HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50

[Kolderstok]

Hans,
Would that be an old Dutch proverb It is so true!!

No - it's a slightly modificated version of this:

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. – Vern Law​

Vern Law was a famous baseball pitcher in the 60's

 

[Heinrich]

Hello Everyone

I last posted on Christmas Eve, but my silence must not be mistaken for inactivity. Unfortunately, the going is S-L-O-W and it has, one more, been a case of one step forward, two steps back. However, I am slowly making progress.

So the status quo was that planking including and above the wales had been completed except for the two 2x3mm planks which are laid horizontally on top of the uppermost plank.


The red ticks indicate the completed planking above the wales.

Below the wales, 5 planks had been laid down on either side of which the 5th plank on the starboard consisted of two pieces joined by a butt joint. Seeing that I managed to accomplish the planking on the port side with a single plank, this bothered me and I wasn't happy with it, but decided to leave it for the time being.

Seeing that I have planked relatively far downwards on the hull, it was now time to lay the garboard strakes and start the planking process upwards.


Kolderstok's instructions are pretty clear in this regard. and I followed it to the letter. In the picture above, (A) indicates the adjacent plank to the garboard. (B) indicates the second bulkhead to which the garboard strake is glued in a straight line and (C) indicates the actual garboard strake.


This picture shows the garboard strake pre-bent and dry fitted (just pinned) to the hull. Note the portion of the plank that overlaps the false keel. The red line above indicates the cutting line where the garboard strake needs to be cut so that it follows the upsweep of the hull correctly.


Here is an overview of the dry-fit process of the garboard strake. Also note that the two-part 5th plank on the starboard side whereas the port side only required a single plank. Looking at this picture was the final straw and the offending plank was summarily stripped. Oh boy ... one step forward, one step back.


This picture shows that the last plank (consisting of two separate pieces) had been removed from the hull and that the garboard strake on the Port Side had been laid down. The blue circle indicates the spot where the garboard strake has to rotated through 90 degrees so that it lays flat against the side of the keel.


This picture shows the garboard strake on the Port Side. Note that the last plank above the garboard strake consists of one piece - so that prompted me to try again on the starboard side as well.


The plank directly above the garboard strake on the Port Side is laid down.


And here is the starboard side. You can clearly see that the last plank down from the wales now consists of a single plank and tha the garboard strake and adjacent plank on the starboard side are both in place.

As I move closer to the closing of the hull, I can tell you right now - that is going to be a nightmare. Every single plank will have to be custom-shaped to ensure the best result. This sis a process that is going to take ages as it will consist of lost strakes, inserts and the like. The other problem is that you cannot just measure how the planking will pan out. Those curves make that impossible and the plank has physically to be pinned into position so that you can see the final line it follows relative to the rest of the planking.

However, with all said and done, I can tell you that the planked and roughly-sanded sections look beautiful so there is plenty of motivation to keep focused and just to carry on.

I trust that you had a wonderful Christmas and time with your families, and that you did not eat too much. For those of you who are taking a break, enjoy the well-deserved rest, take care of yourselves and stay safe. Thank you so much for following along.

 

[dockattner]

A majestic piece of work and helpful tutorial for those who will follow in your wake. I may need to reconsider my fondness for pear in favor of walnut.

 

[Heinrich]

Thank you for the very kind words, Paul, but I'm afraid you are much too kind. Even looking at these pictures, there are parts that I am happy with and others where I simply cannot "read" this hull. I like to finish a piece of work and walk away satisfied, knowing that tomorrow it's on to the next step. Here I have to glue and lay down a plank and walking away, I have no idea whether that plank will stay or be removed - as it all depends on the following one!

 

[RogerD]

I don’t have the expertise to comment on your well described construction techniques Heinrich. However, what I do get from your builds is that even experienced modellers such as yourself are prepared to do a “do-over” when not satisfied with parts of their work. It gives those of us, who might gloss over and skip a frustrating misstep, the confidence to stand back, be critical of ourselves and correct it.

 

[Heinrich]

Roger, absolutely. I am hyper-critical as it is and with this planking job I have set myself a goal to try and create as near a perfect job as i possibly can. If that means that you have to break down what you have done, then that is what you have to do.

 

[Dematosdg]

Heinrich, great job with your building log !!!

I would like to hear your opinion about this, it could be the pictures, but le me tell you what I see.

The instructions picture plank C does not look like being cut. Looks like it is slightly bent and pointing upward.

Your plank C is straight and then you cut it straight too. Yours do not have a slight bent upwards and will end more arrow like (more with a point, Sorry I can't find a way to express it better).

Take a look to my Zoomed screenshots.



Best !!
Daniel

 

[Pathfinder65]

I’m fascinated by how the strakes/planks need to fit the hulls contour. Looking in the box of my kit there appear to be an abundance of planks. But following your build and appreciating the trials and tribulations I wonder are there enough.

Jan

 

[Heinrich]

@Dematosdg Hi Daniel. I am so glad you posted these questions as they are excellent ones!

Let's look at the instructions pic: You are right, that Plank C is not cut (other than being trimmed in line with the bow line). It is the full width 6mm plank. You are also correct in saying that it is pointing upwards.

Then you say it looks as if my plank C lies straight, is cut and does not bend upwards. I am so glad you said this, because this illustrates my point perfectly of hull planking that is very difficult to read. In reality my plank C has NOT been cut - it is also the full width 6mm plank. And even if the pictures don't show it, it is bent upwards.

Your observations are spot on, but in reality the story is different!

Look at the picture below:


This picture shows the hull with three strakes being laid down on the starboard side from the bottom. Note the upwards bend in reality and the two inserts that had to be used at the stern to pull the bottom planking into line with the overall curvature of the ship.

 

[Heinrich]

I’m fascinated by how the strakes/planks need to fit the hulls contour. Looking in the box of my kit there appear to be an abundance of planks. But following your build and appreciating the trials and tribulations I wonder are there enough.

Jan

Hi Jan. This picture indicates even better how they need to be made to fit the hull contours. I don't think you need to worry about the number of planks included.

 

[RDN1954]

I don’t have the expertise to comment on your well described construction techniques Heinrich. However, what I do get from your builds is that even experienced modellers such as yourself are prepared to do a “do-over” when not satisfied with parts of their work. It gives those of us, who might gloss over and skip a frustrating misstep, the confidence to stand back, be critical of ourselves and correct it.

Hello Roger,

I don't consider myself an experienced modeler, but when I'm not satisfied with the results of my work, or when I just made a mistake, a proper "sleep-on-it" is mandatory, swallowing my pride is next and a redo of the job is the final step (hopefully).
When you're not satisfied with certain aspects of your build and let them slide, whenever you look at the completed model, you'll know exactly where to look for your errors and those will start growing out of proportion.
It's all part of the journey!

Johan

 

[Dematosdg]

@Dematosdg Hi Daniel. I am so glad you posted these questions as they are excellent ones!

Let's look at the instructions pic: You are right, that Plank C is not cut (other than being trimmed in line with the bow line). It is the full width 6mm plank. You are also correct in saying that it is pointing upwards.

Then you say it looks as if my plank C lies straight, is cut and does not bend upwards. I am so glad you said this, because this illustrates my point perfectly of hull planking that is very difficult to read. In reality my plank C has NOT been cut - it is also the full width 6mm plank. And even if the pictures don't show it, it is bent upwards.

Your observations are spot on, but in reality the story is different!

Look at the picture below:

View attachment 278580
This picture shows the hull with three strakes being laid down on the starboard side from the bottom. Note the upwards bend in reality and the two inserts that had to be used at the stern to pull the bottom planking into line with the overall curvature of the ship.

Great to know it was a picture issue and the difficulty of explaining a job well done.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Could be more pictures from different angles can help better...... than a thousand words... HAHAHA.

Best !!!
Daniel

 

[RDN1954]

Hello Everyone

I last posted on Christmas Eve, but my silence must not be mistaken for inactivity. Unfortunately, the going is S-L-O-W and it has, one more, been a case of one step forward, two steps back. However, I am slowly making progress.

So the status quo was that planking including and above the wales had been completed except for the two 2x3mm planks which are laid horizontally on top of the uppermost plank.

View attachment 278561
The red ticks indicate the completed planking above the wales.

Below the wales, 5 planks had been laid down on either side of which the 5th plank on the starboard consisted of two pieces joined by a butt joint. Seeing that I managed to accomplish the planking on the port side with a single plank, this bothered me and I wasn't happy with it, but decided to leave it for the time being.

Seeing that I have planked relatively far downwards on the hull, it was now time to lay the garboard strakes and start the planking process upwards.

View attachment 278559
Kolderstok's instructions are pretty clear in this regard. and I followed it to the letter. In the picture above, (A) indicates the adjacent plank to the garboard. (B) indicates the second bulkhead to which the garboard strake is glued in a straight line and (C) indicates the actual garboard strake.

View attachment 278562
This picture shows the garboard strake pre-bent and dry fitted (just pinned) to the hull. Note the portion of the plank that overlaps the false keel. The red line above indicates the cutting line where the garboard strake needs to be cut so that it follows the upsweep of the hull correctly.

View attachment 278563
Here is an overview of the dry-fit process of the garboard strake. Also note that the two-part 5th plank on the starboard side whereas the port side only required a single plank. Looking at this picture was the final straw and the offending plank was summarily stripped. Oh boy ... one step forward, one step back.

View attachment 278564
This picture shows that the last plank (consisting of two separate pieces) had been removed from the hull and that the garboard strake on the Port Side had been laid down. The blue circle indicates the spot where the garboard strake has to rotated through 90 degrees so that it lays flat against the side of the keel.

View attachment 278565
This picture shows the garboard strake on the Port Side. Note that the last plank above the garboard strake consists of one piece - so that prompted me to try again on the starboard side as well.

View attachment 278566
The plank directly above the garboard strake on the Port Side is laid down.

View attachment 278567
And here is the starboard side. You can clearly see that the last plank down from the wales now consists of a single plank and tha the garboard strake and adjacent plank on the starboard side are both in place.

As I move closer to the closing of the hull, I can tell you right now - that is going to be a nightmare. Every single plank will have to be custom-shaped to ensure the best result. This sis a process that is going to take ages as it will consist of lost strakes, inserts and the like. The other problem is that you cannot just measure how the planking will pan out. Those curves make that impossible and the plank has physically to be pinned into position so that you can see the final line it follows relative to the rest of the planking.

However, with all said and done, I can tell you that the planked and roughly-sanded sections look beautiful so there is plenty of motivation to keep focused and just to carry on.

I trust that you had a wonderful Christmas and time with your families, and that you did not eat too much. For those of you who are taking a break, enjoy the well-deserved rest, take care of yourselves and stay safe. Thank you so much for following along.

You most definitely found yourself a challenge. Respect!

 

[RogerD]

Hello Roger,

I don't consider myself an experienced modeler, but when I'm not satisfied with the results of my work, or when I just made a mistake, a proper "sleep-on-it" is mandatory, swallowing my pride is next and a redo of the job is the final step (hopefully).
When you're not satisfied with certain aspects of your build and let them slide, whenever you look at the completed model, you'll know exactly where to look for your errors and those will start growing out of proportion.
It's all part of the journey!

Johan

Hi Johan,
Well said, good advice and I do agree with what you wrote.
My problem is if I “sleep-on-it” every mistake I make I’ll only be awake an hour a day

 

[Heinrich]

Hello Roger,

I don't consider myself an experienced modeler, but when I'm not satisfied with the results of my work, or when I just made a mistake, a proper "sleep-on-it" is mandatory, swallowing my pride is next and a redo of the job is the final step (hopefully).
When you're not satisfied with certain aspects of your build and let them slide, whenever you look at the completed model, you'll know exactly where to look for your errors and those will start growing out of proportion.
It's all part of the journey!

Johan

Exactly Johan. I suppose we all have models where we have some things that we are not entirely happy with - in hindsight, or with more experience we could have probably done it differently. But that is another story. At this point in the build, I have the option whether I am happy to accept something or not.

 

[Heinrich]

You most definitely found yourself a challenge. Respect!

Yes, she is a challenge.

First, I want to show you this superb build of the Willem Barentsz by Andre (Avado) on Modelbouwforum.nl


Photograph: Andre (Avado)

Look now at the picture of his hull after it had just been closed up.


Photograph: Andre (Avado): I am just showing you a small portion of the hull and the shape of the strakes that had to be conceived in order to close the hull successfully. That will hopefully give you some idea of what is involved.

 

[Heinrich]

Hi Johan,
Well said, good advice and I do agree with what you wrote.
My problem is if I “sleep-on-it” every mistake I make I’ll only be awake an hour a day

Roger, I can assure you - until this hull is closed in a way that I am happy with it, I am not getting much sleep either!

 

[Peter Voogt]

Yes, she is a challenge.

First, I want to show you this superb build of the Willem Barentsz by Andre (Avado) on Modelbouwforum.nl

View attachment 278731
Photograph: Andre (Avado)

Look now at the picture of his hull after it had just been closed up.

View attachment 278729
Photograph: Andre (Avado): I am just showing you a small portion of the hull and the shape of the strakes that had to be conceived in order to close the hull successfully. That will hopefully give you some idea of what is involved.

Hi Heinrich. Perhaps it is helpfull to make first from paper a strip. You can cut it little by little to get the right curves of the part you are making. Then you have something visual to help by fairing the wanted shape of the ship. It helped me a lot by the double curves at my Lee but also some parts of the BN.
But: I have great admiration for the approach taken to this challenge. And it will work!
Regards, Peter

 

[RDN1954]

Hi Heinrich. Perhaps it is helpfull to make first from paper a strip. You can cut it little by little to get the right curves of the part you are making. Then you have something visual to help by fairing the wanted shape of the ship. It helped me a lot by the double curves at my Lee but also some parts of the BN.
But: I have great admiration for the approach taken to this challenge. And it will work!
Regards, Peter

That's a sound piece of advice!

 

[RDN1954]

Roger, I can assure you - until this hull is closed in a way that I am happy with it, I am not getting much sleep either!

As long as Starbucks is around the corner....