Scratch-build advice

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Scratch-build advice

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21 July 2022 at 10:59 #101342
Eugene O’Kane
Participant
@eugeneokane65033
Good morning, all.

Just newly arrived on this site.

I am considering moving into scratch-build in 1:350 scale of merchant ships and have a question that is probably going to cause many eyes to roll – when I have carved/prepared the hull (from wood) there will be a sheer in the hull. But, does the sheer continue in the decks of the superstructure above the main deck or are the higher decks level with the waterline?

As I said, perhaps a very stupid question but it has had me thinking and I cannot find a definite answer, I just want to get things right.

Thanks to all.

Gene
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21 July 2022 at 10:59 #3075
Eugene O’Kane
Participant
@eugeneokane65033
Building superstructures
21 July 2022 at 14:23 #101345
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Hi Gene and welcome to the forum.

I think the answer to your question is bound up with the type and age of vessel. Most modern ships don't have much if any sheer for ease of construction. Older vessels are different.

However, there are a huge number of ship images online and many of those are broadside views so it should be possible to find similar vessels to the one you are interested in and see to what extent the sheer in th superstructure follows the sheer of the hull.

Do bear in mind that for aesthetic reasons, some vessels my have the sheer painted on the hull but the giveaway with be the extent to which the rows of portholes, and in the superstructure, windows as well, are level.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop on 21/07/2022 14:35:57
21 July 2022 at 14:50 #101349
Eugene O’Kane
Participant
@eugeneokane65033
Dear Colin

Thank you for your welcome and for your reply.

I take your point about about portholes and I think that I shall increase any photos etc and see how level to the waterline any row of portholes, doors etc are, thereby giving me some idea.

Good to be a member.

Best wishes

Gene
21 July 2022 at 15:00 #101351
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
What type of ship are you particularly interested in?

Colin
21 July 2022 at 16:20 #101353
Eugene O’Kane
Participant
@eugeneokane65033
I'm thinking of doing a 1920's-40's freighter or maybe a Union Castle liner.

Gene
21 July 2022 at 16:54 #101354
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Athlone Castle and Capetown Castle had a pronounced sheer extending to the superstructure although it levelled off quite a bit aft of the bridge. There are some good online images.

My model of the fruit ship Granada of 1925 is shown below. In this case I used a bit of modeller's licence. The hull has a fore and aft sheer but the central superstructure is essentially flat but it still looks pretty much OK.

Colin
22 July 2022 at 10:17 #101359
Dave Cooper 6
Participant
@davecooper6
Just picking up on Colin's point, I think it can be possible to run flat decks and introduce an 'optical shear' with gunwhales, deck angles and other fittings to give a good approximation of the real thing.

I plan to do this on the Pilot Cutter as a simplification. However, mine's 'semi-scale'. Exact scale may call for something closer to reality.

Will your model be just for display or is it intended to be sailed on water etc. I think pure display models tend to get closer scrutiny ?

Anyway enjoy your project,

Dave
22 July 2022 at 12:27 #101361
Eugene O’Kane
Participant
@eugeneokane65033
Many thanks for this Dave.

My model, if it happens (!!), will be dispaly only.

Gene
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