Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: dlancast on January 12, 2015, 10:54:55 pm
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Hello Folks,
I'm starting the build of this vessel for a friend who's dad served aboard her in the 1940's. The full size vessel is displayed at the Vancouver BC Maritine Museum.
This is a Billings kit and will be build mostly of wood, plank on bulkhead. I will be adding more detail for static display purpose. Should be a fun build and I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I.
Best regards,
Dennis Lancaster
Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A.
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Nice to see you're keeping busy Dennis - I always enjoy your builds - and this is one I've not seen before so the interest is there already. :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Thank you Ray. This should be a fun build and one where lots more detail can easily be added. There is a ton of info as the actual ship is located very close to where I live. Its going to take some time, as I'm in no hurry to rush this build.
Cheers,
Dennis
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Looking forward to this build. I have the kit myself. This may provide the impetus for me to get going on it.
John
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Hi John, it seems to be a very popular kit. Many builds have been documented. I intend to go beyond the kit with detail, so I hope folks will find this build interesting. Today, I started mounting bulkheads to the false keel. Plans call for the hull to built in two halves. I'm not so sure I will do it that way, as all of my plank on bulkhead builds have been built as a whole. I will take things to a certain point and then join the halves before full planking begins. I am not happy with the quality of the wood for planking provided in the kit, so probably will go for basswood and walnut strips. Scale lends towards thinner width of planks as well. Its all in personal preference and what a builder chooses to do. The laser cut sheets are top notch and its very easy to release the parts.
Cheers,
Dennis
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I started this kit last year with the intention of building a review model but time ran out and I have put it to one side for the moment. I do agree that it is difficult to plank neatly, partly because of the material but also because of the tight bends needed. I have also seen the original ship in Vancouver and have a set of photos. If I continue with it then I will probably initially finish off the hull with filler in the many gaps and then represent the planking by cartridge paper strips applied at the correct scale to simulate it, not forgetting that the forepart of the vessel was reinforced with an additional layer of planking for ice protection - see photo.
Colin
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Hi Colin, true about the planking.... better material will help that as well as soaking the planks prior. Its also important to fair the bulkhead edges to max the surface area that the planks will land on. As the planks approach the bow, they will have to take a good taper and I can see some "stealers" being inserted both stern and bow.... you are correct about the double planks towards the bow. She was also sheathed with metal plates near the bow as well as metal covering the bow stem. Guess she was used as an "ice breaker" in the day. Lots to do and an interesting subject to build.
Dennis
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Planking begins.
Dennis
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Planking slowly and steady.
Dennis
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Planking slowly and steady.
Dennis
Planking looking good. So did you decide to go with a different material for the planking than that provided?
John
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Thks John, Yes... I went with Bass Wood from my local hobby shop. Kit supplied what I think is "Lime Wood"...6mm wide by 2mm thick, wild in the grain and prone to splitting. The Bass Wood I used is 3mm wide by 1.5mm thick. Which appears to be closer to scale. With the exception of the first 2 rows of planks from the gunnels down, I am laying planks at different lengths which gives varying butt joins on the hull, much like the actual ship was planked. I will also be double planking the forward section (I need to varify this with the actual vessel) of the hull as well as add metal sheathing near the bow and on the stem. She was an ice crusher to a degree.
Dennis
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I will add that I am planning on visiting the Vancouver Maritime Museum Jan. 30th, where the actual St. Roch is under cover, out of the water. You can go aboard and they do allow pictures, so I will do some documenting of my own.
Cheers,
Dennis
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I will add that I am planning on visiting the Vancouver Maritime Museum Jan. 30th, where the actual St. Roch is under cover, out of the water. You can go aboard and they do allow pictures, so I will do some documenting of my own.
Cheers,
Dennis
I visited the Vancouver museum a few years ago. hat's where I picked up my kit for the model.I've got shots of it on slides somewhere. I should scrounge them out. It'll be good to see some more detail shots of it however. there is a book out about the St.Roche and her crew through the NW passage. I've got a copy of it. Interesting reading.
John
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Got bored with the planking, so went ahead and started on the Pilot House. Found some old parts from previous builds and through them inside for fun.. not to scale... but what the heck.. no one can see them after its all closed in.
Cheers,
Dennis
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closed it all in and threw some primer on and just laid it there on the subdeck.... it will go much higher when the lower cabin is built.. this just gives you an idea of scale, etc. See, you can't see inside!
Dennis
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Its a slow process with the St. Roch. Main Salon installed today, hull planking is about half way done. This Billings kit is horrible and I take it as a challenge to use my modeling skills to get out a half way decent model. It will be fine.
Regards,
Dennis
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Pilot house is temporarily on there to see how she looks.
Dennis
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A true ice breaker, one has to attach metal plates at the bow. I solved this problem by using self adhesive lables that I cut to size and applied my wife's star wheel from her sewing kit and rolled rivet heads on the back side, removed the protective paper and stuck the labels on to the hull with a rub stick and some fast clue to make sure it will stay. It does look better after painting and will work fine.
Dennis
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Getting color on.
Dennis
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Really looking the part.
Like the sticky label idea O0
John
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Slow process on the Roch.... went to visit the actual ship and discovered she is painted Grey, so had to repaint the hull.. took several coats and was a pain. Boy, the kit really sucks for accuracy of detail. Not worth it in my books.
Dennis
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more details.
Dennis
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You've got her coming to life there Dennis - nice and easy does it - you're getting there... :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Even more detail. Haven't really got to the stern much yet. Tons of detail, a very interesting model to look at I think.
Dennis
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You have made a superb job of what is rather an indifferent quality kit. Looks just like the original in the museum.
Colin
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Thank you Colin, really do appreciate the comment, as that is what I'm trying to do. I visited the actual ship up in Vancouver and took a ton of pictures. The kit is so poor and I'm glad I was close enough and that the actual ship was still around. My goal is to be as close as I can on detail, including sails furled, etc. You know, she was a real rolly ship, with that round hull, even the skipper was sea sick on her. Crew did not like her for that reason. However, she was not a bad ice breaker, especially after they re-engined her to over 700 hp from 125 hp originally. She was a pig to sail as well and should have left her as a trawler. In any case, this has been a fun build and the doctor I'm building her for is very pleased as well. I would like to do another destroyer next.
Regards,
Dennis
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Still more details. Working on lifeboats now. STBD boat will be stored on deck, Port will be hung over the side on her davits to simulate launching. Will add visual interest. A ways away from Masting and Rigging. Tons more to do for such a small model.
Regards,
Dennis
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More details.... mounted two of the brass "working" turnbuckles on the main shrouds.
Dennis
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Working on ratlines. Made from brass wire, then painted.... touch shrouds with fast glue, then hold wire in place until glue kicks, then tie to secure with black thread and paint. Fun indeed.
Dennis
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Just more of the same folks. Working on the Port side ratlines.. very slow and tedious.. but getting there.
Dennis
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Ho hum... more of the same. These shroud mounted pin rails were particularly tiresome. I'll slap some paint on and get on with making the main sail (which will be furled).
Fairwinds,
Dennis
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Ok, the main sail is on and furled.
Dennis
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I will never dare to finish mine now! Great stuff.
Colin
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Colin, don't give up the ship as they say. Model is worth finishing. Its such an interesting design and packed with tons of detail one can add as she was getting ready to make history back in the 40's. The small scale and lack of detail in the plans, makes for a good challenge for the model maker. Plus, one has the real ship to go aboard if you wish. My client is very happy and that makes me happy too! Tks sir and "keep on".
Dennis
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Magnificent model Dennis, wonderful detail. Well done :-))
Peter.
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Thank you Peter for your kind words. Sail making is tedious. I start by cutting the sail to size (working on the jib right now)... then stiffen the edges with fast glue. Make my thread holes with a pin vise drill, then hand stitch the bolt rope to the edge of the sail. I make a needle out of the thread itself and just use a series of loops to stitch it on all the way around the perimeter. Once the sail is furled, you won't see much of all that work.... but I know its there! Its the fun of it.
Dennis
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Main and jib installed and furled. I'm happy with it.
Dennis
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A fascinating build Dennis - I believe you have done this kit justice and more besides O0
I feel sure your friend will be thrilled with it when you hand her over :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Just to show I haven't been slacking. Mizzen coming along.
Dennis
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Nice work, keep it up! Much nicer lines than St. Roch II.
One of the old salts that served on her taught the knots portion of a boating course I took. Very interesting guy.
CyberBOB
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Thank you sir. Well folks, the build of the model St. Roch is now complete. Hope you all have enjoyed the build as much as I have. I will be shutting down my shop inside the house for the summer and hope to resume with some new and interesting project in the Fall. I'll be staying close to enjoy what you folks are doing.
Fairwinds and smooth seas mates!
Dennis
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more pics.
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A fascinating build Dennis - I believe you have done this kit justice and more besides O0
I feel sure your friend will be thrilled with it when you hand her over :-))
Just to re-iterate my previous comments Dennis...and thank you for sharing.
Looking forward to the next one already O0
Cheers for now.
Regards,
Ray.