Bluenose I - YuanQuin 1:72 - Loracs (in progress)

Loracs said:

Unclear about the forecastle deck: The first picture is from the documentation showing the forecastle deck. However, I just can't seem to see it in any of the plans for the Bluenose I or II? I'm including a picture from the saga below too. All I'm seeing is a deck quite far down, almost at the waterline. Am I missing something or is the deck outlined in the kit just.... kit specific?

Happy new year all!

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I supposed that it was there interpretation for the basement for all the uprights.
I have never found pictures or detailed drawings of the construction of that area. Only different interpretations by Jenson, Eisnor, Lankford and Chapelle.
Regards, Peter

Greeting all, thanks for the comments. Looking back at several log/posts, I see that this was indeed discussed before. It is reassuring to see that I'm not just missing something, but that this is an area that the kit developer may have taken some freedom in design. This makes sense since they did not intent to represent the interior at all. Good to know though, I will take this in account and do more dry fitting to see how I would implement this area.

Fasteners: While visiting our local hardware store for screws and butterfly nuts #8, I came across these - Sealing washers. They are basically conical washers with a 2mm undercoat of rubber. You are seeing where am going... the lazy approach fasteners, very similar to many posts using similar screws, only without the effort of building it. The conical shape and the play around the #8 screw allow for flat placement in irregular places. Thin and grippy, even with little pressure.

Peter Voogt said:

I supposed that it was there interpretation for the basement for all the uprights.
I have never found pictures or detailed drawings of the construction of that area. Only different interpretations by Jenson, Eisnor, Lankford and Chapelle.
Regards, Peter

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Due to my deviating from plans in this area, I didn't pay attention to the drawings nor the description. what I did pay attention to, were the bits and pieces which are located on the foredeck and had locator holes in the deck.

Never thought of using rubber washers before. Great idea, thanks for posting the pic.
Allan

I'm glad to contribute a little bit... even if the discovery pretty much happens by accident. One drop in this ocean of expertise found here.

Good morning Loracs. I had some catching up here and boy I’m glad I did. This is wonderful work. Kudos. Cheers Grant

@GrantTyler, it is my pleasure... very glad you like it. Now, I just need to keep up with the harder parts. Hehe ;-)

New year resolution: This year, I was thinking about a few resolutions - not health related - that I would likely enjoy in the long term but require that I push myself short term. My new year resolution is to:

Learn CAD software: As I build ship, I found myself increasingly thinking of ways to increase accuracy and, of course, historical representation. Since I won't be doing scratch build anytime soon due to space constraints, I thought I could add some skills in CAD, more precisely the open source FreeCAD. I hope this will help designing and executing modifications, and the bluenose interior would be a great practical example. This will slow my build log, but I can incorporate it as reference to other. Let see IF I will have the diligence. Hehe!

Learn Blender: In the same area, Blender is quite attractive to me. Looking at many examples of virtual ship representation is fascinating. As an extension to physical building, why not try virtual modeling. This is long term but, like mostly anything, you need to start with the basic and walk your way up. Blender seen a great example of that and I think it will be fun... once the basic is out of the way and I could start modeling ships. Likely couple years? no idea but I'm not in a rush.

Loracs said:

Learn CAD software: As I build ship, I found myself increasingly thinking of ways to increase accuracy and, of course, historical representation. Since I won't be doing scratch build anytime soon due to space constraints, I thought I could add some skills in CAD, more precisely the open source FreeCAD. I hope this will help designing and executing modifications, and the bluenose interior would be a great practical example. This will slow my build log, but I can incorporate it as reference to other. Let see IF I will have the diligence. Hehe!

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Expect a steep learning curve. I'm using FreeCAD to generate 3D-models for my Kolibrie-build and for sure it ain't an easygoing process. Professionally I was used to the Assault Systémes CATIA software, but transferring to another application means basically starting from scratch again, although many features, like axis systems, surface definitions, boolean operations, to name a few, are used by all applications.
There are numerous free instruction vids and addons to FreeCad, which are really helpful, but you have to develop your own methods on how to create your parts and assemblies. At the same time, you'll also need to develop ideas on the manufacturing of your parts.
I also considered the free version of Autodesk Fusion, but if I understood correctly, Autodesk only allows you ten different models to be generated with the free version. And again, also Autodesk Fusion has a steep learning curve.
Enjoy the experience!

Below the redo of my initial models. I initially modeled full scale, but when I tried to scale down to 1:24, I ran into serious issues. That's when I decided to model in 1:24.
I am also using imported images to ease the work. If you're using images, make sure to check the ratios, both vertical and horizontal...

@RDN1954, thanks for the inputs. Your model seen to be coming along nicely. This is exactly what I would like to achieve one day. I have been thinking about it for literally years... but never took the plunge due to the steep learning curve. What discourage me was that I try to move ahead too rapidly... and got overwhelmed. Will try to be more patient this time. Before jumping to helicopter or ship... learn with simpler objects. I never realized that scaling could become an issue... nice to know.

Loracs said:

What discourage me was that I try to move ahead too rapidly... and got overwhelmed. Will try to be more patient this time.

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Before jumping to complex parts or assemblies, try the details on small, simple examples with basic features. Once feeling more confident, try the more complex part. It'll save you quite some frustrations and too rapidly filling swear jars.

RDN1954 said:

Before jumping to complex parts or assemblies, try the details on small, simple examples with basic features. Once feeling more confident, try the more complex part. It'll save you quite some frustrations and too rapidly filling swear jars.

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A good advice from Johan. I consider my first two attempts to be part of the ‘steep learning curve’. With the third new setup, I was able to achieve my desired result. But it was still far from a fully 3D model.
Regards, Peter

Bearing beams, dry fit: The bearing beams, fared and fixed, are tested using Peter's idea of using bamboo sticks. Faring took a while to do manually, but all seen ok. The front-end and transition in the middle still needs a little tweaking.

Bearing Beams: Most of the bearing beams and keelson are glued in place. Working on the sister keelson and stingers. Sister Keelson is made from 3 mm x 1 mm strips, sanded to shape at an angle for the most part (except mid-ship) to account for the curvature of the frames. They are deceptively lengthy to make and adjust. You can see the shape, in part, from the pictures. I decided to add them after the bearing beams... a logical way to have multiple pieces since I did not have strips covering the whole length.

I decided against adding YQ front deck. Will see later if to make a flat deck in this area. It may not be necessary since Jenson plans indicate that the bunkbeds were following the rising angle of the ship regardless.

Front lower deck: One option is to build the lower deck just barely clearing the keelson. The sticks are 3mm in height. This would give a height to the upper deck ranging from 22mm to 10mm at the center. I'm not sure of the height and width of the double bunkbeds structure... would it clear the lower point? Here few pictures at multiple angles.

Loracs said:

Front lower deck: One option is to build the lower deck just barely clearing the keelson. The sticks are 3mm in height. This would give a height to the upper deck ranging from 22mm to 10mm at the center. I'm not sure of the height and width of the double bunkbeds structure... would it clear the lower point? Here few pictures at multiple angles.

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That's the fun of 'kit-bashing' and go for your own options, Loracs. But when you choose for your own option 'A', most of the time you have to change 'B', adjust 'C', scratch build 'D' etc. But that's the charme of giving your BN a personal touch.
I suppose you know the drawing in The Sage on page 44 and 45 .....

Although it's not the BN, it shows no lower fore deck, just 2 steps. (Note: The two for'd berths have been removed.)
So, I am looking forward to your solutions.
Regards, peter

Greeting Peter, indeed I'm starting to see that moving away from YQ plan has its issue. One of them is that the overall depth within the YQ design of the bluenose seen quite shallower than with the plan. However, the Saga pictures above seen to indicate a flat floor (board to starboard) over the keelson throughout this area... the reason I was thinking of covering this segment with a shallow floor. Not sure I can call it a deck though. See here in yellow... btw I really like this side-by-side picture (quite nice).

Another option, if I commit to this layout is simply could have 6 bunkbeds rather than 8, saving height toward the front-end.

Sister Keelson installed... pictures are so unforgiving! small glue smudges and imperfections. Hey! without imperfections, no one would believe it is handmade (will get better next time). Low light - thus a little pixelated - to better reveals the bolts.

This is the first time that I have to "partially" plans more extensive modifications to existing kit, such as the interior. I say "partially" because several of you already outlined the groundworks and some of the details... however, this is harder than I thought! My respect to you all that pioneer this. I just barely start to realize what "scratch building" entails... not that easy at all. However, I still want to keep my resolution of building the bluenose as I want... with interior. We all need to start somewhere. If I make mistakes, so be it, only the experts (you guys) will ever notice... and it will be a learning opportunity for me.

One last thing, Peter will very likely retain the supremacy of a split bluenose. I don't think I'm ready for that... just now.