Finding myself rather lacking in desire to continue my build of a 1/12 Shannon but looking for something to build over the winter I got a Model Slipway Assurance class kit out of storage and started on its build. I bought the kit off of this site around 2 or 3 years ago so its about time it got started on.The kit is based on a substantial glass fibre hull which had a few minor blemishes easily cleaned up, the superstructure is built from CNC cut styrene sheet with a couple of sheets of printed styrene for the smaller parts. There were 11 bags of white metal fittings including 2 Oerlikon gund and a 12 pounder, not up to the standard of todays 3D printed ones but nowhere near the cost either. A sheet of etched brass parts for railings and other small details was also included. The funnel is a glass fibre moulding which while substantial is also distorted in cross section so doesn't fit the white metal castingfs for the funnel base and cap, I will be looking into trying to 3D print its replacement.The first step was to clean up the hull then drill out for the prop shaft and cut slots for the bilge keels. (The kit has the bilge keels glued to a styrene strip which then glues onto the hull. As the keel mounts are moulded onto the hull bottom I cut a slot in them and fitted the keels into the slots gluing them in with P40 then a layer of glass fibre and resin on the inside to cover them. I feel that this will give a stronger fit and be less easliy damaged.Once the shaft was fitted and glued in place with a filler I make from polyester resin and microballoons I printed an oiling tube and support for the inner end and fitted them to the shaft. I printed a tube which fitted in place of the coupling (tight fit on the brass ends of the coupling) and used this to see where the motor would be (MFA Torpedo with 2.5 : 1 gearbox) and printed a mount to fit. I used Siraya Tech Build resin which can be tapped to allow the motor to be fitted with 4mm socket screws for ease of removal if needed.After sanding the inside of the bulwarks the inwales were fitted (3 x 6mm styrene strip), the rear deck was removed from the sheet (CNC routed partway through) along with the parts for the rear hatch and deck beams) After cleaning up the edges the hatch coaming was made up and fitted to the deck, the deck beams were built and fitted in place in the hull, gluiong them to the inwales. Temporary wood braces were fitted to open the hull to the correct width based on the excellent plan included. After trimming the rear deck was glued in place. All styrene gluing was done using Tamiya cement which is thicker than other liquid styrene glues and gives a strong joint.
Jim