SANSON by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - Scale 1:50

[rcmdrvr]

I have always had a fascination with tugs.  When I saw this kit at a local hobbyshop I grabbed it off the shelf.  This will be my second build.  This will be my first attempt at planking a hull so I am a bit apprehensive about that part of the build.  This looks to be another learning experience.

 

On first perusal it appears to be pretty complete.  The wood looks good and the laser cut parts looks well done.  Nothing appears to be warped beyond use.  The hardware also looks pretty good. 

[downeaster]

Looking forward to your build log of the sanson tug. It is on my wish list for a future build for myself. Good luck with planking,my advise is dont rush and enjoy the build.

[rcmdrvr]

Last night I assembled the basic skelton of the model.  A bit of light sanding was necessary to get the bulkheads to fit over the keel.  Everything was generally straight; no significant warps.  I cut a dozen or so small "right triangles" from 1/4 inch balsa and used these to hold the bulkheads square until the skelton was fully assembled.  When I was sure everything was straight, I used tite-bond to glue the assembly together.

[Gundorph]

Nice to see a little tugboat... Will follow with big interest...

[rcmdrvr]

Well, last night I was able to glue the sub-deck into place.  I used this piece to straighten out the few warps in the keel.  The limited instructions indicate the next step is to begin deck planking.  However, I am thinking I will fill in between the bulkheads in the bow and the stern to make a "semi-solid" hull.  I think this will be easier for a first timer to plank (as this kit calls for single planking).  I would rather complete this task before I begin installing a deck.

 

How does everyone feel about making a semi-solid hull.

[rcmdrvr]

I decided to "fill-in" some of the bow and stern frames forming a semi-sold hull.  I looked at the shape of the bow and stern and decided I would have a tough time achieving the shapes by planking alone (as this is my first planking attempt).  I am hoping that by forming a solid hull in some areas; I will have more success.

 

I did notice there was a thread about this issue last week.  Reading the replies to the question about filling in the frames I guess most of the builders don't believe it to be a great idea.  Well........time will tell.

 

I did not use solid blocks.  Instead I used 3/8" sheets of soft balsa wood and built up the space between the bulkheads.  Took alot of shaping and sanding but I think I was successful.  Looking at the build....it is surely in the "ugly" stage.

[rcmdrvr]

The next step in the instruction manual is planking the deck.  I have built myself a few jigs to assist in the process.  The first was to lengthen my cutter to accommodate 100cm deck planks and add a stop so the each deck plank is the same length.  I also made a mark on the cutter to position the shorter length planks.

 

I also make a jig to position the holes for the simulated deck nails.  I will use a pin to make the two holes at the end of the plank and then use a sharpened lead pencil to darken the holes.

 

I intend to darken the edges of the deck planking by using a permanent black marking pen.

[rcmdrvr]

Well time to being laying the deck.  I cut a bunch of deck planks and darkened the edges with a black permanent marker.  Also used by jig to position the "nail" holes.  I then marked the center line of the deck and clamped a metal ruler along the line.  I then glued in the first line of planks and I am going to let these dry completely before continuing.

[rcmdrvr]

I have continued working on the deck planking.  It took about a week to lay down the wood strips and another couple of night to stain and seal the wood.  I tried several stains (and even looked at no stain) and decided to go with golden oak.  I think it gives the grain a richer pattern.

 

My jig for cutting the planking to the proper length worked very well.  The jig that was used to position the pin holesto simulate the deck nailing.....not so much.  After using it for a few hundred holes the positioning holes in the jig widen and accuracy was somewhat diminished.  Overall, however, I think the deck looks OK.

[rcmdrvr]

The stern portion of the decking consists of a waffle pattern of wood.  The kit provided notched strips of wood that assembled into the waffle structure.  Delicate but not too difficult to work with.  I airbrushed the assemble structures with brown acrylic paint.

[rcmdrvr]

Well, the decking is not complete.  This photo gives you some idea of the model's status.  You can see the waffle structures at the stern.

 

The next steps will involve assembly of some of the deck housing structures.

[tarbrush]

nice clean work Don, this will be fun to watch

[chevygrunt]

Hi,

 I am glad to see another "Sanson" build. I am working on the same kit and hope you don't mind me pinching ideas. You will probably fly through your build, as I have taken on the task of trying to fit a RC steam plant. I love the look of your deck and it makes me think using non supplied wood for my model may not have been needed. Keep up the good work and updates, your tug is already showing the signs of a nicely built ship.

Cheers, Scott.

P.s you may like to check out my pic of the brace I added to the inside of the cabin assembly, it really made the curve of the walls sit nicely instead of pulling in at the bottom where it sits on the deck. Also I found that the holes either side of the stack for part #99 (large hoses?) were too big and the parts will fall straight through. This can be easily fixed before fixing the assembly to the deck with a backing block from underneath. I only noticed this after planking and luckily before opening the holes out in the planking.

Edited January 7, 2015 by chevygrunt

[rcmdrvr]

Thanks for the tip chevygrunt.  I will look into the bracing and hole backing.  Thanks to everyone else for the likes.

[captainbob]

Nice start on a first boat.

 

Bob

[Gundorph]

Good progress. Looks to be a nice kit your building...

[rcmdrvr]

Started working on the cabin structure.  Relatively easy to build.  There are two structures that are required to be built.  The main housing (which I believe would have housed the steam engine) and the pilot house.  The wall are painted (I used Model Shipways Acrylic primer and paint and was very happy with the way it brushed).  After completing the decking and roof to the pilot house I stained to match the main decking and then applied a coat of polyurethane.  So far the pieces seem to fit well.

[rcmdrvr]

Completed the main house and now attaching to the hull.

[rcmdrvr]

Have not posted any photos in awhile.  The next step to the build was to add the siding around the hull.  The stern piece of this process required some pretty severe bending of the ply wood parts.  I soaked the piece for twenty minutes and then formed it around a jig I created while the piece was soaking.

[rcmdrvr]

It took some work but I finally got the railing pieces glued to the hull.  I piece I formed for the stern did not fit well so I had to split it and later insert a splice.  I believe after painting the railing pieces will look OK.

[rcmdrvr]

The next step is to plank the hull with the first "rough" layer of planking.  This is done with basswood strips which I first soaked for 15 minutes in a tube made froma  2 foot long piece of PVC piping.  I have been dreading this process.  It took about a week to complete.  I think I have achieved a planking job that, with a lot of sanding, filling and then more sanding will create a surface I can plank with the veneer strips.

[captainbob]

That piece around the stern on a tug is always tough.  You did a fine job.

 

Bob

[rcmdrvr]

Finally got back to the model.  The next step was to rough sand the first hull in preparation for the second hull to be applied.  I used a small pad sander to rough it out and then filled the highs and lows with spackle.  That sanded easy.

[rcmdrvr]

I am now starting the process of laying down the "finish" layer on the hull.  The strips are paper thin so they tend to conform to the hull.  The problem...any glue I use soaks through the wood.

[rcmdrvr]

Wow.  Noticed that I had not posted for quite awhile.  Since the last post I have been able to complete the planking of the hull with the very thin finish strips.  As I got closer to the bottom of the hull the process began to make a little more sense and I did a better job of fitting the strips.  The next hull will be better.

[rcmdrvr]

Once the hull was planked with the finish strips; the next step in the process was to add the keel.  Took a bit scraping, sanding and bending but I think I got it in place and looking OK.

 

After the keel is in place, I added the wooden strip that separates the upper deck siding from the planked hull.  I used strips to laminate a piece to fit around the curved stern.

[rcmdrvr]

The final step that brings you up to date is I did cover the planked hull in a thin coat of clear polyeurthane.

[rcmdrvr]

No RC. This will be static only.

[Gundorph]

Looks very good that second planking...

[rcmdrvr]

Now that the planking is essentially done, I returned to the superstructure area.  The first stem is a coat of paint.  I am using the acrylic paint from MSW and applying with a brush.

 

I then moved onto building a few of the deck structures.  These will be painted and trimmed before gluing to the deck.

 

I painted the screw.  The kit provided a black plastic screw.  I have painted with Vallejo brass paint.  I am holding my breath on this one.

 

The last step I started this weekend was the railing around the deck.  This is going to take some time.  All-in-all, a productive weekend.