Bounty Model 1:48 scale. Help for the Helms Wheel and Platform Mount and axle fittings for steering

[GaryA]

Hi All,
I am looking for information on how I could make these items without 3d printing help> Has anyone ever made a wheel that looks authentic around the sizes I give in the photo print below?
If so, please tell me how you went about making them.
I also see the Helm Wheel has 12 handles on it, as depicted in this photo supplied.
I have looked online, but nothing looks close. Also, I have not bothered to look for them online in the US, as the postage fees are astronomical! Australian Hobby mob have similar, but they don't answer my emails. I have tried to contact Modellers Central in Australia, but have received no answer at all.
BTW, the stumbling block is the width of the wheel to scale, which is only 2 mm wide! The brass rod I have is only 1/16th of an inch
Looking forward to the help I need to do what I want to do and try to make them myself that look authentic and accurate.

 

[Corsair]

This is available at Syren Ship Model Company at:
Syren wheel
I doubt anyone could tell the 2 mm difference. And it's only 10 handles.
I've seen one of these in person and they are quite nice.
Hopefully due to the small size, the shipping wouldn't be too bad to get it to you.
Note: It is a "mini kit" and does have to be built.


It is just the wheel and you would still need to fabricate the supports.

 

[GaryA]

This is available at Syren Ship Model Company at:
Syren wheel
I doubt anyone could tell the 2 mm difference. And it's only 10 handles.
I've seen one of these in person and they are quite nice.
Hopefully due to the small size, the shipping wouldn't be too bad to get it to you.
Note: It is a "mini kit" and does have to be built.
View attachment 545613

It is just the wheel and you would still need to fabricate the supports.

Hi Jeff, and what about the Platform for the Steering helm? What are your thoughts on that? Also would be appreciated.
BTW, I ordered two lanterns as near as dammit from Syrens, but then the Postage took the whole venture to $83 Aus. Items were only $13 each So, I guess Beggars cannot be choosers.

 

[iutar]

Don't trust John MacKay, author of The Anatomy of the Bounty. That book is full of wild, stupid nonsense. A steering helm wheel should have 10 handles.

 

[AllanKP69]

Brian Lavery goes into some detail regarding the wheel diameter. One of the key points was that the spokes at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position be as close to 3 feet off the deck as possible to allow the helmsman to have good leverage to push down while pulling on another spoke near the top. To achieve this the wheels were typically about 5 feet in diameter on most ships in the British navy in the 18th century.

Making your own is a fun little project. You may find the attached helpful. I did it years ago, but hopefully it is still useful.

I only had a mini drill press but was able to set up a jig to make some of the parts.

Allan

 

[GaryA]

Brian Lavery goes into some detail regarding the wheel diameter. One of the key points was that the spokes at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position be as close to 3 feet off the deck as possible to allow the helmsman to have good leverage to push down while pulling on another spoke near the top. To achieve this the wheels were typically about 5 feet in diameter on most ships in the British navy in the 18th century.

Making your own is a fun little project. You may find the attached helpful. I did it years ago, but hopefully it is still useful.

I only had a mini drill press but was able to set up a jig to make some of the parts.

Allan

Hi Allan, First up, thank you for the Attachment and your thoughts.
Ok, and so I had already done what was shown in the attachment for some Coach wheels I made. I was thinking maybe I could do the same for the Helms wheel, and the attachment shows it can be done. I have an XY axis vice, I have a pedestal drill, and I have machined a small bearing to fit, so if I mount a piece of wood and carve the circles and slots in, then by adding a 10-hole marked out plate, I would certainly be on my way to cut the slots.
I have a wood lathe and a small metal lathe to do the turning and also small milling cutters for the slots.
Sounds like an adventure. Obviously, Pear wood is what I need but I will try different woods to see if i can get the cover plates smooth and accurate.
I am still years away from doing that part of the model, as I am planning ahead.

 

[GaryA]

Don't trust John MacKay, author of The Anatomy of the Bounty. That book is full of wild, stupid nonsense. A steering helm wheel should have 10 handles.

Hi Iutor,
Interesting to see what you think of the book and the person who wrote it. All I can say is that without the book on most things, I would be totally lost.
However, I have also noticed that the 4-pounder cannons were smaller versions than what he suggested they were, but there could be some conundrum about their length that people can debate about, as the cannons were made at a time when the 4-pounder was going through changes.

 

[iutar]

Hi, Gary! Unfortunately, the amount of information on John McKay's errors is too great; there isn't a single drawing in the book that hasn't required thorough and detailed criticism.
We've been fixing errors on Russian forums dedicated to building Bounty models for seven years (!). John wrote this book at a time when he understood nothing about English shipbuilding of the period. It's so full of nonsense it makes you want to cry. McKay's book should simply be thrown in the trash, and only the archived Bounty plans should be used.

 

[AllanKP69]

Hi Gary

If you can get any, European boxwood would be my first choice and Castello second. The color of Swiss pear is hard to beat though.
Please do let us know how it works out.
Allan

 

[GaryA]

Hi, Gary! Unfortunately, the amount of information on John McKay's errors is too great; there isn't a single drawing in the book that hasn't required thorough and detailed criticism.
We've been fixing errors on Russian forums dedicated to building Bounty models for seven years (!). John wrote this book at a time when he understood nothing about English shipbuilding of the period. It's so full of nonsense it makes you want to cry. McKay's book should simply be thrown in the trash, and only the archived Bounty plans should be used.

Hi Iutor, is there a more accurate book available that I could use, or is there a forum that discusses modeling ships to scale and accuracy in detail?
Regards

Hi Gary

If you can get any, European boxwood would be my first choice and Castello second. The color of Swiss pear is hard to beat though.
Please do let us know how it works out.
Allan

I don't have a trillion $, but I will try to see if any online. I noticed the Temu Australia sells Ebony pieces at a good price as well, but thats just some info I pass onto you all
I must let you know, you certainly got my brain work and all these images and ideas, I will use, and I think I can achieve.
I also still see visions of rough edges and chips of wood flying, but it's really worth a try.
Thanks, Allan, for your help.
regards