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Terror and Erebus builds (OCCRE kits)

O

Owen ON hobby

Joined
Nov 14, 2024
Messages
9
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Hello all, I introduced myself here many moons ago...I'm still here. Been busy with life and stuff. Good news is I'm back and making some real progress with my first ship build. Almost done the first layer of planking on the Terror. I will post some pics soon. This forum has been an awesome resource and I feel that starting a build log will help me and others learn from my mistakes and corrections. It has been a challenge and I've got a long way to go.
I should add that I've been doing things from scratch as much as possible. Except for starting with a good quality (in my opinion) kit, I've been making my own jigs, tools, and pretty much making things difficult. But that's where the fun is, right?
 
You’re talking my language - and that of many other folks here I’m sure.

Show us your Terrorible planking! (Attempt at humour/humor there)

J
 


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My decision to order from Occre turned out to be a good one. They were very easy and actually quick to deal with. Given the fact that they’re in Spain and I’m not it worked out well. That is except for the shipping. Sure there were import charges and two week delivery’s. Both boxes (Terror and Erebus) arrived full of the scattered contents of the tiny parts that were once inside of the plastic parts container. A real mess. The smallest pieces I’ve ever seen all over. Hundreds of them. I knew it was bad so I took a couple jpgs and sent them to Occre. I asked for new parts and they showed up in two weeks. Along with new import charges, but I have to give Occre credit. They stood up and fixed it. Not too many company’s do that any more. In hindsight, I don’t think tiny parts should be shipped in plastic above 30,000 feet.
The online videos don’t match up with the instructions, but once you get used to it and look around for direction, take it all in and work with it. I’m not one who takes direction well anyways... so I’m making mistakes and learning from them.
Blunder number one was deciding to use permanent black Sharpie markers to outline the decking planks instead of pencil lead. It worked well, was quick and easy but turned blue a few weeks after I finished the deck with Minwax Polycrylic clear topcoat.
Number two was the armor. I dyed and finished it above the glue line hoping that it could be bent into place. It’s plywood and I’m new and I was wrong. Even thin plywood doesn’t bend much.
 
Time will tell. So far a lot of this build has been repetitive but I think I've got better along the way and I don't see how that will change. I'm really looking forward to putting together the deck, the masts, sails, rigging and getting better at it.
So, no I don't see myself getting bored any time soon.
Do you consider the Terror and the Erebus the same?
 
It's been written here many times that Erebus is a big fraud. Only the bowsprit, paint, and a few fittings were changed. Check out both instructions, you won't be happy.
 
LOL, well, that will be a test then. As I mentioned earlier I had to send Occre pictures of the mess inside the kits they sent me. All of the tiny parts were tossed around inside the boxes and I had no idea what might or might not be missing. Occre ended up sending me two new total kits. So, looks like I've only got three more to go...
 
Owen ON hobby said:


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My decision to order from Occre turned out to be a good one. They were very easy and actually quick to deal with. Given the fact that they’re in Spain and I’m not it worked out well. That is except for the shipping. Sure there were import charges and two week delivery’s. Both boxes (Terror and Erebus) arrived full of the scattered contents of the tiny parts that were once inside of the plastic parts container. A real mess. The smallest pieces I’ve ever seen all over. Hundreds of them. I knew it was bad so I took a couple jpgs and sent them to Occre. I asked for new parts and they showed up in two weeks. Along with new import charges, but I have to give Occre credit. They stood up and fixed it. Not too many company’s do that any more. In hindsight, I don’t think tiny parts should be shipped in plastic above 30,000 feet.
The online videos don’t match up with the instructions, but once you get used to it and look around for direction, take it all in and work with it. I’m not one who takes direction well anyways... so I’m making mistakes and learning from them.
Blunder number one was deciding to use permanent black Sharpie markers to outline the decking planks instead of pencil lead. It worked well, was quick and easy but turned blue a few weeks after I finished the deck with Minwax Polycrylic clear topcoat.
Number two was the armor. I dyed and finished it above the glue line hoping that it could be bent into place. It’s plywood and I’m new and I was wrong. Even thin plywood doesn’t bend much.
Click to expand...
I've always found the biggest let down with OCcre kits is the fragile acrylic boxes that break & scatter parts. IF only they would use flexible plastic with a decent lid security, not sellotape, which is another pain to remove.
 
Hi Owen, I got the Terror last December and finished it in June. My kit came with the bow and keel from the Erebus, which I didn't notice until it was too late and I ran out of the supplied brass wire, also found the supplied ropes pretty fuzzy. There are about 116 videos on YouTube that are helpful but not very accurate.

Neil
 
Neil_jo said:
There are about 116 videos on YouTube that are helpful but not very accurate.
Click to expand...
There are contemporary plans that could be useful. Three examples are below. The plans are identified for both Terror and Erebus
1762860465594.png
1762860628118.png

Below drawings show before and after Erebus conversion in 1845 to have a propellor
1762861276796.png
 
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I've finished the first layer of planking! Truly one of those things that you have to do for the first time to understand. I'll sand down this layer and continue to use the Weldbond glue for the finish layer. The instructions say to use contact cement. I'm not going to follow them. As you can see from the new build photo's the front part of the armor has split off recently. I'm not too worried about it as it was badly cracked and I knew it had to be fixed. The armor was my first try at bending, breaking in my case, wood. I've moved onto soaking wood in water and then steaming it if needed. I use the form with pill bottles screwed into place to get the required curve. The small green pencil is my pin pusher. I've drilled out 1/4 inch of lead to put the pin in so I can start it where I want it and then drive it in with my tack hammer.
Many thanks to those who've replied to this post. Please don't take offence if I don't reply in kind. I do read and appreciate all of the comments.

IMG_3136.jpg

IMG_3139.jpg
 
w9rri3l33s141.jpgA photo of the ship from 2014, discovered by a Canadian expedition. Photos were available much earlier than these models were created.
Do you notice anything inconsistent with the actual building facts?

These are the details we're not allowed to discuss...
 
Hello @Owen ON hobby, I am interested in watching your progress. Two weeks ago, I was planning to buy the HMS Terror kit. However, while I was learnt about its history, I came across the history of HMS Beagle, which is more relevant to me as an Australian. So I bought the Beagle kit instead. However, the story behind both Terror and Erebus is most intriguing. Because of this, I may get the kits later on.
Thanks for sharing your build.
 
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