Best materials for large scale ship model?

[jaybeckham]

I am planning the build of a 1:48 model of the SS South American. This model will be 6 feet long and 12 inches wide. I am wondering about the best material for frames. I am thinking 1/2" plywood or 1/2" or 3/4" pine. Which would be best to hold nails for the planking? Plywood to me seems to porous to hold nails. Or should I glue the planking instead of nailing?

Do realize I have great drawings for the ship but no information regarding construction of a model. Basically it will be scratch built. I do have Peter Davies-Garner's book RMS Titanic, A Modelmaker's Manual but haven't had to time to read it. In the meantime will make the time to read his book. Might actually answer my questions?

Thanks

 

[Uwek]

With 6 feet length it will be a very long hull, so you will need for stability reasons also stiffeners between the bulkheads / frames
So maybe it will be the best to fill the space between the bulkheads with filling wood. With this you have the complete surface for fixing the planking

like @OlegM

HMS Royal William 1719 1:55 by OlegM

or @Herman

DE 7 PROVINCIËN (1665) 1:50

I have chosen for building this ship as my father left me the book "De 7 Provinciën" van G.C. Dik. A book that comes with a set of plans (1:77). Years later I decided to actually build this model. I wanted the model to be a bit greater than it would be on a scale of 1:77, envisioning a completed...

shipsofscale.com

or @Mirek

La Belle-Poule 1765 from Ancre's plans and monographs enlarged by 10%, By Mirek

Witajcie koledzy! Obecnie kończę model statku Montanes i zaktualizowałem wpis wątku Twojego nowego wydarzenia, zaktualizuję wystawę La Belle-Poule. Nie będę się rozpisywał na jego historii i planach, gdy prowadzisz temat. Mój model jest powiększony o 10% chciałem aby mógł ponad 100 cm długości...

shipsofscale.com

all are getting with this technique a wonderfull result

 

[jaybeckham]

Nice work and thanks for the reply. Not familiar with Filling Wood. Do you have a brand name?
Also forget to mention my model is a water line model as it is going on my 1:48 model railroad layout in a port.
Again, Thanks for the reply.
Jay Beckahm

 

[Uwek]

Nice work and thanks for the reply. Not familiar with Filling Wood. Do you have a brand name?
Also forget to mention my model is a water line model as it is going on my 1:48 model railroad layout in a port.
Again, Thanks for the reply.
Jay Beckahm

you can use a kind of soft wood which is available - but take the time a read the building logs to get more info

BTW: when you plan to make a waterline model, without a keel and the bigger part of the hull - It will be definitely necessary to fill the gaps between the bulkheads!
Otherwise you will have torsion and bending in your structure

 

[Uwek]

I am planning the build of a 1:48 model of the SS South American. This model will be 6 feet long and 12 inches wide. I am wondering about the best material for frames. I am thinking 1/2" plywood or 1/2" or 3/4" pine. Which would be best to hold nails for the planking? Plywood to me seems to porous to hold nails. Or should I glue the planking instead of nailing?

Do realize I have great drawings for the ship but no information regarding construction of a model. Basically it will be scratch built. I do have Peter Davies-Garner's book RMS Titanic, A Modelmaker's Manual but haven't had to time to read it. In the meantime will make the time to read his book. Might actually answer my questions?

Thanks

Hallo @jaybeckham
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY