There are six bits of dowelling, 2 of each diameter, for masts, booms etc. all are overlength, I assumed lower masts were correct length but it looked wrong. I can cut them to length later.
I suppose having no measurements and inadequate instructions means you cant do it wrong?
Anyway, the masts....... there wasnt actually enough to do all the masts, bowsprit and booms, never mind the spars, not a huge problem but still a bit annoying. I overcame this with 3mm kebab stick and some 2mm bamboo I have from a window blind. Recycling, love it, and its cheap!
I tapered the ends with a cordless drill and sandpaper and ended up (pretty quickly) with a full set of nice looking booms and spars. I had already glued the masts before I thought about tapering the tips.......Were they tapered in real ships? I need to do some research or do I just go for it, keep this a straightforward build? It has potential to be detailed more, the rigging shown on the instructions is pretty minimal, in fact theres loads still to go on. I may even add ratlines, it would look funny without them. I have made some thread ones before for a plastic model as its ratlines were incredibly thick. They definately added to the model and looked much better than the plastic ones from the kit.
Anyway, I got few more planks in place on the hull, leaving gaps for the gun ports. As I wanted the gun ports to have nice edges before adding the little frames, I glued the short lengths of plank in place first, then the longer rear sections which I left slightly overlength, then the front sections, leaving enough extra to allow fettling in to place at the bow where they meet the keel. I got a bit carried away and glued on maybe a few too many planks which might restrict access to get in to trim the ends. I did have a reason for this, the bowsprit goes through here and I need to individually trim each plank to fit nicely into this area.
I have a question if anyone can help, the rear of the bowsprit, how far back does it (usually) reach, and should it be under the assembly at the front of the deck, lashed to it?
I hope that anyone reading this isnt put off by the points I have raised, it is a lovely little kit, in nice wood, small enough for a first attempt but large enough to not need tweezers very often. I have used them on the really small bits to avoid losing them in the carpet or the dog eating them.
I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have done so far, no real problems, I have coped with bad instructions before, the quality of the parts cutting more than makes up for this. Having to make spars etc was enjoyable too. Makes it worth keeping my old bamboo window blind for 20 odd years. Might still manage to get a 1/72 bridge over the river kwai out of it yet...........
I will hopefully feel up to doing a bit more on my ship soon, I am still pretty much restricted to my couch all day so no excuse apart from lack of concentration just now.
The bowsprit has to be fitted before I can trim the planks to fit, I am dreading the trimming as it could end up bad if I am not really careful, or I am clumsy/unlucky and snap one. I suppose I can always cut the plank back to a suitable bulkhead and glue in a shorter length. I should really have trimmed up the fronts and glued them in place first then a straight cut at the gunport. Ah well, will see how I get on doing it the hard way. 😁 Its good experience.
Anyone got any suggestions for a bigger build? Around 1/72 scale? Around 2 to 2 and a half feet maximum and must have all fittings and rigging stuff.
Not too complex but must be good instructions, I get hung up on things if I dont have any plans to follow. I know that my friends would never know if my bowsprit was fitted wrong, but I would.
I suppose thats why I have built a few 'made up' ships recently, very semi scale, but incorporating anything I want. My cargo ship even presented me with an opportunity to build an R.C. crane, which has been on my 'must build' list for years. I also got to make lots of satisfying little boxes, cable drums, pallets, woodpiles and fuel drums etc.
I love this hobby, whether it is making balsa or depron planes, a jeep bodyshell, giant r.c. wasps or building boats, my long time favourite.
I also made a 1/32 set of village buildings, bridge, farm buildings and barricades for my son, all from scrap ply from furniture people had given me for my stove in the shed.
My brother, who isnt interested in models, said it was a form of meditation though. Which I thought was very true. It is certainly helping me at the moment.