HMS Bellona - 1/48 scale , from CAF

[Luiz B. F. Grassi]

Hi everyone !
I'm starting a new project for HMS Bellona , 1/48 scale , from CAF.
it's almost time to start planking the hull and I'm finding that the material provided is too thin ( 0,50mm ) x 6mm wide.
Perhaps the thinness will make installation easier in the more curved areas, but the hull structure and the gluing between the planks will be very fragile.
I'd like to ask those who have already had this experience with the CAF project, if planking using 1,0 mm thick material wouldn't be more suitable ? Or would it not make much of a difference ? I wouldn't like to use the double planking system.
Thank you,
Luiz Bruno

 

[AllanKP69]

The thickness of the planking varied. Assuming the model is planked like a ship with one layer, the bottom planking and above the channel wales was the thinnest, 4 inches. (2.1mm at 1:48). Strakes above and below the wales would be thicker, and the lower/main wales 8.5 inches (4.5mm) thick. The contract for Elephant (74) 1786 is some years after Bellona but the scantlings are probably very similar.

If this is a double layer model, none of the above applies. But, for shaping any size the planks, especially at the bow, hot edge bend the planks from the kit after you file or sand to the tapered breadth along its entire length that is needed. By the same token, if you are coppering the hull, the lay of the planks does not really matter below the waterline as it will be covered with the copper plates.
Allan

 

[Luiz B. F. Grassi]

The thickness of the planking varied. Assuming the model is planked like a ship with one layer, the bottom planking and above the channel wales was the thinnest, 4 inches. (2.1mm at 1:48). Strakes above and below the wales would be thicker, and the lower/main wales 8.5 inches (4.5mm) thick. The contract for Elephant (74) 1786 is some years after Bellona but the scantlings are probably very similar.

If this is a double layer model, none of the above applies. But, for shaping any size the planks, especially at the bow, hot edge bend the planks from the kit after you file or sand to the tapered breadth along its entire length that is needed. By the same token, if you are coppering the hull, the lay of the planks does not really matter below the waterline as it will be covered with the copper plates.
Allan

Allan, thanks for your help !