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Le Requin-Zebec-1750 POF 1:48 (ZHL)

Daniel20 said:
Happy New Year to all!
I finally finished the main deck cross beam supports. Since I could find no specific deck support information at the bow section and surrounding foremast area, I just designed my own support system. Leading up to the system I first dry fit the foremast, set it plumb after checking for and setting the base level and temporarily braced it in place.

View attachment 567704View attachment 567702View attachment 567701View attachment 567703

The next step was to frame around the foremast, you will see the hole provided in the decking will not be nearly big enough to accommodate the mast hex shape, but I knew way back this was going to be the case.

View attachment 567706

So here is the completed decking support bow section.

View attachment 567705

And lastly an overview to date.

View attachment 567707

The decking itself is comprised of laser cut strips that I will separate (they have been strategically cut way better than I could scratch up) and glue each strip separately. Per plan suggestion I drew a series of lines across the sections that will act as match marks (you can see some of them in the above decking photo).

I sure thank you all for stopping in for a look, I intend to carry this momentum forward and show good progress this year.

Till next time hope you all will have a great start to 2026!

View attachment 567700
Click to expand...
A nice solution, Daniel. Nothing better that scratch building on intuition.
The picture with all those curved deck beam looks great.
Regards, Peter
 
Today I added more deck beams to ensure a good base for the deck planks and widened out the hex shape to accommodate the fore mast then began placing the deck planks on the bow section. The plans say it's best to place the center plank first then expand out both directions. The first picture shows the additional bracing then onto removing and setting the first center pieces.IMG_1531.jpegIMG_1530.jpeg

After multiple dry fits I made a template cut out for the enlargement of the hex shaped hole as well as a few minor adjustments along the inside of the bow ribs. From there I began the glue down.

IMG_1528.jpegIMG_1532.jpeg
I'll have to add a carling to the aft end of the C/L boards or trim them back to the cross beam, not a big deal, I'm used to these types of adjustments. There is a spacing conflict between ANCRE and the kit plans. You see if I had moved the cross beam back to the endo of the deck center pieces it would have left the edges of the angled deck boards hanging in the air.

Thanks for checking back in.
 
Daniel20 said:
Today I added more deck beams to ensure a good base for the deck planks and widened out the hex shape to accommodate the fore mast then began placing the deck planks on the bow section. The plans say it's best to place the center plank first then expand out both directions. The first picture shows the additional bracing then onto removing and setting the first center pieces.View attachment 567848View attachment 567847

After multiple dry fits I made a template cut out for the enlargement of the hex shaped hole as well as a few minor adjustments along the inside of the bow ribs. From there I began the glue down.

View attachment 567850View attachment 567852
I'll have to add a carling to the aft end of the C/L boards or trim them back to the cross beam, not a big deal, I'm used to these types of adjustments. There is a spacing conflict between ANCRE and the kit plans. You see if I had moved the cross beam back to the endo of the deck center pieces it would have left the edges of the angled deck boards hanging in the air.

Thanks for checking back in.
Click to expand...
Looking wonderful Daniel…Happy New Year
 
Daniel20 said:
Today I added more deck beams to ensure a good base for the deck planks and widened out the hex shape to accommodate the fore mast then began placing the deck planks on the bow section. The plans say it's best to place the center plank first then expand out both directions. The first picture shows the additional bracing then onto removing and setting the first center pieces.View attachment 567848View attachment 567847

After multiple dry fits I made a template cut out for the enlargement of the hex shaped hole as well as a few minor adjustments along the inside of the bow ribs. From there I began the glue down.

View attachment 567850View attachment 567852
I'll have to add a carling to the aft end of the C/L boards or trim them back to the cross beam, not a big deal, I'm used to these types of adjustments. There is a spacing conflict between ANCRE and the kit plans. You see if I had moved the cross beam back to the endo of the deck center pieces it would have left the edges of the angled deck boards hanging in the air.

Thanks for checking back in.
Click to expand...
Wow, that deck planking could go FUBAR in the blink of an eye...
I must admit I'm lost in this part of the build.
 
RDN1954 said:
Wow, that deck planking could go FUBAR in the blink of an eye...
Click to expand...
Ha! I had to look that one up Johan. Yes, if I were to mishandle any of this decking system then very shortly, I'd be cast into the hurt locker. This decking is a 1.5mm sheet that's been lasered into planks that have to be separated before glue down. I have drawn a series of match lines across the sheets as you can see to help keep the boards in proper order. Of course, I had them all flat and mated up prior to marking the lines. In theory this should work well so we shall see.

IMG_1533.jpeg
 
OK here is my proof of application as I see it. If the rest of the decking goes this well, I'll be happy. The first pic showing glue down with my weighted helpers.

IMG_1534.jpeg
This ship will be my first to show deck nails, nothing fancy just 0.6mm copper wire inserted into 0.6mm holes. I lightly sanded prior to drilling the holes then inserted just 6 pieces of wire and sanded over it, I think this is going to look pretty good when finished, fingers crossed.

IMG_1535.jpeg

A couple of overview shots for perspective.

IMG_1536.jpegIMG_1537.jpeg
Naturally the macro shots highlight the ugly such as gaps and other imperfections but at distance after final sanding and top coating I am expecting her beauty to come full out. I'm leaving the laser char on to help simulate the deck caulking. Also, I will add butt joints by ink pen when the decking is completed.

Thanks for checking her out.
 
Daniel20 said:
OK here is my proof of application as I see it. If the rest of the decking goes this well, I'll be happy. The first pic showing glue down with my weighted helpers.

View attachment 568346
This ship will be my first to show deck nails, nothing fancy just 0.6mm copper wire inserted into 0.6mm holes. I lightly sanded prior to drilling the holes then inserted just 6 pieces of wire and sanded over it, I think this is going to look pretty good when finished, fingers crossed.

View attachment 568347

A couple of overview shots for perspective.

View attachment 568348View attachment 568349
Naturally the macro shots highlight the ugly such as gaps and other imperfections but at distance after final sanding and top coating I am expecting her beauty to come full out. I'm leaving the laser char on to help simulate the deck caulking. Also, I will add butt joints by ink pen when the decking is completed.

Thanks for checking her out.
Click to expand...
Good morning Daniel. This deck is a thing of beauty when it is done. The tapered planks and curves give so much character. Looking good so far. Cheers Grant
 
Daniel20 said:
OK here is my proof of application as I see it. If the rest of the decking goes this well, I'll be happy. The first pic showing glue down with my weighted helpers.

View attachment 568346
This ship will be my first to show deck nails, nothing fancy just 0.6mm copper wire inserted into 0.6mm holes. I lightly sanded prior to drilling the holes then inserted just 6 pieces of wire and sanded over it, I think this is going to look pretty good when finished, fingers crossed.

View attachment 568347

A couple of overview shots for perspective.

View attachment 568348View attachment 568349
Naturally the macro shots highlight the ugly such as gaps and other imperfections but at distance after final sanding and top coating I am expecting her beauty to come full out. I'm leaving the laser char on to help simulate the deck caulking. Also, I will add butt joints by ink pen when the decking is completed.

Thanks for checking her out.
Click to expand...
By the looks of it you have a working solution, yielding very promising outcome.
I wish the same decking method, with pre-cut planks, would have been available for the Bluenose model; it sure would have beaten the printed decks.
 
Loracs said:
@Daniel20, I just discovered your build log... I can believe I missed it for the last part of 2025. You made fantastic progress. It will take me a while to catch up, but I have to start from page 1 of your log. I just can't miss anything. Just a quick question, which version did you get? what type of wood?
Click to expand...
Hello Loracs, I have the Luhaikingkong version and your ship produced by Yuanqing Models (or YQ are one and the same manufacture). The wood in my kit is advertised as pear however I have my doubts. If its pear it's the ugliest color of pear I have ever seen and the secondary reason I am going to cover most of it up. On this ship I really like the appearance of solid decking especially the wide deck expanse this ship offers.
 
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RDN1954 said:
By the looks of it you have a working solution, yielding very promising outcome.
I wish the same decking method, with pre-cut planks, would have been available for the Bluenose model; it sure would have beaten the printed decks.
Click to expand...
Thanks Johan, I agree with you about the Bluenose, I ended up buying aftermarket planks on mine. I briefly thought about aftermarket planks on the Zebek but quickly decided It would be extremely difficult to replicate the geometry.
 
Hi Daniel
Youre doing a nice job with this kit - you're getting much farther than I did before I gave up out of frustration. You're right about the wood - not sure what it is but I had an allergic reaction when I worked with it. I almost exclusively work with Pear on my builds and have never had that sort of skin reaction.
 
CLB said:
Hi Daniel
Youre doing a nice job with this kit - you're getting much farther than I did before I gave up out of frustration. You're right about the wood - not sure what it is but I had an allergic reaction when I worked with it. I almost exclusively work with Pear on my builds and have never had that sort of skin reaction.
Click to expand...
Oh my, so far, no allergic reactions here. This wood appears to have some type of dark brown homogenized stain to it. I am greatful for the color of the decking though, it should turn out just fine. I need to make a determination on the hull planking which by the way has graduated thickness like the real ships had. Thanks for the complement.
 
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