USS Ranger by mattsayers148 - FINISHED - Corel SM55 - 1:64 - 4th build, 2nd build log

[mattsayers148]

#2 build in progress by matt.s.s. AKA The Squirrel Whisperer

[Canute]

Matt, what's the bash part entail?

[mattsayers148]

So after some mulling, I decided to start this sleek cutter bash build while still working on my Bounty Launch.

 

 

 

As some of you know, this kit is made in Italy. The instruction book is 1:50 scale while the plans say 1:64. You can see in step two, the deck matches exactly to the plan size. With that in mind all I can think is that, possibly, one scale is metric and the other one is confused. No matter though, my material matches the plans.

 

 

I spent about 20 minutes reading the same paragraph over and again to figure out what the heck they're saying. I gave up. Everyone was right about the translation issue, and the pictures are pretty self-explanitory. So I'm starting the bash by chucking everything but the pictures. As the squirrels adapt to multi-tasking, I've informed them that I'm going for a pirate theme. So we will see what they come up with.

[mattsayers148]

Well Ken, I think that this cutter was overrun and taken by pirates. There may be some damage incurred in the hostile takeover that will require repair. Also said pirates would need to let known that this is now their vessel. Aside from that thought, once again I leave the details to the growing army of, yes, the squirrels.

 

Update: I was just told that a simulated cannon ball strike may be attainable at a target range.

Edited February 22, 2015 by matt.s.s.

[Salty Sea Dog]

FYI - If you go to Trippwj (Wayne's) Ranger build, we discussed the scale thing and 1/64 as written on the plans would be correct. The Ranger would be one of Doherty's mid sized cutters.

 

Edit: I replied here on my iPhone and have never figured out how to do links with it.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Salty Sea Dog

[mattsayers148]

Thanks Buck for the heads up on Wayne's in depth research on this vessel. Thanks Wayne for all the info in your build log, it should prove helpful. I had the same issues with planking on my 18th century Lonboat. My problem there was I had no clue what faring was, so I was bending over square frames.

 

Since then Ive learned a little more and hopefully will have better luck with the planking than before.

[trippwj]

Glad to see another Revenue Cutter build - I hope to get back to mine in the next couple of months and see if I can recover from my earlier unfair faring!

[mattsayers148]

There's a reason I never posted pics of my longboat Wayne. It sit on my shelf to remind me what not to do

[Canute]

Matt, I like the idea of a captures ship conversion. Very interesting premise.

 

Well Ken, I think that this cutter was overrun and taken by pirates. There may be some damage incurred in the hostile takeover that will require repair. Also said pirates would need to let known that this is now their vessel. Aside from that thought, once again I leave the details to the growing army of, yes, the squirrels.

Update: I was just told that a simulated cannon ball strike may be attainable at a target range.

 

That being said, I hope you are not planning to impart cannon damage with anything much more than an air-powered BB gun. I have a little experience with assorted weapons. Gunpowder puts lots of oomph behind a given projectile. Remember blowing up plastic ships with firecrackers? This kit could turn into your first scratchbuild, if you get too exuberant. Be careful, brother.

[mattsayers148]

Either that or a .22 LR at oh say, 150 yds!?

[Canute]

May the squirrel gods watch over you when you do that deed.

[mattsayers148]

"Removing the front projection of the frame without touching the original outline corresponding to the back projection." Are you freakin kidding!! The instructions are like a horrible car crash that you just can't look away from. Enough rants, fairing the frames is definitely getting better than my first build(of which I did no fair at all)

 

I put in the stopper/markers at the lower ends of frames 5&7 to help guide the finish edge for the planks. I'm going to cut in a rabbit to help as well.

 

[GLakie]

Already starting #2 Matt? Cool! Be sure and keep extra nuts on hand so when the squirrels go to their Union Rep and ask for time and a half, you'll be ready. 

 

Cheers

[mattsayers148]

I've always been a mulitasker so I'm hoping the squirrels will be as well. I do plan to allow them to eat as much nuts as they want.

[Canute]

Matt, I really like the lines of the Ranger. I'm pulling up a chair in the front row to watch this build.

[mattsayers148]

Hey Ken, I'll probably jump back n forth with my launch. This build is again, like the launch, something I know little about, so I'm in for some reading. Even though this is a bash, I'd like to know the gist so I can successfully go the direction the squirrels tell me to go(they hate reading and make me do it all, it's a sacrifice I have to make to keep them happy and working)

[Canute]

Yeah, tough life for a squirrel.

Like we keep saying, this ain't no race.    Read a little, converse with the squirrels, talk to Junior, mull your moves before launching off a tree branch, Rocky.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks for the advise and encouragement Ken.

 

I got the first four planks of the primary planking done. I'm glad I decided to cut in a rabbit for the planks to fit into, especially at the bow where the bend is so sharp. I'm doing the planks a bit different than I have before. I started at frame #6, tacking with CA in place as I go. First I went forward to frame #4 then all the way back to the transom. After that I ran CA down the length of the joint and then switched back to finish off bending around the first three frames. I skipped frame 3, and tacked onto frame 2, after I pushed 1-2 mm extra material toward frame3. I did the same at the bow, skipped frame 1 and tacking to keel. Once those were set I slowly compressed excess material to make the tight curve. Again applied CA to the seam. I applied some powdered wood mixed with gorilla glue to the seams to fill in any spaces and let dry hard.

 

Between the CA and gorilla the planks became rock hard, making a very solid base for the secondary planking. I wanted to see how it was turning out so I scraped and sanded these and was pleased with the results. On to more planking.

[Canute]

Matt, are you steaming/boiling or just pressure fitting your planks? I presume the latter, since you're zipping right along and using CA.

The rabbet seems to be good, although your joint at the stem is in shadow. I used a steel binder clamp to hold the hood end of the planks in the rabbet. Don't want to leave my finger prints where they shouldn't be.

Keep on truckin'.

[mattsayers148]

Here's one in the sun. I know it's a bit rough, but it is just a base layer. You can see where the planks snaped, that's why I was just showing the pretty side.

[mattsayers148]

After consulting with my peers, multiple buildlogs and the Squirrels, I resolved to the fact that from frame 3 forward all planks(excluding top plank at deck) should be tapered. So I trimed back plank 4 and installed garboard and plank 5, both tapered. I will continue from the garboard towards the middle, as should be done.

I placed ticks to assist the tapering.

I tossed the kit transom and replaced with a 1/32 piece of cherry. I plan on planking the aft side to achieve the same thickness of kit item.

I'm going to hold off on finishing the planking for now. I haven't yet decided whether or not I will add visible interior details. If I do it'll be easier with the planks off. So I continued planking the deck and must wait for it to dry before trimming and sanding can be done. The CA will only be used on the first later of planking. After that I've decided to switch back to my gorilla glue for all items forward. This scale is just too intricate to use CA. And yes, I will be adding tree nails to this build as well.

[GLakie]

Glad you're keeping those squirrels busy Matt! Can't have them just sitting around with nothing to do.  Good idea they came up with in using tick marks for tapering. 

 

Cheers

[mattsayers148]

Thanks George, I found another guys build on a different sight that is absolutely incredible! Ship modeling.net search marcor (Marco) (see this users gallery). I know, I know, I crossed the enemy line.

[Canute]

Long as that idea wasn't copyrighted, use it. The first rule of war is "If in doubt, cheat!"

[CaptainSteve]

Did someone say there was a Pirate ship around here somewhere ??

[mattsayers148]

I found through some of my reading that these small cutters were a favored ship for smugglers. The USRC's were employed to stop smugglers, among other things, because they were fast and maneuverable, having the ability to navigate up rivers and streams too shallow for most ships.

 

I found some examples at RMG in the UK where the gunwales were heightened and reinforced to accommodate up to 12 3-pounders. So yes the squirrels have been given this info, and now it's up to them to make this smuggler/pirate ship a reality. Godspeed little critters!

[GLakie]

Sounds kind of complicated for squirrels to organize Matt. You may have to develop a squirrel hierarchy, putting one in charge of the rest, to keep order. Keeping yourself as the supreme commander.    Hail Matt! 

[Canute]

It makes sense to do so with these cutters. Shallow draft, packs a punch.  It will be interesting to see how the bulwarks get reinforced. And increasing armament to 12 3 pounders. Bravo Zulu, little squirrels!

[mattsayers148]

Thank you George, Ken and everyone for the likes.

 

I went back to that site and was able to find several original plans for different cutters, including some interior plans. Now I'm not saying that there's going to be missing sections so you can see the insides, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

I also found these plans for some guns. Any of these that may be used will have to be scaled to fit.

[Canute]

Matt, have you looked at the AOTS Alert book. It's a somewhat older ship, but a nice looking cutter. Lots of detail for you.