USS Constitution - Model Shipways MS2040 - 1:76 - by Jeff T
I am going to try to update my progress (without a lot of written detail) over the next week or so.
First the waterways were installed.
If you are wondering the black clamps are anchoring the bulkheads to the OcCre build stand I am using. This method really "solids up" the unplanked ship.
Lots of clamps used to hold the waterway while installing to get the gentle bends to flow well.
I soaked the more curve pieces at the bow, clamped them in place and allowed them to dry before finally glueing them in place. I used a temporary bowsprit to help shape the forward part of the waterways.
After the glue had dried for a couple of days the waterway was painted in its green color. These will need touch up after/during deck construction.
I did not take any in progress pictures of the strops used around the tops of the bulwarks. It was not very difficult, just a bit time consuming to fit each piece in the middle run of the three pieces.
First the waterways were installed.
If you are wondering the black clamps are anchoring the bulkheads to the OcCre build stand I am using. This method really "solids up" the unplanked ship.
Lots of clamps used to hold the waterway while installing to get the gentle bends to flow well.
I soaked the more curve pieces at the bow, clamped them in place and allowed them to dry before finally glueing them in place. I used a temporary bowsprit to help shape the forward part of the waterways.
After the glue had dried for a couple of days the waterway was painted in its green color. These will need touch up after/during deck construction.
I did not take any in progress pictures of the strops used around the tops of the bulwarks. It was not very difficult, just a bit time consuming to fit each piece in the middle run of the three pieces.
Some pictures of working on the bulwarks. I used a plank on the inner side to stabilize the tops of the bulkheads. Some small pices of wood were used to help frame where the openings will be. The strip I used helped to get these set in at the correct angle to maintain the "flow" that is set by the tops of the bulkheads. Since I broke off a couple of the bulkheads, I use this opportunity to reset them.
Most of the inner and outer planks for the bulwarks are simple straight runs, however, those at the bow have a very curved shape. I soaked the planks in water and clamped them to a roll of duct tape and let them dry to the correct shape. After that they went into position fairly easily. Lots of clamps needed. I got these as a small tub from Amazon. They are a nice size and strength for this use.
Most of the inner and outer planks for the bulwarks are simple straight runs, however, those at the bow have a very curved shape. I soaked the planks in water and clamped them to a roll of duct tape and let them dry to the correct shape. After that they went into position fairly easily. Lots of clamps needed. I got these as a small tub from Amazon. They are a nice size and strength for this use.
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Nice work. If you do plan to eventually add sails, Sewn cloth sails are WAY overscale. Several years ago, I compared various thickness of fabric with some #10 cotton duck canvas left over from a canoe rebuilding project.
Results (Thicknesses in inches)
#10 canvas- O.034”
At 1:76 scale = .00045”
Muslin cloth .008”
Washed drafting linen .005”
Rice paper .002”
Very fine cloth at 1:76 scale is, therefore, 11 times too thick compared with heavy cotton sailcloth.
Likewise the weave in any woven cloth would be too coarse and any stitches too big.
Rice paper is still 3.5 times as thick but at least you would avoid the coarse weave ans oversized stitches.
Roger
Results (Thicknesses in inches)
#10 canvas- O.034”
At 1:76 scale = .00045”
Muslin cloth .008”
Washed drafting linen .005”
Rice paper .002”
Very fine cloth at 1:76 scale is, therefore, 11 times too thick compared with heavy cotton sailcloth.
Likewise the weave in any woven cloth would be too coarse and any stitches too big.
Rice paper is still 3.5 times as thick but at least you would avoid the coarse weave ans oversized stitches.
Roger
Thanks for the info Roger. I have not fully made up my mind on sails yet, but I don't think I will add them. I have considered full sails, just topsails, and possibly furled sails. I have some time yet before the decision needs to be made. If I go with furled sails, I am considering silkspan cut to 1/2 or 1/3 length.
Tom Lauria has a nice 3 part you tube series about using silkspan for sails
Rob
Rob