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- Apr 20, 2019
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It’s you Nomad has come up with a fantastic solution and I for one thank him for sharing
Planking the lower deck is largely superfluous as it will be all but invisible once the gun deck and upper decks are installed. All the same, I planked a strategic section of the lower deck aft that should stand up to determined scrutiny through the hatchways 
Reluctant to tap into my stock of planking material that came with HMS Fly, I used spare basswood planks from my previous model for the lower deck planking. Caulking and treenails were simulated with a black marker pen and the butt-shift pattern is entirely fictional, marked off in areas that might be visible through the hatches.
Reluctant to tap into my stock of planking material that came with HMS Fly, I used spare basswood planks from my previous model for the lower deck planking. Caulking and treenails were simulated with a black marker pen and the butt-shift pattern is entirely fictional, marked off in areas that might be visible through the hatches.
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Thanks Jim. The deck being split in two was disturbing enough, but certainly there was not enough support along the centreline. Seems you always have to try and think ahead in this game
Ah Johan, I can see I'm going to have to be on my toes again with you around, one of my best critics
The frames don't feel frail to be honest. They are 5mm thick and with the lower deck in place, also 5mm thick, it feels very solid indeed. That said, I have yet to get to the fairing so I'll reserve judgement until then. I'm also curious to know how this fibreboard will stand up to fairing compared to its wood equivalent.
- Mark
The fiber board is more delicate than wood obviously…thus, in my experience, it will fair quickly so the caution is to go lightly and not take too much off the fairing edge…easy to do with the soft fiber board…
A dry fit of the two upper decks revealed a quarterdeck that did not align well with the outer stern counter pieces. The counter pieces did not slant far enough inwards to support the aft end of the quarterdeck.
A single-edged razor blade successfully prized the counter pieces from the frame, although I understand steam is the better method of undoing already-glued parts. I applied a deeper angle to the host frame and bevelled the inner vertical edges of the counter pieces to effect a flush fit against the bulkhead.
The counter pieces now line up accurately with the quarterdeck but I will refrain from fixing them in place just yet in case something else unexpected turns up
A single-edged razor blade successfully prized the counter pieces from the frame, although I understand steam is the better method of undoing already-glued parts. I applied a deeper angle to the host frame and bevelled the inner vertical edges of the counter pieces to effect a flush fit against the bulkhead.
The counter pieces now line up accurately with the quarterdeck but I will refrain from fixing them in place just yet in case something else unexpected turns up
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Most likely the false deck is more correct. The stern pieces have more chance of being out of line due to how the structures fit together. I have encountered similar problems between false decks and first layer plywood hull siding with underlying structures. In most cases I end up modifying the hull support structures rather than the false deck piece. So in my opinion you went in the right direction.The question remaining unanswered now, at least for me, is which part is correct; the Stern pieces or the false deck?
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Good morning Mark. You have been busy I see. Impressive start Mark. I love the way for each step you are forward thinking. I have a feeling this is going to be an outstanding HMS Fly. Cheers Grant.In the spirit of trying to think ahead I dry-fitted the two upper decks to make sure they lined up as expected. Of course they did not. The two outer stern counter pieces, despite fitting snugly to the rear-most bulkhead frame, did not slant inward enough to support the aft-most end of the quarterdeck.
View attachment 308443
Prizing the already-glued counter pieces from the frame was a bit of a concern, but a single-edged razor blade took care of that job quite well. I could then apply a deeper angle to the host slot on the frame, as well as a bevel the inner vertical edges of the counter pieces to effect a flush fit against the bulkhead.
View attachment 308444
The outer stern counter pieces now line up accurately with the rear edges of the quarterdeck, although I will refrain from glueing them in place just yet in case something else unexpected turns up
View attachment 308445
Yes, certainly the false deck is more accurate. I have since observed that other builders have come across this same issue with their HMS Fly or Pegasus builds and, like me, were obliged to steam or prize apart their stern pieces and re-shape them. Seems as much as I try and look ahead, I'm clearly not looking far enough ahead
Hi Grant, I was wondering where you had got to. I have been missing the regular doses of your Victory progress updates but now I see you've been knocking about in the Northern Hemisphere for a while? Trust you had a good trip
I have to admire modellers who know how to use a nailing tool. I have no faith in my ability to use one properly and there is a fine line between sinking a nail successfully or slipping and sending a fist through the hull of my ship. So when it came to fixing the gun deck to the hull, I followed the more cumbersome method of creating pilot holes with an awl and sinking the nails, just halfway, with a small ball-peen hammer.
The shape of each frame was marked out beforehand to provide a target area for the nails, and elastic bands kept the deck flush against the frames while the glue set.
Prior to fixing the gun deck I removed a small section (5mm) of keel extension where the capstan will be housed. The recess will provide greater stability for the capstan spindle which is in the form of a dowel. Probably unnecessary, but you never know.
The shape of each frame was marked out beforehand to provide a target area for the nails, and elastic bands kept the deck flush against the frames while the glue set.
Prior to fixing the gun deck I removed a small section (5mm) of keel extension where the capstan will be housed. The recess will provide greater stability for the capstan spindle which is in the form of a dowel. Probably unnecessary, but you never know.
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You're off to a clean start!
Thanks Kurt. The niggling question of course is whether it can stay clean?
Hate to burst your bubble, but maybe not. Fingers with glue or paint on them often scar the model by leaving marks. A careless slip of a razor knife scratches decks. It depends how careful you are. Cover the model with a cloth when you aren't working on it. The cloth also keeps my cats from stepping on or climbing over the model.Thanks Kurt. The niggling question of course is whether it can stay clean?
Good idea Kurt, a cloth over the model. Luckily no cats in the house to wreak havoc, but I'd consider posting a sentry at the door with order to shoot on sight if I can get it endorsed by the admiral. Which of course won't happen, like so many other requests which have been quashed over the years
I found distraction techniques like opening a window can buy you some time with the Bengal cats, which are FULL of mischievous energy. They also love exploring the adjacent storage room shelves. Despite instances of them pissing and even shitting on my bed once (while I was in itGood idea Kurt, a cloth over the model. Luckily no cats in the house to wreak havoc, but I'd consider posting a sentry at the door with order to shoot on sight if I can get it endorsed by the admiral. Which of course won't happen, like so many other requests which have been quashed over the years
), they keep their paws off my model. I guess they DO have some sense of self preservation.But we digress. Let's watch this HMS Fly build...
Good morning Mark. Yes was an excellent trip- going to have to get involved in some of the businesses for a while, very exciting. Will take away some fun time with my Victory thoHi Grant, I was wondering where you had got to. I have been missing the regular doses of your Victory progress updates but now I see you've been knocking about in the Northern Hemisphere for a while? Trust you had a good trip
. Cheers Grant
Can’t agree more