Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Taranis on May 05, 2021, 07:37:20 pm
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A blast from the past a kit from the 1960's
Coming soon.
Having just secured the purchase of an unbuilt kit I will start this post haste before it perishes %%
Despite all the other part builds I have I just can't resist this one.
There is a lot of history on the web about this ship.
1:50 scale 37.5" long
(https://images.lauritz.com/images/70B10F9E310A1E33F11A615543CFCF02)
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Yeah you got it, it makes a great model and still one of my favourites.....I am very jealous. I wish had never sold my one
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Yup.
I found this ont' web
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-JCmhtpQ/0/9c402021/X2/4DB6C050-7FCD-4773-BFBE-3A9438C3A44A-X2.jpg)
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Item has been posted into the care of Hermes 🙈
I hope to receive it early in the week. Upon delivery I will check the inventory for anything missing.
I already have Facebook associates who can provide any of the obsolete fittings if I need them.
Like the Midwest lobster boat kit this is obsolete and rare so I am going to template every part as it is trimmed for fitting so that it could be turned into a laser cutting exercise, maybe Billing might want to resurrect it? They no longer have any archival material to do this. AFAIK
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Really looking forward to this build, a classic!
Have a nice weekend!
Hama
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Me too Hama. It appears to be quite a simple build that will be enhanced with modern day materials like a glass & resin overcoat. It will outlast me for sure
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Andy lucky sod I had one sold it years ago sailed well had tons of deck cargo detail funny would turn to port better than Starboard for some reason, would be a great kit for modelers to have bit like the Flower class Corvette would be popular tassie48
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This is one beautiful model. Why Billings have not brought it out again beats me. I have recently built two, one has gone to a friend down south and the other is at home. Over the years there has been so many fibreglass hull moulds made for this one.Which is just as well as they are like hens teeth. They is lots of info on the net, these little boats seem to pop up in all corners of the globe, all with little modifications. "Mercandia" is or was the firms name. nemesis
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Because the new owners of Billing today do not have any information to reproduce it.
What would be a good size of propeller for this?
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Even j fancy this ione, even though iam not a lover of billings
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Andy, Ill check up on Tues at the club and let you know. bill
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I remember that type of coaster in trade , their death nell was the artic lorry and roll on /off ferries. Shame they kept a lot of heavy traffic of our roads.
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hi ya there, I know this plan is pretty close to the coaster for anyone who fancies building a similar one. It is - it is you know.
john
Adrian M MM682 - Sarik Hobbies - for the Model Builder (https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product/adrian-m-mm682/)
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That is the beauty of a fibreglass mould, it would not take much alteration to make this one. nemesis
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As I haven't actually started this yet I am going to try it on another forum were there are no restrictions. I will continue my current blogs here to their conclusion.
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Restrictions???
Colin
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It's a management thing Colin. It's my work and I'm blogging where I can choose to edit my work when I want. Too often I look back at my blogs to find things I could have done better. It's been discussed already and I don't really want to explain any further. This only affects new blogs. The current ones will continue.
EDIT
The recent group meeting of moderators concluded that 2 hrs was enough time in their combined opinions.
This is missing the point entirely and with all due respect non of them contribute their work unless I'm missing something.
If anyone is found to abuse an open editing system then simply ban them rather than humming and r'ing about it.
IMHO
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Ah, I see. The problem in the past on here is that some people were editing their original posts when they saw responses. Granted, the original offenders have moved on, but the temptation remains which may or may not matter.
A blog or build log is a bit different to run of the mill posts but my humble view is that when posting in that mode it is best to compose offline on a wordprocessor and carefully examine it for total perfection before copying and pasting it onto the forum. In fact I always do this with long posts anyway as I have sometimes lost my carefully constructed text due to a glitch of some sort.
Works for me!
Colin
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I can look at something as long as 4 yrs ago that I shared. I don't get paid for my time sharing my work and I'm not sitting down for hours composing blogs off forum to suite a daft situation. The feeling of paranoia and distrust has become too much for me I'm afraid.
I found a group where editing is encouraged. We all want the best from our sharing and the easiest experience possible.
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I'm rather more used to writing articles for magazines which means that you need to edit it to your satisfaction and only then fire it off for publication.
I distrust anything published online as it is ephemeral and can disappear forever in the wink of an eye. (and frequently does!) Anything published on forums etc. is acutely vulnerable to this. One reason why I never commit a huge effort to online publication.
If Martin were to fall under a bus (heaven forbid), this forum would soon disappear as there appears to be no disaster recovery plan in place. It is very vulnerable in that respect.
Colin
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Mercantic gallery update https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/ (https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/) Questions welcome.
My apologies to those interested in this model for the lack of updates but a compromise has been made O0
All of the parts pictured are brand new modified parts with the aid of the old asymmetrical frames :(( I used the port side of every bulkhead to reproduce a mirror image of each (butterfly fashion). I've also modified the internal shape of each to better accommodate any internal fixtures later.
The mahogany deck parts were a long way out in terms of shape and fit so pretty much useless and I've remade from scratch in 1.5mm ply. I've templated all my parts along the way.
Starting afresh with the keel blocks sheered off the bench after completing the framework.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-PGfx355/0/0f00f776/XL/15CFB277-C954-4939-A558-92EBD41707A6-XL.jpg)
As of this morning the skeleton applied with diluted finishing resin before starting to chamfer the frames
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RBkTHnJ/0/444b1c56/X2/409F5704-D44C-49BA-AC70-45D9F9E7922C-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zvPzzmt/0/cdaf9c9e/X2/C1D90CF1-84B2-4190-9DC5-56EF789A905B-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-b7sfsvp/0/773851d7/X3/D241D9AD-B57C-40BA-AEA9-2F72E859CBE8-X3.jpg)
The propulsion and steering. Raboesch waterproof shaft 4mm 211mm long (can be shortened) Raboesch 35mm type A 4 blade prop. Overlander 28/36 motor. I've used this motor in three models now and it delivers perfectly with an RC car ESC . The variables are battery voltage and propeller size but it can do a wide variety of model sizes and types. Hoga tug and Riva Aquarama are using this motor for example which could not be further apart in required performance.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-d5fwpsR/0/13ec4ec4/X2/B8B0DAED-5701-4CF3-8137-4800C5C6A675-X2.jpg)
One of a group of photos in the gallery where I showed the frame from different angles with a nice background.(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-36qmHnB/0/cb9c6ec6/X2/4A4A04A7-DEC0-4029-B4DA-78638AE1725A-X2.jpg)
As I was making the aft deck I realised there was no provision on the plan or the instructions for the deck fittings and mast.
Here I fitted two levels of 5mm ply with pre drilled pilot holes at relevant locations that can be utilised later.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pKWNfhP/0/eace5355/X3/A95DCA6C-09F2-428F-8991-12A0CA82E035-X3.jpg)
For reference below. Also Cornwall Models have been despatching my orders the following day recently and arriving in good time :-)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zvJFkGD/0/840939cd/X3/724F02F3-61B9-48B3-A80C-F8754C37ABAB-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4FWQfsW/0/99bf2c01/L/6E8B85C5-BCC8-46BC-AF2E-B27C21926201-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Hoga-tug-708/i-FzVGtK9/0/8fc8e87e/X2/D9BC3D79-1049-4692-A2A4-C4AAF429D69B-X2.jpg)
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Here I'm fitting the second half of the bottom skin. The ends are not glued yet and will be persuaded into place later when the main body is not able to move. The decks fore and aft are held parallel to the bench to prevent any twist.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tmrn8Jp/0/658ec42f/X2/1B8993E5-6B15-46D8-96F7-AABFD4D4B848-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-TPF3tXk/0/86a11a26/XL/945DC500-7679-4D9C-8819-B510365A9A70-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GRmdRSK/0/51443246/XL/CA4CA967-35CB-4163-AB53-A86B789BDCDE-XL.jpg)
Order of Obechi planking in three widths placed on Thursday with CMB and arrived today Saturday :-))
I've cut the supplied tube down to provide handy workshop dispenser.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-ngzGnhP/0/f9a86914/XL/35AFAF8A-541F-4E45-BB3B-D6F4F0DEBB8E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wmwCx8N/0/2971c833/XL/C1CD4C8D-BC42-47A3-A13E-3C290D4BA413-XL.jpg)
:-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pKp4sBQ/0/996703d6/XL/3B4F3BEC-4E6D-4F09-B7EB-4B6E4B7B942B-XL.jpg)
I now have to change tack and use the weather to best advantage. So despite having everything to progress Mercantic I must change to painting other builds.
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Can't wait to see her on the water Andy
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Well thanks to a fellow builder on Billing Boats builders group, fast forwards.
Thank you Soren Kjaer Nielson :-)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-P7PJW2h/0/faaadf2d/XL/31CF2F10-5E7E-406B-9AAB-7A209627E909-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wcBPZjv/0/e5e9bcba/XL/64D3EC58-0988-44FA-B68C-55228D97E69E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-ZVFzjjH/0/c4ebe86d/XL/0439A4D9-2750-4F51-BFED-1F94BAA8DC98-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7gpfhxb/0/b93e0c93/L/3BC2F722-6D3A-4629-BFF0-7E92511B7A30-L.jpg)
Here we can see he knocked out the bulkhead frames completely and replaced with consistent thickness ribs :-)) A modellers licence to improve on the kit.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GwMBjGk/0/3c2d1298/L/8F16C5B0-2559-4F38-AF8D-1C41DC933233-L.jpg)
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Andy many thanks for sharing just a beautiful model I first went to sea in 1973 on one very similar hence my interest looks great on the water got me looking around for a kit now for a coaster boat my old girl had a working Derrick, anchor and nav lights thanks again buddy .tassie48
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Good to see you back, I always enjoy your builds! This one looks to be a good one as well!
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Good to see you back, I always enjoy your builds! This one looks to be a good one as well!
Thank you. Have I been away? :-)
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well after a week or two :)
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Having struggled with the bottom sheets I decide to focus on the aft planking around the prop which is now progressing well. I've stopped using CA for planking as it has undesirable effects on my skin. So its a slow job with Aliphatic resin.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NZcVCfB/0/2ad090f7/X2/E544CE68-AE05-4A8C-AB13-2F6B9F3D4F21-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mQxnGF8/0/6996b5e1/X2/E962E570-EBEE-4A52-8504-323257595070-X2.jpg)
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Working late got me to here. I'm thinking I will plank the aft half with the plank joints on the flat midship section.
As it is being glass coated anything goes.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HdFRGb8/0/d7d16ead/X2/E2803DF2-D42E-4256-9439-8A1EF6421635-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mF2mxrn/0/18550226/X2/974A5CAE-A5C4-4777-A33D-7B7086CD39B1-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-nHNsXMm/0/da011fbb/X2/60CEC0DC-F463-4343-8C0B-C6466DAEB6C3-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-hNSGcCq/0/8751dcf4/XL/256EAAA1-31C9-4A13-AD0C-B56E5F6BAB0E-XL.jpg)
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Hi Andy, nice to see a rising floor for a change. Lots of this model ended up with a concave bottom. It is coming along quite nicely. Bill
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What's a rising floor Bill? thanks.
Ply cut the correct way to bend easily.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pwPTmHk/0/4f86642f/XL/C03E7014-E8C8-4A32-85C5-91FA85BD887C-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-ndBPhpP/0/38df1471/XL/FB42B145-66C4-4342-BE07-F49DEDA19471-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wD56RsG/0/17ed3f8a/X2/F26683C3-6AD6-4314-B10B-FA9D2434048C-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rz8mqGj/0/b5ce4832/X2/4807C31A-FEA6-4A6C-8A4C-F02256675EC1-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-D7jdKHd/0/5c1ca404/X2/FED5E346-0999-4744-96BC-76BF04EC8EB6-X2.jpg)
Full complement of pictures @ https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/
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Hi Andy, Where the plates rise away from the keel, so I suppose every thing drains down to there, the bilges. bill
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A long day it's been to get to here, a selection of pics from the gallery.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-T9BPJvq/0/6076d7a0/XL/72D9971A-F06C-491E-8B15-964833C236A3-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-nNc4FM4/0/06080c81/XL/74ABBF0A-472B-44E4-A542-779CCC2CA093-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-qcvRQTH/0/22ff40eb/X3/9A3B6D1F-3A78-4D06-B40B-4D760F0AB616-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-8tjt63f/0/40ba7e87/X2/A57ABD27-1CCB-442C-8F55-784992F29D93-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-SxK6Hrg/0/b6de6e9d/X2/E5D3876F-2759-42AB-935A-AD751CB30FD8-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QPt5LFG/0/51d26706/X2/6661504F-CF2F-44B9-98B5-03DDC558588E-X2.jpg)
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Good progress – you're certainly not messing around.
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Cheers Steve, the joy of retirement O0
Closing the aft skin this morning, shaping and sealing the balsa and resin coating the inside.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-snjZS96/0/19444c54/XL/64EC86F5-FCB8-4062-A18A-59D095514FFC-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DLnQfr6/0/3d28fe1f/X2/665FAFE0-D23E-41F7-885D-83F36966E2C0-X2.jpg)
Constant checking for any distortion, absolutely bob on with straight edge across the fore deck.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Q3c7cHG/0/c7846a50/X3/7017852B-BAE8-4C24-9A37-0D283DCD75DE-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WV4X5mP/0/22a1f890/X2/1D704AF5-CBCB-4490-B778-35E771B0CF76-X2.jpg)
I'm now using a fan to create outdoors when using epoxy. I bought this years ago to speed up drying floor levelling compound and forgot all about it :(( Now a major workshop asset O0
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rtJX8vZ/0/f93b7f35/X2/1F1B1788-D8EF-410B-AF3A-A9CD19452A53-X2.jpg)
Next is the making of a template for a single piece of ply around the bow from deck to gunwale.
The original Mahogany parts that were intended for this must have been a nightmare if even usable with the grain running the wrong way. I'll bet there was much swearing and many bodges in its day.
I don't like to let surplus mixed resin go to waste so this was used to add some lead shot in the stern bilge.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Pv8Gc4B/0/554cc838/X3/7B974A6A-7891-431A-97CB-9C0C75BF0B16-X3.jpg)
Her bum is lovely and smooth to the caress :embarrassed:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-kvWPV3z/0/e47c270c/X3/EA6A3642-DBB7-4672-B8DF-ADC9888C66AD-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HmVW7Sh/0/2f854712/X3/26E0F041-C41A-44DD-AE50-C0294DCD20B2-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NLpVQ42/0/17412d57/X2/6775A621-504B-460D-A6BD-4F99902ACBB8-X2.jpg)
No more work at that end now until the full skin is ready for sanding.
So now the bow presents itself for the works
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-j3MvWm9/0/b5c6cd32/X2/D8C6A05A-9342-49B7-AEA0-547AB728084F-X2.jpg)
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Hi Andy. That bow is a thing of beauty, a lovely flair and a pleasure to behold. It is coming along quite well. bill
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Thanks Bill. There is a lot more to sand off of the bulwark ribs yet which leaves them very weak. I've gathered that builders smash them out after fitting the skin and fit their own ribs more akin to the real vessel. None of that is in the build information but it is the way to go for sure.
I imagine if you put 10 Mercantics side by side they will all be different shapes {-)
I have a good eye and I will be happy with how it develops in my own way :-))
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I thought that was it for today but bolstered by a single malt I made a start at the pointy end.
There is a mismatch betwixt keel and frames (not my doing) so the skin has to fit best it can and the keel be re shaped to suit later.
Just one half glued and clamped tonight.
Although the bends at the bow look extreme I can firmly say that the stern is the most complex and now behind me. pun
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rpXRLQZ/0/a1c52ac8/X2/C756BE11-B9B7-4573-B6AE-25943F6DD126-X2.jpg)
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There is a bare unfinished wood hull of Mercantic on ebay, no plans or parts.
Roy
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Have to say looking really good Andy, nice work (and one of my most favourite models) :-))
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I've seen it Roy, very expensive firewood %%
Cheers Phil.
Now further planking at the pointy end working away from the keel.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-J4dDSBJ/0/f43bbf97/X2/9DA3F3E4-65E6-4B62-80CC-5F09A98862E6-X2.jpg)
At the same time extending the bulwarks forwards
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-G2Zh5XC/0/bae9489e/X2/61E75EDE-8B46-4B7E-9335-59A4555C7F44-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7dzRnXC/0/d63ebf0a/XL/4EAFF50A-24E0-4A9C-B9C7-3591B3E177D0-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-JMBRDx8/0/af7e20aa/X2/4EE3A8CB-9FED-4275-BA7A-A0A321196C3C-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zxFp4gx/0/d45c5412/X2/B2A58295-1F70-4AC4-A485-9A11A75E9E2A-X2.jpg)
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Andy, I hope it's not a trade secret of your's, but after weeks of struggling with mine -
I'm really interested in how you accomplish the neat paintwork along the line where the bulwark knees meet the deck.
humble follower,
Hande
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I have only done that on the Portgarth. My other boats have not been different colours.
On the Portgarth I first painted the deck and masked it up before fitting the bulwark ribs on top of the thin paper masking. You will find pictures in the blog.
https://techno.smugmug.com/Portgrath/Portgarth-volume-5/
Another method copied from John Boyd masks off the bulwarks and ribs without painting around the ribs
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boulogne-Etaples/i-G8dd93v/0/fc932c2a/L/11E27689-AB08-4ADD-B292-FFD4B26E4E65-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boulogne-Etaples/i-Dr4PKJj/0/ddb7f96c/X2/E35C43F9-EC2A-4EE3-AE12-282205883FD4-X2.jpg)
Fortuitously Stevn's arctic is all one colour
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Stevns-Arctic/i-hL2TP56/0/f1a94256/X2/B41C71F2-7DC5-4CCA-9F0F-1284609B92AB-X2.jpg)
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I decided against trimming the keel to suit the bottom skins in favour of re contouring with resin.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-X9tGnQ6/0/640b71d8/XL/7DB75790-63E9-41E2-B7AD-9B51F4816AEB-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-dLXgh9L/0/cddc2ae8/XL/87C71FC1-674A-4AED-A484-1A0FF9B29816-XL.jpg)
Better O0
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-SZk7r3J/0/d3b42ebe/XL/AA34DE3C-F2F7-4F50-84C5-8AB08681645C-XL.jpg)
Both sides now planked to same stage and some lead shot fitted in the bow
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-C6rXDvC/0/d5c11adb/X2/90E6718E-8239-4CC1-8451-60F1CD6B6BD0-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-kBpxWHX/0/38e92e13/XL/AAE52425-CF67-49B2-914D-E3551C311C9D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-hfttRT3/0/53e2e91f/XL/E2812B17-A2BD-4107-9A97-8653F631BC07-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RzKhLGS/0/5e6e62b3/XL/5005ADD5-E9BC-47FE-8EC2-0393F58E46CE-XL.jpg)
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A very rare occurrence {-)
To celebrate I fitted another plank whilst under the influence {-)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QJSFsf4/0/ad9638a5/X2/1A398F7E-643B-425C-B732-9B6416ADD097-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HhH4vx7/0/62407b6f/X2/AD2FFD9F-00C4-4E1D-9132-C78005DD24A6-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4s5GjMp/0/7334d728/X2/1FBDD5CF-2B92-411C-854C-A9A5F402A4E1-X2.jpg)
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Is that Caviar in the forefoot? :}
Colin
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Caviar might be cheaper but not heavy enough {-)
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Billing Boats HQ touched base today. This will by no means be a quicky but they've asked for my help to reintroduce this kit as there has been much interest shown by Billing fans.
I have of course offered them all that I have in anyway that I can help.
They are extremely busy lately so its a slow burner O0
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Question for Andy is the Mercantic very similar to the Slipway Dutch coaster?
Stan.
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They’re both cargo vessels yes
Similar ? No I'd say there are more differences than similarities especially with the construction method and materials besides the appearance.
There’s pictures on page one Stan
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A bit further.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VM95gv7/0/XL/i-VM95gv7-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9HDQ5Xk/0/X2/i-9HDQ5Xk-X2.jpg)
As this approaches closure I'm of the opinion that the last 20mm or so of the bow tip will be best done with a balsa block. There is nothing to gain by struggling with this.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-vzKVWTQ/0/65d947ea/X3/67C61C29-47A7-4D75-97BB-8381B4087A1B-X3.jpg)
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Just one little plank yet to fit before finishing with a block of balsa.
Then the sanding can begin leading to a cover of glass cloth.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LnK7chm/0/X2/i-LnK7chm-X2.jpg)
I've done the two large wash ports and will probably pilot drill the long ones before the resin coat.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-cNRZdqc/0/XL/i-cNRZdqc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KqwhXMc/0/X3/i-KqwhXMc-X3.jpg)
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Andy do you sleep?
Stan.
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{-)
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Continued last night so now ready for a pencil rub over and course sanding of all the high spots. Then we'll see if any filler is required.
I think if we manage to get this kit back into production I will recommend a taller balsa block at the bow similar to the smit Rotterdam construction.
I should have decided sooner to do this.
Bill mentioned the well deck yesterday and it made me think what is the idea behind the need for one?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-b6ZNQSS/0/f71871b8/X2/E768F1F8-DE57-4680-A92A-C10660ABBEB5-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fcRK6b7/0/d8be3443/XL/135B341E-3C91-41CA-9EAA-A0F6AF4E7377-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WJ5RmPs/0/6afd801e/X3/067F0CD8-21A8-4604-BEC4-07C1D798BF6C-X3.jpg)
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Andy I would put my hand up for a couple of them if they went back into production most differently following your build can't wait to see her on the water do you have a name for her yet tassie48
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I have the original transfer sheet which looks to be good for 50 years old %%
So hopefully the name will stick “pun” O0
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Hi!
You're doing a great job as usual and I'm following with great interest.
About the well, I'd say it's the designers intention to maximize the cargo capacity on a minimum size given the specific regulations to measure the size of a cargovessel at that time. Size matters when it comes to port fairs, manning and such.
Others may correct me on this, but it's my guess.
All the best!
Hama
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Hi Andy, going along with Hama. These little cargo boats evolved to the tasks they had to do. Getting into "non- ports", jetties and river that other vessels could not, lying in the mud at low tide and calls that had no facilities at all. Hence the Well deck to make cargo handling easier. bill
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Andy, If you are serious about a kit make the hull in glass fibre. bill
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I’m not making a kit Bill
Billing are with my help and it will still be plank on frame.
Thank you both for your thoughts on the well deck, makes sense :-))
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I thought you might like this that is printed in eight languages.
Very true, to be built not assembled.
Even with well cut parts it would still be necessary to adjust to fit.
I've gone to great lengths to get my printer scanner working so it scans to file and I've sent Billing a test email with a scan. If the reply is good I'll be forwarding scans of the keel, frames and deck next week.
Today was intended to be sanding but its rained almost all day so nothing happening.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cjJs2p7/0/c741cf9c/X2/7368DEC4-5078-4003-8F7A-16FA9787FCEB-X2.jpg)
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Hull sanding day
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-gfLm7Jk/0/c50b2aa2/X2/6AC7E144-4285-4C2E-9DBB-B2C04719E8B5-X2.jpg)
The pencil aids identifying the low spots
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GgsDX9F/0/0cefb41f/L/B508A244-8CDF-4990-BEF9-65D469B02B2E-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fc9jnpJ/0/b59d8966/L/C0D51E30-0050-4D80-AC5E-94D1BFEEA90D-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HRZbw7R/0/2e928b52/L/FBD26A31-5BD8-4215-BA6A-B89BEDBA073E-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-sVcdns9/0/68b092df/XL/7DDE8E27-6A2E-4BBE-A6A9-A88336429D46-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-LNsbgFX/0/6350ad09/X2/17338AF2-8662-47D4-BEC1-ECCEAE8B7F5C-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DxKzWpP/0/32f6e2c3/X2/5D286439-B735-45C1-B71B-325712333553-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WSMs5DK/0/611e85cf/X2/8FD00827-8626-4ABA-A543-304E7EE41B34-X2.jpg)
A coat of PT40 then seals and hardens the wood. This will be sanded again and any remaining imperfections filled before a final coat and glass cloth.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-CBKGzK7/0/8964439f/XL/3C625BB6-0294-4FE8-941B-0A71656B79AF-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FjxT7B3/0/1a65c51d/X3/9482B9A2-1E30-4D65-8BFD-7C611D292EED-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-bSZKZSL/0/997cd2d2/X2/A7028FFA-FECA-407F-9E02-314A5740D82A-X2.jpg)
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It is a really nice hull shape Andy.
Colin
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Yes thanks Colin. I can understand why a moulded hull would be popular as this definitely requires a great deal
of confidence or advanced modelling skills.
I wonder where Billing will place it in the order of things 🤔 maybe I’ll put this to Jens as a suggestion but I won’t be making a plug myself %%
I must leave this now until tomorrow and the resin is then easy to sand. Even though dry to the touch it’s very difficult to sand until rock hard.
Hopefully get some cloth on it late on Monday
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Thanks for the mail Bill :-))
I've now glued in the correct length rudder tube and trial fitted the rudder where it will be along with rudder shoe. After a bit of re shaping I definitely have room to change from 35 to 40 mm prop. What do you think?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Tgp7kgC/0/ce26ba15/XL/A0124735-79A9-4A9A-801E-A0DB6B5295A1-XL.jpg)
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Lovely job on the hull Andy it really looks great. I think I would stay with the smaller prop as I think it will sail like my old Fairmount Alpine. If I went too fast or if you like over its scale speed it would just get smothered by its own bow wave.
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I agree, stick with the 35mm prop initially, as you say, you can always go a size up if necessary.
Colin
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Cheers :-))
Try before I buy :-)
Here's an example from a Dutch blog of how people have struggled, perfectly demonstrating how inappropriate the original mahogany parts were.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yZbSDzg5E7cnstFqVbiGZ6e7dItPyNG8iUdc1z2atci8s5ZL-UUSAdVDgrmbw_--bI3dPZkfPvMgOlBodGikAisADEwff6kKi6CEQhxryDIU00f42PAxEUUstN8BPBPcL3CTP0At62mSyiy7Bh36E07AFMe-n2MzbX5bI_O2Coqcib8Pvb2BJv5O7O6i0PYeDBm9U7PPR4WnJOpYtaM6-_A95beGbsO1eAjPtiVKu3pTDenLN-zgdf-yyvrgJmXERJEySsFiDwg_JR1Uy-4uwlg1-ajgcVwp3_rUiDiUXJ_HCi0xgw2ecysQ3I9KuwFU-rhV2V5mIR5v8PvGcSwl53EmJQa8eedotdaUwksl8XihCr-ZV3GNcWOLLjfKvvhVhIOFvYhc6jOH1GmKIOU1ygdeKb7htOUBBIZnbUbGdWZSyGMuI7kz8dX24guouZCTWsATe4MDfW7LQIgduzoeiowEcYs89KBTS3YUxaOT7NDckGobHAStoYx9US8lMewM3pW6wA6eKb0JOJiK2ssjYkf4wlaoLvTmw_AJAt9_LgWGLaVR8__7rFiFZs907AxeNu5lG17ayCCcfF3kt5Awmvfar-AC6EV1326uwtqXKgJA3ksRfDd2CnCs7No92ncoMtUaMqCwifFQmvztY_wgjdKt68dYzNrHtGE=w555-h739-no)
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Working late I made and fitted one set of hatch coamings, a bit tricky setting them up at the right height and angles.
I also made an oversized bow gunwale to be trimmed to suit later.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-ZsP3TZk/0/efe37b25/XL/D1B243D9-0D6B-4F4C-A7EE-32C3508692E3-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GfBC9sm/0/812d1e74/XL/0A709171-CB73-43DE-B20E-497B7114AF24-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-P4J2g2r/0/b4c0c6d7/XL/F6B096F8-4E12-47A3-B7F3-8840FF8C56E2-XL.jpg)
Tomorrow I hope to re sand the hull and escape any need for filling before applying glass cloth to one side of the keel and hull.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BvJSKKv/0/287743f2/XL/D835A96B-FC22-4634-BBC3-953FE80300DF-XL.jpg)
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Progress was good today so I didn't sand the hull but continued on deck :-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zQb5pDF/0/8c0211a1/XL/EA0EBCD9-75F9-4512-9247-CC6FDD83F55C-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QxjsrZd/0/078c1198/XL/D9560DF3-AFAD-405B-AB43-0E58C5E5C56B-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Pxzc726/0/bf1eff29/XL/F53F7D2C-CA35-4F0B-82F4-BA4CECD24762-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fRFpFV7/0/d6d47b26/X2/FA8C511B-EC5E-46D7-8250-76DCF2948BA8-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-N8k3sTW/0/e9eb01a5/X2/B819E66B-64F3-4C79-9E63-C42FBF2C55CE-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3qCvSTz/0/dafc56b4/X2/4FC2F482-B199-4DFD-87A1-0641069DBFAD-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-X4jF2KX/0/62fe9e0d/X2/8912A552-4132-4261-8949-1D4F066833D0-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cLzBfkF/0/964c13f4/X3/11C97345-95B4-4594-9A24-3523DC4748EE-X3.jpg)
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Some ducking and diving but still moving forwards.
I managed to sand the hull. There are some very minor imperfections that will not need filling. The resin and glass finishing coat will cover them.
Finished the bow ribs and gunwale and other bits.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-R4JrBZv/0/97848b5e/X3/B4A15AD9-0124-4532-9E56-D923C82521AE-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-nWX6xMv/0/d53dabde/X2/6871A7BA-ABF8-4AFE-ADB2-F8C5C1EB5225-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4CkbbLN/0/2d30a4e7/X2/2178A33F-6F33-4516-B3F1-DA9C43F2E666-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-PVLCtXw/0/68c50e7c/X2/41CF28D6-477F-4974-BF87-27C36537BA68-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9fFBhtj/0/37805086/X2/3C245067-C744-4474-A21A-3E7EEA81BC30-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-trWxXPP/0/91a0807f/X2/3A5F8B64-3EF6-460F-A892-5D380C0FA6CE-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-r7VqF9r/0/26a1a145/X2/508303AC-0B3C-4210-9867-EFFC8B31644B-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DqNxCXs/0/4e2f1c32/X2/3DA4B1C6-E42F-466F-8A3C-89C2AC32A4BB-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-qSJwh5k/0/166b3e1d/X2/CC1E9E1E-B994-4474-8283-E7D1AC9E5F79-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WdpxpHB/0/05f56c60/X2/03AEEFED-100A-4B09-8618-AA479412BA97-X2.jpg)
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Hi Andy, Nice to see the bulb angle going on, a lovely finishing touch, bill
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Hi Andy, Nice to see the bulb angle going on, a lovely finishing touch, bill
Bulb angle 🤔
Is that the lifting boom support ? 🤭
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The days not over.
I wonder what everyone else did with their ribs aft of the bow?
I had a choice of breaking all the frames out and fitting new ones to scale or shaping them and accepting their over thickness.
I've chosen the latter and will fit thinner intermediate ones.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3QwkK5n/0/4fc1cba5/XL/20DA5523-9408-47BD-94A3-AA65E324AEE1-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WWG8ZLV/0/8123bbf0/XL/D6A00E7B-3491-4799-AD38-6A01F88473F9-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7MKwXnb/0/517a3ec8/XL/574FB33D-0870-4137-9D83-7FB148288AA6-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-jJ43TW9/0/06708189/XL/3D0B73A5-825C-4518-A136-800C6F797718-XL.jpg)
I've also started the stern gunwale
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-67qGC48/0/3352695e/XL/A96E4476-B3F8-4556-B7FC-1995370D22CA-XL.jpg)
Just three ribs left to shape
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cPc9qv5/0/6a81088d/XL/BA85E20A-7CA7-421D-A738-C2828E947E33-XL.jpg)
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Last night I glassed the Port side and this morning sanded it.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-w4Z8mw9/0/c8c2f9ed/X2/27F2A0FC-EC75-4066-869B-78DC9F018555-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-T8MS9D3/0/713287e0/X3/D2307462-FCD2-42E2-B54E-C28F36F8619D-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-JGJnvTS/0/0bdabc81/X2/A1148A2C-D020-48B1-83E0-4A99B56743AF-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-SXzqCh2/0/457d50f3/XL/0EC9D49B-AF8B-490F-8155-6B7C15FC2F5E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WTGPDj2/0/21f52a78/X2/DF7B63EC-B016-40D4-84F9-CBCCD25FE60E-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cLLgR8b/0/b998a58a/X3/22F7C9DE-C946-455F-A867-5620CB4E0CD0-X3.jpg)
Then I prepared the Starboard half.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-82GkVpf/0/62060d07/X2/069540F4-37D0-43D5-927B-B8F375465F0D-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-PcqZxZv/0/b31d5335/XL/67275447-D65B-4490-A0AD-5BA74CC897DB-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-C6tXJnF/0/65fd2dbc/XL/1866FBB3-E828-4CA3-81EF-C38D255AF15D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9qtZfSC/0/1bb323be/XL/580698F3-DB68-44B0-9A12-8CF4D62921CE-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-kkFgfhJ/0/dd638332/XL/2AE2205A-09FA-43FB-BA1F-44FBDE0112A5-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-s5smhZP/0/7f893b93/XL/C2B88C8A-09CB-4FB5-B70B-7BD08AD35427-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-xQbqqZD/0/6a08a34f/XL/9FA65B91-CB46-4A1C-9303-4E70A29923E2-XL.jpg)
Once sanded the next job is to set the waterline.
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Hi Andy, bit of an awkward job to do. You could have left them as they were, an accepted part of the kit or do what you did. What ever takes your fancy. That is it with a wood kit. Still doing a good job, lovely, bill
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Thank you Bill
Still hard to call
I may yet knock out the well deck ribs yet.
For now I’ll sand the rest of the of the hull and mark the waterline before cutting the long wash ports and adding the bilge keels and rubbing strakes
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Bildge keels fitted, waterline marked, wash ports being cut and gunwales in progress.
I hope to get some primer on the outer hull this weekend.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-K8Z4dQG/0/XL/i-K8Z4dQG-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JkBSsZ7/0/XL/i-JkBSsZ7-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TprzRPf/0/XL/i-TprzRPf-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tmz6DHP/0/XL/i-tmz6DHP-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-6Fzcjzc/0/XL/i-6Fzcjzc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Tj64pXw/0/XL/i-Tj64pXw-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4QKwXQz/0/XL/i-4QKwXQz-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7Gh7zmP/0/XL/i-7Gh7zmP-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-D833JhR/0/XL/i-D833JhR-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RG9QjHN/0/X2/i-RG9QjHN-X2.jpg)
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Progress from yesterday.
Bow fairleads cut out
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-twBFHxz/0/XL/i-twBFHxz-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-DGtWkfW/0/XL/i-DGtWkfW-XL.jpg)
Two more frame ribs removed and replaced with eight new ribs.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NBS26tv/0/XL/i-NBS26tv-XL.jpg)
Rubbing strakes fitted.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SRZMtDj/0/XL/i-SRZMtDj-XL.jpg)
Coaming fitted around stern access
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-6gK2R94/0/XL/i-6gK2R94-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-mdBcnHn/0/XL/i-mdBcnHn-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gt539JJ/0/XL/i-Gt539JJ-XL.jpg)
Bracket for aft lifting boom fitted
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FKL8ZGC/0/XL/i-FKL8ZGC-XL.jpg)
Favourite angle of view
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-N4hPsB8/0/X2/i-N4hPsB8-X2.jpg)
Today I'll be making all the missing ribs
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Change of plans but all progress.
I finished the ribs around the rear hatch.
I then was attracted to all the obechi offcuts.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-J5L6S3g/0/XL/i-J5L6S3g-XL.jpg)
Each panel is 1.5mm ply with planks glued on but removable for painting.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Xq3JRfZ/0/XL/i-Xq3JRfZ-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JkBbwp8/0/XL/i-JkBbwp8-XL.jpg)
Then finally another use for the OSMO stain used on my Lobster boat.
I remember our friend DaveM asking me how to apply it.
Really easy as its just an oil. Brush cloth sponge whatever, put it on wipe it off until it looks ok to you. Then leave 12 hrs before applying clear coat.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-x7qn3B4/0/XL/i-x7qn3B4-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CmfTrSs/0/XL/i-CmfTrSs-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gpqf2fg/0/XL/i-gpqf2fg-XL.jpg)
Now ready for the game
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JNV5RFp/0/X2/i-JNV5RFp-X2.jpg)
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I ended yesterday with making eight bases from brass strip for the bollards.
Billing do make this part but unfortunately they suffer from inconsistencies.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-dZQHnd9/0/517a0f10/XL/6CA30760-0385-4366-824E-C7721D115B69-XL.jpg)
I then thought perhaps a start on the superstructure would make a nice change.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-CH93smh/0/656909a0/X2/162D1D4B-9FFA-4F56-8361-645209E3E874-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QdSZd2R/0/97cbb28e/X2/E7EF13B5-4697-4702-B74D-1CE57B77B372-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-LQX66jQ/0/1744c086/X2/F31FEFA4-23BD-4B75-BCF8-B57B29B152DC-X2.jpg)
Base complete
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-hF3d97q/0/aba7bbdf/X2/B5E10524-8E94-4A83-8005-F12B2B4218B7-X2.jpg)
It's essential here to have the correct relationship between the height of the deck cabin roof and the gunwale.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-sZBKpqv/0/faa44bc1/XL/AF6271EA-454B-4905-9D4D-96322E976BBD-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-B7Qh8Hc/0/cdcf9c09/X2/ACED20E5-EB09-408E-A79F-7CB52463A8CE-X2.jpg)
Making the walls is 10% inspiration 90% perspiration
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4bc7rdN/0/7837310e/XL/7C9FC3B9-8A03-46F8-928E-8B244A46B97D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-VHb566h/0/5c2a3dca/XL/CFF61519-5471-4214-BEAA-8885965BEC6A-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DkJLNkV/0/4b202510/XL/3AFBFEA3-6F35-455A-8BCF-60795D7A28CC-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-d9FbCKK/0/2498df17/XL/CED0977F-5759-46AF-A534-A2EADD4E5C6D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-xQZS9z6/0/f9a104c9/XL/EEB8B9CA-772C-427D-85D8-C4BC5F0625EC-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rgJdcwP/0/e3952196/XL/481F41B3-75A7-4768-8EC6-DFA1923FA712-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-gv4PnW4/0/7d2be1e4/X2/FB258791-319A-4480-B34A-555BDAC23E8B-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-hWrGkz8/0/94fd4cfe/XL/0D928EFD-8B44-441C-AD37-606F94F627BF-XL.jpg)
For the next level, the bridge windows.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mvkj8QF/0/a885779a/X2/2ACB624A-288D-4F3F-A51A-9B24B4185604-X2.jpg)
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Currently I'm making a template to match exactly the gunwales for the upper deck.
Also I'm going to shape the funnel today. Here I've made paper templates glued to the base as a guide. Thank you MarkT :-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4DLVkzn/0/b79433e3/XL/035D0843-413D-49DB-A94A-A2DCEE46559E-XL.jpg)
The original instructions call for the port holes to be drilled after finished paintwork {-)
That is a terrible idea as a mistake can mean a complete repaint %%
Another IMPORTANT point is to avoid drilling on a bulkhead frame. If you stuck rigidly to the drawing this would occur! Fortunately I had the foresight to avoid that potential disaster.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-CFWdMs7/0/25bf15e3/XL/47A991FE-2EEE-40F3-98EE-523D56B5D713-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-gkZKtcC/0/40c8815f/X2/8629348F-C96C-4565-80C3-6E0C2748F48B-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-h6wzfk6/0/0e0a12d4/XL/D07407CA-891A-4664-9736-10B118771ADD-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-jbSPTkr/0/d4e5a5fe/XL/6A82236B-811C-493D-87BE-5E451AC3F51F-XL.jpg)
Resin coated to harden the balsa after rough sanding.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-27cdjPP/0/73305db2/XL/4C18AF3A-CFB7-40E3-A1DB-833C8B7476FF-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BGNWfhJ/0/49a30661/XL/989EDFA7-0F68-474A-8C36-CDD0616070FA-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BR7zdH7/0/92817d4b/XL/DD9BE7C9-E93D-46F1-8310-FC92ED55C47A-XL.jpg)
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Moving on. The paper template was turned into 1.5mm ply, oversize at this point.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QK6xKsN/0/6257f103/XL/7E807DBE-D472-4F4A-B8C9-D9A0B01425C5-XL.jpg)
All the while I'm considering how this will be painted, so as far as possible they won't be glued together.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pRDCJ5q/0/18886de2/X2/D1299A83-1957-4327-8950-D8597818A984-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wbKLh3H/0/d04d72fc/X2/0BB5C411-8DB8-4C18-88E2-CDF00E6631C5-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-qXjgszb/0/f06955e5/XL/B12ED243-6FC9-4394-8C93-4201C56F0F66-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-8HrwCM8/0/3b69265f/XL/DE3E980F-8000-4A82-AA2D-6E47AA26308B-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pWhMj47/0/af1bd26d/XL/F80FC28D-F673-4368-9021-4CE958626F1D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mNpGvff/0/ef8dbbe5/XL/3A842713-9EEC-40D2-8E1E-30D2CE29D69D-XL.jpg)
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So now the upper deck is trimmed to accept the wrap around. This is my new method off the cuff. Since having a Quooker tap fitted I see this as useful for more than hot drinks
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DskM3WQ/0/95a1cf06/X2/3D0D1849-C11A-44DF-B932-7743BD0690DF-X2.jpg)
The inner pipe is the radius I require and the outer half pipe prevents the outer skin splitting.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HQQMFVQ/0/c39c82d6/X2/EB6752A8-C6F6-4582-8740-B06DE2D2DFCA-X2.jpg)
Two or three dowsings then tied and left to dry.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NkWPpDr/0/b4f47910/X2/B8FD425E-3A2C-4D56-B9B6-DC6F6D34A178-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-D2grXs8/0/6f77d141/X2/DA603B5C-540C-4093-9E44-5FC13527C59F-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zk6djrp/0/076e0cc0/X2/2CB9F2DB-B4C8-4C80-BCAD-C50840FD4E49-X2.jpg)
..................................... ...................................
Still damp but it now has no resistance and no splitting. I will give it a second treatment to be sure.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-P4s4Z7f/0/29351aef/XL/37B97655-3B9D-4BF0-975F-71D01D19DA80-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DhbR5jc/0/4a75c28b/X2/ADCC03DE-CA92-4C50-BCA6-2C35A3AE2153-X2.jpg)
................................................... ...............................................
As this is a lot of work to cut out it would be folly to cut it first and then form the bend.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-SqDFtM5/0/d72f1a42/XL/45D053B3-383F-40B7-8F44-C123AD6762BB-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-LxXZrtK/0/811ffd2c/XL/FB2EAE10-714A-4F5C-8653-90374944111B-XL.jpg)
More later....
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Forum seems unusually quiet, so todays third post.
Here is one side roughed out with the rotary Proxxon.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-KpG9dQm/0/b38af8a4/XL/5885D41C-03EA-4B5E-BB35-3AF73CF0207C-XL.jpg)
Honestly the template is quite inaccurate but as stated back in the 60's this model has to be built!! not merely assembled O0
Rough fit
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3t6TTpm/0/f6019dbb/XL/3706BD4C-F078-4A0E-A433-EC56700E1085-XL.jpg)
Underside
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7Zb2RMp/0/bf6d3467/XL/F838B377-03C9-4591-8835-F390F0E923B3-XL.jpg)
Not too shabby
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Mt6Qrck/0/8552d29b/XL/7ECA703E-DD95-406B-9BD9-0CC92D477749-XL.jpg)
Everything still comes apart for painting.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QJRhc6m/0/068e59c5/XL/0EA2F2A2-6766-4A37-90A6-C24D0A01E94E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-x6JcGRM/0/d45f6587/XL/CDCE1876-2A95-4273-BB79-1AE68732C369-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Ddb7V9X/0/5a255c6a/XL/7D76C0F0-904D-4E4F-86AE-A84FDFA53273-XL.jpg)
Tomorrow head start
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-r6rH8JS/0/80827b47/XL/DBE60E33-2886-4CD6-9CB7-DCBC3F37D38C-XL.jpg)
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Superstructure woodwork almost complete.
Component parts easy to paint and glaze.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-6mvkNVw/0/3fc457cc/XL/92FA4F97-4308-4D16-BE0F-7EC04A7525C3-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Z5PFtfk/0/4a14b958/XL/8A4F9B33-56E5-42CD-9348-B3CA114DD62A-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3WMGZZP/0/17e915dc/XL/940B5F12-DA7E-4A29-8B95-14C2CEE0C396-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7Mjb3DL/0/2e811b2d/XL/E527384D-2079-422C-9CC2-AC50A46ECD06-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cfNS6gs/0/18836d16/XL/C07150E5-8D71-4717-8849-1C6E139ADE99-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-B7S2Z4K/0/520c7a7d/XL/FA9CAF08-E83B-4F53-8935-D54E04AA25F9-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-G7bT5vd/0/24fb0259/XL/95E1315F-9DC5-40E6-B576-FD0C72D00605-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fnKsqPg/0/16c7e786/XL/B24C7A59-1BB3-428D-B8B8-E839197F00BC-XL.jpg)
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The naval architecture in this boat is interesting. Do you know why she was designed with the split level decks? Was it so out-sized deck cargo could be carried on the forward hatch without compromising stability? Maybe just a fashion of the time?
Am amazed at your mojo as usual. To quote Star Trek 2 I think: "hours instead of days, days instead of weeks". I've only got even slower at doing things over the last 18 months!
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Hi Rich, I asked the same question some time ago but cannot find the replies.
Basically its evolution. As a coastal cargo vessel she could deliver almost anywhere and the lower well deck and hold would have made it easier to load / off load at non ports. She's flat bottomed so she can anchor close to shore at high tide and wait for the low tide leaving herself high and dry. There is an archive photo of her fully loaded on top of the well deck hatch so there certainly wasn't any stability issues.
Cheers
Edit
Outsized cargo is a good point you made O0
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Q32MbFr/0/3a66237e/X4/94C6B37C-BC8B-440C-B7A0-6FF0B96B385B-X4.jpg)
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Superb work as always!!
As for the well, as I tried to give an answer earlier I'll try again.
A ship's tonnage is the enclosed volume and matters when it comes to regulations and fees. If you look at the picture of Mercantic with a full cargo you realise that had she had a full length main deck without the well, her total volume on the same length would be greater. She can still carry deckcargo on the full length of the vessel and load down to her deepest draft, but on a lesser volume. There were as I understand a lot of vessels at 299GRT and 499GRT to avoid certain rules of manning for instance.
This is how I understand the design of the Mercantic.
But more important, carry on with yet another of your fabulous builds!!
Hama
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Superb work as always!!
As for the well, as I tried to give an answer earlier I'll try again.
A ship's tonnage is the enclosed volume and matters when it comes to regulations and fees. If you look at the picture of Mercantic with a full cargo you realise that had she had a full length main deck without the well, her total volume on the same length would be greater. She can still carry deckcargo on the full length of the vessel and load down to her deepest draft, but on a lesser volume. There were as I understand a lot of vessels at 299GRT and 499GRT to avoid certain rules of manning for instance.
This is how I understand the design of the Mercantic.
But more important, carry on with yet another of your fabulous builds!!
Hama
...great point Hama! I forgot that, as you sat GRT is technically measured volume but in tonnage and not intuitive or much link in-between to the uninitiated. All probably mixed in with tax rules and state rules rather than class rules. A good point -a cheats way around things back then -the same happens today also. It's all about tax!
I like Andys picture also. The bulwarks are split at interesting sections I have a theory on but not qualified to comment.
Rich
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Hi Andy, We to have often wondered about that as well, coming,at times, to consider that they were removable for easier access. It would be interesting to find out, keep up the good work, bill
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Thank you all for your comments and info :-))
Last night I resin coated the superstructure and made the davits
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-kfmjqx3/0/46dcb25a/XL/46976157-DCB2-4A40-8149-33A6321F664B-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2g6ZNBg/0/be8b7448/XL/7F40B523-78CD-48E2-BC9B-7F9F88DEF5E2-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-xwmGxNw/0/eb38e16f/XL/4710D06A-E691-4B3A-8127-54F2D3C4BB1F-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-VdhkWtx/0/1fc9461d/XL/E10E3169-B3C2-44A3-B49F-52630E8ED169-XL.jpg)
Today I had to go to two branches of Halfrauds to stock up on satin lacquer and while I was at it I bought Ford Olympic Blue as recommended by Bill :-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-f8vZ3KX/0/7ab6905b/X2/8032AE3F-DCD9-4CFB-B057-D0470D42A1D7-X2.jpg)
After sanding the resin I coat all in Satin lacquer, a good leveller and baser for primer.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RgGzNKm/0/82c5c6ff/X2/9A592A1D-E11D-46EE-B1C7-3D4F8ECA4598-X2.jpg)
Funnel and davit fixings
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FBNN9fV/0/3778c17c/XL/87261B17-B11C-4874-B92E-3DCA2401E91A-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-njPnpkk/0/52e2542d/XL/CB172F49-2140-4FFD-97A6-B198926AA302-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FfxqF9M/0/500b2d5d/XL/90E7C1D2-8B8B-4203-8935-FF5398CA1166-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FwDsDjf/0/0742746d/X2/3E852BBB-6AE4-4000-B255-49D599FB7B2F-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fqSX8XB/0/628d1014/X2/9F5CE779-B759-4876-9116-84D49D2E97B9-X2.jpg)
Still lots to do
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Far too hot today for modelling I know but aided by a fan and Italian white wine I have continued between glugs {-)
Anyway pictures later of the limited progress
I know many of you refrain from Facebook for personal reasons but for those that do use it you can find me and all my (and others) daily updates there
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HI Taranis 90f in old money in Leeds 16. Could you give me a call need some info.
Stan.
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My best friend today and I've just bought another one with mains adapter.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7KtcWgL/0/8e279356/X2/B8A13011-E237-4B19-BF9E-3725BCF4FADF-X2.jpg)
So I'm onto the littler things now starting with doors.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2k2KtMR/0/8f6de470/L/5144C2E8-AE1F-4BB2-B85C-7A6EA6B62A09-L.jpg)
I need to buy some port holes for these.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pBpmsQH/0/bc563f7b/XL/41256B14-4CB0-40A9-853A-99D63C7FA113-XL.jpg)
These vent fittings I've stuffed with wood and drilled to take a servo rod.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-MdQtmrk/0/327a069d/XL/DEAA9AAA-A45B-4C89-BAC5-C322B4974F2D-XL.jpg)
The funnel looks odd without exhausts so I fitted a couple of pipes.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-6DrcDGC/0/a0e3998e/XL/C894D8A5-C0A8-44ED-B692-7049428C346A-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9cWkQXC/0/0bff716e/XL/A67E7F98-728E-4F76-B3C0-A97CF75531B1-XL.jpg)
I'm not sure of some of these colours, Ice blue in particular.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pn3t6Zp/0/e6ede3c0/XL/19004A3D-978E-4EF8-A021-03A6EA59A9EC-XL.jpg)
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For the funnel I decided on Ford Radiant Red
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wxC5TcL/0/8b0e0451/X2/585B6274-097D-4995-85A0-5ACCD983A521-X2.jpg)
The top will be black eventually.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BrPSXrK/0/77de0e85/XL/53BF9C68-2CAC-4BD9-9902-2D9CB3ADDDA0-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-d6kWpvz/0/72918edb/XL/6466F881-25F1-4EAC-8596-A6B8885F7799-XL.jpg)
I decided I didn't like the hatch covers in only three sections as this would make the boards too heavy at full scale.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tDPW4bV/0/99386145/XL/A08C7A10-3581-4800-B007-0DD2DD0FC030-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-K6p6wnZ/0/e8e3bb21/XL/66771C9F-2A83-47C6-B47D-3FD763C85E2D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fJC7PhZ/0/00930f83/XL/F8B35FCA-A852-43F0-847D-C08BB30B11A2-XL.jpg)
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Moving on I continue catching up on ribs
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-H2vb5Gd/0/744f95ba/L/271C2E2F-4F90-4E8D-818A-2DEC67FB7905-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-MQpdFMk/0/ab85fefb/XL/F0D8C6D1-F127-4CA3-B275-E708E38104CC-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3zQ4CNd/0/f891be22/XL/0FC8E760-879E-4765-AF86-FD8DC9BB08B3-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-33rPBBQ/0/52b6a1ca/XL/E2B651A9-1BA6-4715-B64A-485185BF60BE-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-D4zCnDb/0/0c97a2f7/XL/3367CB03-9118-470D-B292-FCA2CDF8746E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GgGkJx7/0/afe75d24/XL/08F5CDA1-916E-4403-95AB-FF130FADE773-XL.jpg)
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Here I had to fix an earlier mistake. I wasn't looking forwards to tackling this but fears were unfounded.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-F6cVxZg/0/X2/i-F6cVxZg-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TtjDfdp/0/X2/i-TtjDfdp-X2.jpg)
Starboard completed.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-qL4SbPk/0/X2/i-qL4SbPk-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zWt3KZR/0/X2/i-zWt3KZR-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kSJW7bb/0/X2/i-kSJW7bb-X2.jpg)
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Last look before primer <:(
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7jcQbPd/0/X2/i-7jcQbPd-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8vq4CQj/0/X2/i-8vq4CQj-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FPBnJgR/0/X2/i-FPBnJgR-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2bs45RC/0/X3/i-2bs45RC-X3.jpg)
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So it begins
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jbvX6kD/0/XL/i-jbvX6kD-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4GcxqhZ/0/XL/i-4GcxqhZ-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-r5P2Lfn/0/XL/i-r5P2Lfn-XL.jpg)
Rudder shoe fitted
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jpC9DQf/0/XL/i-jpC9DQf-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-pXtqBvt/0/XL/i-pXtqBvt-XL.jpg)
Servo platform and linkage fitted.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-H5QCPgC/0/X2/i-H5QCPgC-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5bxfKPc/0/XL/i-5bxfKPc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tCqkPms/0/XL/i-tCqkPms-XL.jpg)
Lots of sanding to do. I hope to do the anti foul coat tomorrow.
A bigger selection of pictures in the gallery.
Mercantic history
https://www.faergejournalen.dk/handelsskibe/mercandia/mercantic_1964.html?fbclid=IwAR0s6w0mXquVFD1jzSlArsZoFZYGtsOmKguwfhWi9XMf6Jr5yPoFgbhc1dI
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She's taking beautiful shape!
How come the primer didn't hide the waterline?
Also, can you point me toward a good tutorial on hiding gaps between plysheets with putty. You seem to "just do it" with such ease...
Hande
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Thank you Hande
I don't know what you mean by ply & putty
I use resin on all parts and sand it.
The pictures answer the first question.
This will be rubbed down with fine wire wool tomorrow then covered in plenty of Satin clear acrylic lacquer.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-K6NXkqp/0/L/i-K6NXkqp-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-H7jTphK/0/L/i-H7jTphK-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4xQz47x/0/L/i-4xQz47x-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gcv8xLf/0/L/i-Gcv8xLf-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-xV67rc3/0/L/i-xV67rc3-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bzKCC6f/0/L/i-bzKCC6f-L.jpg)
For tomorrow.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3WhnQZF/0/L/i-3WhnQZF-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TGtMB6v/0/L/i-TGtMB6v-L.jpg)
Now is the time for patience
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HpWKZpz/0/XL/i-HpWKZpz-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-c282vn3/0/X2/i-c282vn3-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5gXTfrZ/0/X2/i-5gXTfrZ-X2.jpg)
Once the bottom is lacquered the propeller can be loctited on and the motor fitted.
This then allows for a bath and ballast journey of discovery.
I will then decide on a battery type and size from my current vast array without buying anymore.
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It was a battle with the drop in temperature and cool wind.
First attempt bloomed on all the thin sections between ribs.
I rubbed over with wire wool and went again but this time straight back inside and in front of the kitchen plinth heater for long enough to see it not bloom {-)
It's good enough for out of sight.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-S5rqHmQ/0/X2/i-S5rqHmQ-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Nvr4LPf/0/X2/i-Nvr4LPf-X2.jpg)
Red trimline tape 3.3mm will be used for the waterline after the Olympic blue is added.
It will all be lacquered again after decals applied too.
Tomorrow I'll fit the running gear and do a ballast test.
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Couldn't resist fitting the prop. This picture captures the tactile yet smooth nature of the ladies bum.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-666zN8T/0/c2f01e5a/XL/30B67CA7-CE1C-4228-9899-3FD4B0ED507F-XL.jpg)
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phwoah {-)
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On reflection I could never understand the need to fill all the dents in the hull and sanding it down to a perfect hull shape - even if they were careful in the ship yard, the natural warping of the hull plates would create such dents and bulges naturally, so a truly accurate ship would still have these, in fact I remember someone on here trying to recreate the pattern of dents between the strengtheners for a frigate some time ago rather than the perfectly smooth shape of the plans - just an observational comment.
But I really do admire your craftsmanship and wish I could achieve a build like this (hence why I go for the plastic fantastic's why I actually do build something).
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in fact I remember someone on here trying to recreate the pattern of dents between the strengtheners for a frigate some time ago
This one :-))
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,56343.0.html
Ray.
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Most important is to be watertight O0 {-)
So now the motor is final fixed.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NB9HbKq/0/9dd08b6f/XL/33D35929-44D9-4A5E-AD69-7D485572CB8F-XL.jpg)
I've used this in a number of boats now with great success as can be seen in the Hoga most recently.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mNTv3Fw/0/b507f796/XL/F5C530DD-E95B-424D-881E-5F42BBEAE6D0-XL.jpg)
Along with my favourite ESC
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-F38rR8m/0/8892b96c/XL/3CF4B146-E845-410F-89BA-11D2E24C5818-XL.jpg)
After changing to XT60
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-3kXBfWN/0/5fb773b8/XL/BD139905-5501-432D-9211-3DBAAC3387F6-XL.jpg)
Then adjust the settings
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Vz32kzz/0/c33eb93a/XL/0FA84FBE-EDC0-4146-BDE4-761722F53C06-XL.jpg)
Can be done without but much easier with a program card.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NwJjfhc/0/dac7dd09/X2/2713694B-CAD3-44AE-9F97-7E22AF50CF80-X2.jpg)
One of a number of receivers I bought cheap a long time ago but work very well
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-qTXdB3v/0/9f37bf52/XL/2453DEE2-5C5A-45CA-BC59-4036E76EA822-XL.jpg)
Video
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2jfgnNV/0/e4bf20e0/1920/IMG_1291-1920.mp4) (https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2jfgnNV/A)
Video link for those who cannot see the url preview.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2jfgnNV/0/e4bf20e0/1920/IMG_1291-1920.mp4 (https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2jfgnNV/0/e4bf20e0/1920/IMG_1291-1920.mp4)
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So despite my earlier plan I bought these {-)
Yes I will have to bin the Deans connectors, I don't like them anyway.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4QLVf4d/0/271e0070/X3/7616F4A6-3E2F-4EEA-995D-8760B8DEA484-X3.png)
Then on to ballasting. I leave myself headroom for adjustment but make up the bulk with lead shot in resin.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QrjfnwF/0/38b89380/XL/C31BFC92-3BED-4F61-B5AC-DD2423837C23-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9mt85rb/0/a53f76db/XL/9F7246FA-F52D-40A0-9DE3-D4017E601ECC-XL.jpg)
With caution I'm applying resin to one compartment at a time.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9XVxRQg/0/dcb12999/XL/9F4FBEEF-E87C-4212-8982-4966D895ABE8-XL.jpg)
To make sure the resin sets level
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BMS6TSn/0/b9b8f4c4/X2/87104B80-5520-4217-A238-EAA98A22CA82-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-p4zSXMb/0/94ba514f/X2/50BB9977-7F4D-4210-9E2B-18400CCF9B81-X2.jpg)
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This is the final resin for the fixed ballast and I'm still a good 8mm away from the waterline. Once this sets I'll add mobile ballast to establish the gross weight.
She will happily sail at this already but the deeper! the better.
The well deck is completely submersible so the rougher the water the more realism. I may well silicon the hatch cover on as there will be nothing going on in there requiring access.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-75d3RWM/0/a660bdb2/XL/F6B4E4AA-3ECB-45AA-B6B4-E6EAA7BF036B-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mg8PdM7/0/794d56c0/XL/3F4C3668-AE5D-43BD-BFB3-A5C55DD1A4FC-XL.jpg)
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HI Andy I can not send you a pm blocked for some reason. Can you get plans for the lobster boat? Sorry to hijack your thread.
Stan .
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I have a used hard copy from my build if anyone wants to make an offer? Stan.
Meanwhile ballast completed.
I have close enough to 900grams of headroom.
Max gross weight 6.4kg
The ballast is perfect as can be seen by the placement of the loose load midships.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-g5kj3sq/0/854329e8/XL/42EB983E-BAB8-4AA0-AEFA-743CF66EEFAA-XL.jpg)
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On reflection I could never understand the need to fill all the dents in the hull and sanding it down to a perfect hull shape - even if they were careful in the ship yard, the natural warping of the hull plates would create such dents and bulges naturally, so a truly accurate ship would still have these
Correct for naval ships, but not for something like Mercantic as completed. Ships are not completed with dents although they may acquire them afterwards so I think Taranis has got it 100% right.
Colin
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I didn't have any dents in the hull requiring filling :}
Had it not been for the balsa blocks I would have been tempted to leave her naked like my Hoga :kiss:
Cheers Colin :-)
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I understand, but as most models are of a ship while in service, not straight out of the shipyard, the dents would be evident, except luxury yachts and powerboats or vessels that are not used in the normal sea trade like tankers and freights etc i.e. working.
So like the leander - the 'Dents' are from constant pounding by the sea and the metal deforming between the frames or natural warping from construction and therefore why model the vessel with the dents out.
Though I really do like the lines and finish on this vessel. :-))
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I understand, but as most models are of a ship while in service, not straight out of the shipyard, the dents would be evident
I like my models to be 'as built' but of course others prefer the weathered look. However, if you want to depict dents then they should be 'authentic dents' in the appropriate places and not simply haphazard ones because the hull hasn't been sanded properly!
With regard to welding concavities, these are most noticeable on smaller warships which have pretty thin hulls whereas merchant vessels, particularly those like Mercantic (built in 1964), will have more robust scantlings cap[able of handling heavy and bulk cargo items. Merchant ships get a lot of hard use and sea time so they need strong long lasting hulls.
Plus of course steel plating 'wastes away' over the years and is expensive to replace.
Colin
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Unfortunately or fortunately planks have to be sanded so that they don't look like planks on a steel vessel O0
Not needing to use filler is a bonus in saved time and effort but can improve your best attempt as in my Boulogne Etaples build.
On with the build but not much progress.
The electrics fit conveniently with the supplied double sided tape.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-73JSrGk/0/c6f4bbc8/XL/35135128-FD3D-4969-9301-6BBC18CD66B8-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7zrDqkZ/0/35a12a4a/XL/8F5B694F-511D-469C-9EFD-E74D2FF8BBCD-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2z2t364/0/1ef7231d/XL/21C8B2C5-011F-47F0-8901-212E277D8DA1-XL.jpg)
The batteries arrived yesterday and after testing them I changed the deans to XT60, a potentially dangerous operation if not planned carefully.
This newer style XT60 is designed to not need heat shrink which is fine on the load side male connectors BUT on the female battery connector its important to deal with one wire at a time and insulate it to guard against accidentally touching it with the other wire while trying to solder it. The heat shrink conveniently came with the ESC and I didn't need it for that.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-VFkGfQc/0/fabe538d/X2/9E3CD67A-CCC5-400D-879F-B9DAFBDF9BAA-X2.jpg)
I stuck two blocks of paxolin to the resin to be able to bridge the keel with the battery. A strip of rubber then made a base for it and some blocks of wood in front to keep the hard case battery in place.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mb2hVh6/0/27b53137/XL/91A4F7DA-BCF2-48C6-881F-4064DBFEAE9A-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-73DSkkr/0/d23c12a6/XL/B6273763-0F54-4093-900E-05D953D8B911-XL.jpg)
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I was undecided on how to treat this wheelhouse deck as the original was a printed mahogany sheet simulating planks.
A trip to Leeds model shop today gave me the option of walnut or mahogany 0.5x3mm strip.
I chose to stay with the latter.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-nrDdDjs/0/0d117a4e/XL/802D6A7E-C78B-4086-A9C3-ED1BDAC2081D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-kDrvzBZ/0/ed212c8b/XL/90D86A00-D4A4-48AC-AFF9-540DDABDC1D7-XL.jpg)
So far so good. Once this is clear coated it can be masked off for painting the rest, I think I'm going with white.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RdNWbZL/0/4909345c/XL/03807498-C202-46E7-BBF9-8EE965424D5C-XL.jpg)
Work continued to the late hours.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-nHnmV77/0/6e381612/XL/0E6E50ED-035F-4DD2-8A43-59DC2ED22F81-XL.jpg)
This morning a sealing coat of satin lacquer.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-LjSZnDZ/0/992c902b/XL/8478773D-3E97-4C8C-A08F-79B680B6CC86-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-H8w9V2G/0/e847385e/XL/15521498-07F1-43B3-AFB9-672AFC3EB38C-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-22RjV72/0/c73a0e76/XL/EF2E20AB-89D1-4B6A-B477-52AAD6BC06EB-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Tbt9j52/0/61277c56/XL/63B6B102-5EAA-4592-919B-C5E5E9FB3678-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-b4pr5jr/0/59e049de/XL/C21A6D43-AC22-4427-A22A-DCF67922B246-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9dvgNjV/0/c7cc87c9/XL/A3CE11B1-B18C-4400-A535-18549698CB1F-XL.jpg)
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I started the day wanting to progress the wheelhouse roof and it has gone ok so far.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XCM9RkH/0/X2/i-XCM9RkH-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bqVFstF/0/XL/i-bqVFstF-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NLFXrVW/0/XL/i-NLFXrVW-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LBwnFzT/0/XL/i-LBwnFzT-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gQh4MQc/0/XL/i-gQh4MQc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vzQCRSV/0/XL/i-vzQCRSV-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VkZ9Wr3/0/XL/i-VkZ9Wr3-XL.jpg)
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Tamiya paints take no time.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9QxswxB/0/XL/i-9QxswxB-XL.jpg)
Meanwhile I decided on sliding bridge doors
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-6N4p2rp/0/XL/i-6N4p2rp-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kLNLfJp/0/XL/i-kLNLfJp-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bRrNvTs/0/L/i-bRrNvTs-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PnnDpHF/0/L/i-PnnDpHF-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NHxw2DZ/0/L/i-NHxw2DZ-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-QNKrshc/0/XL/i-QNKrshc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Bv6jthq/0/XL/i-Bv6jthq-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HzLhvmM/0/XL/i-HzLhvmM-XL.jpg)
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This is my chosen deck colour AS-14 Olive green by Tamiya.
Contrasting against white superstructure and bulwarks and Olympic Blue hull.
There will be many hours and yards of masking tape.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tWvz62v/0/XL/i-tWvz62v-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LqbGFfN/0/XL/i-LqbGFfN-XL.jpg)
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She is looking great. Really enjoying your build log, very informative, and learning a lot from your pictures too.
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That’s good feedback thank you Carl :-)
I hope watchers have noticed the subtle changes to the hatch cover planks over recent posts 😊
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Billing fitting number F181 is the supplied ladder but this is also used in their 1:75 scale models and I decided to make an alternative from the Plastruct range 1:48 scale stairs.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-N69zbR2/0/XL/i-N69zbR2-XL.jpg)
I did this for my Stevn's Arctic build but they were much bigger so easier to handle on the sander.
Here I made a jig to get closer to the disc and set a stop at the required half width.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-j5Zn983/0/XL/i-j5Zn983-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fLdHNWr/0/XL/i-fLdHNWr-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9bSNLjw/0/XL/i-9bSNLjw-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3DtNDgR/0/XL/i-3DtNDgR-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rGvGPcF/0/X2/i-rGvGPcF-X2.jpg)
Thanks for this to my friend Bill "Nemesis"
No longer available
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-drT9wPb/0/X2/i-drT9wPb-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-29SgmzN/0/XL/i-29SgmzN-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tXFqPPH/0/XL/i-tXFqPPH-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4D52BwX/0/XL/i-4D52BwX-XL.jpg)
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Hi andy,
I've re-purposed plenty of companionways and ladders before but always cut them down one side rather than the middle. I find that is the easier route to re-join with solder or solvent with less clean-up after. Obviously, whatever works though!
Did I ask before? Since a long time I've been intrigued what the little hatch is for athwartships between the hatches? I guess it makes little difference as it was there originally.
...That Brass winch / capstain from Billings isn't too bad really -but the Graupner affair looks better.
Rich
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I don't know Rich but I'd think possibly access to the fuel or fresh water tank.
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Use to be called a Tonnage hatch going thru the Panama canal it gave you a discount on ships tonnage and we use to store hatch covers king beams and and hatch boards in there tow ropes etc some we're full hatch going to the tween decks others were just a storage hatch .tassie48
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Use to be called a Tonnage hatch going thru the Panama canal it gave you a discount on ships tonnage and we use to store hatch covers king beams and and hatch boards in there tow ropes etc some we're full hatch going to the tween decks others were just a storage hatch .tassie48
..interesting and thanks tassie -probably another tax thing also. I've not worked on merchant ships before but know the rules are fickled.
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Yes thanks for that insight Tassie O0
Here is a chance to see the colours of my choice. Thank you Nemesis for the pointer to the blue :-))
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HZPH567/0/L/i-HZPH567-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bRg4dwc/0/XL/i-bRg4dwc-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8scZc3L/0/XL/i-8scZc3L-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8pqxq66/0/XL/i-8pqxq66-XL.jpg)
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Moving on and continuing with stair mods and railings
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PgKQbnk/0/XL/i-PgKQbnk-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BCBNrmv/0/XL/i-BCBNrmv-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-28TTTCg/0/XL/i-28TTTCg-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fLLBLfQ/0/XL/i-fLLBLfQ-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hV7Cz9N/0/XL/i-hV7Cz9N-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XX8cTJS/0/XL/i-XX8cTJS-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jbxpvv8/0/XL/i-jbxpvv8-XL.jpg)
I'm going to do white with olive green treads after primer.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7S6sqcG/0/XL/i-7S6sqcG-XL.jpg)
Viola
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7HZ6DwB/0/XL/i-7HZ6DwB-XL.jpg)
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Hi Andy, about that hatch, I always thought it was a deep tank, possibly for liquids and cofferdamed. But I will go along with Tassie, makes more sense. I love that mahogany deck, rich man has this boat, to deck it in this timber, lovely. It is going to be a cracker, bill
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Thanks Bill
Continued last night
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SkcGKBk/0/XL/i-SkcGKBk-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JJWZw6G/0/XL/i-JJWZw6G-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-f82smr7/0/XL/i-f82smr7-XL.jpg)
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(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SDJBbJc/0/X2/i-SDJBbJc-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LTCHxhH/0/X2/i-LTCHxhH-X2.jpg)
I don't solder this type of railing but use CA and remove excess with kitchen roll.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2MLHjgh/0/XL/i-2MLHjgh-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-f5V6TvG/0/XL/i-f5V6TvG-XL.jpg)
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At first I thought you had left the steps with that wear pattern on - but then remembered its as freshly built ;D {-)
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I'm having second thoughts on hull colour since finding this screen grab from you tube. Looks to be during construction.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9prmXKW/0/L/i-9prmXKW-L.png)
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I thought she deserves a stand today.
Using my templates of frames 3 & 7 to establish a raw shape for trimming exactly.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-M5KXJ63/0/L/i-M5KXJ63-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-brSLChj/0/X2/i-brSLChj-X2.jpg)
Halford gloss black dries fast on bare wood.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dMrDFz5/0/X2/i-dMrDFz5-X2.jpg)
Piano lid felt
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-pfpbhTL/0/XL/i-pfpbhTL-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8PjX8xC/0/XL/i-8PjX8xC-XL.jpg)
The white flecks are just dust.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-sMJtXSF/0/XL/i-sMJtXSF-XL.jpg)
More painting. Tamiya FINE primer followed by Halfords appliance white.
The cost of Tamiya primer has gone to £8.25 at Leeds model shop so I only buy that in an emergency. I just bought 10 tins on Ebay delivered for just under £69.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-m8Fkvcq/0/XL/i-m8Fkvcq-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LhPgpWj/0/XL/i-LhPgpWj-XL.jpg)
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Hi Andy, that is a great photo, you can glean a lot from it, you are right to have second thoughts about the hull colour. It looks like a dark blue on the photo, similar to the dark blue on the Maersk tugs. Ford Baltic Blue, that came from a Maersk skipper. I had to get mine mixed at a car factors. If you would like to see the colour I will send you a pic. I have dug and delved to get photos of the Mercantic and here you turn up with two, keep well, bill
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Check this one out Bill
https://youtu.be/NLTioTFhgLQ (https://youtu.be/NLTioTFhgLQ). Sitting a bit too low I would say but a nice example O0
The last few minutes of this too
https://youtu.be/8ilF3Xa1qI8 (https://youtu.be/8ilF3Xa1qI8)
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I rather like the darker more grey colour. BUT it's an old cine film and you probably got no idea how distorted it is compared to what it should be.
...I think your Arctic would look better in the blue and the Mercantic in green! But then again I'm not known for my fashion sense, or following prototype!! LoL
Rich
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All replies and opinions are very welcome especially as the forum is like the Marie Celeste lately :kiss:
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Hi Andy, What a coincidence, that looks like "Des,s" boat from the St Georges club in Sydney OZ. He is a real Mercantic fan and is one of the down under fans I was telling you about. He has about 5 or 6 of them in different guises. Tis a small world with the WWW. Thanks for the tip. bill
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I never thought at the outset that I would fall in love with this ship.
The fixed ballast definitely makes her feel real and lovely to handle.
Loads more pictures coming up on the Facebook Billing boats group.
If I get agreement from today’s post I will share them.
I'll be sending my frame templates to Billing Boats soon, there is a growing desire to buy this model if it comes to fruition
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Hi Andy, I should think so to, You have nurtured this boat from start to finish, if there is a tutorial to be had on how to build a model boat, well this is it. Knew you would get the collywobbles, He He, bill
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Kind words and appreciated. If Billing do manage to resurrect her they will be taking advantage of my build to assist customers :-))
I think it would be risky to put this in a skill required class that is lower than experienced.
As our Father of the Billing brand said, this has to be built not merely assembled.
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What's been the sticking point for them so far or am I over simplifying things?
As a commercial idea, I really like that sister ship on the German forum with the lifeboat and davits on the aft hatch. It wouldn't take much to produce parts for two versions? Or would they need someone to provide the drawings for the davits plus the extended rear upper deck?
Rich
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The company of today does not have records going back to when this was produced.
The hull frames will get them re started in conjunction with the limited info they do have presently.
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HI, Do you mean the Adolf Bermphol. bill
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HI, Do you mean the Adolf Bermphol. bill
I suspect
The Ebba Victor training ship.
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The company of today does not have records going back to when this was produced.
The hull frames will get them re started in conjunction with the limited info they do have presently.
....yes I know that well, but they could do the same and look for an original kit and re-engineer it just the same. Or are they just not wanting to pay for that in fear of lack-of RoI?
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No idea Rich
All I know is Billing approached me for help and I agreed.
I doubt my blog would help with a different model either
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Henk Boogaard photos
https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-modellers/i-XLHF99W?fbclid=IwAR0P0k8V0VUmO69PwcRFuRqDcTLJCdYXZYncsTljfaU5oRxZJnYVvcjz_D8 (https://techno.smugmug.com/Billing-modellers/i-XLHF99W?fbclid=IwAR0P0k8V0VUmO69PwcRFuRqDcTLJCdYXZYncsTljfaU5oRxZJnYVvcjz_D8)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-modellers/i-8hbCRpB/0/96af5676/XL/784E2057-EFDE-49DC-A46F-0B96F141BD05-XL.jpg)
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Hubby suggests that colour is very very similar to Austin Rover Pagent blue
Mrs Stav
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I wanted to this opportunity to thank Andy for providing such a detailed build log of the Mercantic.
I got a hold of the plans (both sheets) for the Mercantic a number of years ago but it didn't include templates of ribs, so I couldn't build the hull. I searched for a while and eventually purchased a hull from a gentleman in Belgium. Shortly after this I was able to get the templates. Should have known that would happen!
Anyways, I now have the time to work on it given this pandemic we all find ourselves caught up in. However, I haven't been able to get very much detailed information on the build, until now!
I have only build a couple of scale model boat kits, so my experience is limited and its been a struggle. So this came at a great time!
Thanks Andy![/color]I got a hold of the plans (both sheets) for the Mercantic a number of years ago but it didn't include templates of ribs, so I couldn't build the hull. I searched for a while and eventually purchased a hull from a gentleman in Belgium. Shortly after this I was able to get the templates. Should have known that would happen!Anyways, I now have the time to work on it given this pandemic we all find ourselves caught up in. However, I haven't been able to get very much detailed information on the build, until now! I have only build a couple of scale model boat kits, so my experience is limited and its been a struggle. So this came at a great time!
Thanks Andy!
P.S. I'm new to commenting in blogs, so hopefully this entry works out!
Repaginated - Admin
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Edited
"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Andy for providing such a detailed build log of the Mercantic.
I got a hold of the plans (both sheets) for the Mercantic a number of years ago but it didn't include templates of ribs, so I couldn't build the hull. I searched for a while and eventually purchased a hull from a gentleman in Belgium. Shortly after this I was able to get the templates. Should have known that would happen! Anyways, I now have the time to work on it given this pandemic we all find ourselves caught up in. However, I haven't been able to get very much detailed information on the build, until now! I have only built a couple of scale model boat kits, so my experience is limited and its been a struggle. So this came at a great time!
Thanks Andy!
P.S. I'm new to commenting in blogs, so hopefully this entry works out!"
You are very welcome Gord :-))
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Gloss first try, not totally happy yet so sanding it again.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-DmbWz9F/0/b6bed2f9/X2/47A249D5-5E08-4E48-9DA2-2D4D330C1D1D-X2.jpg)
Maquettes nav lights $$
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(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-HdQRn5S/0/ab4af3df/XL/0B61C2A5-AC19-4187-8E9B-9C662605D0EC-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RFgFnCq/0/ed0a8228/XL/ADAC561B-C71D-4FC7-B25D-D03B00756C71-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-wmQxVV5/0/fa7a9a0b/XL/E84CFB55-24A6-48C5-8A53-51FC8084775E-XL.jpg)
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So very crisp and clean, fantastic!!
Hama
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:-))
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Hi Taranis that is a very nice model. Not surprised Billing are interested again. Deans are selling quite a few merchant ships so there is a market.
I had a not not very happy experience with Graupner, the Gracia yacht had been forgotten (1957) and the plan number re-allocated. It is still the best looking yacht kit ever. I asked if they would like a spare set of plans that I had and they said yes, but that was just before they went pear shape. They never even said thank you let alone pay for them!
However following your Mercantic build with much interest.
Regards
Roy
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Thank you all :-)
More pictures in the gallery but a jump forwards here.
Someone posted a picture of the real funnel on Facebook. The emblems are on shields and not directly painted on. This I recently did on Stevn's Arctic so I thought hey ho give it a go.
Using a photocopy of the transfers I made the shields from styrene.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zfrPKRr/0/540d6822/XL/B9BA48A2-8893-4358-86CE-3CCC4605E2D0-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-s7xmrxn/0/89681433/XL/8577EB39-04D7-4B20-8636-2993A89625C0-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-6tHqdN9/0/ecae5baa/XL/0946485F-144E-4F95-ABFA-9D14F02922ED-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-VZgw8Pc/0/518c7f94/XL/4F6DD3B6-F5FB-46CA-B265-C4C726EBFCB0-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-sMwvKPW/0/1b660010/XL/BDF5F698-BF25-4CEF-AB1F-946BBF3DED38-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BRxfrTn/0/b21eabd7/XL/AEBD3660-0E74-4F7A-A8BC-D2994E4AE41F-XL.jpg)
So a red funnel with a black cap and black shields with white decals.
Billing report they have next to nothing in hand regarding Mercantic so I'll be sending them everything I can.
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I don't understand Billings conundrum unless it's lazyness or just waiting for someone to do work for them for gratis.
...Anyhow -looking great so far! Am a bit surprised youre still buying lamps though with a lathe and mill at hand? Woud have thought a 10" rod of the clear stuff would have made lots and lots for pennies, maybe with a few small brass washers added?
Rich
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C’est la vie
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-k8GWvnM/0/e33d0179/L/E38C318B-13C9-4385-8810-45A22B7FB847-L.jpg)
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Hi Andy,
I've been trying to find the name of the shipping company that the Mercantic sailed for. It's to track down their logo so I can create a set of decals for my build of the Mercantic.
Would you happen to have any information that might point me in the right direction? So far I've drawn a blank in being able to find anything.
Seeing you at this step brought this issue to mind.
[/size]Thanks for any help you can provide.
Gord.
P.S. Looks like it won't be too long before it's in the water for trials!
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I believe it’s Mercandia
Does this help Gord?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FxXB9jT/0/3055563b/X2/F2ACB289-0875-4717-98BA-134462AAE98A-X2.jpg)
If you email me I can send you a pdf scan of this
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Hi Taranis
The book on the company with all the info on the 16 Mercantics.
DANSKE REDERIER
BY
BENT MIKKELSEN
Volume 4
MERCANDIA
My mate has two of these boats !!!
Canabus
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Thank you gentlemen. Your help has put an end to hours of searching. :-))
Gord.
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The funnel kept giving me problems but got there in the end, only the top to paint black.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-KKhzs8z/0/bbf4c5c8/XL/0FBE3415-DEAA-422B-AC49-258B61CBAFC9-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tzpdkBr/0/6d335d44/X2/D08E119E-6A0D-4BB6-BA40-EC0C0039F73F-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-5gNvx2Z/0/5f576afe/X2/F537B8E2-8AA1-4176-9E80-6D7E71A556A6-X2.jpg)
Railings painted today.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-PsS62xD/0/276ab0da/XL/BCA9A1D2-9515-40EC-B4B8-68918A2E0797-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-BGCQ3FX/0/b027ef1a/XL/70A8671C-61B3-4AA2-9661-33A957631ED8-XL.jpg)
Steady away not rushing.
I'm painting the winches and motors in grey as black hides any definition and detail.
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Hi Andy, nearly finished, wish I was there when you baptise her, not that we going to break a bottle. looks great. May I request a PDF of the transfers please, something I have not got, thank you. bill
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A long way to go yet Bill and thank you O0
Sent a JPEG (print at A4) and a PDF in separate mails :-))
Just brought in from the paint shop
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tDRHrrW/0/512fd1d9/XL/DCFA24C0-B6E5-41A4-AFA7-16103DF2D84B-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-bZtxKsX/0/7847b252/XL/D5276A7F-81D6-4555-B1A1-E29974D9BA79-XL.jpg)
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excellent, wish we could get more of the windlasses as they are handy for other builds, thanks for the mail, bill
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Superb, what a stunning build.
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Thank you
Some ensembles.
The devil is in the detail and there's still a mountain to climb.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-84gqxGb/0/d8e90fb8/XL/32292E49-5040-448F-97C0-0DF5C87AD5EA-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-bJwfWrX/0/14877b1a/XL/3E8AB7CD-69DA-46DC-82B5-509A650632C6-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tCBF3Fh/0/f7d79cb7/X2/42177DF5-95E8-4407-8CE3-50CE8F9B806B-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fJLzcb3/0/fe536ba5/X2/5110EDAF-D66E-43E1-B56C-EF96645F932A-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Q2DBWRp/0/3eae418f/X2/C1B675D1-8C66-490A-B2D3-33AA2E7DFACC-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Stfm8Jz/0/a1345b7d/X3/6DC69960-001D-4D42-B57F-5331E4248183-X3.jpg)
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Hi Andy, received pics Ok. thank you. bill
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I need some new ones too as these are 50 years old and they crack when wet
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Andy, did you get the wire/ rope reels in the kit? if not I can send what I used. bill
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Hi Bill
No the fittings kits don't include mooring rope reels. They have a descriptive picture a piece of dowel and a bit of ply to make them but no pre made round drum sides :((
I'd love to see what you have through my letterbox :} Thank you.
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Looking good Andy. It's all coming together very nicely!
I've been studying the photos you have of the stairs. Specifically, the joints between the handrails and the stairs. There's not a lot of difference between the wire diameter and width of the vertical stringer at this point. Did you reinforce the stair with anything or just drill the hole very carefully? It's hard to tell from the photo.
I'm looking at doing this soon and was uncertain about how to approach it. Any detail you could provide on what you did would be appreciated. :-)
Thanks in advance,
Gord.
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My stairs are wider than Billing stairs and yes I drill 1mm holes carefully using a pin vise.
On the stern stair the handrail is into the bottom tread.
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So the final railings. The most difficult left to the last {:-{
The centre section first.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-8N9TwjB/0/3033e11c/XL/80BBECDF-5D7F-4AE2-AFEE-0565A6F351F1-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-JjXdbcx/0/321dad90/XL/E09230ED-3BB4-45F9-963B-45D08EE8F49D-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fvMQfrF/0/739630b6/XL/2F737AD4-1342-45F0-A0A6-ED9A14557182-XL.jpg)
I might possibly get the outboard sections done today
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-Kthzgbx/0/0e316217/XL/E46FEF68-DB59-4FA1-966D-432EF40D42F7-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-CLXGPVQ/0/32f1d48b/XL/A38EEB0F-1249-4919-A557-746F0B513F97-XL.jpg)
When I bought the original kit from Ebay it came with a tatty painted old plastic row boat from who knows where. Clearly the original owner intended to use it instead of the balsa block provided to carve one out of {-)
I managed to strip and dismantle it and it brought back childhood memories and I think this was originally part of an Airfix kit??
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zQFFf8p/0/63759496/XL/EF997AD4-7BDE-4B2D-9A29-0CC98432C0EF-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-jTqN4fG/0/f9437bef/XL/2B95EA45-52A6-444D-BA81-92C4CC7DA637-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-5Rsf4ZZ/0/93e59f03/XL/F987BD36-DC6F-4A76-A688-5F15AD2E4A4F-XL.jpg)
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Its not off the victory or Wasa, dont know about the bounty as that was made at a scale that might be close, other than Matchbox / revell its not even close to the corvettes ships boats, anyone any ideas?
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Endeavour perhaps?
Edit. no not that but no matter it looks ok on the back :-)
looks ok to me, just need to make a stand
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-k65bMZ4/0/978a381c/X2/472E5F69-59AD-49F2-91D3-2B340A341382-X2.jpg)
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In a word Master Class.
Regards Howard.
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In a word Master Class.
Regards Howard.
:kiss: :}
ModelshopLeeds today.
In an old picture I saw that she had a life raft canister on the roof.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-8qqBkGc/0/89cde7e0/XL/61DA98A1-2F99-4471-A23B-5E1476FC9B10-XL.jpg)
About the right size but I think I'll need to whiten it.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-tJ49vjV/0/073ad9d0/XL/E2503678-340F-4170-8807-40515C02C7A3-XL.jpg)
I actually went for life rings but I was allowed behind the counter for a rumage and bought a number of things for different not quite finished models {-)
These seem appropriate.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-jMC394g/0/2abf9430/L/59AA74B8-5860-4843-AFB3-0515C5669D72-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-2zpZWCM/0/390b08bd/L/8860CA6D-BF83-483C-82F4-A6C24A3CFEBA-L.jpg)
I'm going to make the rowboat appear to be GRP and make the top section look like wood.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NJmzkpn/0/9462c5eb/L/FD9AA787-AD1B-40C4-A4ED-45E158719BA0-L.jpg)
Railing in Tamiya primer followed by appliance white.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pXFsZfS/0/1f7aa482/XL/DDE81723-6C85-4336-9DC1-4207D648F656-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-hX3mNbd/0/040b4c8f/L/0976427C-07F9-4CF6-B2AD-DE7E18415D5E-L.jpg)
If anyone wonders how I drilled holes in those forward companionway side walls for the handrail ends ? I did that very early in the construction knowing that I could not do it after assembly.
update
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-QsxmGMB/0/d0c710a7/XL/1ACE425D-0890-463A-A32F-3E4286EE8B2B-XL.jpg)
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Hi Andy, those orange cannisters are a handy stock item to keep in the spares box. They're quite "big" as-is but I've sliced them with a razor saw to suit other projects to shorten and if neat and solvent welded back together they suit more than one application where the diameter is about right. I have used them in a couple of guises on my scratch built MV Raasay and my semi-scratch Loyal Moderator (the smaller 1:48 hull from Mountfleet, not the model slipway kit). Spares are a keeper.
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Hi Andy, Have you received the packet , the wee wifey posted it before 9 am on monday at the PO. just a bit concerned, thats all.
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Rich
Liferaft canisters now sold as Caldercraft I agree good value at under £5 a pair. They fit together so well I've not even glued the halves together :-)
Bill
They arrived late today thank you :-))
Is it these ones you had in mind? We had loads of them before my wife upgraded her sewing machine and then gave all the bobbins away with the old Pfaff to my daughter.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-fVMVnZf/0/f2ad63e9/L/45AF59CD-B5FB-43B2-9E2E-DFB974D3E483-L.jpg)
Today
Service boat stand
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-jNMhqJb/0/02b0d0c6/L/E6BC715F-CC49-42F4-9967-84377313FB15-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-xwLX3qP/0/925868b8/XL/9F0CF6E1-98A2-4FF8-AFC3-A6EDB85867C5-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4BrdrQD/0/044f5d1f/XL/1C723477-4789-49EA-8BFC-BADC66F17B27-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mzQBhGQ/0/7640dc28/XL/BAB0D686-70E5-402E-B20A-7D3CFA22012E-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-GCGD7Mr/0/a4728a27/XL/A06E7FCE-B60E-4D7D-BE25-6909AC6E55CF-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-XGzGFZS/0/6cff2e2c/XL/D5A315F9-C705-4CC7-9508-A8D569751A11-XL.jpg)
Forward stairs painted.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mFKfSKm/0/1fa23455/XL/08E3D01C-4D11-4F60-B5DE-7813C3F5716B-XL.jpg)
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Hi Andy, That,s them, a very handy item. Fill the centre with whatever, chuck in the lathe and drill a 1/16 hole for the wire. For the triangle stand, I used flat brass stock, but you can get away with a fine brass split pin and bobs your uncle.If you think they are too wide, cut to fit.These things in real life come in all sizes. Anyway I am glad you got them and hope they are of some use to you. bill
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Kindly provide by Nemesis were three options.
I decided that these were closest to the drawing being just slightly bigger but much smaller than the sewing thread bobbins.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rnQ6X8h/0/a7425db5/L/E4972C4B-0319-483F-AC81-EE9803A54E51-L.jpg)
First problem to solve was how to reduce their width uniformly
I drove a 3mm HSS bit into a block of wood that could go on the disc sander.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-9v66mFT/0/1d9e7ab9/L/126362AE-F2C3-4E78-933F-76CEAAB6E90E-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7Mz92LP/0/6f34385d/L/6D26D606-DFC0-442B-AAB3-6064BC63EC22-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-R2StLF5/0/0fbd2f0f/L/9A86BCE7-EFD6-40EA-9B19-D35CDBE1E4E1-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mQ3cn2d/0/e90bb984/L/D01D366A-0CB5-45A5-A6E1-C2C9FA98F1E8-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-4tCWFq6/0/3fc25f6b/L/25368ED2-7679-4F81-BFF4-EF013F054417-L.jpg)
Carbon tube for joining and reducing hole size.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pQCn2JS/0/d6e3172f/L/48BA36B7-16BD-4F4B-AC80-CF1E9D5FDC6C-L.jpg)
1.7mm brass makes a good axle.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zwFkXxZ/0/49acb479/L/94AF96DC-C7B5-4C60-9871-6C665FB413AF-L.jpg)
Tamiya FINE primer.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-22vgDFv/0/14e49296/L/36737F0B-6D8B-444A-AD8F-3FCC36F7A127-L.jpg)
I'll be using plasticard to make the frames
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-TvWrLbG/0/fc41d43a/L/41751DE4-443F-4E6D-83EF-37F39ED0975A-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NwLR6bw/0/a9f55cbc/L/FD3C301C-0E3B-4331-97E3-1238ED068E1B-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-RHNzsk4/0/235f6364/L/9CCD5B6D-F05C-4FE8-AA98-88075A97D186-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NXnTMGD/0/0cbf9e33/L/D8586238-64A8-4CAB-ABE3-9A6E3CCDA089-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-MJvBGw2/0/19eadace/L/F5D12B01-2E57-4101-A24D-0FA1EF0543EC-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-vxZ2Qjg/0/31b2b782/L/CEA77A95-4EF4-4992-A6A2-9BFC3A2686C2-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-NdjbDJn/0/e93fa33d/XL/72EEA456-7E29-4046-AB30-B812D597931D-XL.jpg)
I think these will be matt black.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-X9cXT3G/0/ca56f05c/XL/D3FBFF89-6678-436F-B8EE-FC4958FFD3C2-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-g6f5jvb/0/6228ad89/L/521B5EE5-16A7-411E-A0CD-E54836F0672A-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-WF2Hwf4/0/c1b65cf9/X2/DF0CBBA7-58B4-4063-A43C-D5987C2BE643-X2.jpg)
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I thought it about time to put her on the mobile table for access all around
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-ZNfg95G/0/780df3de/XL/E7A02FDF-889D-48B6-A1B1-A31E08D4F3E4-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-cFDZCj3/0/ecf875c1/X4/BD0C2CCE-47E3-430F-BD29-3D0123A03AAF-X4.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-F9G5skP/0/b94373f6/XL/71CBE0A3-D0EB-453C-AFD9-6A9C1EB348F6-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-6Gz7Z9r/0/1b3f0ed4/X2/AA7676B4-D30B-4E4D-AB6B-A5B465B2D931-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-qZVmRf7/0/ae5fcbf6/X2/9FA1AC5D-B3C5-4BBB-91FB-997FF0C3DB2D-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-92XfWqS/0/c1e5ec3f/XL/5B434880-4EBA-4A39-91A5-93B630A7B48E-XL.jpg)
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She is looking really good, very nice model, congratulations.
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Good morning,
24 superb pictures posted yesterday, taken over a period and put together as a great step by step guide.
That's a lot of work in itself!
Very enjoyable to follow your posts all the time, many tips along the way.
Nord.
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Thank you both
I’m taking a break now for a while in Pershore vicinity Worcestercestercestershire %%
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Keep away from the Sauce, Andy😁
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Yes {-)
I've not gone yet. I managed a couple of hours or three twixt packing.
I've been putting these off but I finally managed Port side.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-VWVRh4W/0/d15d24a8/XL/27B4117D-6E7A-43DA-886F-4658A5BE7B92-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-pmH9mQr/0/fb82d03d/XL/BB6D1E74-B263-4BC5-BD95-66A9A42D5195-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-XX8zxwc/0/69fb69c8/XL/680E826E-0CF2-4158-A1B9-0922E98BBF68-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-7RFmBbD/0/20c76b3b/XL/5CB2EDCA-18C3-44E6-AA7A-83190C01CDE2-XL.jpg)
The difficulty is not just the accuracy of the bends but the fact that you cannot fit the stanchions after.
I paid my Keep Mayhem Afloat some weeks ago :-))
For those still thinking about it please do O0
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/paypal.htm
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Parting shots.
Finished the mooring rope reels and the railings. A nice place to pick it back up in a week.
I've used some 1.4mm washers (from Knupfer) to enhance the handrail locating points.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rkgNRRM/0/61ad1215/X2/1219A89F-3BA4-47F5-BF8B-718878EF5651-X2.png)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-mHzFnvJ/0/4748147d/X2/2BF971FA-DD36-434C-882C-397E06AE0B6F-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-FmrXF2h/0/28f0bd1b/XL/186BDB75-A126-4E26-90C6-6BDCD3FBBA31-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-smptVwb/0/5e112a3e/XL/36A010FD-85E2-420F-BE38-5671E566AAB6-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rWMP8rR/0/52ec54e9/XL/C69A682A-1898-4933-A5EF-5106B4468A35-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-rTDcQzR/0/0ba3274f/XL/480514BF-6ACC-458F-9D44-BC8A7C8E4857-XL.jpg)
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Update regarding Billing boats bringing this back to market.
They have now found a kit and a built example in Denmark so my templates and other info for the moment are not required.
Saves me some hassle :-)
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But yours would probably have been more accurate....
Colin
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But yours would probably have been more accurate....
Colin
Well thank you Colin but I’m sure that they will have to do very much work to convert a rather poor printed on wood offering into a modern day laser cut product. This will also need to be test built to ensure everything works as planned and corrected accordingly before mass production.
I look forwards to seeing it become available :-)
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Hi Andy, I go along with you there. they will not get far if they supply a box of "wood" as they did yester years. People expect a lot more nowadays. Hope you enjoyed the trip, bill
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Yes still enjoying Wyre Piddle for a few days yet O0
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Topic Split: Billing Boats - what next?
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,67281.0.html
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Thanks Martin.
Not much doing with other things going on.
Anchor chain eyelets
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bN8FHCn/0/XL/i-bN8FHCn-XL.jpg)
These pulleys are no longer made in this fashion and some of the fixing points were badly soldered off centre.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CK9kDPp/0/L/i-CK9kDPp-L.jpg)
Looking at other builders pictures I decided to follow suit and solder the lower lifting pulleys to the mast. This negated the need for resoldering the fixing eyes on two of the six.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vNnR3mZ/0/X2/i-vNnR3mZ-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CrrqDfL/0/X2/i-CrrqDfL-X2.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2SHZ6kF/0/X2/i-2SHZ6kF-X2.jpg)
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Andy how is the build going I miss our daily dose of progress with this build trust you are all well and safe ,look forward to the next sets of installments regards tassie48
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Hi All
Spotted on E Bay unstarted kit !!!!!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234185233480?hash=item3686871448:g:wt0AAOSwUeVhPpx7
Canabus
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I'm having a break nothing more than that :-))
Good kit find but no fittings. It will be costly for someone %%
Actually I'm taking an interest in old stationary engines
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Did you note it has $75 postage!
Roy
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Andy how is the build going I miss our daily dose of progress with this build trust you are all well and safe ,look forward to the next sets of installments regards tassie48
Just chilling and having time out.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kN2BZQT/0/XL/i-kN2BZQT-XL.jpg)
Fitted the flag to Hoga
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-MQbhMJb/0/XL/i-MQbhMJb-XL.jpg)
Giving Boulogne a Captain.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jWqgSNC/0/XL/i-jWqgSNC-XL.jpg)
Tomorrow I drive to Bourne to collect my first stationary engine a Petter A1 1951/52 and I'll be making a trolley for it.
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Are you fitting it into one of your tugs {-)
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It might make good ballast for your new bigger than big one at aprox 85kg {-)
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Hi. I am building the Mercantic model. I bought this kit in 1964 and it is only now that I have time to build. I have finished the hull and am working on the bridge. The photographs of your build which I have only recently discovered, will be of great help to me from now on. There is an item in the extras kit for the Mercantic that I am puzzled about. Is part number 115 and consists of a brass strip with two holes. It has been suggested to me that they may be the base of the bollards (part no 135) but the bollards do not fit the holes. I cannot find any reference to part no 115 in the drawings. Any help appreciated.
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Hi
If the number of brass strips is half the number of bollards then yes they are the bollard bases. Some of mine were missing so I bought a full set of replacements from Cornwall model boats but without their bases because even today they are poorly made and ill fitting,
so I made my own.
Should be 8 strips and 16 bollards
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115 it is
From experience I know the early bollards have larger diameter peg than todays. Todays bases are so badly made and the holes are too close together hence making them myself.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Billing-Boats-Nr-424-Mercantic/i-zqVrQKd/0/fe536721/4K/3645A9D5-0049-41F2-A0F0-25360597ABE4-4K.jpg)
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just read this entire thread - very informative and inspirational. I will be joining the queue waiting for the kit to be reissued.
I liked your references to Wyre Piddle. When my family was moving from Oxford to Manchester about 50 years ago, we would pass through there on the way north while house hunting. My dad would always say 'Wyre Piddle? Why not?'. Made me & my sister laugh, anyway.
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Thank you Dave. Wyre Piddle and Pershore are to blame for me buying a stationary engine.
The rest from boats will be more rewarding when I re start.
Enjoy your Boulogne kit O0
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Thanks - the Boulogne E is on its way down south from Scotland as I type. Won't be able to jump straight into the build as I need to get my room sorted out and get the bench back in - had to take it all to the garage (no attached to the house, in a separate block, no electricity) while I got the room upstairs sorted out. At least the the pending arrival of the kit is giving me the motivation required to get everything ready again.
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Hi. I am building the Mercantic model. I bought this kit in 1964 and it is only now that I have time to build. I have finished the hull and am working on the bridge. The photographs of your build which I have only recently discovered, will be of great help to me from now on. There is an item in the extras kit for the Mercantic that I am puzzled about. Is part number 115 and consists of a brass strip with two holes. It has been suggested to me that they may be the base of the bollards (part no 135) but the bollards do not fit the holes. I cannot find any reference to part no 115 in the drawings. Any help appreciated.
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2021/11/15/IMG_5777.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/f3qZZ)
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2021/11/15/IMG_5774.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/f3Vnl)
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2021/11/15/IMG_20211104_162524.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/f3kFn)
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2021/11/15/IMG_20211104_162459.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/f62V2)
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Hi Andy,
Any news on the Mercantic? Knowing your enviable and stalwart approach on other builds it might be finished now?
Hope all else is well or good enough,
Rich
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Hi Rich
No modelling at all lately other than preparing another model for sale.
Any other spare time after my mothers needs is spent on my new hobby
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It's official
Billing have a man working on the re release
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Cool! :-))
Hama
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really like the Mercantic's anchor wich for my Mercantic, is this a kit?
Regards, Henk
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HI, the winch is a Graupner, sorry I do not have the catalogue details. The idea for using the winch came about from two Mercantic "nuts" in Sydney Aus because they were not happy with the kit one as it did not look right. Maybe if the "new" one ever surfaces they might update the fittings, good luck with your model. nemesis