Albatros 1840 by natant – Constructo – Scale 1:55 - Baltimore schooner - first wooden ship build

[natant]

As a kid I tried my best to finish a partially built Billings kit from H.M.S. Bounty that was given to me by an acquaintance who gave up in frustration. Being too young/inexperienced/impatient/much interested in 1:24 plastic car models, I never finished it either and got rid of the kit after many years.

 

Somehow, this hobby got under my skin so I chose to pick it up again. Since I was overwhelmed by the technical skills that are required when working on the Bounty, I decided to make an easy start so I got myself the Albatros from Constructo. I am well aware this is not a very detailed model and after opening the box I also found out that the materials are acceptable at best. All the better for me though, because I want to gain experience with planking and rigging.

 

I will post pictures and my thoughts as I go along, but being very busy with my work please don’t expect me to do so on a very regular basis.

 

Feel free to comment on my work and do share your thoughts and expertise, as I haven’t done any wood modelling for more than twenty years.

 

Natan

[natant]

First update on the Albatros.

 

I just couldn’t wait to start building, so after digging up my tools from the basement, buying a fresh bottle of Tidebond together with a pile of sanding paper (ranging from 400 to 1200) I started to work.

 

The false keel turned out to be al little bent, but I took a gamble and started attaching the bulkheads hoping to straighten out everything when attaching the deck further down the process. I came out lucky there, because everything is in line now but it took quite some work. Lots of sanding to get the frame ready for the deck, and lots of frustration while adding the deck, because the nails are so extremely thin and soft they bend even when looking at them.

 

After finally securing the deck I sanded away for another 90 minutes and I guess I am ready for measuring and calculating in preparation of the actual planking of the hull.

 

Natan

 

 

[natant]

Planking has started. It's only the first plank on one side so I have lots more work to do.

 

I put the wood in boiling hot water in the sink (with a bottle on it to keep it under water) and let it stay for about 30 minutes. This was enough to be able to bend it into shape so I pinned it down and let it dry. Then I glued it and pinned it down again for the night. I'm happy with the results so far, on to the other side. 

 

Natan

[ZyXuz]

You started it well, Nathan

keep up the good work! 

[VolkerBo]

Good luck to you with your projekt.

You've chosen a very nice model!

Volker

[natant]

Good luck to you with your projekt.

You've chosen a very nice model!

Volker

 

Danke schön Volker ;-) 

 

I will follow your build log. Let's stay in contact since we are on the same project. 

 

Natan

[NMBROOK]

Hi Natan

you are off to a nice start.If I may offer some advice.As your planking is fairly thick,I would be tempted to allow it to dry in position overnight after soaking.If there is any moisture left in the wood from it's soak,the plank can shrink even more and you may end up with gaps appearing between the planks the day after.I know it is slow doing it that way,but you could always pin a few strips in place at once and let them dry together.

Kind Regards Nigel

[natant]

Hi Natan

you are off to a nice start.If I may offer some advice.As your planking is fairly thick,I would be tempted to allow it to dry in position overnight after soaking.If there is any moisture left in the wood from it's soak,the plank can shrink even more and you may end up with gaps appearing between the planks the day after.I know it is slow doing it that way,but you could always pin a few strips in place at once and let them dry together.

Kind Regards Nigel

Thank you very much Nigel,

 

That's what I did the first time, although it might look as if I was rushing it when looking at my first few posts. Those pictures were taken during a three day time period, but I uploaded them in just one night.

 

I am soaking another plank right now for the other side and I will leave it pinned down for tonight and tomorrow during the day. The planks are indeed thick and therefore hard to shape but I will try my best. My biggest concern is filling out the hull without too many 'stealers' so I can make it look as authentic as possible.

 

This boat is mostly to sharpen my skills again, and after finishing it I will move to an Albatros with double planking (Mantua). I know that's a lot more work, but it will also be easier to handle because the planks are thinner and closer to the way big ships are built. My end goal is building the Friesland or the Sovereign of the Seas.

 

Natan

[natant]

Another small step.

 

I glued the first plank to the other side of the hull and made a start with the deck. 

 

Natan

[natant]

After gluing one plank to each side (as shown in my last post) I added another two and will work my way down adding two planks per side per time. It's tempting to start working on other parts of the ship, but I decided to stick to the instructions and take my time to let the planks dry after both soaking and gluing. 

 

I bought a digital caliper and Amati's Master Cut to make work a little easier and I have to say that really helps. I don't have a dedicated workspace yet, but I just keep looking out for the right equipment to make this hobby more and more enjoyable.  

 

My posts for the near future are going to be a little less frequent, since all I will be doing is adding planks to the hull. I promise to keep taking pictures after every step, but I will add those pictures to a later post because it makes no sense putting every plank I add in a separate post ;-)

 

So, until then... 

 

Natan

Edited November 10, 2013 by natant

[natant]

Since the deck is finished and I am about half way on the hull, I thought is was a good idea to start work on some items that will go on the deck. 

 

Taking good measurements here is important, because following the instructions can lead to some irregularities. The quality of the wood is fair here, in contrast to the wood that is provided for the deck...

 

Natan

[VolkerBo]

Hello Natan,

this is a good start.

I have a tip to the gaps between the planks.

I made sawdust from the wood of the planks.

I diluted white wood glue with water and mixed it with the sawdust.

The result was a filler that covered the gaps invisible.

 

This is a bit like cheating - but works well. 

Good luck

Volker

[mij]

Hi Natan

 

Lovely kit to build, I built the Albatros many years ago and sold it at Christies (London) for £600. 

 

Good luck with your build.

 

 mij

[natant]

 

Hello Natan,

this is a good start.

I have a tip to the gaps between the planks.

I made sawdust from the wood of the planks.

I diluted white wood glue with water and mixed it with the sawdust.

The result was a filler that covered the gaps invisible.

 

This is a bit like cheating - but works well. 

Good luck

Volker

 

Thanks for the tip Volker. Right now I am still struggling with the planks on the hull, but I will apply that technique when I start sanding and smoothing it.

 

Natan

[natant]

Hi Natan

 

Lovely kit to build, I built the Albatros many years ago and sold it at Christies (London) for £600. 

 

Good luck with your build.

 

 mij

That's quite a bit for an Albatros kit. Was that a Constructo or any of the other kits?

 

Natan

[VolkerBo]

Thanks for the tip Volker. Right now I am still struggling with the planks on the hull, but I will apply that technique when I start sanding and smoothing it.

 

Natan

I had cut my Albatros planks, then soaked and clamped them wet  on the hull.

After drying on the hull I have checked the form and reworked if necessary, then glued.

Sometimes I have to cut the planks as they were on the hull. It works not to bad.

[natant]

Here’s another update on the hull of my Albatros.

 

As before I soaked the planks and clamped them on while wet and left them like that to dry for at least eight to ten hours. Although this makes it relatively easy to bend/shape the planks, it’s still hard to get a smooth end result. The planks are thick and there is only one layer to work with so it has to be right the first time.

 

If I soak them too long (an hour or more) they become too soft and it looks like they cave in between the bulkheads because of the pressure from the clamps. The clamps even leave pressure indentations on the edges of the planks…

 

If I don’t soak them long enough (less than 30 min) it’s hard to bend them and the lower side tends to push away from the bulkheads leaving and uneven surface.

 

I will go on though. Mr. Sandpaper and Volkers wood filler will be my big friends when I am finished planking the hull ;-)