Hi Brian, running out of planks shouldn't happen, there are more than enough supplied to complete the planking, just be careful on wastage.....

Regards

Alan

Hey guys, think I was counting up rows left, incorrectly. Also have a load of decent sized trimmings left over which should help.

Think lighting is going to be the four lanterns and possibly the gallery cabins

Regards,
Brian

Sooo, Long time no see! Didn't really see the point in posting every couple of rows of planks I laid, so I waited for this glorious moment! My hull is officially completely closed up. woohoo. I found the planks extremely tedious at times so this is a huge achievement in my build. To answer some of the questions I asked myself earlier in this diary.

1. fitting only one garboard plank was the best way forward.

2. With regard to lighting, I'm going to fit strips of LEDS in the gallery space as well as under the poop deck (in the cabins behind the ships wheel). Firstly, this is for historical accuracy, but also because I have already installed the second gun deck and I really dont want to have to dismantle parts to fit lighting on the gun decks! Laziness I know but it is what it is.



Just some quick observations on the hull planking for anyone still at that stage:

1. Take care when planking around the bow that you don't leave any significant "steps" at the overlap of two planks as you'll find the structure gets a bit soft when you come to sanding the hull!!!

2. I made a mistake at the plank running to the stern in the very first row when you start planking the lower hull, (I think this is stage 31?) whereby I curved it incorrectly and now there is a corner jutting out at the edges of the transom which looks unsightly and which is causing me great consternation to try and rescue! Be careful to get a good tight twist in this particular plank and completely cover off the corner of the gallery support!

Thanks also to John, builder of HMS shambles, for his planking calculator for the last ten rows. Extremely useful tool!

Regards,
Brian

P.S. Apologies for the essay!!!!!!!

Thanks Brian, glad it was of use.

So, on to rubbing down now?

Hi Everyone,
Long time no see...

finally finished in Uni for the semester so have the baby back out of storage. If anyone has any tips on how to fix a crooked keel please get back to me

Brian

Hi,

Managed to get a fix on it. The slot I had cut was just marginally off centre towards the bow.
Just trimmed a little bit off and filled at the other side and hey presto, it's straight.

Working on my LED circuits for next few weeks to get my lighting in order before I start closing uo different parts

Happy Christmas everyone

Brian