Waitoa Posted July 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) Hi After years of reading the books decided to take the plunge and build the ship that features so heavily. I chose the Mamoli kit in the knowledge that it does not bear much resemblance to the real Surprise or those that appeared in the movie or books. My choice was driven partially due to the size and my little boy has insisted that I add a crew. I will make some modifications to this model so it is closer to how I imagined the Surprise to look which has been coloured by the movie and some of the other kits out there. I am very slow in building but am using this log as a motivation to keep going. Will try to post some photos later on once I figure out how to do so. Just posted the normal unboxing photos as an experiment. Edited July 8, 2014 by Waitoa Eddie and Bindy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) Please see photos bringing the build up to date. The figures are Newline minatures and at 20 mm I think they are around the right scale for the ship but not convinced that the cannon barrels are right for 9 pounders as think they should be thicker and longer. Any advice would be welcome. Also I have cut three hatch holes into the frame. Two will have ladders with sliding hatches and a false deck at the bottom. The middle one will have a hatch covering it. In looking around I think that middle hatch should have been a little further forward but I got a bit confused on which line I was cutting too. Opps! I think the framing is kind of in line and been using the deck template to try to make sure. The lower deck got stuck while dry fitting it so had to knock a few nails while it was being glued as I could not get it off again. Edited July 8, 2014 by Waitoa ScottRC, Eddie and Bindy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoule Posted July 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2014 Very good, I eagerly await your expierience. I think that you picked a nice project.. I don't pretend to be taken too seriously, but there's a rule of thought not to force a joint too much. Maybe if you figure out where it's sticking, and why, you might find a small problem to correct. Just staring at it a while, sometimes helps. If you force it, the pressure will always be there, looking for a weakness. Best of luck, Steve Bindy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bindy Posted July 9, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 9, 2014 Hello Waitoa! I found your log ! I am so glad you started the log and I will be following along every step of the way! I had the very same problems with my lower deck, however mine is also a little twisted which I will need to deal with. Was yours nice and flat? Thank you again for going to the trouble of making a log! Bindy Quote Completed Build: Bregante Il Leudo Merchant Launch - Mamoli - 1:72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottRC Posted July 9, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 9, 2014 I'm in the ol easy chair and ready to watch both logs in progress. Quote Current Builds: Revell 1:96 Thermopylae Restoration Revell 1:96 Constitution COMPLETED Aeropiccola HMS Endeavor IN ORDINARY Planned Builds: Scientific Sea Witch Marine Models USF Essex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted July 9, 2014 Hi Thanks for all the replies, agree bashing things usually results in more work but I never learn....... I have a habit of glueing myself to things as well which provides a great deal of mirth in my household. Bindy my deck is not totally flat, slight curve which I am guessing is meant to be the camber and most likely why it was so much fun to fit. I flattened this out a bit as was so pronounced that it looked pretty silly. Just adding some balsa fillers as I want to make the bow less pointed along the lines of the other kits and books I have seen. Eddie, Bindy and Bobstrake 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted August 12, 2014 (edited) Hi Working from home and as part of my work avoidance strategy decided to post an update. I have treated myself to a new toy in the form of an Amati Master Cut. Which is basically a guillotine. This explains the framing around the hatches as although I am sure not historically correct it looks pretty ..... Edited August 12, 2014 by Waitoa Eddie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhughsonsr Posted August 12, 2014 Share #8 Posted August 12, 2014 The framing looks good. Still have all your fingers? Cheers, Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted August 14, 2014 The framing looks good. Still have all your fingers? Cheers, Jerry Think I have all of them but counting has never been my strong point so better get my wife to check Eddie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) Hi Thought it was time for another update. While the other logs inspire us to push our skills and techniques further I am guessing mine may be more along the lines of what to avoid. Near completion of the first false deck and as the photo below shows that there is a significant overhang. I first thought I was paying for my bash it with a hammer approach but the overhang is pretty even on each side. I will trim it back but as it is a Mamoli model the gun ports are metal frames that slot into the false deck through a series of notches and most of these will be lost. I have attached a photo to show how these are meant to work but when I get to this stage I think I will try to do something different as it looks like these would stand proud to the outer planking and spoil the whole look. Any suggested alternatives would be greatly received. Edited September 9, 2014 by Waitoa Eddie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bindy Posted September 11, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Waitoa! You are a little ahead of me so I can't suggest any alternatives sorry. But I would like to say your decking looks terrific! Great job! And good luck with your overhand issue. Quote Completed Build: Bregante Il Leudo Merchant Launch - Mamoli - 1:72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross Posted September 11, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 11, 2014 LOOKING VERY GOOD.could you tell us ,is the master cutter any good cheers,Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Waitoa! You are a little ahead of me so I can't suggest any alternatives sorry. But I would like to say your decking looks terrific! Great job! And good luck with your overhand issue. Hi Bindy Thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy the hobby but tend to get demotivated when I hit a set back so using this log as a way to spur me on. Have trimmed back the over hang, looks a bit rough and needs a good sand. On yours does bulkhead 6 look a bit too wide? Mine seems a bit to prominent so sanding back a bit so the planks flow ok. LOOKING VERY GOOD.could you tell us ,is the master cutter any good cheers,Ross Hi Ross Thanks for the feedback. I like the Master cutter as I am really bad at cutting anything straight. It is good for deck planks but for thicker planks such as those for the first planking can see that you really need a bit of force. Waitoa Eddie and Bindy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsl_01 Posted September 11, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 11, 2014 Thanks for the feedback. I like the Master cutter as I am really bad at cutting anything straight. It is good for deck planks but for thicker planks such as those for the first planking can see that you really need a bit of force. Hi Waitoa I agree... I got this tool too as I didn't want any skew (? - Google Translator says so...) planks anymore. Always had a problem to get really exact cuts. The tool is very good for thin planks (less than 1 mm) good für thicker planks (up to 1.5 mm) and ok for maximum 2mm. I do not recommend it fpr wooden bars more than 2 mm (eg 3/3mm). The cuts are not straight even longer when the wood gets too thick. But as said before - for planks it is really a good tool. Cheerio Max Quote Next: Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde by Euro Model 1:47 Finished: Half Moon Corel; HMY Royal Caroline Panart; HMB Endeavour Occre 1:54; Fregatte Berlin, Corel, 1:40 A life without dogs is possible... but worth to live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnharv2 Posted September 11, 2014 Share #15 Posted September 11, 2014 Hi Waitoa, Glad to see you here and posting your build log. For many years I would get demotivated when I would hit a building snag or something I did 15 steps prior came back to bite me. I gradually learned to accept some of my errors, and correct others. I've looked at building ship models as a learning experience, and you don't learn unless you make mistakes. I've also learned to live with some bulding errors because I'll remember that error on my next build. And half the time I actually remember Looks good! Thanks, Harvey mtaylor, davislo and Foultide 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted September 13, 2014 Hi Waitoa, Glad to see you here and posting your build log. For many years I would get demotivated when I would hit a building snag or something I did 15 steps prior came back to bite me. I gradually learned to accept some of my errors, and correct others. I've looked at building ship models as a learning experience, and you don't learn unless you make mistakes. I've also learned to live with some bulding errors because I'll remember that error on my next build. And half the time I actually remember Looks good! Thanks, Harvey Hi Harvey Thanks for your comments, you are doing well to remember half of the time. I think I have a gold fish memory now what was I commenting on ....... Bindy and Eddie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bindy Posted September 15, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 15, 2014 Hi there Waitoa! I am not quite sure what you mean about the wide bulkhead sorry. Do you mean the 6th one along? And sticking out a bit far? I think mine looks ok, but I can take photo's of mine if that helps? I begin work properly on mine today so I will take lots of photos in case they help in any way for you. Good luck! maggsl_01 and WackoWolf 2 Quote Completed Build: Bregante Il Leudo Merchant Launch - Mamoli - 1:72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsl_01 Posted September 15, 2014 Share #18 Posted September 15, 2014 @ Bindy We all cant await for your pics... and that build log. It will give us all a lot of inspiration Good luck - and please surprise us all Cheerio Max John B. and Bindy 2 Quote Next: Friedrich Wilhelm zu Pferde by Euro Model 1:47 Finished: Half Moon Corel; HMY Royal Caroline Panart; HMB Endeavour Occre 1:54; Fregatte Berlin, Corel, 1:40 A life without dogs is possible... but worth to live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted September 16, 2014 Hi there Waitoa! I am not quite sure what you mean about the wide bulkhead sorry. Do you mean the 6th one along? And sticking out a bit far? I think mine looks ok, but I can take photo's of mine if that helps? I begin work properly on mine today so I will take lots of photos in case they help in any way for you. Good luck! Hi Bindy Sixth one along from the bow. The curve flares out as it gets to the first false deck and just looks a bit weird. I think I may have also been staring at it a bit too long so may do the hatches on this deck before attempting the planking. Looking forward to seeing how you get on and good luck with your build. Waitoa Bindy, John B. and Eddie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) Hi Finally finished the first false deck planking. Big thanks to Ulises Victoria who posted a guide on the way to get the different patterns. I did lose the order a few times but very little will be seen so thinking of this as a training run. One day I will get the courage to do trenails but think this scale is a bit too small. I used Danish oil to seal based on advice from this forum and really happy with the result. In the top deck I may try to improve my planking by having them run into a margin plank (not sure if that is the right term). Did not do it this time around as you can see it is pretty rough at the edges. Carved away the false deck that was over hanging so I could get a nice smooth line on which to lay the outer planking. Started already on the hatches as you can see as need to do some detail things done to motivate me for the first planking which usually causes me the most challenge. Edited September 17, 2014 by Waitoa maggsl_01, Bindy, Eddie and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted October 4, 2014 (edited) Hi Having to slow up a bit on the build as work and life is getting more hectic. I have finished the basic hatches for the first false deck. The ladders and sliding hatches will be attached once I have carried out the first planking. I went for sliding hatches instead of the more open stairs shown in the plans by Lavery and Hunt as I had seen this arrangement in the A/L version. This decision was primarily driven by not wanting to have to remove too much of the bulkhead to create a visible false deck. This would have been relatively large to cover the space that would have been exposed to view. If this had been done I would have had to reinforce the framing a lot to prevent warping and twisting. As I progress with this build I am guessing could become an issue and can see a slight twist that I will have to correct when I do the first planking. So on to the first planking which is something I always manage to get wrong so I had better stock up on wood putty and to spare any embarrassment will only post another entry when it is done and my nerves have settled down. Edited October 4, 2014 by Waitoa mtaylor, Eddie and Bindy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) Hi Thought I would post a small update on where I am at. I am not very tidy when I do my first planking and always try to get better. I have found though with sand paper and filler you can usually get a good base for the second and final planking. I never spend enough time on the preparation of the frames so may have to correct one a bit as the planks dip a bit on the unplanned side. Next time really keen to try a rabbet? Think that will help with keeping it tidy. Still addicted to using pins but again want to move away from this on my next build. Using a method I got off this forum where you lay the planks on there natural run and then shape the others to fill in the spaces. I know it is not the 'correct' method but works for me. I hope this is some help. Regards Waitoa Edited November 11, 2014 by Waitoa Eddie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain71 Posted December 31, 2014 Share #23 Posted December 31, 2014 (edited) Thanks for your log. I was really havin a hard time with determining what decking and planking goes where. The wood color chart is useless since the shade difference is so subtle. I tried going by measurement but not only are much of the lath the same size but I don't get the measurements. for instance what is 5, 4x5 lath I didn't see any of that size in mm. Anyway at least I know the lower deck is the lightest lath "Tanganyka" right? it sure doesn't match the chartThanks for letting me check out your log. Very helpful. That is if you got it right Ha Ha. Edited December 31, 2014 by captain71 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted December 31, 2014 Hi captain71, Welcome aboard. Not 100% sure I got the various woods right as pretty much abandoned there colour chart and guessed on previous experience so fingers crossed I got it right. Saw your log and will follow with interest. Have been taking a bit of a break as in NZ for Christmas but when I get back to England will start working on the Surprise again and hopefully we can bounce off each other's experiences. Look forward to seeing some posted pictures. Waitoa captain71 and Eddie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayohoo Posted January 2, 2015 Share #25 Posted January 2, 2015 Aha! Found you. Looks good Will follow along.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoule Posted January 4, 2015 Share #26 Posted January 4, 2015 It looks like you are coming along well; the deck looks great. I can't wait to see more progress. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain71 Posted January 5, 2015 Share #27 Posted January 5, 2015 I can see that you've cut holes in the false deck for your grating. I'm assuming this is your own modification for authenticity as there's nothing on the plans (which suck by the way) that show this. Am I missing something? Do we have the same plans?. Mine seem to be missing alot of details. I'm hacking away at the lower planking now, but as a Carpenter, I would have thought to put the the grating frame in first and plank up to it. The plan suggest to plank the whole thing, then work on the grates. I like your go for it attitude but I don't have that kind of confidence yet. Do you know if there's a better set of plans available? Hope I'm Not being a pest. Thanks, Captain71 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitoa Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share #28 Posted January 6, 2015 Hi No worries about asking any questions. To manage your expectations I am pretty bad at building boats but will try to share what limited knowledge - skills I have. The Mamoli kit is pretty much a re-boxing of a previous kit la Glorie. My very basic research shows that there was a 32 gun frigate captured by the British in 1795 and named HMS Glorie. Not sure how accurate the actual kit is as the Glorie but the HMS Surprise was a different design and while I am not a purist I would like to get close to the look of the ship that was the inspiration for the book. To assist with this I am using the book The Frigate Surprise by Brian Lavery and Geoff Hunt. This has some pages of drawings by Karl Heinz Marquardt on what the Surprise would approximately looked like. Navis Factorum has an excellent log in the scratch build section and the other HMS Surprise models out there look more like the drawings in the book. My hatches are a mixture of looking at the book and what I could get away with using the Mamoli model as a base. I am adding hatch covers rather than stairs as when I read the books for some reason I had visions of sliding hatches and it allows me to have these open without having to cut too much into the frames to carve out a creditable false deck. I hope this is of some use. Eddie and captain71 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain71 Posted February 9, 2015 Share #29 Posted February 9, 2015 I'm ready for some planking and would like to see what your take is on the on the planking just below the lower guns under the gun ports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain71 Posted February 9, 2015 Share #30 Posted February 9, 2015 I'm ready for some planking and would like to see what your take is on the on the planking just below the lower guns ports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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