Model Expo "Chesapeak Bay Falttie" Scale 1/32

[Bluebeard]

This one of the few kits that Model Expo obtain the permition to build from Midwest Products.
Its a quick and fun kit to build whenever we feel tired of building something intricate. I built this one in 1 1/2 week.
The faltties were used along the coast of Virginia and North Carolina to carri produce down shoal creek to market, and also they use to haul oysters from shallow flat bars. You can still see this type of boat sailing today.
First I will show you the simple components of the kit.

 

[Bluebeard]

A simple keel with 4 frames.
The instructions tells you to cut off corner piece of the wooden sheet to square off your frames.

Dry fit all of the pieces.

 

[Bluebeard]

Satisfied with the fitting I proceded to glue everything from the bottom holding it with rubber bands.

 

[Bluebeard]

After that I went to add the semi-circular shaped mast steps using the mast dowl as a guide.

 

[Bluebeard]

Then I added a couple of square pices as bow stiffeners.

 

[Bluebeard]

Next step will be to add the two keel strips starting on the transom.

 

[Bluebeard]

The same goes when you add the shines.Her I added two triangular pieces to the bow so I could have a bit of more material when adding the bottom and sides.

 

[Bluebeard]

Planking the sides, botoms and adding the stem.

 

[Bluebeard]

After planking the bottom you have to also add two chafing planks against the keel and a square piece of wood for the rudder base.

 

[Bluebeard]

Next step in the build is the companionway hatch and doors. Here I also added some pencil marks on the doors just to make it better, but if we really want to enhance this model, there is many things we could add to it.
At this time i marked at the bottom, the place where to glue the centerboard.

 

[Bluebeard]

To finish the model you have to add two walnut toe rails, the coaming rails and the samll samsonpost for te bow deck.
So with the main model finished I prime it and paint it, and I jumped to create and rig the mast, boom and gaff.

 

[Bluebeard]

Right away I jumped to create the sails but they are a bit tricky to make them look good.
I tried to sew them and they shrank out of shape, so I gave it a second try by tracing the sail from the plans with a General’s pastel Chalk pencil and using a spray bottle I mixed a 30% glue with 70% water giving the sails two heavy coats of the glue/water and hung to dry for a few hours.

 

[Bluebeard]

After drying the sails I finished them with thin strips around the edges.

 

[Bluebeard]

I started the rigging creating the reef lines by cutting 30 pieces of 3/4" long rigging cord pieces.
After that I marked the attaching points and assembling the gaff to the sail.

 

[Bluebeard]

Now to rigg the boom.

 

[Bluebeard]

Rigging the gaff and the boom to the mast.

 

[Bluebeard]

THE FINISHED MODEL

 

[Nick Baker]

Well done! Your sails are really terrific.

 

[Workboats]

Very nice photo presentation of a classic Chesapeake Bay workboat.

 

[TimMurphy]

It is so good to see the flatbed kit back! This has always been a recommended first build.
Very nice job!
Tim