At long last all the gunport template layers are in place

Before the bulwarks were installed I thought Id take Andy's advice and use planking on the inside, to make it a little easier though I wanted to get this done and painted first before it went near the deck.

I pinned the bulwarks in place and marked the decklines on both, then removed them to plank the exposed areas.

I have looked at dozens of paintings and drawings of this ship and even reports and diaries of the time of Trafalgar but there is no mention of a definitive colour for the red paint.

It's clearly not the same red ochre that is used on the inside of the Victory gunport lids as this is a very "Browny" red. The paintings seem to show a brighter red used and the reports speak of a "fiery red" so I had a mess around with some paints and tried to match them to the colour of the paintings etc.

The colour tester shows the 2 basic colours used and the final colour after mixing - the left colour is humbrol signal red, the center is Admiraly red ochre and the right is my final "Bright red Ochre" this was obtained by adding drops of red ochre to the signal red a couple at a time until I was happy - I now have the ratio noted for future use I also gave the bulwarks a very light wash of Vallejo burnt umber.

I decided also to fit the step all along the bulwark, this appears in most of my paintings and drawings of the ship and is also included in the X-section build of this kit.I checked first that it wasnt included in later stages of this kit but no sign of it in the final pics either.

The step has appeared in various colours too, white, black, natural and red but I went for an ebony stain for mine. I will also probably have the capping rails in ebony but all other deck furniture and fittings are to be left walnut wherever possible.

OK, here are some pics so far

Steve

Very nice Steve, I do like that Red with the black line underneath, it really makes it stand out

Steve

I had the same issues trying to find a suitable green for my adler loco build. Must have gone through 8 different greens before hitting one that looked ok to me.

That is some effort you have put in there and will give you an excellent model at the end.

Happy modelling

Tony

Hi Steve

She certainly looks good with that red

Regards

Andy

Thanks very much guys, appreciate you all looking in. Have been busy faring the frames today ready for planking so hopefully some more pics tomorrow

Steve

Looks like you got quite a bit of planking done Stevie and a great job you're doing too.... Very nicely done.....

Regards

Alan

Thanks for looking as always Alan, appreciate it

@Dave thanks for looking in, the glue is Aliphatic wood glue from CMB, very fast grab and says "dries clear with a hint of yellow" more than a hint id say. I only use it for the frames and false keel and first layer of planks for its grab time and very good strength. I generally use thin CA for the veneer layer of planks where no strength is required.

About the plank curves, you dont plank the bow or stern transom area on this kit, they are added as blocks after the 1st plank layer is done and you then only plank these areas with the thin veneer planks. Whereas the VIc had some horrendous plank bending especially the near 90 degree ones at the transom

Steve

Looking great steve.

J

Thanks guys


Just a single pic update, theres not going to be a lot to report whilst Im on the 1st layer of planking, I have managed to reach the bulwarks now and an much happier to have added the extra strength up there, bulwarks are now 4mm thick and very solid.
I think I will have a break from planking now and go back and finish all the ladders / steps that I have skipped.

Steve

Very neat and tidy Stevie, looking great.....

Regards

Alan