Current Projects
I am always building a model ship or two, so on this page I will show the models that are currently taking up most of my model building time.
Schooner for Port Jackson
For years I have wanted to build a large scale functional model of a wooden sailing ship. I decided to build a model of the Schooner for Port Jackson as it looked like it was a simple rig on a bulky hull, just what I wanted for a sailing model. The model is being built at 1:16 scale from hardwoods that are readily available from the local hardware store. All of the timber has to be cut to size from larger stock and then finished prior to making each component for this model so it is a slow process. My intention was to use the natural colours of the timber and clear varnish for the entire model. Below shows my progress so far.
|
This model was started a few years ago after I had started a smaller static model of the same ship. My intention was to double plank the hull on plywood frames. The first layer of planks was from a scrap piece of Oregon that I striped up. It went on pretty rough but gave a reasonably shaped hull once it was sanded smooth.
|
The second layer of planking was Merbu. This was probably not the best choice of timber as it is very brittle which made planking was a very slow process. Each plank was glued with a polyurethane wood glue. While the glue dried each plank was held in place with pins, planking screws and clamps. Jan 2009 |
|
Once the outer hull had been completed the inside of the hull was coated in fibreglass to ensure that it remained water tight. The deck was then planked with individual planks on a thin plywood base. The deck planks were cut from a piece of softwood recycled from a pallet. Jun 2009 |
Hull and deck completed. Keel, capping and rails were cut from Ash and fitted to the hull.
Oct 2009 |
|
Another good day of progress with bits, catheads and hatch coming fitted. The foremast and bowsprit were also constructed, these are made from Tasmanian Oak dowel tapered to a suitable shape. 7 Oct 2009 |
Slow progress over the last couple of months. Deck furniture completed and the stading rigging has been started.
Feb 2010 |
Bathurst Class Corvette
After building the static model of HMAS Wagga I have been interested in building the same model again but this time making it a functional model. I have recently made a start and the photos below show the progress to date.
|
This is a 1:50 scale model of a Bathurst Class Corvette. As this is going to be a functional model I wanted as much access as possible to the hull so I have constructed it so that most of the deck areas can be lifted off. |
A plywood deck was glued in first then it was covered in styrene. The center sections of the deck fit snugly into place.
|
|
Once the styrene decks were completed a planked wooden deck was constructed. Oct 2009 |
The deck houses and major assemblies have all been constructed. Ready for a rubdown and then a coat of undercoat. Jan 2010 |
|
The hull and major assemblies have been painted Feb 2010
|
|
