BLUEBIRD OF CHELSEA

Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
452
Points
168

Location
Chatham Kent, Ontario Canada
This build log will be more of a photographic record of the building stages of the Bluebird of Chelsea from the period of January 2023 to December 2024. This vessel still exists in England today, and I choose to build it due to its' appearance and historical value during its service in WW2 as one of the "Little Ships" taking part in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

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Construction begins with cutting and setting up frames

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Balsa bow blocks installed and carved to shape, 1/32 inch bass plywood sheeting covering frames.

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All irregularities in the hull were filled in, and then she was given four coats of finishing resin over 3/4 ounce glass cloth.

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Waterproof the inside of the hull and made arrangements for RC machinery layout.

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Laid the sub deck and painted the hull.

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Manufacture pilot house segments and interior layout.

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Deck planking and attach cabin structures.

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Install RC machinery and build railings.

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Complete mast work with all electrics and exterior fittings.

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Add the signage with a few other details.
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Very successful sea trials with no additional ballast required. September 2024

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That looks beautiful. Sorry if I missed it somewhere, but is that all scratchbult?

I don’t do RC boats (yet!), but I’m curious about waterproofing the interior after the exterior is already sealed with resin. Seems like that would trap any moisture in the wood, which can’t be good.
 
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