Sovereign of the Seas

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Sub stage completed……..Phew!

I actually abandoned the project quite a few times during the planking stage, due to the frustration of setting the nails through the bamboo and into the formers………all covered in glue!

With a box full of bent nails, I found the solution was to use a bigger hammer! Once the nail bites into the former, they are easily tapped in

The bamboo goes round the bend quite easily, but getting the nails in, is quite a job at times and not for the feint hearted!

Completion of the first stage of planking. Next we turn the hull over and make a start on the bottom planks

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

As a bit of lateral thinking, especially for Paul. …..lol

Due to the painfully low speed of these ships, and looking at the clumsy shape of the bows, a simple oblong box shape may have been ok for this type of ship?

Just think of the simplicity of construction…..and the cost….and the build speed!

They could have been Medieval Liberty Ships of yesteryear!

Just a thought ……..and how easy it would be for us modellers?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The bottom planks are quite easy to fit, but are a little uneven

Filler should put things right, but I would like to know how the top layer of planks are fiited

The Sovereign website seem to keep it a secret!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Latest stage of the plank battle!

I seem to have settled down to the routine of installing the planks and is quite enjoyable now!

The trick is to cut the plank to length, mark the nail positions, make nail holes using a blunt bradawl, apply the glue, place plank in position, select an easy laying hole for the first nail, place the nail in the hole and press nail firmly…….Then finish off with the hammer

Apply a gusset of glue at every corner and all the nooks and crannies

Made a start with the P38 filler and rub down at my leisure

Bob

[Carl WalkerParticipant @carlwalker]

Hi Bob,

Not sure itf it will be the same, but on the part-work "Victory", the top layer of planking was veneer! Paper thickness dark wood planks.

Cheers

Ricky

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ricky

I've got some of the final plank material, I was really wondering what type of finish the first planks will require prior to the paper thin veneer top coat, as there will be no further chance of sanding to shape

I think it will need plenty of filler and elbow grease!

Bob

[Carl WalkerParticipant @carlwalker]

I think I remember on the Victory, it said something about using a small punch to make sure the brass nails were slightly below the surface of the first layer of planking, before sanding down and filling to smooth off. Heck of a job with all those nails

Cheers

Ricky

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Carl

The hull planking has taken a back seat at the moment according to the official instructions, and work is now on assembling a few cannons

Without having a crystal ball, I can't continue with the planking, as the stern has reached a critical stage and I'm now waiting to see how the planks finally end up.

I've made a start on the filler to level the hull profile as far as possible. This will need to be spot on!…..As the final veneer is wafer thin, with no scope for sanding

Would be helpful if they supply a few hull profile gauges?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The first four of one hundred guns!……….Although some are just barrels protruding

A visit to SpecSavers was very necessary in order to make these little beauties!

Bob

[Lord HavengottenyParticipant @lordhavengotteny]

Hello Bob;

To which scale is this kit built? Will it be more than 24" lg. when completed?

Regards, Lord Havengotteny

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Lord H

The scale is 1 to 84 with an overall length of 110mm

A nice model to build, but the planking stage is very fiddly and not much fun at the moment

Only time will tell

Bob

[Len MaylinParticipant @lenmaylin47237]

hello Bob

Just joined. I found your running commentay on the Royal Sovereign very very helpful. I have just subscribed and will get four issues per month by post. So no frustrating visits to Smiths.

I was told by a modelling club member that all wooden ships start to split in the dry home central heating envirement. Have you found this to be true…if so….what to do? Please do keep up the running commentary on the boat build.

Thanks,

Len.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Len

Welcome to the thread

Don`t understand your "splitting with central heating" query, if you are referring to the bamboo splitting, that`s no problem, as the hull is planked with an outer layer later

My advice to you at this early stage is to build, neatly, accurately and use an assembly jig to keep the hull straight as the build grows. The jig build appears about issue four, for some strange reason?

It`s a good idea starting the build now, as you can see what`s ahead of your build and avoid possible snags

Best of luck

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Back on the planking again!

Still don`t know how the planks finish up at the stern end

Newbie Len……..I hope you possess some planking skills, as this part of the build is quite difficult and would test the patience of Jobe!

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob, the planking certainly looks tricky. Out of interest, what timber are the planks?

Tony.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Tony

The planks are made from Baboo! An unusual material to say the least and are about 4 x 1.5 mm section…..Not much scope for correcting lumps and bumps?

I've made a start on the P38, but I'm beginning to spot a few undesirable areas that will need special attention later on!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Going round the bend…….In more ways than one!

The hull planking is now levelling out at the stern, so now I can make some progress

The little clamp is retaining the twist in the plank via the lacky band, while the glue sets

The ends of the planks, looking like a dog`s dinner at the moment, will be levelled off shortly, Awaiting instructions

The P38 makes a lot of dust……..I now use it with PVA, to fill the nooks and crannies……Can`t waste it

Bob

[Lord HavengottenyParticipant @lordhavengotteny]

Hello Bob;

I finally figured out the figures you noted a few days ago. If I use 110 cm. instead

of mm, it would represent a prototype LOA of about 303 feet, which makes sense;

giving a hull length of 225 feet. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed hull.

Lord Havengotteny

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Lordhaven'

The overall length of the model is 1110mm and not 110mm……….Sorry about that

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

After about two months of fiddly tedious work, the bottom half of the hull is finally rough planked!

Will need plenty of P38 to finish off prior to final planking with fine veneer

I would guess, the planking stage sees off most budding modellers?………Me included……..almost!……..Several times in fact!

Just grit yer teeth and gerron with it!………..Today`s motto

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Next week, hopefully, we will be planking the top section.

Made a temporary stand in anticipation…..

Bob

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Bob,

once Ashley sees that hull as a door knob like you've shown, he'll want one too!

Kimmo

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

The mrs wouldnt let me put a door knob like that up I am afraid.

Bob. Good on yer, i suspect you are dead right and the planking would see off most budding builders!

AND you have to plank it again!! Its too much.

Paint it black and join the pirate fleet!

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

What are you two on about?

What door knob?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

The children are referring to the kitchen unit door that forms the base of your new stand and how the model looks like an oversize handle.

Paul

(Ashley please note how I have resisted the knob related puns)

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