HMS Alert [1777] 1:48 POF by serikoff. (Two hulls: skeleton and fully rigged)

[serikoff]

Very nice and careful work, Sergey. I appreciate the alignment of the carlings along the length of the ship. Well done, my friend!

Several times you have mentioned the 'removability' of this deck. Are you taking about during the construction phase? I assume you will be permanently installing everything when you add the hanging knees? Or will the knees be allowed to "hang free" because there is no interior planking thus truly making the deck removable?

Thank you, friend, for your high praise and such a good question. The deck will be removable until I glue the ledges, remove all excess glue, and sand everything on both sides. Then I'll oil the bottom surface of the deck, avoiding the sides, and the top surface, then glue it all into the ship's hull. Next, I'll prepare the vertical knees and coat the surface that will be inaccessible when they're fixed in place. Then I'll glue these knees into place, carefully aligning them with the main surface. But before that, I'll still make all the parts that will be on the hull while the deck is removable, so I can adjust everything both inside and outside the ship's hull. And after the final gluing, I'll oil everything on top. But before that, the railings and the outer skin will still need to be done. I hope the translator translates everything correctly.)))

 

[dockattner]

Thank you, friend, for your high praise and such a good question. The deck will be removable until I glue the ledges, remove all excess glue, and sand everything on both sides. Then I'll oil the bottom surface of the deck, avoiding the sides, and the top surface, then glue it all into the ship's hull. Next, I'll prepare the vertical knees and coat the surface that will be inaccessible when they're fixed in place. Then I'll glue these knees into place, carefully aligning them with the main surface. But before that, I'll still make all the parts that will be on the hull while the deck is removable, so I can adjust everything both inside and outside the ship's hull. And after the final gluing, I'll oil everything on top. But before that, the railings and the outer skin will still need to be done. I hope the translator translates everything correctly.)))

Excellent. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. This seems like a good plan.

I hope you don't mind if I share some additional thoughts... Getting the hanging knees to perfectly align with the deck surface (and still relate well to the side of the ship) would appear to be the biggest challenge you will face. The knees will be difficult to handle at that stage because there will be very little to hold on to while positioning them. On the Kingfisher I installed the hanging knees before the deck was permanently affixed so I could more easily position them and still sand the deck surface smooth outside of the model. This created the additional challenge of installing my now completed deck. Disclosure: I ended up sectioning the deck into several pieces, installed the hanging knees, sanded everything, and then inserted/installed the deck in stages like a puzzle. I do not endorse my approach but recognize the challenge inherent in yours.

Perfection is a cruel taskmaster.

I will now crawl back under my rock and cheer you on!

 

[serikoff]

Excellent. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. This seems like a good plan.

I hope you don't mind if I share some additional thoughts... Getting the hanging knees to perfectly align with the deck surface (and still relate well to the side of the ship) would appear to be the biggest challenge you will face. The knees will be difficult to handle at that stage because there will be very little to hold on to while positioning them. On the Kingfisher I installed the hanging knees before the deck was permanently affixed so I could more easily position them and still sand the deck surface smooth outside of the model. This created the additional challenge of installing my now completed deck. Disclosure: I ended up sectioning the deck into several pieces, installed the hanging knees, sanded everything, and then inserted/installed the deck in stages like a puzzle. I do not endorse my approach but recognize the challenge inherent in yours.

Perfection is a cruel taskmaster.

I will now crawl back under my rock and cheer you on!

Thanks for the tips. Yes, it's not that simple, but I've drawn up a plan and will show it in detail. I hope everything works out great. And for those who don't know what we're talking about, here's the diagram. It's about vertical knees.

I also considered making it collapsible, but abandoned the idea early on to avoid breakage and potential errors. However, under different circumstances, it's a very good option.

 

[serikoff]

Some thoughts... to better visualize what I want to ask (for those who haven't yet looked at the post with photos of the finished deck, look at the repost below) what do you think will look better.

Continuing with the upper deck.

View attachment 553464

View attachment 553465

I have three options for securing the partitions:

1. Install everything as it should be. (The downside is that the lower deck won't be visible due to all the parts.)



2. Install only the two left and middle sections, and leave the two right bays unattached. The upside is that the lower deck will be more visible, but the downside is that the partitions aren't quite properly secured in the knees. There are no stops, and the grooves are through.



3. Install the side bays (right and left) and the middle bay, and leave the two middle bays unattached. The upside is that the lower deck will be more visible, but not as much as with the second option, but the upside is that the grooves for the partitions in the carlings are properly made than in the knees.



So I'm wondering... which is better? What are your options?

 

[RussF]

It sounds like option 3 has two upsides and only a minor downside. My vote is 3.

 

[dockattner]

I'm slightly favoring #2. And if you want to be an overachiever place a floor in the notches (I wouldn't bother, but...). Option 2 gives you the best view of the hanging knees and a more coherent centerline.