Flying Cloud 1851 1:96 - Mamoli

Channels

As stated the Flying Cloud had double Channels.
The Upper Channels were fitted around the same time the hull Planking was completed.

Process:

• I photocopied the Channels from the plans and used these as templates.
• These were glued to 1.5mm ply and cut to size.
• To fix the lower Channels I edge drilled the ply pieces and pinned them to the Hull. (Profile Guage use where possible to mark curvature of the Hull on the Channels.)
• Once I was happy with the fit/placement I temporarily stepped each Mast and used a thread to mark the lower Channel for the Chainplate "Notch."
• Channel removed from the Hull and "Notches" cut/filed, Lower Channel re-pinned to the Hull.

I made a simple jig to gauge the angle of the Chainplate below the Lower Channel.
Once I was happy/ish with the placement of the Chainplates, length, etc. I drilled 0.5mmHoles in the bottom of each Chainplate where it was flat on the Hull.

I tried my best to get everything lined up/uniform. A fair bit of trial and error and it worked out o.k.

Once the Chainplates were in place, Channel Capping strips were glued on to Upper and Lower Channels.

A paint followed for Channels and Chainplates.

Masts

Not much to say here, Masts built as per plans, yet again, not enough material in the kit to complete these.
Masts should have been "Fished" but I do not possess the tools necessary to even try this operation.
(I settled for Mast Bands. (Perhaps these should not be on the Mizzen but I liked the look and who knows anyway, the ship is no longer in existance.....)
Tops drilled for Fairleads.

I think that now, I am pretty much up to date with the build thus far.
To anyone having a look at this thread, it's been two years since I started.
The kit has had many more "Challenges" than expected and I am sure that there are many more to come!!

Things that I'll be doing in the next few weeks:

Completing Deck Eye Installation
Installing Mast Furniture
Preparation for Mast/Yard assembly

I am looking at a bit of a delay of maybe four weeks or so as I am getting back to normal after a shoulder replacement. (New Shoulder)

For anyone contemplating this build, I would recommend having a look at Scott Bradner's information as sources of material on this subject seem few and far between. https://www.sobco.com/ship_model/fc/Flying_Cloud_plans_bradner.html

I should also mention a big thank you for the very warm welcomes that I have received on this site.
I have barely scratched the surface of this site and am looking forward to discovering much here.

(I am tinkering with the idea of posting some of my other builds during my modelling down-time:

• A/L Mare Nostrum
• A/L Bluenose
• A/L Sanson
• A/L Pen Duick
• Amati/Partworks Bismarck
• Sergal Mantua Cutty Sark)

Comments, suggestions and critiques are very welcome and if I think of anything that I haven't posted regarding the Flying Cloud I'll put it up here.

A few photos of where the Flying Cloud is at as of now:

Cheers.... HOF.