Licorne 1755 by mtaylor - 3/16" scale - French Frigate - from Hahn plans - Version 2.0 - TERMINATED

[mtaylor]

I think I bagged it....   Fiddly work at best.  I made some templates, changed them, cut some wood, fed the scrap box  Then I got what I wanted.   Since this is hidden by quarter galleries, I'll fair it in and tweak as needed before planking. The interior will need minimal as some is hidden by the clamps, deck beams and deck.   The interior will get planked and probably some trim around the doorways with some nice doors. 

 

It would appear that the French played the "misdirection" game as well as the Brits.  On the Brits Roebuck class, there's two rows of stern windows so that when seen by ship coming from astern it would appear bigger than it is.   On Licorne,  the top of the stern windows are also the beam for the quarterdeck.  From inside, the bottom of the lights are about chest high.  It gives the appearance when coming astern that the ship is taller than she really is and from a distance it could be mistaken for an 18 pdr frigate (my conjuncture).  I think the galleries were designed with the same "look" in mind.

 

Here's some more pics of her rear, and I'm off to the next bit which will either be setting up the deadlights or shaping the taffrail.. 

 

[BANYAN]

She's coming along nicely Mark; you'll have the quarter galleries on before you know it

 

cheers

 

Pat

[mtaylor]

Thanks Pat.  The galleries will come after planking which still a ways off yet. 

[Omega1234]

Very nice Mark!  Off topic, though...I notice you're a Special Contributor now, whereas I thought you were a Moderator.  Have you been promoted?

[mtaylor]

Thanks Omega.   Not a promotion as such.  I stepped down.  I've was a moderator for too many years and needed to have more time to myself.   BTW, "Special Contributor" is the title given to all former moderators now, even though we're just members. 

[Omega1234]

Ahh.  Now I understand!   But, "...we're just members" doesn't cut it.

 

I can imagine it can be thankless task sometimes.  Thanks for all the hard work that you and the other Mods put into making this a great website!

 

Have a great Xmas!

Edited December 10, 2014 by Omega1234

[Sjors]

Yep,

 

Still don't know what you are doing but I'm sure that it is good......  

 

Sjors

[dgbot]

I was a mod on a forum several years ago.  i had to go through several messages before they were posted.  This was before and after work.  It was time consuming and had to be done everyday.  I had little time to myself.  My hat goes off to the mods on this sight they are the unsung heros of this forum.  A lot of patience and taking time away from their favorite builds.

David B

[popeye the sailor]

looks like a fine solution Mark.......a bit more shaping,  and it will fit in there nicely.  definitely will make the stern stronger 

[mtaylor]

A bit more shaping...   You're right Popeye.  But not much and mostly inside. Alternately, I can plank the ceiling such that there's a wood trim strip (I'm using Belle Poule's plans as reference) so that it won't be that noticeable.  Plus, being inside, it'll mostly be hidden.   Funny, I just figured it out... Hahn didn't plank the whole Great Cabin.  The transom/stern area is left "raw".   I'll take some shortcuts but only on the lower decks much the way I planned it on Version 1.0 but not in the Great Cabin or the rest of the gundeck.

 

Anyway... back to contemplation on the next step. I find I'm having more success by visualizing what needs to be done before I do it.  One of the next areas is where the sternpost and rudder come up through the counter.  I need to put in some support for to terminating the counter planks.  Also, on another topic, there's a discussion about tapering the wales to fit the rabbet.  I need to sort out if the French did that.  Research, contemplation, more research and maybe the smell of sawdust soon.

[mtaylor]

Deadlights.

 

After staring and thinking... I decided deadlights next.  Not the frames yet but the black background part.   Being a glutton for punishment, I decided to use ebony since I love the look of this wood.  Which begat more contemplation because that stuff is a bit hard to work with.  I think I found an adequate solution.

 

Being fond of quick prototyping in many areas, I made up some deadlights from basswood.  Gave it some thought and decided to make some ebony veneer.  I tried to rip some down to 1/64" (.35mm)....by 1" (25mm) with the thin side coming off the 1" thick billet.  Don't try it.   I got it down to 1/32" (.7mm) before things starting exploding across the shop.  Might have something to do with the blade but I wasn't going to kill a new Thurston blade on an experiment.    Anyway... now I have to clean up fragments everywhere.    I was using the table saw for this.

 

I took the 1/32" inch thick piece that survived and ran it through the thickness sander to get it where I wanted it, glued the prototype deadlights to it and cut them out with the scroll saw.  A bit of sanding and they fit about right.  The pics show a gap but that will be covered by the window framing.  Did I mention I hate macros...   To the naked eye (or even with glasses on) it looks pretty good. I don't feel anything out of place running my fingers around everything, so that's good also.  

 

I'll re-fillet the glue joints on the framing and cut them down to shape.  Also need to get the middle area of the counter fixed up with some wood for the landing of the counter plank ends at the rudder and stern post.  

 

First pic of the basswood and veneer laminated together for the deadlights.  Second one is the installation and..hmm... wet glue.      What the hey.. I'm having fun it's turning out well in my opinion.  I past the point where Version 1.0 met it's end (the stern area) so I'll be carrying on.

Edited December 13, 2014 by mtaylor

[JPett]

Ahoy Mark

 

I don't know. It looks like there are some planck length deviations right there where up quark meets the charm. Best to redo the whole thing. Better safe then sorry 

 

"LOL"

 

She looks great mate. 

Edited December 13, 2014 by JPett

[mtaylor]

Ahoy Mark

 

I don't know. It looks like there are some planck length deviations right there where up quark meets the charm. Best to redo the whole thing. Better safe then sorry 

 

"LOL"

 

She looks great mate. 

 

Which quarks?  The up, down, or strange?   I've ordered some fresh Higg's Bosons so well see what happens.

[capnharv2]

Boy Mark,

 

The last time somebody mentioned hating macros was when we were using Excel . I believe that somebody was me. . .

 

Thanks,

 

Harvey

[src]

Which quarks?  The up, down, or strange?   I've ordered some fresh Higg's Bosons so well see what happens.

You two need to stop meson around with my universe!!

Sorry couldn't help it.

Looks great mark!

Sam

[mtaylor]

Hit a big milestone...  framing is complete and ready for planking.  Well, one minor tweak to the transoms to get smooth run to the counter but that's not going to be a stopper.

 

Right now, I'm having second thoughts about the bulk of the planking in Swiss Pear and am considering cherry.   I'll ponder a bit more.....

 

[GLakie]

Looks like the makings of a mighty fine ship Mark. Can't wait to see it sheathed in planking. 

 

Cheers and Merry Christmas to you and yours

 

Edited December 20, 2014 by GLakie

[shipmodel]

Hi Mark - 

 

Really sweet work on the framing.  Looks even better enlarged and flipped right side up.  Smooth, fair and symmetrical.  Not much more you can ask of a set of ribs.

 

Cherry will work well for planking.  I have used it many times.  However, I have run into some problems occasionally:  Some pieces seem to have been over-dried and are brittle.  They splinter rather than cutting cleanly.  Make sure your blades are sharp.  Also, the color can vary substantially under the final finish even when the unfinished pieces look quite similar.   If you will be coppering the lower hull consider using a less expensive, more user friendly wood there.

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

Dan

[augie]

She's something to take pride in right now.  Planking should be spectacular.  Can't wait to see which wood you choose.

 

Impressive, mate.

[mtaylor]

Thanks for the comments and the "likes"...

 

Dan,

I've noticed that with cherry about inconsistent and that's part of what is the conundrum and decision process. I'm not coppering so I'm just musing as I've discovered some planking challenges that need addressing.   One of which is that at the wales, the planks are 1 foot (real or 3/16" scaled) and after 10 strakes they change to 9" (real or 1/8" scaled).  The planking then goes back to the larger for the garboard strake.  Should be an interesting trip down that road.   Right now I'm checking my wood supply and figuring out if I have enough of either one.   I'll order more no matter which way I go.

[CaptainSteve]

The only thing that could possibly improve a set of ribs like that ... is a really good bourbon basting sauce !!

[gjdale]

Congratulations on reaching a major milestone Mark. She looks great and I can't wait to see the planking started. You must be feeling very pleased with yourself - and rightly so too, especially after the brave decision to start over when Ver 1.0 wasn't going to plan.

[capnharv2]

IIRC Mark, you were just starting the framing when I stopped by in May. My compliments on a superb job!

 

Harvey

[mtaylor]

The only thing that could possibly improve a set of ribs like that ... is a really good bourbon basting sauce !!

 

I think these ribs would be a bit on the tough side.

 

Congratulations on reaching a major milestone Mark. She looks great and I can't wait to see the planking started. You must be feeling very pleased with yourself - and rightly so too, especially after the brave decision to start over when Ver 1.0 wasn't going to plan.

 

I'm feeling a 1000% better about this version.

 

IIRC Mark, you were just starting the framing when I stopped by in May. My compliments on a superb job!

 

Harvey

 

Thanks Harvey.  Yep, I started the framing in mid-April.  Moving right along, I am.

[popeye the sailor]

mighty sweet looking frame Mark    can you still get planking from Jeff?  are you planking her from the bottom up.......and does this mean she'll be leaving the jig?  congratz Mark.....this is quite a milestone!

[dgbot]

Fantastic work, shame you have to hide it with planking. As for the wood to use Cherry will look good and provide a contrast to the frames.

David B

[BANYAN]

A big milestone indeed - rack the champers and have several with Christmas dinner mate.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Yambo]

As Grant said above Mark, a brave decision to scrap v1 and start over but it was a good one. It's looking grand!

[jaerschen]

Congrats to this milestone Mark. I believe about your skill the planking will be easy for you.

[Sjors]

Mark,

 

I know what you are doing and what you have to do !!!

How about that   

Frames looks perfect minus a few tweaks.....

And then planking.

 

New year starts great for you     

 

Sjors