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HMS Enterprise 1:160 scale Boxwood - Unicorn Models

RussF said:
ll the models/images I've seen of Enterprize 1774 only have gunport covers on on the last three aft gunports,
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Hi Russ,
My first reaction to this was surprise. Regarding 6th Rates in general, not just the sectional model, and not just Enterprize and her class, port lids were not used in the area of the waist as they serve no purpose, but what about under the forecastle where spray would be a constant issue. The foremost ports on the upper most deck sometimes did have half lids, and this is mentioned by David Antscherl in the TFFM series, volume 2. Then I looked at plans which of course rarely, if ever, show port lids so no help. The two well known paintings of Enterprise forward and aft views confirm only three aft ports with lids as you point out. Contemporary models of 6th rates seem to confirm this was commonplace as well. This is not addressed by Goodwin or Steel that I could find, so hard to make any other conclusion than what you posted. Thanks for this information, much appreciated!
Allan
 
RussF said:
All the models/images I've seen of Enterprize 1774 only have gunport covers on on the last three aft gunports, so I don't think they would apply to this section. That said, now you've got me thinking about putting them on my stern section when I get to it.
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Good point. Those and the stern chaser gun ports are possible it seems. The two ports below the quarterdeck are obstructed.
 
Neil_jo said:
That's really coming along well.
I received mine yesterday, but don't think I'll be as fast as you. After you mentioned the broken frames I got to 22 and thought I was doing well, then broke 2.
Did you glue the remaining frame onto the bulkheads?

Thanks
Neil
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I broke five, so well done. How do mean about the bulkheads? If you mean repairing the broken frames, i did them individually and battoned them to keep them straight, as shown on an earlier picture. They have a tendency to twist due to pressure and drying/shrinking glue, so it is crucial to keep an eye on them as they glue.
 
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AllanKP69 said:
Hi Russ,
My first reaction to this was surprise. Regarding 6th Rates in general, not just the sectional model, and not just Enterprize and her class, port lids were not used in the area of the waist as they serve no purpose, but what about under the forecastle where spray would be a constant issue. The foremost ports on the upper most deck sometimes did have half lids, and this is mentioned by David Antscherl in the TFFM series, volume 2. Then I looked at plans which of course rarely, if ever, show port lids so no help. The two well known paintings of Enterprise forward and aft views confirm only three aft ports with lids as you point out. Contemporary models of 6th rates seem to confirm this was commonplace as well. This is not addressed by Goodwin or Steel that I could find, so hard to make any other conclusion than what you posted. Thanks for this information, much appreciated!
Allan
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It appears that some guns were 'protected' with canvas covers. I like that idea, but wonder what they look like.
 
RichardG said:
I broke five, so well done. How do mean about the bulkheads? If you mean repairing the broken frames, i did them individually and battoned them to keep them straight, as shown on an earlier picture. They have a tendency to twist due to pressure and drying/shrinking glue, so it is crucial to keep an eye on them as they glue.
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Sorry I meant the building platform is still attached to the top of your frames. Is that glued on?
 
RichardG said:
Thanks Gunther,
The port side will be planked as per normal. I'm not sure about gunport covers because the guns are on the top deck, but I agree that they would look really cool. I agree about the mysterious look of windows that 'reveal' parts of the frame. Nice.

Sanding is a real challenge. Boxwood is very hard and using constant finger pressure isn't really healthy. I have a tendency to get tennis elbow (from playing piano, not from tennis), and I can already feel the beginnings of it when I'm sanding the hull interior which is proving extremely slow and challenging..................

I imagine the technique for pearwood will be very light pressure due to the breakage risk. It's the same for the very thin boxwood.


View attachment 551968
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Hello Richard,

may I ask what thickness your sandpaper is? Is it 220 grit or even 400 grit?
 
For fairing the hull I started with a medium coarse half-round file. Then 80 grit sandpaper, then 180 carborundum, 180 polishing paper and finally 320 polishing paper.

Final finishing I use a range of polishing paper up to 3000. Depends on the material. There are different types of boxwood in the kit and they all respond differently. It depends on how much sheen I want. I check regularly with an 8X loupe for scratches.
 
Not a lot done today.

Added some beams in the hold and the mast step along with a platform. Made a hatch.

Hardest part was assembling the orlop. It is made from five very thin pieces sandwiched and lamped to templates for the curve. Plenty of areas broke. Will disguise the breaks later before cleaning it up. I will breath a sigh of relief when it is installed, but still have the gundeck to do in the same manner and I'ms truggling to think of a way of doing it that would preserve it better?

It's very fragile.................


20251023_213320.jpg
 
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