HMS Guadeloupe (ex french Le Nisus), Brick de 24 by Jack.Aubrey - 1:48 scale

[jack.aubrey]

Yesterday I closed my message writing that I had to do a unexpected work due to an error in the initial design of this model. I omit the explanation about the reasons causing the error, of course totally due to myself. Instead I want to describe its effects on the hull and the action to be taken to correct it.

When I finished installing the waterways I realized, re-measuring the height of the interior bulwarks, that these were 4 mm lower compared to what had to be in reality: the height of the bulwark measured from the waterways had to be 24 mm. while it was only 20.

After an initial moment of discouragement I developed a corrective solution that I think was well deployed, considering that it is expected a double planking.
I cut with the table saw, from a wooden board exceeded after the mounting of the building slip, three strips 4 x 20 mm. I used them to draw and cut out shapes to apply over the bulwarks.
In the picture below you can see how this new element, similar to a gunwale, has solved the problem.

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The only drawback: I had to do quite a lot of dust; my power sanders Proxxon BSL 220/E and OZI 220/E are true jewels but, as dust producers, are incredible. So I had to spend the end of the day to suck all my workshop . .

I enclose other images to complete the message . .

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See you at next episode, where I strongly hope to describe the beginning of the installation of the deck planking . . Regards, Jack.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Monday, December 22, 2014

As promised, I finally started to implement the deck planking . .

Yesterday I spent part of the morning for the last preparatory activities: retrieve the necessary materials, prepare and glue into place the four strips of paper, taken by the deck plans, that will indicate the width of the strip at their position. I remind everyone that the strake hasn't the same width, but are tapered at both ends, this situation has never been experienced before by me.
Finally, in the morning, I glued the first strake, the middle one, to leave it enough time to dry out completely for the afternoon, when I started with the other strips. This first strake, unlike all the others, is not tapered.

Then yesterday afternoon I started to work with other strips and I quickly learned the best way to use the Proxxon abrasive disk to taper them, so it has become a breeze. Each strake is divided into four sections that at full scale should correspond to planks of a length of around seven meters. The five central strakes are of limewood 2 x 6 while the two darker master plank are walnut 3 x 5.

For the simulation of the caulking I used the graphite method, this method, accordingly with tests previously made had proved good for the lime wood. Finally, when the glue has dried I proceeded to sand the job done and to apply a couple of coats of wood oil, which has enhanced the color immediately. . I'm "super happy" with how things are developing.

An overview. .

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And three more detailed views . .

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See you next time, Jack.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Friday, January 2, 2015

To begin, I wish a good 2015 to all users of this forum . .

Looking at the previous message it appears that I have not done too much on this model . . it's partly true, because during the Christmas period there was not much time to devote to ship modelling but, anyway, I found two/three days free and I continued with the installation of the deck planks.

It is not an easy task and it requires a lot of time !!!!

Now "only" two full strakes per side are missing and then the deck "should" be done. But I think that these two strakes are probably the most difficult to install, because they have to be absolutely precise to perfectly close the deck. And after it remains a final detail to be solved: all the countless dots where the thin brass nails, to hold the planks until the glue was dryed, were hammered. The nails were subsequently removed but the small hole remains . .

The oil for wood highlights the visibility of these holes and an action is required to hide them, also because, not knowing beforehand that the oil would have highlighted them so well, the various holes result mainly misplaced.

I have kept all the limewood dust I produced during the tapering of the strips; mixed with "something" (I have not yet decided whether using glue or woodfiller varnish or clear acrylic paint) I would like to use it to fill the holes with a spatula for painters . . should work ? Will see.

A cordial greeting, Jack.

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[jack.aubrey]

Hello to everybody . . regarding the brick name I'm still in high waters, while I'm considering HMS Colibri . . but there is no hurry, I can wait until I'll have to build the figurehead.

The pins holes, instead, are the real problem now: while very small they are visible and this obviously isn't good. I have to do some tests to see what is the best way to make them disappear. Many areas of the deck will be covered, but others will remain open and here it's mandatory to do something. It's a problems to solve before the name, but I think to have time to find a good solution: when the last four deck strakes will be added I can continue my work by finishing the hull planking while in parallel I can find the best solution.

Finishing the hull planking means probably some weeks. Waiting is a usual strategy I adopt when I find difficulties and helps to control emotional situations: the time generally resolves most of the problems.

If I could come back in the past with a time machine I'll probably use a different way to hold the planks while glueing them . . power of experience !

Finally, based on how the story will be concluded, in theory, there would also to start the tree nailing of all the deck strakes.

Honestly I don't know how feasible this last task will be. Looking at the plans each strake has two tree nails every 30/40mm. It's an incredible work and, at prow and poop, the strakes are too close and then my work would be exposed to the risk of showing a poorly attractive effect. Another problem to solve in the future if I'll decide for the treenailing . .

Ciao a tutti, Jack.Aubrey

 

[jack.aubrey]

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Last Saturday I finished to install the deck planking . . Then I didn't achieved anything else because I had a continuous succession of unexpected events that I couldn't find time for ship modeling. I hope, now, to be able to resume the activities.

Before resuming the planking of the hull, I must go to a shipmodels shop to buy other strips of limewood 6 x 2 because, having also used them for the deck, I haven't enough wood for completing the hull.

Finally a few words about the process to hide the holes of the nails on the deck, the problem that kept my mind busy for a while: I did some tests on a tablet that I had prepared when I did the test for caulking, doing similar holes and applying the same oil used for the deck, recreating the same starting point. I managed to make them disappear almost completely, even if the process consists of several steps before considering it finished.

On the deck of the model I did the first two steps, which already have acheived a certain effect, but for the other steps it would be preferable to wait until the works on the inner sides of the bulwarks are concluded.

So I decided that the next step will be to open the gunports for guns and carronades, nine on each side. Probably today I hope to track all them in the right location with precision and to open at least one gunport . . we will see.

A cordial greeting to all of you, Jack.Aubrey.

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[jack.aubrey]

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

As promised, yesterday afternoon I came back at work and I decided to start with the opening of the gunports for the ship's guns and carronades. The most important job was to mark the position of the 18 gunports on the bulwarks, taking measures using the ANCRE plans. I checked and rechecked the measures several times before considering this activity concluded.
Below you can see a side of the model with the locations of the gunports marked.

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The opening of the gunports proved fairly simple and also quite fast. I've run the vertical cuts with the coping saw, being a bit smaller to finish the cut with a suitable sanding block. Regardinmg the horizontal cut, I practiced some holes with the minidrill and then, always with the coping saw, I cut the area not drilled. Then I had to smooth with greater force and attention but at the end the result is very good. You can view the prototype gunport from a couple of different viewpoints in the next two images.

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Then it had to fill the thickness side with veneer, again an activity requiring patience but relatively simple. The important thing is to glue the veneer very well to avoid detachment problems during the subsequent sanding.

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Finally, the sanding when the glue was totally dried. This activity was performed using a fine-grained sanding block combined with a very light pressure. The result comments alone.

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Today I'm still at work since this morning and obviously I plan to open and finish all the gunports of my brick.
See you soon. Jack.Aubrey.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Despite the good intentions, I was able to (almost) finish the right side of the hull. In addition, not visible in the photos, because I took them before, I opened four more gunports on the left side. Now only five ports are missing. In the first picture we have a view of the ports all together already smoothed and just only a couple still raw.

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A detail of the gunports after the sanding process . .

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Whereas here there are a few ports still raw, just to understand the sequence of my working activities.

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Here the ports are ready to be covered with veneer. .

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And, here, the veneer is applied, waiting the glue to dry . .

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Next step: the final sanding and completion of all the missing gunports.
Cheers, Jack.

 

[Bryian]

Wow, that's beautiful work.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Let's forget the productivity issue. . . these days I certainly didn't shine.

In the few moments that I could devote to this model I started finishing the bulwark internal sides, in order to achieve the main targets on the deck and continue with the hull planking.

In this first series of images I show the work in a transitional phase, just to show how much patience, precision and attention this task requires.
First I applied a first walnut plank (4mm high and 1mm deep) located right above the waterway. Then, above it, there will be two others strips: one of walnut 2x1 and another of walnut 2x2.
At this point the latter should be aligned with the lower side of the gun-ports. Since, however, there is not anywhere the exact height of 4mm, as at some points it's less, and in other it's more, even if only slightly, I preferred to first apply new strips over these two just now described. That's why they are missing ! These new strips are scratch built starting from a sheet of chestnut veneer with thickness 0.4.
The planks of veneer are slightly abundant in order to better finish the border when the glue is dried.

The photos below show these details while the glue is drying. With a sanding block and a lot of attention, I'll proceed with sanding, task that was already done on the right side of the hull. We will see this part in a next message.

Sincerely, Jack.

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[jack.aubrey]

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

In this post I'm showing the right side of the hull, where the work for finishing the bulwarks internally is more advanced, although not so much. Here you should notice the famous strip, described in my previous message, aligned with the lower side of the gun-ports. It is made with walnut 2 x 2. In addition the two vertical sides of the ports are finished with a walnut strip 2 x 1. There is a last strip still missing, theoretically 2 x 1, to install below the 2 x 2.
The same work must be done in the bow area, on both sides of the hull. And, again, then I'll have also to work internally at poop. I need to keep myself calm about this last matter, sooner or later I'll arrive at the end.

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Regards, Jack.Aubrey.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Thursday, February 5, 2015

After a few days of regular activities, finally I came to a point where it is worthwhile to show the progress made so far. Someone might argue that the innovations are not many, and probably is right but he should consider that what I had to do were true finishes, although basic, and these activities take lot of time. Moreover, being concentrated more or less all in the same area, I needed to give the glue time to do his job before moving forward.

I begin the usual roundup of photographs starting from some overall views of the hull, then entering into details. As you can see all the inner bulwarks have been completed, even in the bow area where it was a little more complicated. After this activity, which, I repeat, took some time, I worked on the sternpost.

Here I first had to sand the two internal central supports to level the inner side. I used the Proxxon BS/E belt sander, very suitable for this type of operation. Then I planked the inside with strips of veneer as I made for the bulwarks.

Externally I applied the final shaped piece of the transom that protrudes beyond the hull, to be filled later. It is 1 mm. thick and it's applied over the existing structure and reinforced, on the protruding sides, to take it to the same thickness of the inner part.

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In the image below you can clearly see the outside of the poop.
A very interesting work was the opening of the two round windows that are nothing more than two gun-ports.

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Its achievement was a matter of patience and use of appropriate tools. The use of a drill with a big drill bit is to be avoided. I performed +/- twenty holes of 0.8 along the entire circumference of the gun-port and then I cut it all with a coping saw. Obviously the hole had to be finished with files and abrasives. The result can be judged here.

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Even at the bow I worked hard, here the basic works can be considered virtually finished, obviously at least in this phase of the build. Aft, the inside wall has some areas to be still completed. But, for the moment, I could leave it as is and proceed with the hull planking. Exposed areas will be mostly covered by a kind of small cabin on each side and in the middle by a kind of box from which the tiller will emerge. Also the hole for the upper part of the rudder is still to be opened, but this will happen later. The few square centimeters that will remain uncovered will be finished properly at the proper time.

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For the next activity we will discuss in the next post. That's enough for today. Regards, Jack.

 

[Liberto]

Saludos Jack, un trabajo impecable muy limpio y ordenado… te felicito.
Liberto

 

[jack.aubrey]

Le agradezco sinceramente su comentario positivo de mi trabajo ... Gracias de nuevo, Jack.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Friday, February 6, 2015

In this post I present some more detailed images of the new things presented yesterday. In the first image a close-up view of the poop outside. At the proper time the area should be completed with a second planking and a decorative frame on the rounded edge, etc.

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The same element from the inside. Here there are still some activities to do, we'll see when, if doing them now or later, after finishing the hull planking.
The stability and the convenience coming by using the current building slip in keeping the hull (which would become unusable if I finish the planking) is something that I would not give up too soon.
Maybe I should study the building of a suitable pedestal to be used in its place, but this new support must keep the same characteristics of stability and practicality.

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Here, a closer view of the bow inside. Also here many new details will come, including the bowsprit, so I fear that at the end you will see very little. .

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Cheers, Jack.Aubrey.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Saturday, February 7, 2015

What to do now?

In these past days I reviewed again the Cygne plans to assess whether I should do some other work in the internal and external bulwarks and deck before resuming the installation of the hull planking.

First I immediately identified a new task to be accomplished at this stage of the build: it consists of opening new ports for the oars. Yes this vessel has oars! This small sailship could also be managed with oars, seven per side. The image below shown introduces these openings specific to the oars.
Internally the ports have the shape of a rectangle. In scale 1:48, the longer side is 6mm while the shorter is 4mm.
Externally the shape was rather different, as shown in figure 01, slightly drop-shaped, to allow the insertion of the oar blade, and with the lower part rounded to allow the action of rowing.
The outside was then closed by a lid pivoting on a fulcrum on top to prevent the entry of water when the oars were not used.

These 14 ports MUST be opened now, before the second planking. The latter will take the shape planned for the outside. I say now because I can still use the building slip to work more smoothly.

I will use the same method used for the gun-ports at the stern to open the oar ports, except that here the finishing must be done with tools of appropriate size, given the smaller size of this ports. For the moment I merely draw outside the proper location where these openings are with a pencil, as you can see from the pictures 02 and 03.
So everything is ready to start this new task, but I need before to find and/or prepare the right tools.

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Another work involving the bulwarks is related to the presence of three sheets (is this term correct?) per side as shown inside the red rectangle in the next two figures. These details, however, should be carried out later, even if the openings dedicated to them could be prepared from now. The sheets are three per side. The poop sheet (Fig.04) contains six pulleys (is this the correct term?) with diameter 4mm and thickness 0.8mm. The mid-ship sheet (Fig.05) contains five of them, same measures, while the far forward is single.

I have not yet decided when to do this task, but I think the first thing should be to prepare the blocks containing the pulleys and then, having determined the correct dimensions, drill the holes. Once finished with the openings for the oars I'll try to prepare these sheets, then I'll decide whether to include them now or after the second planking.

As I think you may have guessed, my approach is not predefined as for kit or partwork models. I proceed by alternating phases of work with planning stages, taking into account and starting from the model situation at the given time.

The matter has a lot of fun.

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Cheers, Jack.Aubrey.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Yesterday I started the preliminary steps to prepare the sheet blocks, I think to continue today, but they will be installed after the second planking.

I also made the ports for the oars on one side of the hull. I'll provide the external drop shape only to the second planking, although the right solution should be for the planking as a whole, but at this point it's not possible to achieve it.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Today I opened the oar ports on the left side of the hull: mini drill, small files and patience is all you need.
Regards, Jack.

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[jack.aubrey]

Wednesday, February 11th, 2014

Yesterday I made some work to prepare the sheets that procured me a beautiful headache......
Cheers, Jack.

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[jack.aubrey]

Thursday, February 19, 2015

As mentioned in my previous posts, it was time to return to work on the outside hull planking. For the occasion, I preferred to begin applying strakes starting from the keel.

In particular, seen that the shape of the midship and fore bulkheads is almost straight and allowed it, I preferred to use strips, always in limewood, 10 x 2mm. much wider than those used until now. However for the next strakes I'll come back to the original measure (6 x 2 mm). In all the photographs I'm showing four full courses and two broken at the two ends, all the same size.

Because the use of clamps and elastic at the bow and stern areas, I could not proceed very quickly to apply the four full strakes; it took me four days, basically a strake per day. Having to wait every time the COMPLETE drying of the glue I thought to introduce a novelty to strongly weld the first course to the keel: I prepared a filler made of glue and fine sawdust (obtained preserving the sawdust produced by the usage of the circular saw) applied with a spatula inside the first course, in the acute angle between the keel and the strip.
After the first experience I found the right quantitative mix between glue and sawdust obtaining in practice some new wood. In the picture number 03 you can see a corner in the bow area where it is visible, although in this case is not yet completely dry because I applied it recently.

Now the time has come to close for some twenty days the shipyard because me, my wife and my cats we all move to Tuscany, exactly in Calci (Pisa), where one of my two daughters lives . . It's from the beginning of September that we do not meet. Well worth the sorrow of leaving the Brick to season for a bit. . hoping to find good weather.

Sincerely, Jack.Aubrey.

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[jack.aubrey]

Sabato 21 Febbraio 2015

A couple of images without clamps and rubber bands . . left in the (photo)camera before leaving Milan.

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Greetings from the leaning tower !!!!!!!

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Last Friday I came back from my "short holiday" near Pisa and, when back, as usual, I had to follow other matters for some days instead of shipmodeling . .

Finally today I found time, for this afternoon, to restart working on the Brick. Obviously the work is continued from where it was stopped about a month ago: the planking of the hull.

For now, nothing to show, I'd like to publish some pictures when the planking will be completed . . I believe more/less within 8/10 days from here.

A friendly greeting, Jack.

 

[jack.aubrey]

Monday, March 23, 2015

Today I finally finished the first planking of my Brick !!

Although the long trip is just at its beginning and the goal is still beyond the horizon, this is an important milestone . . I think not only for me but for all ship modelers in general.
Now remains the rather "dusty" task to smooth the entire hull in order to prepare it to receive the second planking made with finest wood.

For now satisfy yourself with a bit of images taken with the smartphone; they aren't perfect but still give a good idea of the beautiful shape and lines of this hull. Other than the paunchy vessels or galleons . . these ships were, in their times, racing boats !!

Regards, Jack.

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