HMS Medea (28) (1778) 1/48 scratch build

[Masters Mate]

More slow progress. Both quarterdeck railings and the stern railing completed. Also mounts for swivel guns.


Steps glued to sides of hull (since rounded at bottom of each step).


Tampions for all guns made with brass nails.



Moving on to the foredeck now, with work around the bow and bulwark railing.


Next post, removal of a major error and its repair....

 

[Uwek]

The idea with the Tampions is really good - is it only some paint or even wax?
The element with the outboard steps is maybe not the last solution - I think this was never one single wooden element, usually only single steps fixed to the hull planking, but maybe I am wrong
maybe it would look better when you devide / cut every step and install some of the single steps with a little bit distance from each other - this would look more like steps - just a subjective comment

 

[Masters Mate]

The idea with the Tampions is really good - is it only some paint or even wax?
The element with the outboard steps is maybe not the last solution - I think this was never one single wooden element, usually only single steps fixed to the hull planking, but maybe I am wrong
maybe it would look better when you devide / cut every step and install some of the single steps with a little bit distance from each other - this would look more like steps - just a subjective comment

The tampions are painted with acrylic paint.

As always, Uwe, I appreciate your comments and suggestions. I attempted a short cut with the steps but I agree they look terrible. I have spent this morning cutting down to the planking between them and they are gradually looking better. Images to come when I finish the repair.

Usually the kit version of the Medea's sister ship, Enterprise, show fewer steps, but the National Maritime Museum plans show ten, so they appear quite small at 1:48 scale.

 

[Uwek]

Usually the kit version of the Medea's sister ship, Enterprise, show fewer steps, but the National Maritime Museum plans show ten, so they appear quite small at 1:48 scale.

The HMS Siren, also a sistership plan is showing seven steps ourboard

Syren/Siren (1773) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

another drawing of this class also seven

Hussar (1784), Rose (1783), Dido (1784), Thisbe (1783), Alligator (1787), Circe (1783), Lapwing (1785), Mercury (1779), Pegasus (1779), Pomona (1778) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

Another drawing showing ships of this class is showing even 12 steps - so this changed in the time - also the location is different (more aft)

Enterprize (1774) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

So everything seems more or less correct, because they made it in the same class differently

 

[Masters Mate]

The HMS Siren, also a sistership plan is showing seven steps ourboard

View attachment 389907

Syren/Siren (1773) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

another drawing of this class also seven

View attachment 389906

Hussar (1784), Rose (1783), Dido (1784), Thisbe (1783), Alligator (1787), Circe (1783), Lapwing (1785), Mercury (1779), Pegasus (1779), Pomona (1778) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

Another drawing showing ships of this class is showing even 12 steps - so this changed in the time - also the location is different (more aft)

View attachment 389905

Enterprize (1774) | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

So everything seems more or less correct, because they made it in the same class differently

Thanks Uwe. The last RMG image (of Enterprise) was as a receiving ship in 1787 and certainly had more steps than when first built.

 

[Masters Mate]

A few updates to do.
Firstly, following Uwe's advice, I've separated the steps back to the hull (although the image shows I need to go a bit deeper between a few.



Then I did some work on mounting the swivel guns.





I used small brass washers as the swivel mounts.

More to come.....

 

[Masters Mate]

In keeping with my policy of utilizing collected items on hand if I can, I had some fun making the ship's stove.

I started with a block of wood and wrapped it in thin brass, nailed on.

I found a book binding post in my stocks which was the exact diameter for the chimney. I inserted it from the bottom and cut it off at the correct angle.



I left the threaded end on as a rain cap, after grinding it thinner to remove the screwdriver slot.


More to come soon...

 

[Masters Mate]

Having an old brass key with a very interesting design I cut it to shape to make a hotplate.






More to come soon....

 

[shota70]

Having an old brass key with a very interesting design I cut it to shape to make a hotplate.

View attachment 396618
View attachment 396619
View attachment 396620


More to come soon....

looks great, I like your attitude

 

[Masters Mate]

Three other interesting items caught my eye; a small round brass nut, a copper compression washer and a small brass hinge.


The small nut was ground back slightly to provide a good flat surface. Two holes were drilled in the sides and two nearer the top. After some time dealing with such small pieces I had a boiler to fit on the stove.



I cut the 1/2 " compression washer in half and made a lid for it. This made a satisfactory cooking pot (2ft in length at 1:48 scale).



I then added half the hinge and another piece of scrap brass electrical fitting to the stove and blacked it.



Dry mounted, I thought there was one more crazy thing I could add so I made a chain block to raise the cooking pot and swing it out.






Although not perfect I found creating these tiny features very satisfying. Of course, when the foredeck goes on all but the chimney will be hidden!

 

[Masters Mate]

Next I made the after riding bitts, painted them and fitted them to the deck.





I'm now proceeding with the partition which will close off the forward gun deck.

More in a few days. Thanks for watching and for all the likes.

 

[Herman]

@Masters Mate , I wish you a very Happy Birthday

 

[Jimsky]

Happy Birthday, Ian!!

 

[Charlie1805]

Happy Birthday,Have a good Day

 

[shota70]

Happy Birthday

 

[Steef66]

Happy birthday Ian

 

[Masters Mate]

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. As my son so aptly said - "He's successfully completed another circle of the sun".
It's been a challenging year but I'm looking forward to better health and continued ship building.

 

[Masters Mate]

A few updates to do.
Firstly, following Uwe's advice, I've separated the steps back to the hull (although the image shows I need to go a bit deeper between a few.

View attachment 396497

Then I did some work on mounting the swivel guns.

View attachment 396499

View attachment 396500

I used small brass washers as the swivel mounts.

More to come.....

After several attempts to make the original steps work, I took Uwe's advice and removed them and made new ones.

I think they look much better now.

 

[Jimsky]

After several attempts to make the original steps work, I took Uwe's advice and removed them and made new ones.

I think they look much better now.

they look really good!

 

[Masters Mate]

The next project was the partition between the waist and the foredeck.




I attempted to follow Giampy65's excellent tutorial to make the hinges but I'm afraid my efforts fell well short of his.
https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/making-hinges-tutorial.11743/#post-333943

The first mistake I made was to make mine the same size as Giampy65's. Serious error! I should have checked his scale first. It turned out to be 1:36 whereas mine is 1:48, so mine needed to be about a third smaller.



Way too big and ugly.


Mine needed to be 2.44 mm wide which made forming the butt hinge quite a challenge. Even at this size they would be 4" wide on a real ship.


I also blacked the brass which I think was a mistake so I removed as much as I could. The raised panels were also too high so I sanded them back quite a bit before painting them again.


Not my finest work and I will probably do a lot more to tidy this partition up before I am satisfied. But having spent nearly 2 weeks on it I'm moving on for the time being.