US Frigate Essex - 1:50 [COMPLETED BUILD]

mtbediz1 · Nov 23, 2020

Hello again friends. I started my new project two months ago. I used Aeropiccola's Essex kit plan to cut the bulkheads and the bulkheads former. Because the plan is not so detailed I am mostly following Portia Takakjian's AOTS of Essex.

I am now sharing what I have done so far and will continue to post pictures as I make progress.

Mustafa

mtbediz1 · Nov 23, 2020

The upper hull was planked with 1,5x5 mm Spanish cedar. I used 1,5x5 mm of basswood strips to cover the lower hull. From wales to waterline will be painted black and below the waterline will be coppered. I am planning to keep the upper hull naturel.

Uwek · Nov 24, 2020

Hallo Mustafa,
Many Many Thanks for starting this building log - great to see the progress on this model

mtbediz1 said:
Because the plan is not so detailed I am mostly following Portia Takakjian's AOTS of Essex.

do you have also this book with plans?

"32 gun Frigate USS ESSEX - Building A Plank-On-Frame Model" - Planset + booklet by Portia Takakjian

32 gun Frigate USS ESSEX - Building A Plank-On-Frame Model Planset + booklet by Portia Takakjian Published by Phoenix Publications Inc. in 1985 It is not only a Planset, attached is also a paperback Booklet with appr. 80 pages of modeling techniques and a Building log which is also...

shipsofscale.com

Maybe no real need, due to the fact, that she published the Anatomy book after this one

mtbediz1 · Nov 24, 2020

Thank you so much Uwe. No, I don't have that book.

Chuckd · Nov 24, 2020

mtbediz1 said:
Thank you so much Uwe. No, I don't have that book.

Lennarth Petersen book rigging period ship models is good also a few differences but mostly good i have built the same model from portias book

mtbediz1 · Nov 25, 2020

Treenail effecs

Uwek · Nov 26, 2020

I just recognized this small tool in one of your photos.
A very simple , but very clever idea to keep the distance of the treenails constant Thumbsup

And I can see, that you are also drilling the holes by hand (like me) - Looking very good

mtbediz1 · Nov 26, 2020

Uwek said:
I just recognized this small tool in one of your photos.
A very simple , but very clever idea to keep the distance of the treenails constant

And I can see, that you are also drilling the holes by hand (like me) - Looking very good

Thank you so much for your interest Uwe. Yes, I drill the holes by hand

mtbediz1 · Nov 26, 2020

I made the stern windows today. I had to make a simple jig to get a standard in windows. They are not glued in place yet. They will be painted white first.

mtbediz1 · Nov 27, 2020

I completed the upper hull nail effects. I drilled the holes with a 1 mm drill bit and used a mechanical pencil.

mtbediz1 · Nov 30, 2020

I painted the hull black. Below the waterline will be coppered. I ordered self adhesive copper tape for the task. I worked on stern transom. Since I don't have detailed plans I draw some parts myself.

Uwek · Dec 1, 2020

The "Black beauty" in the wintergarden - a hull seems to be really a very good basis for copper sheating
BTW: You have a really nice place for modeling - I am jealous

- I have to sit in the cellar

mtbediz1 · Dec 1, 2020

Uwek said:
The "Black beauty" in the wintergarden - a hull seems to be really a very good basis for copper sheating
BTW: You have a really nice place for modeling - I am jealous - I have to sit in the cellar

Thank you Uwe. Yes, I love my shipyard

mtbediz1 · Dec 2, 2020

I started coppering the hull. I am using a ponce wheel to make the rivet effects on the copper tape. I made a simple tool to create the joints on the copper strip as well.