Enterprise by Muzzlehead - Constructo - 1:51

[Muzzlehead]

Hi All,

This is my first build log on Model Ship World though I have been a lurker here long before the 'Great Crash'.  There are several excellent build logs on the Enterprise by Constructo already in the forum: JLuebbert,  Archicar, SRC, Probablynot, I view mine as an additional compliment to these builds.

I am working with the 'Old' version of the Enterprise kit with the 'limited' instructions, and the links above have informed my approach to this kit.  Frankly without those above build logs and others scatter around the internet this kit would probably still be in the box.

I have been building models, both kit and scratch, for well over 30 years but this is my first 'Wooden Ship Model'.  I also mold/cast resin pieces for wargames and some of that work is found on my blog.  I consider miniature and plastic kit modeling as my foundation skills which I plan to draw together as I learn new ones, ultimately bringing everything to the next level with this project.

My father-n-law, who has been an avid recreational sailor all his life, turns 70 in September 2014.  The Enterprise will be a gift for his birthday, and as recognition of all the help and support he has provided my wife, children and I over the last two decades.  He is my build 'motivation' for this project.

The choice of this particular kit came by way of a barter as partial payment for another project (one thing leads to another).  At the time, around 2009, I did not know the relative complexity and lack of instruction of this particular kit.  I  read a very nice review about the Enterprise kit, unfortunately I did not know that there were two versions of this kit and the review covered the 'newer' one which has photo instruction.

I felt the kit would push my skill set but the photo instructions would provide the crutch to get me through any tight spots.  What a surprise when I opened it and discovered that I had an older version with no real instruction. I dug through the kit and then shelved it (until last week) feeling it was above my skills in 2009.  If the kit had been opened I would have felt scammed but I do not think the client had any more idea of the limited instruction than I.  The client had aquired the model as part of an inheritance after a relative passed.

 

Since I acquired the kit I have read several books on Wooden Ship Modeling and many more build logs. This kit has lingered in the back of my mind over the years and my father-n-law's coming birthday pushed me to finally get going on it.  I am no expert in building Wooden Ships but I feel I am ready for the challenge; and so that is how this kit ended up on my bench, as my inauguration into Wooden Ship Modeling.

I look forward to this project and hope you too will enjoy this build.

[Muzzlehead]

I have squared the bulkheads, laid the false decks and added a filler block for planking in front of the #2 bulkhead and stem.  If you look careful you can also see the mast base blocks in place

[Muzzlehead]

One confusing aspect of the false after deck is the over sized nature of the original piece.  I cut about 8mm of the back after I set the after deck in place.

[src]

Muzzlehead,

Welcome to the "Enterprise Guild!" It sounds like you have done some poking around already and know you will gets lots of help and encouragement here. I know I would not have the build I do today with out lots of help and encouragement from other builders. 

 

I dont remember my after deck being oversized, but I do have the newer kit.

 

For your instructions, perhaps you could contact Constructo directly? I had a lumber problem and they were very helpfull, perhaps they will send you an instruction booklet.

 

Its going to be fun following the two new Enterprise builds here.

 

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

 

I dont remember my after deck being oversized, but I do have the newer kit.

 

Yea it was over-sized... when you measured it on the plan, it confirmed it.  Also JLuebbert who also has the 'old version' and he also confirmed the issue.

 

I did contact Constructo a few years ago and they were unwilling to send me a photo manual for the build.  They said my kit was not the same as the newer ones....  maybe it is true but I think the photo guide would help.  But with the builds available I am not too worried about getting stuck.

 

I spent the evening cutting the planks for the deck... hope to have the deck finished by the weekend with pictures up here

[src]

thats unfortunate, you would think in the interest of customer service they would.

sam

[Muzzlehead]

My directions (what little I have) seem to imply I am to run two 'uncut' planks on either side of the keel line, the length of the ship, then stagger with 80mm planks across the rest of the deck.

Does anyone know if this correct or is it a poor English translation? I looked at several pics but I could not tell if the center 2 planks were cut at 80mm or ran the length of the ship.

The pic provides what I think is the correct layout.  The spacing is for visual clarity only, the actual application will have the planks with no spacing.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Muzzlehead

[src]

Muzzlehead,

My instructions didnt even give me that, just told me to run lengths.

What I did was to base my plank lengths on a 16-18 foot max plank size. From there I determined my length. 100mm is 16 3/4 feet (16.73') I believe I went with 99mm for ease and cut some planks at 66 and 33mm to get a shift in planks. I do not believe this is a correct "3 plank shift" though. I plan on researching better for my next build. 

That is how I did it, if you want to have the  correct plank shift drop into the Planking or Decking forum and ask. One of the "Planking Gods" will be sure to set you (us) straight.

Looking forward to your solution.

Sam

[src]

Muzzlehead, did some poking around and found this in the database here. Really helps explain the decking process, wish it was available when I did my deck. 

http://modelshipworldforum.com/resources/Framing_and_Planking/Deck_PlankingIIbuttshifts.pdf

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

Thanks for the heads up... planking is underway and I should have a finished shot up no later than Sunday night.  I am cutting the planks with a jig at 80mm and staggering every other one.  Slow going but looking nice... I am using a technique I have worked with flooring doll houses.

[ulrich]

I recently purchased an Enterprise kit made by Golden Kits(single planked). Is this an older version of the Constructo Kit? Does anyone have information about Golden Kits?

Thanks,

Ulrich

[Muzzlehead]

I do not have any information on the Golden Kit.  Yes this is the 'older' version... it is a nice kit just lean on instructions

[Muzzlehead]

Half of the main deck planked.  My plank decking jig is in the back of the picture.  I am cutting the planks to 80mm.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Muzzlehead

[Muzzlehead]

I have planked the false deck and false poop deck. 

One question I have for those in the know:  What type of wood should I use for the Margin Planks? 

I can not find any reference to it in the instructions (these instructions are truly a masochist's dream)

[src]

The deck looks pretty good!
What are your plans for that part of the stem the penetrates the deck? I ended up planking mine with sapelle.
Sam

Edit  There should be some 1x3mm Manzonia in your kit for the waterways. At least thats what came in my kit.

Sam

Edited February 13, 2014 by src

[Muzzlehead]

I am perplexed by how the instructions describe building the scuppers (and I assume the waterways also, as they are not directly mentioned in the instructions or plans).  

The instructions read: "Glue two nr. 23 strips (2x6mm sapele) onto the upper part of the hull in the gap left between the deck and planks used for planking the hull." 

I can read this two ways. 

1: The hull strakes begin 3mm below the sheer line of the deck;  so the FIRST scupper strake sits on the upper most hull strake and extends 3mm above the sheer line of the deck.  The SECOND scupper strake is glued to the first and cut down to 2x3mm resting 2mm inboard and 3mm high on the deck forming the waterway and through which the scupper is cut.  Then the first bulwark strake (2X5mm ayous) is set on the FIRST scupper strake.

OR

2: The hull strakes begin 3mm below the sheer line of the deck;  so the FIRST scupper strake sits on the upper most hull strake and extends 3mm above the sheer line of the deck. The SECOND scupper strake is glued to the first and rests 2mm inboard and 6mm high on the deck forming the waterway and through which the scupper is cut.  Then the first bulwark strake (2X5mm ayous) is set on the FIRST scupper strake.

The problem with reading #2 is you end up with a 6mm high waterway which is too high in relation to the gun carriage which is 10mm high.

So I am still struggling with the limited information I have and my novice ability but I think the correct reading is the #1.

Your comments are appreciated.

 

[src]

Muzzlehead,

I do not know what plans came with your kit, but in the newer kit there are two sets, #1 and #2. #2 is mostly rigging, #1 has the hull and deck information on it. At the bottom approximately in the right-middle is a section view of the upper hull, If you look carefully you will see that your first plank extends slightly above the deck; about 3mm. Then inboard of that is a second plank sitting directly on the waterway. That 6mm tall plank will end 3 mm above the first. You will alternately plank inboard then outboard till you reach the proper height. The last plank, inboard will be trimmed to the correct height, in your case it appears to be 3 mm.  On the new kit the difference was 2mm.

Let me know if this helps, if not I will tr to dig up some pictures of my build at that stage. I wont be till saturday at the earliest, i have a busy couple of days coming up.

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

Sam,

I do have 2 sets of plans but mine are reversed from yours my #1 is rigging. My #2 shows two hull views: a profile and a birds eye view of the deck. My #1 shows the scupper marks and the gun ports along with some notation of strikes. It becomes confused as rigging info is mixed in. I am working off the plans but using pictures from other builds to heavily supplement my research as I build.

I am not sure I understand when you stated, "You will alternately plank inboard then outboard till you reach the proper height." Are you saying my bulwark strakes should be double width (4mm), that is i should alternate until I have the full height of the bulwark?

Or should I level off the scupper strakes and the bring the bulwark to height by following the outer scupper strake (single width 2mm)?

And yes any pics would be wonderful.

I really appreciate the advice and assistance. I am finding the actual building process is not to difficult but interpreting these Byzantine instructions is a pain. I certainly see why the redid the kit.

Scott



Edit:
Here are somewhat blurry images of the plans that came with my kit. Some of the #2 is plan is covered by the #1 but it does not deal with the scuppers/waterway

I have been using the first image as my guide for the scuppers. There is a evidence of them only on this (#1) drawing.  This is also the only drawing of the plan that 'I read' as showing information on the placement of strakes.  Are these similar to what you referred to in your previous post?



I did not find any useful information for the scuppers/waterways on this sheet of the plans.



 

Edited February 14, 2014 by Muzzlehead

[src]

Looks like they have completely redone the plans. I am off to work at the moment, if I get a few minutes before the better half and I go out for the annual "Look how much I love you cause I am taking you out on the night society says I should" date, I will look for some pictures that might help. 

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

The planking has begun!  

For all intents and purpose I am on nominally following my limited instructions and looking at a variety of research and completed kits.  I consider this a Scratch-Kit, the components are excellent but the instructions meh .



If you look close at the pic I have left a 3mm separation from the hull strakes and the sheer line of the deck. Here I will attach the scupper strakes and build up the bulkhead.  After some discussion with Sam, I have a plan for working the waterway and scuppers. I suspect the hull will take another week to complete.

My plans for the hull are to double plank it with strip and then sheet, though I plan to ultimately paint it historic colors so I may only lay a single plank if it looks decent at completion. 

I am soaking my strakes about 24 hours and using a DIY bender which is a mash of a bearing and a soldering iron.  It is working well.   I'll post more pics tonight.

[src]

Scott, your off to a great start Me-thinks,

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

Well things slowed down a little with the hull planking, particularly after my first major mistake.  I added four strakes for the Main Wale (now I have three) that were not tapered.  This resulted in a crowded stern and bow.  Fortunately this is the 'first planking' and any major strake mis-alignments will be concealed by the 'second planking' with the supplied veneer.   Yet I want to run the 'first plank' strakes as close to the 'second planking' if only to practice, though it will absolutely improve the 'second planking process'.  My last 'out' concerning hull irregularities should be concealed with paint, as I am aiming for a historic presentation of the model over a classic 'wood stained' presentation.

In this pic I have removed the fourth plank and began spiling the lower hull.  Today I am laying the garboard and will lay a few rows of planks as time allows.  I hope to have the lower hull completed by the weekend.

 

Question:  I am considering a 'shift of butts' for the 'second planking' any recommendations for plank length for the Enterprise at a scale of 1/51?

Edited February 19, 2014 by Muzzlehead

[src]

Muzzlehead,

I seem to recall that 20' is about the longest plank for this period. At 1:51 scale thats 119.5mm. There is an article in the Database about Excel for modelers that will teach you haw to build a scaling spreadsheet. On MSW1.0 there was also something called the scalinator. It may still be here somewhere, it only worked on a Windows machine and since I am on a MAC I really never had a chance to play with it. 

Sam

[JLuebbert]

She's coming along nicely, buddy!

[JLuebbert]

Hi Scott-

Since you are double planking her will you have enough sapelly to plank all the way up or will you switch wood at the bulwarks? Our kits, as opposed to the newer version, have the bulwarks planked with the ayous. 

Just curious as I've decided on the double planking myself. 

[Muzzlehead]

Well I am only 4 planks from finishing the lower hull and hoped to have pics up tonight but.... instead I spent the day snaking my pipes and bathing in sewage.  Hopefully tommorow I will have the pics up.  If the plumbing holds

[src]

I dont think thats what the French mean by "Toilet Water" 

I am jealous, I have managed to get a total of 10 rings for my carriages soldered this week and wont get a chance to do much of anything this weekend build wise.

Looking forward to pictures, and stop playing in the toilet!

 

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

Here are a few shots of the Lower Hull first planking. 

Next step is to decide how to plank the Scuppers and Bulwarks.  My kit (the old version) only suggests a single planking where the newer kit planks in two widths thick on the Bulwark.  After some research there does appear to be precedent  for both. As the first captain complained the Bulwark was not bullet proof and later this was 'thickened'.

After the Bulwark is complete and gun ports cut I will vaneer the entire hull.










I am not sure why the lines down the center look so askew in the pics.... I think it was the angle I shot the pics on my phone.  They are much straighter in RL.

Edited March 2, 2014 by Muzzlehead

[src]

Muzzlehead,

Looks pretty good. Your picture is slightly off center so the lens may be distorting things. Camera phones have a pretty wide angle lens. 

 

It could be the angle or just the run of the planks but I am concerned that your hull may not be faired consistently. Look at the lines at the stern, they are not symmetrical in the picture (again it might be the angle) now might be a good time to make a couple of cardboard templates and confirm port and starboard are consistent. I dint fair mine as well as I should have and struggled with the first planking, ended up doing quite a bit of bondo work to straighten it out.

 

Sam

[Muzzlehead]

Sam I am working my contour gauge over the hull.... so far a few minor deviations that I smoothed out.  I think the pictures are just plain bad and deceiving. 

I am going to re post some shots with guide lines and a grid background after I confirm the rest of the lower hull.