HMY Fubbs 1724 by Mike 41 - Scale 1:48 - second rebuild

[Mike 41]

The model is based on the drawings by Portia Takakjian and the practicums by Gene Bodnar and William Romero

 

I am using the single foothook method. In the single foothook method the whole frames are made up in two halves and are glued to the forward side of the floor timbers.

 

This my first attempt at this type of construction so don’t be surprised if you see a few do overs.

[Mike 41]

The Plans:

 

This is a set of the plans by Portia Takakjian as you can see there is some additional drawing work required as described in the Gene Bodnar practicum.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Mike 41

[Mike 41]

The Keel Assemble:

 

This set of photos show the keel being assembled. I used Gene’s method to produce the rabbet as described in Part 2 of his practicum. The deadwood is a little different do to the single foothook frames.

[Model Mariner]

Nice start, Mike 41.

Is the deadwood made of oak? (the grain looks a bit too coarse for 1 : 48 for my taste)

 

Klaus

[Mike 41]

Hi Klaus,

 

Thanks the deadwood is European Beachwood it looks like oak but has a much finer grain.

 

Mike 

[Mike 41]

The Frames:

 

The frame drawing just shows one half of each frame. I scanned the drawing and traced the frames in AutoCAD mirrored the images and printed two copies of the fore frame and one of the aft. One copy of the fore frame is used for the master assembly sheet and the other for patterns. By gluing the frames back to back beveling the frames is very straightforward. By clamping each frame to the two adjacent frames and sanding the edges flush makes assemble and final sanding very easy.

 

The foothook style of frames consist of six pieces and are double frames with a small section of the aft frame removed. I had considered doweling the two sides of the frames together but sense all the frames are glued together it didn’t seem necessary.

 

This set of photos shows the frames being assembled.

[the learner]

Good start looking forward to completion, will follow!

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Very interesting build. I will follow with great interest. I have the Romero PRcaticum and the drawings of Portia Takakjian. Where can i find the prcaticum of Gene?

[Mike 41]

Hi Brian,

 

I am using two practicums for references Romero and Bodnar. The practicum by Gene Bodnar uses a simple straight forward approach to the framing that I liked so I started with his style. I plan on using Romero’s book for the carving and fine detail work.

 

You did an excellent job on your Fubbs. Did you use Portia Takakjian’s method for the hull construction? I am using a gantry type building board.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

Hi Guy,

 

Completion looks a long way off thanks for stopping by.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

Hi Christian,

 

Thanks, if you go to the Model Ship Builder website forum the practicum is under the Older & Inactive Projects section as a free download.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

The Frames cont.

 

I glued the first two frames at the bow together to make it easier to shape the bevels. It still took a lot of sanding to make them look right.

[Mike 41]

The Frames cont.

 

This is a few more photos of the frames and pictures of frame 16 being checked for accuracy.

[Mike 41]

Hi Brian,

 

I will add the masts and standing rigging per Portia’s plans also. Thanks for the link to Gene’s practicum.

 

Mike

[gjdale]

Nice to see a Fubbs build Mike. I have the practicums tucked away in my "one-day" stash, so I'll follow along with interest.

[MEDDO]

I always thought the Fubbs was a nice looking ship.  When I bought a framed blueprint (by Takakjian) the person threw in the other 3 plans. I always look at it and wonder...  

[Mike 41]

Hi Grant,

 

I know what you mean by “one-day” stash I have had the practicum for six years and am just now getting started. I hope she turns out as nice as Brian’s.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

Hi Michael,

The Fubbs is a nice size model and has a lot interesting detail. You are welcome to watch me fumble my way through the build and decide if you want to give her a try.

Mike

[Mike 41]

The Frames cont.

 

This is the last photos of the frames being checked surprisingly enough the hull is the right length. The last frame took a little extra persistence.

[Mike 41]

You may have noticed the last few frames at the stern did not exactly line up with the bearding line so I made a template to trim them with. It still looks like I have a little more trimming to do once they are glued in place.

[Mike 41]

The next set of photos shows the remaining frames to be installed and the installation of the first 16 frames. I used some 1/16” dowel rods to attach the frames to the keel. 

[Mike 41]

The next set of photos shows all the frames installed on the keel. The hull is a very solid structure.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Really wonderful progress

[Mike 41]

Thanks Christian,

 

I started the build about two months ago and am a week behind the model with the build log.

 

Mike

[AndrewNaylor]

Very Interesting i am currently moored in Kennebunkport Maine and a local art studio has "Portia Takakjian" model of the "Essex" in it for sale $ 21,000.  I must go back and look at how the frames are attached if iI can see any details for some reason she only tree nailed the front half of the models deck but truly a work of art She died way to young 

​Your build looks fantastic I will be following from my desk on board

Andy

[Mike 41]

Thanks Andrew,

 

I agree Porta was a very talented artist and died way too young. I hope you enjoy this build log.

 

Mike

[Mike 41]

Thanks Brian.

[Mike 41]

Instead of hawse pieces Portia Takakjian used small blocks of wood contoured to the ship. The first blocks I used were too thin and had to be removed and replaces with thicker ones. The second set fit a lot better.

[gjdale]

That second set of bow blocks looks much better Mike.

[Mike 41]

Thanks Grant.