Thank you all for the warm welcome back, taking the time to visit, and all the likes.
A small update. I started planking the hull, between first and second gun decks, only to realize I'm human and to be one is to err.
After planking the bottom three of four runs of planks, I realized that the gun port cutouts on the bottom plank were incorrect, as they accounted for the sills of the ports extending to the outer edge of the external planks. I decided not to follow this standard for cosmetic reasons. The result was that the cutout was vertically too large. So off it came, and I'm now in the process of reconfiguring.
So as we do, when we get stuck, we take a small step of testing the plank fasteners' appearance, treenails, and bolts. French 74s of the period typically had a combination of treenails and iron bolts, offset and alternated, below the waterline. I will not be following this standard, installing treenails only below the waterline.
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Photos of some test samples are below. Plank and treenail tests have different combinations of treatments. Planks include sanding sealer, Tung Oil, Bitumen wash with white spirits, and Bitumen/bees wax. Treenails are all of the same pearwood as the planks, but have three different treatments, including 1) no treatment, 2) flat black paint, and 3) graphite treated low viscosity PA glue applied during installation.
View attachment 513691
Although the samples are all relatively close in appearance, there are some subtle differences. I've yet to decide which I prefer. Input is always welcome.
So we all know the importance of using GREEN mats. I think I've uncovered some false advertisement in marketing. Mine are supposed to be "self-healing". I'm waiting for the drill holes to heal themselves!
View attachment 513704View attachment 513705For the Wales bolts, I wanted to use copper or something similar. The photo below shows half-hard square copper wire as well as half-hard square red brass wire. From the usual viewing distance, you really can't tell the difference. Under magnification, the differences are slight. The key difference is that, even though both are "half-hard," the red brass was noticeably harder and therefore easier to work with during installation. So the decision has been made.
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