Cutter Alert 1/48 cross section [COMPLETED BUILD]

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I would like to restart my project that I started 7 years ago. I planned on doing a cross section model around the dead flat, with a fully built-up interior, leaving most of the planking off to show the frames and deck beams. When I "saved" it from the deepest corner in my basement my first intention was to throw it away but I quickly regained the motivation to pick up building a wooden ship again. At the time I just finished the keel and the frames. I don't have any pics left from that time but I intend to add pics as I go along and hope to learn building a fully framed hull as accurate as possible. (I saw the project of the Trident Alert and would love to build that)

So here is the actual state I am at:
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Yesterday I finished the treenails on the frames.

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I reinstalled them in the jig and faired the inside.The outside will be faired once the thickstuff over the floors and the toptimbers are installed. I hope that will work without breaking the frames.

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Hello,
This will be an interesting build and will follow along with interest. I am glad that you did not fall into the temptation of throwing it away.

Raymond
 
Thank You
I cut out the thickstuff and footwaling planks following the curve of the floor heads or the chocks. As I understand the planks do follow this line, at least amidships.

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Is that correct or do they have to run straight?
I just laid the plank on the frames as they would have to be bent before gluing them.
 
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Hello DST,
The thick stuff does curve as it goes aft following the curve of the frames. I am currently working on a cross section of the Victory and the thick stuff does curve. I will attach a photo so that you understand what I mean.

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Thank You, so I'm on the right track then.
The curving starts at the first double frame aft of the dead flat frame 0. That looked a bit strange at first. I can't find any drawing in the AOTS book that would clarify this.
 
Hello DST,
Everyone on SOS are here to help each other. It was my pleasure to be of assistance. In the event that you need visual stimulation and ideas you may want to check this forum of a group build of the Alert.


You will see Hong Bin's work on the Alert. If you scroll down to his post number 15 you will see how the thick stuff curves and how he was able to make it work.

Raymond
 
I'm kind of stuck as to what to do next. I wanted to fair the frames on the outside once the thickstuffs are installed. This should stiffen the construction enough.
But I have to fix the frames to the keel first and mark the rest of the planks/deck clamps first, otherwise I can't use tickstrips to mark the location?
I'm struggling to get the measurements of the deck clamps and understand the plans in the AOTS book. Now I remember why I didn't continue the project in the past :rolleyes:

Maybe I should have started the Blandfort cross section first ROTF

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Very good work on the frames Thumbs-Up

Fairing of the frames on the outside can wait, or?
I would work further on the inside planking and decks - with this you can make all measurements and markings based on the inside levels
 
DST,
I totally agree with everything Uwek has said. What I love about scratch building is that you, and none else, are the shipwright. While we strive to do the very best and try to stay true to the original concept, sometimes the shipwright has to take certain liberties in order to progress from one step to the next. This is how we learn and improve ourselves. Never give up.
Raymond
 
I will follow Uwe's advice and keep building up the inside before fairing the ouside. Interseting how the obvious stuff is always the hardest to figure out Cautious
I also sneaked into Hong Bin's build log of the Alert as Raymond suggested. That did also help (and it made me want the Trident kit even more).

The sides of the frames are coated with oil as it will be difficult to reach those areas after the frames are glued in.

I cut the limberstrake and footwaling and temporarily attached it with rubber cement.
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I took the measurements from AOTS and converted them to 1/48. Although it still seems the limberstrake is too wide/tall?!

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Hello Dan,
I believe the purpose of the thick stuff material is to have a suitable area in which to add bolts to the frames where the scarf joints are located. Looking at your progress it seems to me that you hit the nail on the head buddy. She is starting to look real good. Take heart and continue what you are doing. Before you know it, you'll look back and think to yourself that she was an easy build.

Raymond
 
Thanks to everyone.
A small update.
Frames are treenailed to the keel and keelson attached. Still need to do the bolts.

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I transferred the position of the lower deck to the frames and checked/finetuned the marks wit a piece of cardboard.

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All the planks are glued in place.

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Gunport sills are installed.Looks a bit rough but once the outside is faired it should turn out fine.

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Today I finished the mast step. Man that thing wasn't easy to do

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That's the best I could do. After a lot of dryfitting and sanding/filing I'm happy with the result. It still sits a little high over the keelson but I'll leave it like that.
 
Hey Dan,

I feel your pain Buddy. I too finished my mast step but I feel a little guilty in that mine was a little easier than yours. She is really starting to come along nicely. Keep it up Buddy, you've already amassed a cheering squad and we're all rooting for you.

Raymond
 
A somewhat bigger update today:

The lower deck beams are cut and filed to meet the angle of the thickstuff strake.:
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There are only a few ledges and carlings on the lower deck. Here are the ones around the mast:

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The pillars are shaped to taper from the bottom to the top. This was done with sandpaper attached to a piece of glass and sanding the four sides an equal amount while pressing the top with one finger and pulling it over the sandpaper. The result is not so bad. I chamfered the edges a little:

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I suppose it's OK to post the images full size?
 
I treenailed the keelson and finished the limber boards. I'll leave some of them off to show the interior.



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A few photos taken outside to see the oiled effect.
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Now I have to decide how much of the planking I want to do. I like the contrast of the maple and the pear. These are not the final planks, just some scrap pieces to test out the look.

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