little wonky). Really appreciate the advice! Cheers