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HMS Alert [1777] 1:48 POF by serikoff. (Two hulls: skeleton and fully rigged)

Beautiful modelling, Sergey!

Question - isn't the eyebolt off by 90 degrees on this part?

Screenshot 2026-04-16 101908.png
 
Beautiful modelling, Sergey!

Question - isn't the eyebolt off by 90 degrees on this part?

View attachment 592697
Thanks for the praise. Yes! eyebolt, "Enlarge 90 degrees" is incorrect in the anatomy! The cable passed through these holes and served as handrails. And since the cable runs along the deck, the holes should be positioned so that the cable doesn't zigzag at the bottom of the passage.

0001.JPG

I'm just finishing up transcribing the basic rules into the drawings today and updating my original drawings for everyone to download. There are many corrections to the anatomy errors, of which, unfortunately, there are a lot.

P.S. Thanks for the question... I just realized that the cylindrical shape doesn't engrave very well, and I'll remake it into a more square one.

UPD:

I did rework the handrails and made them more square, it looks more authentic and I like it better.

3D 32а.jpg
 
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Friends, I've finally updated my original Alert anatomy drawings, which have been adapted to the Trident kit dimensions, which correspond to a 1:48 scale.

I previously presented this work, but since then I've made many significant changes, additions, and corrections to the anatomy.

The original can be downloaded from Google Drive. Below, I'll show you a sample of what's changed.

Alert 2306.JPG

Blue - The ship had only one boat (a cutter). The second one shown in the anatomy has no relation whatsoever (neither to scale nor in dimensions). Besides, I've definitely seen this boat in another anatomy, line for line. In my drawings, I placed the boat above the central grating. Later, I'll add details of the boat's holding platform to the drawings.

Red - The mechanism for raising the anchor from the water. Even the original drawings and the anatomy itself mention a duplicate mechanism that helped raise the anchor's clevis. The photo below clearly shows this. This mechanism (the cathead) is described in detail in books, particularly in Wolfram zu Mondfeld. Few people do this, but the point is that this part is necessary for safely pulling the anchor alongside without damaging it. On larger ships, this was different and was called a fish davit (a massive beam that essentially served the same function).

Light Green - Rudder Hinges. I already mentioned that I increased the length of two of the rudder hinges so they would extend onto the planking, or more precisely, onto the beams underneath. This is also indicated in the anatomy drawings, but it wasn't used in the main view, which is a shame.

Dark Green - I added two types of cannons: 4- and 6-pounder. The ship carried 10 of the former until 1778, when it was re-armed with 12 6-pounder cannons.

Brown - I made corrections to the smokestack and handrails where there were errors in the anatomy.

Purple - Changed the scale.

Mustard (light brown) - I completely redesigned the central grate, as the anatomy doesn't include that specific type.

Light Blue - Anchors. I added three more types (sizes). Because, as I already said, there were at least 4 different anchors on the ship, and not two identical ones, as in the set.

Alert 2307.JPG

The drawings are printed on A0 paper (841 x 1189 mm), so if you print them at this size, you'll have the true dimensions of all the parts at a scale of 1:48.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
 
Friends, I've finally updated my original Alert anatomy drawings, which have been adapted to the Trident kit dimensions, which correspond to a 1:48 scale.

I previously presented this work, but since then I've made many significant changes, additions, and corrections to the anatomy.

The original can be downloaded from Google Drive. Below, I'll show you a sample of what's changed.

View attachment 592761

Blue - The ship had only one boat (a cutter). The second one shown in the anatomy has no relation whatsoever (neither to scale nor in dimensions). Besides, I've definitely seen this boat in another anatomy, line for line. In my drawings, I placed the boat above the central grating. Later, I'll add details of the boat's holding platform to the drawings.

Red - The mechanism for raising the anchor from the water. Even the original drawings and the anatomy itself mention a duplicate mechanism that helped raise the anchor's clevis. The photo below clearly shows this. This mechanism (the cathead) is described in detail in books, particularly in Wolfram zu Mondfeld. Few people do this, but the point is that this part is necessary for safely pulling the anchor alongside without damaging it. On larger ships, this was different and was called a fish davit (a massive beam that essentially served the same function).

Light Green - Rudder Hinges. I already mentioned that I increased the length of two of the rudder hinges so they would extend onto the planking, or more precisely, onto the beams underneath. This is also indicated in the anatomy drawings, but it wasn't used in the main view, which is a shame.

Dark Green - I added two types of cannons: 4- and 6-pounder. The ship carried 10 of the former until 1778, when it was re-armed with 12 6-pounder cannons.

Brown - I made corrections to the smokestack and handrails where there were errors in the anatomy.

Purple - Changed the scale.

Mustard (light brown) - I completely redesigned the central grate, as the anatomy doesn't include that specific type.

Light Blue - Anchors. I added three more types (sizes). Because, as I already said, there were at least 4 different anchors on the ship, and not two identical ones, as in the set.

View attachment 592762

The drawings are printed on A0 paper (841 x 1189 mm), so if you print them at this size, you'll have the true dimensions of all the parts at a scale of 1:48.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Not a small amount of work ! Thanks for allowing us to have it !
 
3D Modeling. Part 3/3. Final.

I've finished modeling. This time, it's the main and hand cannon.

Half-Pounder Swivel Gun.

3D 43.jpg

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3D 47.jpg

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Since the hand cannon is very small, about 2 cm, I expressed the rings a little more, otherwise they would merge into a single array after copper plating.


6 Pounder Gun.

3D 51.jpg


Basic rims and rings. In the photo above, from right to left: 1) rim for the recoil rope; 2) rim for fixing the hook with the rigging; 3) rim with a ring on the deck for the rear rigging of the gun; 4) rigging rim 0.7 mm; 5) rigging rim 0.8 mm. (1-3 rims 0.6 mm).

3D 52.jpg

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The cannon even has a channel for the gunpowder from the fuse (let it be so).

3D 54.jpg

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3D 58.jpg

Everything is ready for printing and copper plating.
 
Wieder eine fantastische Arbeit. Toll,daß wir daran teilhaben können. Da sieht man auch, was man aus einem sehr guten Bausatz als Basis machen kann. Eben ein fantastisches Modell. Bravo! Ich bewundere die Recherche dazu, die Hartnäckigkeit und Ausdauer mit den pfiffigen Ideen der Umsetzung. Mein allergrößter Respekt zu diesem Projekt.
 
Wieder eine fantastische Arbeit. Toll,daß wir daran teilhaben können. Da sieht man auch, was man aus einem sehr guten Bausatz als Basis machen kann. Eben ein fantastisches Modell. Bravo! Ich bewundere die Recherche dazu, die Hartnäckigkeit und Ausdauer mit den pfiffigen Ideen der Umsetzung. Mein allergrößter Respekt zu diesem Projekt.
Vielen Dank! Ich freue mich sehr über die freundlichen Worte, besonders von jemandem, der selbst hervorragende Modelle herstellt!

Not a small amount of work ! Thanks for allowing us to have it !
Thank you very much for your activity and interest in my work.
 
BITUMEN.

Someday, after another 100,500 tests and experiments, I'll write an article about bitumen... but for now, I'll share some exclusive information with my blog readers that you're unlikely to hear in full from anyone else.

Many people know that I want to make the second Alert building in a museum style... something like this museum piece:

Alert 2308а.jpeg

...based on the principle that Dmitry Shevelev does, here is his model (below):

Alert 2308с.JPG

Not everyone might like this style, and that's understandable; tastes differ, but I really like it!

A quick introduction. What is bitumen? It's a pigment (essentially oil) diluted in a solvent.

So, what you need to know about bitumen:

1. If you do everything correctly before applying the bitumen (prepare the surface properly), the result is almost completely reversible within a short time. This is precisely what scares many people about using bitumen. The idea is that you can make the model very black or stained, and it won't look aged, but dirty. Well, if the surface is properly prepared, applying solvent with a brush to a fresh layer of bitumen can almost completely remove it. But after a day, this will no longer be possible.

2. Bitumen VERY clearly shows all defects, scratches, chips, and dents! Therefore, if the surface isn't perfectly prepared, it's best not to use bitumen, otherwise everything will be 100 times more visible!

3. Bitumen CANNOT be applied to bare wood. Bitumen should be applied one month after oiling. Sometimes it takes two months, sometimes two weeks... It all depends on the desired result, but if this is your first time, no sooner than one or two months!

4. The rougher the surface (sandpaper below 200 grit), the stronger the effect will be. And the smoother and more polished the surface (320 grit + steel wool 00 grit and higher), the lesser the effect will be.

5. The deeper the oil penetrates (brush application and long exposure), the thicker the film (which smooths the surface) and the lesser the effect. However, if the oil is applied with a cloth (especially if semi-dry) and wiped dry as quickly as possible, the effect is much stronger.

6. The effect also depends on the oil. Linseed and tung oil penetrate very deeply even in a short time, so the effect may be lesser. But with Danish and Teak (which don't penetrate deeply and dry quickly), the effect will be more visible.

7. By "effect," we mean the wood grain. If the grain isn't filled or smoothed, the pigment will be retained and will be more visible. If the pigment has nothing to adhere to, less of it will remain on the surface. We're talking about wood species similar to pear. On light-colored, soft, and highly porous woods, bitumen may behave differently.

8. But we haven't yet discussed the length of time the bitumen remains on the surface before the excess is removed. The same applies here: the longer the bitumen remains on the surface, the darker it will be... and vice versa. Even if the bitumen has nothing to adhere to (the surface is smooth), if the bitumen remains on the surface for a long time, it will darken... not because the wood grain is filled, but because the varnish acts like a varnish. That is, very small particles will remain on the surface if the solvent doesn't mechanically lift them off the surface during rubbing or if it evaporates.

9. If the surface is large and it's impossible to apply the bitumen all at once, spots or transition lines may appear. But this isn't a problem. If you take a brush with solvent and rub the transitions or spots, the surface will smooth out evenly, becoming uniform in color.

10. I use Idea Patina 710 Patinatura Bitume - Bitumen Patina. I dilute it with odorless solvent for oil-based paints. The resulting odor is generally tolerable (though it should still be used in a ventilated area). Other bitumens are very smelly, downright strong. After applying the solvent, shiny spots sometimes appear on wood (especially on very smooth surfaces). Remember to wipe them off periodically until they disappear completely.

Alert 2308.jpg

11. Proportions. There's no exact ratio. I added about 1 cubic cm of bitumen to 80 ml of solvent, but most of it still didn't dissolve. Since this bitumen is very viscous, it needs to be dissolved in small portions in a small amount of solvent, constantly rubbing the clumps with a brush. And before use, don't shake it; stir it gently, while drawing a circle with the bottom of the bottle on the table.

12. Technique. How I do it.
First, I dip a medium-sized brush into the solution (stir it first, but don't shake it) and squeeze out most of the solvent on the sides of the bottle to prevent drips. Then I apply the bitumen to the surface and rub it in, filling corners, joints, and crevices. Another important factor is the time the bitumen sits on the surface before removing it. This needs to be tested on samples. As stated earlier, all these factors affect the time. But first, it's best to apply a thin, non-dark layer for a short period of time, then add more if needed. You should also monitor the surface, not letting certain areas dry too quickly to avoid blotchiness. Then, use a second, dry brush to wipe off excess bitumen, constantly wiping the brush on a napkin (so it stays dry and absorbs the bitumen). Essentially, apply the bitumen with one brush and wipe off the excess with the other. Experience will tell you when to wipe off the excess with a napkin. Doing this immediately will remove the entire effect. If the bitumen remains on the surface for a long time, you won't be able to remove it. But remember, if you feel the effect is excessive, apply solvent with a brush, rub it in, and then wipe off almost all the bitumen with a napkin. Repeat the process if you've removed almost all of it.

I apply bitumen first to the main surface (for example, the deck) and then separately to the other elements (gratings, bits, etc.). Then I secure the parts to the deck. Then, I add bitumen to the joints between the parts and the deck with a fine brush (this also applies to the hull if it's on the outside of the model). I leave a little extra bitumen in the joints and evenly blend the rest into the surrounding tone. This creates the effect of enhancing the dark tones in the corners. It also gives me more control when doing everything separately first. You can also pre-tint the areas on the deck under the guns a little more to naturally accentuate the darkness underneath.

13. I recommend coating samples, and especially the finished product, testing it in different lighting conditions. Because under artificial light, it may look different, but under daylight, it may appear different. Under strong direct light, the surface may appear lighter, but in low light, it can be very dark. After coating, it's essential to check everything and, if necessary, remove any excess. Otherwise, there's no other way to do it without mechanical treatment.

14. And finally, there are two options. Option 1 is a more pronounced texture and a darker look. Option 2 is a light tint... and everyone chooses what they prefer.

Below, I'll show my results for option 1. Since the lower deck will be practically invisible, I decided to go for a more intense museum-style tint to see if it would suit me or just a light tint. The surface was polished with 320 grit and 000 grit steel wool. However, the wool couldn't penetrate the corners well, so they're not as smooth as the center, and that's important! Plus, I applied the oils not with a brush, but with a semi-dry cloth, which also didn't penetrate the corners well, resulting in less oil in the corners... and that's also important; you'll understand why later. In the corner of the photographs it will be indicated that a certain oil (Tung or Danish) was applied before the bitumen.

Alert 2309.jpg

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The photos above and below clearly show that the oil not only affects the overall color of the wood, but also that, even with the same wood treatment and oil application method, Bitumen adheres less well to Tung Oil than to Danish Oil. Danish Oil has a more pronounced texture.

Alert 2315.jpg

And in the photo below you can see that if the part was poorly polished, all the flaws will appear on it.

Alert 2316.jpg

By the way, the bitumen has caused the black plastic hinges, which are coated with paint, to have a slight sheen, and this sheen is very similar to metal. This needs to be verified on the rims.

It's important to keep in mind that the entire lower deck is assembled from scrap material, especially the walls... Also, unfortunately, photographs can't accurately convey the color, shade, or degree of darkness. Some have black surfaces, others are lighter, or brown or gray. Therefore, I'll show different ones to give a general impression. And the hull has a different shade...

Alert 2323.jpg

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Alert 2325.jpg

Alert 2317.jpg

Alert 2318.jpg

Alert 2319.jpg

Alert 2320.jpg

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Alert 2322.jpg

So, in essence, the colors and shades in the three groups of photographs are completely different... from reddish-beige to gray to reddish-brown... But the most annoying thing is that none of these colors convey the original shade, which is a shame. Although there are some similar tones in the first and last photos, it is difficult to say for sure, but the gray and very bright brown ones are definitely not the same.
What do you think?
 
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Tolle Vorgehensweise. Analytische Beschreibung.klasse Ergebniss. Ganz großes Kino. Besser kann man es nicht machen. Schön, dass Du uns Alle an deiner Vorgehensweise und Ergebissen teilhaben lässt. Man kann in deinem Baubericht soooooo viel lernen. Danke dafür.
Es zeigt und bestätigt sich immer wieder,daß eine sorgfältige Oberflächenvorbereitung das A und O für alles Weitere ist
 
Interior lighting. (test)

Although I want to make the second hull museum-style, I want to make this project even brighter... Explosion
I want to install interior lighting in the cabins.

Initially, I wanted to install a few LEDs (these ones from AliExpress)... but it's a good thing I ordered flexible tape (this one, also from AliExpress. It's a warm 2700K). Because the LEDs turned out to be sооооo dim, I couldn't see anything. Yes, there shouldn't have been much light, since there was no electricity back then, and the only light source was a kerosene lamp or candles. But the LEDs turned out to be very weak. The tape, however, worked perfectly, as pictured below.

Alert 2327.jpg

The connection diagram is not complicated.

Alert 2326.jpg

1. Since the flexible LED strip comes with a USB port with a resistor, it must be connected only through this port.

2. Therefore, I'll either order a USB adapter or simply solder the wires to the USB port.

3. Then I'll solder these wires to the brass holders that I previously glued into the case.

4. Bolts will be screwed into these holders through the columns and will secure the case to the stand.

5. Wires with a Type-C port (this one is from AliExpress) will be connected to these bolts, which will be glued into the stand.

6. A wire will be connected to this Type-C port like a regular phone. The wire can be powered from either a wall outlet or a power bank, if I ever get to an exhibition.

I'll order two more of these strips, each 30 cm long, so that each strip will be long enough to cover the entire length of the frame, from the first grating to the last. I want to install two LED strips, but since two will produce too much light, I'll only partially cover part of the strip, leaving the other half lit. Why two then? To be on the safe side. Even if something happens to one, the other will at least provide partial illumination; I doubt they'll both die at the same time. LEDs are very durable, especially when used very rarely. I think they'll last for about 100 years. Moreover, the manufacturer claims up to 80,000 hours...

These are just tests so far. The LED strip is barely holding on, and I just wanted to see how it would look, but to me... there's something about that warm light...

Alert 2328.jpg

The thing is, there will be a staircase here, and this grating won't be visible because of it, but at least I'll know it's there, ahahaha))

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One downside... I'll have to wait another month for the bulbs from AliExpress... it'll be interminable...


P.S. @Charlie1805 Danke, Kumpel. Es freut mich, dich kennenzulernen. Danke für die netten Worte, und ich freue mich schon sehr darauf, dein Projekt zu sehen und einen detaillierten Fortschrittsbericht zu erhalten.
 
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