Bomb Ketch Salamandre 1:48

OlivierF · Thursday at 11:17 PM

I’m so glad that the Super has a Petty Officer to show him the way! As most PO’s, Brutus is indispensable! ROTF

Lovely work Brad!

BradNSW · Thursday at 11:47 PM

OlivierF said:
I’m so glad that the Super has a Petty Officer to show him the way! As most PO’s, Brutus is indispensable!
Lovely work Brad!

The NCOs are why the US military runs circles around any other military in the world! You nailed it, indispensable!!

BradNSW · Friday at 12:53 PM

After steaming, the first plank of "thick stuff" easily molded to the hull and template.

The micro clamps made earlier, are coming in handy.

dockattner · Friday at 1:10 PM

Clever idea with the guide. I'm a 'follow the pencil mark' guy and it sometimes creates problems for me.

How much interior planking are you planning on?

BradNSW · Friday at 2:15 PM

dockattner said:
Clever idea with the guide. I'm a 'follow the pencil mark' guy and it sometimes creates problems for me.

How much interior planking are you planning on?

I used pencil marks for the main deck clamps and once I removed the clamps, one beam had shifted slightly (redo!). So, I will continue to use these type templates to ensure things stay put. Obviously, the guides are only needed for the first row.

Paul,

I'm still debating planking.

My thoughts at the moment (while the grandkids nap):

1. Completing planking one side (both interior/exterior).

2. On open side interior:
a. The Limber strakes, then gap to:
b. Two or three Thick stuff planks, then gap to:
c. Main deck clamps, then
d. Fully plank above the main deck.

3. Open side exterior:
a. Nothing till the Wales.
b. Fully plank above the Wales, although I may experiment and leave some staggered planking spots open

I also intend to cut at least two, but probably three or four viewing ports, similar to the below photo (my wales will be three solid ebony planks):

dockattner · Friday at 2:32 PM

That's sort of what I did on the KF. Here are some images so it will help you visualize (these are full-size images and will open to a larger size if you click on them):

BradNSW · Friday at 8:55 PM

Paul, thanks!! I followed that build and love the outcome. My favorite shot from the above pictures is the bow shot, but they are all inspirational!

There will be lots of thought, time, gnashing of teeth and experimenting, till the shipyard comes up with a final planking and cut-out plan.

CLB · 2026-02-07T04:36:38-0600

BradNSW said:
Paul, thanks!! I followed that build and love the outcome. My favorite shot from the above pictures is the bow shot, but they are all inspirational!

There will be lots of thought, time, gnashing of teeth and experimenting, till the shipyard comes up with a final planking and cut-out plan.

I like Paul's approach and will be following a similar one on La Renommee. Just my 2 cents. Inner planking going well so far Brad !

shota70 · 2026-02-07T06:23:45-0600

Looks terrific Brad - very nice work !!!!

Tobias · 2026-02-08T04:29:38-0600

Hi Brad, all the best to your granddaughter, I'm keeping her in my thoughts.

Regarding your work, it's fantastic. The hull has a wonderful shape, simply stunning. As for the nails, as already mentioned, everything above the waterline is nailed with iron nails only. Below the waterline, the same nailing pattern is used, supplemented with wooden nails. As far as I know, and as I read in the French forum, everything is nailed with iron nails; there are no wooden nails. Not on the decks, the bulwarks, or anywhere else. Except in the officers' quarters and the officers' mess.

BradNSW · 2026-02-08T08:22:25-0600

Tobias said:
Hi Brad, all the best to your granddaughter, I'm keeping her in my thoughts.

Regarding your work, it's fantastic. The hull has a wonderful shape, simply stunning. As for the nails, as already mentioned, everything above the waterline is nailed with iron nails only. Below the waterline, the same nailing pattern is used, supplemented with wooden nails. As far as I know, and as I read in the French forum, everything is nailed with iron nails; there are no wooden nails. Not on the decks, the bulwarks, or anywhere else. Except in the officers' quarters and the officers' mess.

Tobias,

Thanks for sharing this detailed information, which I'm sure took some time to reasearch!

Brad

BradNSW · 2026-02-08T13:12:31-0600

In between steaming, bending and glueing the Thick Stuff planks, PO Brutis pulled all the round keel bolts and is replacing them with square 1mm brass bolts.

Shipyard Superintendent like the "new" look.