Bonhomme Richard - Pear Cross section kit (with scratch duplicate using alder) Unicorn Model

[BradNSW]

Grant, Thanks for the above "double" like!!

Two small details completed. First, the dewatering pumps got their nozzles.

I used a toothpick, then reduced the diameter slightly, using a drawplate. Next, I used the red pin to make a guide hole for the small green bit, then enlarged the hole with the white bit.


Next, I gave them several coats of black paint.


Finally, this photo shows Petty Officer Third Class Brutis completing the install on the pumps. It also shows the hatch cover he just had time to complete before the shipyard moves high into the Colorado Rocky Mountains!!

 

[pingu57]

Beautiful work Brad, both on your Bonhomme as well as your trip

 

[BradNSW]

After a week at 8,000ft in the Rockies, with no internet, a small update on the scuppers and exterior planking/wales.

1. Boudroit drawings show the two scuppers, adjacent to the dewatering pumps to be rectangular. I tried hammering these square cross sections to a rectangular profile but that didn't work. So, I went with them square.



First step was to drill through the hull, FROM THE INSIDE, with a smaller bit (no picture) at the appropriate angle . Next, it was possible to use progressively larger bits from the outside.


Next step was "squaring" the hole, using a small 2mm chisel and some high quality Jewlers files.


The angle and flushness with the deck was tested with a longer piece of square pipe.


Next was installing the waterways and making the scuppers flush with them.


Finally, the decision on how far the scuppers would extend past the exterior planking.

If anyone has references on IF and/or how far scuppers would extend, it would be appreciated.



Next pictures show":
-The two scuppers
-The "treenail" pattern (from Boudroit's drawings on the right)
-A few of the toothpicks that gave their life!!
-Color contrast between WATCO Dark Walnut stain (on the Wales) and WATCO Natural stain.



The Workshop is still up at 8,000ft, for more Elk Scouting next week. We came down to visit grandchildren for the weekend!!

 

[Uwek]

Very good and accurate work - I like it very much

 

[AllanKP69]

Your build log continues to be a joy to follow. Thanks for sharing.
Allan

 

[BradNSW]

Shipyard is back home, in the basement workshop, for two weeks!

Some progress was made on external planking and channels/channel knees.

First the Channel edge was rounded, per the Boudroit drawing, then the wide decorative plank was "notched", using a small table saw, to receive the Channel.


The Channel and wide decorative plank were then glued and clamped to the hull.


While clamped, a small knee was fit to the exact angle and glued.


Finally, the rest of the exterior hull planking was added.


Petty Officer Brutis is contemplating the next task. How to "slot" the decorative beam, so the top of the knees fit flush with the lighter hull planking above the thicker beam?? He believes the task can be accomplished by carefully using a tiny 2mm chisel...time will tell!!

 

[BradNSW]

Channel Knees installed. Petty Officer Brutis was correct and a 2mm chisel cut the slots for the knees quite accurately!

 

[Uwek]

Very good and accurate work - well done my friend

 

[BradNSW]

Photos of the cannons blued and ready for rigging. Elevating wedges (quoins) in place, as well as the rear eyelets and the metal bands to hold the Trunnion in place.



Basement shipyard has the "Blue-Room" for photography, which the mobile shipyard is without. Makes the photos much "cleaner" and less cluttered.

 

[BradNSW]

Working on the breeching lines. These are the French/Dutch style, passing through the carriage, instead of wrapping around the cascabels.


-The ends have been served around the breeching bolts.
-The length had to be just long enough for the mouth of the barrel to be "inside" the gunport for reloading.
-The Bolts will attach to the bulkhead and corresponding "bolt heads" will be placed on the exterior, because the heavy bolts went completely through the bulkhead.



How she looks during the cannon fitting process. The main gundeck guns are shown "rigged for sea". I plan to rig this deck with the guns run out , "ready for action". I realize a ship wouldn't normally be rigged/do battle this way BUT:

Occasionally, if seas were high during an engagement, the lowest gunports could not be opened, or the ship would flood.



If you got this far, thanks for your patience and continued interest!

 

[Uwek]

Your guns - especially the muzzles are looking very good
Very good work my friend

 

[BradNSW]

Last week shipyard workers washed and waxed all 65ft of the mobile shipyard, so progress on BHR has been slow.

Workers began creating the outhaul tackle, that moves the cannon forward after reloading.

The small single blocks will connect to the eyebolts on the aft sides of each carriage.

The outhaul rope is served into the single block. It will be routed through the double blocks and end up being pulled toward midships, to bring the carriage forward into the firing position.

The double blocks will be attached to eyebolts on either side of the cannon ports, just above the thicker breaching ropes

More pictures as the blocks are attached and the outhaul rope is threaded and flaked.

 

[dockattner]

Awesome, Brad. I really like how this build is progressing.

It seems like this report has been edited. Pity. Some good information had been posted that I was going to copy when I got home from our travels. Oh well, there must have been a reason. I’ll just have to be a big boy and do my own research .

 

[AllanKP69]

The photo is from Gerard Delacroix, an expert in French naval history. He made a comment in 2017 when he posted this photo that all French cannon were rigged this way.
Allan

 

[BradNSW]

It seems like this report has been edited. Pity.

Paul,

I don't see anything edited? Do you recall what it was? If it was a recent discussion on breaching ropes and tackle sizes, that is in this link:
line sizes

 

[BradNSW]

The photo is from Gerard Delacroix, an expert in French naval history. He made a comment in 2017 when he posted this photo that all French cannon were rigged this way.
Allan

View attachment 473079

Thank you, Allan. Wonderful model and photo. It will help anyone who is rigging in the "French" method!

 

[Uwek]

At one detail I am not sure about
The gun model Allan is showing the blocks connected to a ring (green arrows) at which a hook (red arrows) was added



Looking at Jean Boudriot I would like to say that Brads blocks are representing more

 

[dockattner]

Paul,

I don't see anything edited? Do you recall what it was? If it was a recent discussion on breaching ropes and tackle sizes, that is in this link:
line sizes

Yup. That’s it. My thanks!

 

[BradNSW]

Uwe,

It seems odd that the top connection on either side of the ports have TWO hooks. Seems redundant to me. I would expect an eyebolt similar to the breaching rope below. Both the photos and Boudroits drawings show the two hooks at this connection.

I plan to put a hook in the bulkhead and use the eyelet attached to the double blocks, without a second hook. This may not be correct, according to the photo or the drawings but it makes sense to my simple mind.

 

[BradNSW]

First major kit shortfall. I'm short 8 single and 8 double blocks.

I did not even use blocks on the in-haul lines for the lower deck and I'm only doing single in-haul lines on the top two deck. If I did double in-haul lines on all the cannons, I'd be short 16 each.

I e-mailed Unicor (unicornmodel@QQ.com). Hopefully they are responsive and send replacement pronto. I will advise on responsiveness.