HMS Blandford,1/48 scale plank on frame. Modelship dockyard kit.

[Bryian]

Hello friends,
I have recently purchased the Blandford plank on frame kit in African pearwood. It’s an admiralty style model with exposed frames and stub masts. She is a 20 gun frigate and a sixth rated ship. I ordered the kit through Drydock models and was pleasantly surprised to receive the model down here in Australia 10 days after ordering. Excellent service.

I will not go into details about the kit contents as that’s been covered my multiple other build logs on this forum. I would say I’m very impressed with the quality of the timber, and the laser cutting of pieces are perfect. There’s no scorch marks on the wood which has been my experience from other manufacturers in the past.

Anyway, to begin my build log, here is my workbench which is 1.2 metres by 1.8 metres ( 4 foot by 6 foot ) and it’s of an Australian hardwood timber called Jarrah and marine plywood, with 2 vices mounted.

 

[Bryian]

Here’s some photos of the timber and plans, along with a production line of frame assemblies and the stem and keel construction.
More to follow soon. Thanks for looking in.

 

[Bryian]

Stem and keel construction.

 

[Bryian]

Here’s a few images from the manufacturer of how the model should look.

 

[AllanKP69]

MD is probably the most accurate kit manufacturer out there, by far. One question,,,,,, do they give instructions and/or is the keel already tapered and thus is the post and knee of the head tapered to match the keel where they meet? From the 1719 Establishment, the keel was sided 12" midships, 10½" at the bow, and 7½ at the post. Thanks Bryian
Allan

 

[Y.T.]

MD is probably the most accurate kit manufacturer out there, by far. One question,,,,,, do they give instructions and/or is the keel already tapered and thus is the post and knee of the head tapered to match the keel where they meet? From the 1719 Establishment, the keel was sided 12" midships, 10½" at the bow, and 7½ at the post. Thanks Bryian
Allan

Does it really matter if kit maker cared of this detail? One who bought it and cares can always do whatever they want with the keel front tapering issue.

 

[Bryian]

MD is probably the most accurate kit manufacturer out there, by far. One question,,,,,, do they give instructions and/or is the keel already tapered and thus is the post and knee of the head tapered to match the keel where they meet? From the 1719 Establishment, the keel was sided 12" midships, 10½" at the bow, and 7½ at the post. Thanks Bryian
Allan

Hi Allan,
the stem (cut water) and keel has not been tapered by the manufacturer, but I shall endeavour to do that myself. As for instructions, there’s none but I found it helpful looking at the YouTube videos of HMS enterprise by the same manufacturer. I could deduce how things are assembled with those videos.

 

[Charlie1805]

ICHch werde mit Spannung deinen Baubericht verfolgen.

 

[AllanKP69]

Does it really matter if kit maker cared of this detail?

Hi YT
The answer depends on who you are asking. If you are asking me, the answer is yes. I have no idea or concerns about the priorities of others as it is none of my business.
Allan

 

[AllanKP69]

ICHch werde mit Spannung deinen Baubericht verfolgen.

Same for me Charlie. MD kits are so superior to their competition it will be fun following Bryian's build.
Allan

 

[Graham]

Hi. What are your initial impressions on laser char on this kit?
Thanks.

 

[AnobiumPunctatum]

As said in your other thread, I‘ll follow your log with great interest

 

[Jim Fortnam]

This looks exciting. I'll fashion myself a seat and bring some sandwiches....

 

[dockattner]

Pulling up a chair, Bryian! Wishing much happiness during this build!

 

[Signet]

I grabbed the recliner in the corner. Sorry, I guess no one else saw it, but I will watch in comfort, as I had been considering this model as well.