Caldercraft HM Gunboat William 1795 1:32 Scale

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mrshanks

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This will be a brand new build log for the Caldercraft HM Gunboat William in 1:32 scale. I thought this would be a good follow-up to my Civil War Picket boat. By the weight of the box this feels like a beefy kit. All the parts are CNC cut so no laser char to sand. There are also some very nice bronze castings. This is a double-plank-on-bulkhead and features some lower deck details. The foredeck 24pdr cannon is on a rotating platform that uses cannon balls as bearings.. perhaps an early form of turret? A simple hoy-rig vessel should be a pleasure to build. I haven't seen any other completed build logs of this model. If any of you have experience with this kit I would appreciate any tips/tricks/warnings you may have.

Although I still have another project nearing completion, I thought I could at least get going on the keel/bulkhead glue up. Hope you enjoy.

William Reveal.jpg​
 
Mike, if you go on the Jotika website they have a build log of them making the prototype, it might give you an idea on how it all goes together.
Cheers Andy
 
Hi Mike,

If the kit is anything like their Endeavour kit, it should be a great model to build. I was very impressed with the quality of the Endeavour and the CNC milled parts. Knowing how great your skills are, I'll be following this build for sure.

Take care,

Bob
 
I started by laying the keel, keelson, stem and stern post against the plans and was happy to find that they fit very nicely. Some kits I have seen in the past did not have properly scaled plans. Follow along with my comments on the pictures below.

Total Build Time So Far: 3.5hours

keel.jpgkeel_template.jpgbearding_line.jpgkeel_fit.jpg​
 
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Thanks Dave.

Today I got all 10 bulkheads glued up nice and square. I also got the stern transom framework built. The kit provides temporary extenders that allows the ship to be placed keel up for planking without damage to the stem or transom. With this complete, tomorrow we start beveling the bulkheads.

Build Time So Far: 5.5 hours

Mike

keel1.jpgkeel2.jpg​
 
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I spent some time fairing in the bulkhead edges fore and aft. I had to add a shim strip to bulkhead 6 and 4 to get the shape to my satisfaction. I carefully measured and marked off where the first plank strake will be installed per the plans. Based on the 5mm planks, I calculate there will be 23 strakes per side plus a garboard strake. Keep in mind this is only the under layer as this is a double-planked model. I soaked the first plank in water and pre-shaped the curve. I made sure that the first plank was precisely positioned and made full contact with each bulkhead. The plank was then afixed one bulkhead at a time with gel super glue. Adhesion was nearly instant with the damp plank.

Build time so far: 8.5 hours

bulkheads_faired.jpgfirst_plank.jpg​
 
I agree with the comments

I have started a topi on CNC machining. A engraving machine is a router. i could have gone as well with laser. I do not know about laser cutting . It is probably dangerous to a unlike person like me. A CNC machine is highly accurate. My machine has 20o steps in a full turn

Cheers
Geoff
 
Just running through the multi-day task of the first planking layer. More than 20 strakes per side on this broad beamed boat. I am at the phase I call "Closing the Hull". Each plank from here is custom shaped. Typically tapered on both ends. Since this is only the first layer it doesn't have to be perfect. But, I can't help myself. Looks like I will end up with only 2 stealers per side. Not bad I guess.

Build time so far: 17.5 hours

Closing hull.jpg​
 
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