Fine work on the planking - looking good
also the kit is looking good - really an interesting small(er) project in between
also the kit is looking good - really an interesting small(er) project in between
HMS Druid 1776 (x 2) by Unicorn Model, 1/128 [COMPLETED BUILD]
Moving on to the mid section: the hull was sanded and faired inside and out.
On this section the frames are securely glued to the build jig so there is no need to initiate the external planking to stabilise the section as is required in the stern section.
So the decks will need to be constructed.
Starting with B deck (A deck being the lowest deck) All the pieces are located ready to install into the BM4 jig.
The cambered deck beams will go into the jig first followed by the carlings (H18)
Lodging knees are perfectly aligned in their jig/template (B05) that just snaps off after being glued in place.
Beams and Carlings glued using the jig to align.
Lodging knees glued and clamped in place.
The lodging knees template is snapped/cut away.
At the top of the photo deck planking is waiting to be glued into place.
I wasn't too happy that the lodging knees were to be hidden under the deck planking so I decided to cut away the last 3.5 planks.
I looked ahead to see if this affects the rest of the build- it didn't look like it did so here is the deck planks in place with the discarded deck planks at the top.
Each deck has a height alignment template.
Here Deck B's alignment template is used to locate the deck in the correct place, but not glued.
The underside of the deck (Topside deck beam edges in this photo) is used to glue in the first internal hull planks (red arrows) that will eventually support the deck. A total of 4 planks each side is required here.
(The number "19" on the template is the frame number the template needs to align with)
Deck A is a single piece but it needs to have very thin deck reinforcements (red arrows) glued to the underside of each beam to create the deck camber.
Deck A height alignment template in place. The blue circles are the planks from a prior step.
Deck A glued into place- you can see the beam reinforcement on top of the main beams.
Deck C is next. It is basically the same technique as deck B with its own jig.
...it has a few more parts than deck B, including this part (red arrow) that is very fragile and broke.
I also began building the ladders.
Here are all the ladder parts before being removed. Blue arrows show some of the ladder steps put into place to see how much clean up is required. They fit in their slots nicely.
All the parts of the ladders are cleaned and ready for assembly.
On this section the frames are securely glued to the build jig so there is no need to initiate the external planking to stabilise the section as is required in the stern section.
So the decks will need to be constructed.
Starting with B deck (A deck being the lowest deck) All the pieces are located ready to install into the BM4 jig.
The cambered deck beams will go into the jig first followed by the carlings (H18)
Lodging knees are perfectly aligned in their jig/template (B05) that just snaps off after being glued in place.
Beams and Carlings glued using the jig to align.
Lodging knees glued and clamped in place.
The lodging knees template is snapped/cut away.
At the top of the photo deck planking is waiting to be glued into place.
I wasn't too happy that the lodging knees were to be hidden under the deck planking so I decided to cut away the last 3.5 planks.
I looked ahead to see if this affects the rest of the build- it didn't look like it did so here is the deck planks in place with the discarded deck planks at the top.
Each deck has a height alignment template.
Here Deck B's alignment template is used to locate the deck in the correct place, but not glued.
The underside of the deck (Topside deck beam edges in this photo) is used to glue in the first internal hull planks (red arrows) that will eventually support the deck. A total of 4 planks each side is required here.
(The number "19" on the template is the frame number the template needs to align with)
Deck A is a single piece but it needs to have very thin deck reinforcements (red arrows) glued to the underside of each beam to create the deck camber.
Deck A height alignment template in place. The blue circles are the planks from a prior step.
Deck A glued into place- you can see the beam reinforcement on top of the main beams.
Deck C is next. It is basically the same technique as deck B with its own jig.
...it has a few more parts than deck B, including this part (red arrow) that is very fragile and broke.
I also began building the ladders.
Here are all the ladder parts before being removed. Blue arrows show some of the ladder steps put into place to see how much clean up is required. They fit in their slots nicely.
All the parts of the ladders are cleaned and ready for assembly.
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These two kits are amazing quality & value. The laser cut is so precise. The photos make the kit look a lot bigger than they are, but are an absolute joy to put together. I have just started the stern and its very easy to build. I highly recommend these kits.
Agreed.
I'm in Queensland for the next few days (summer downunder) then I'll get back into the kits.
Judging by your speed with the Alert kit you will probably be finished before I can get back to the work bench
I'm in Queensland for the next few days (summer downunder) then I'll get back into the kits.
Judging by your speed with the Alert kit you will probably be finished before I can get back to the work bench
YEP! two weeks.
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Nice work- you are a model ship building machine.
On to the Mid section next?
On to the Mid section next?
No , going to try some plastic 1:350 Hood & Bismark,,, BTW the mini Enterprise kit is now out ans on ali express
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Happy Birthday, John! Many more years to come! 
happy birthday
Little thing I noticed on my Druid cross section about H17 planks between decks is that if you flip them face then face over as they are laid the slight angle of the laser cut will mesh and the planks will be closer together with the char showing as if there was pitch between them. I admit hardly noticeable in this scale.
The completed model.
WOW - this is a great presentation - I LOVE IT
Congratulations for finishing this remarkable model
Maybe it would be possible to make some closer shots / photos to see the details of the yard better? Please
Congratulations for finishing this remarkable model
Maybe it would be possible to make some closer shots / photos to see the details of the yard better? Please