Hi Pam

First of all, bending the planks. The planks on the launch are so thin that a minute's soak in cold water is sufficient to allow you to bend the plank using gentle pressure between forefinger and thumb.

Before trying to fix the planks make sure you have chamfered the edges of the ribs so that the planks lie true to the shape of the boat without the planks trying to go in or out too far. Also there is no such thing as a plank with parallel sides when you construct a rounded hull. You will need to shape the planks as you go along so that when they are bent towards the previous plank they can lie true to the edge of the previous plank.

The planks can be attached with thick super glue from Cornwall Model Boats or something similar. Start at one end and wait until the first couple of ribs bond with the plank. Then applying the glue to two or three ribs at the time, work your way along waiting for the glue to bond. It's not quick but will give you a good result.

You are asking for photos, have you seen Launch Construction

or had a good look at Tomick's official Victory build?

Hope all that helps, looking forward to pictures of yourt launch!

Mike T.

Think positive! Don't damage the planks! Yerr right we all have problems, however there appears to be a comfortable surplus for the launch, so let's hope you don't need any extra

Mike T

Are you wealthy?

*twiddles moustache*

Whilst I have been known to *Ahem* 'pimp' my services about, I admonish you to bite the bullet and get stuck-in yourself! I too was a little apprehensive before following the mag build but it proved more do-able than I had first thought. Mike T's instructions are enlightening so do have a look at them.

Once you have the jig built, keep dry-fitting planks to show you where you need to contour the formers - being especially careful when sanding, given the fragility of the formers - you don't want to go snapping them

Just take your time with every single plank.

Dry fit everything first to see where you might need to alter something or to get a warning of future 'challenging situations'* where extra attention might be required

(*These used to be called 'problems' back in the day, but since we are all politically correct and 'positive' now, I shall use the modern tongue).

Oh... and before I forget..

Just take your time with every single plank.

Speak for yourself sir!! Never let it be said that I am what you quote !!

Damme, will have to take a glass of Port to recover!!

Seriously Pam do what Stedders says and just give it a go the idea of him twiddling his moustache and pimping fills me with dread!

Mike T

A practise launch? I see my launch as the practise for the Victory herself!

one of victory's boat's is clinker built but the rest are planked i'm affraid, so keep practicing

Planks overlap each other instead of edges butting up together,commonly known as Carvel
see this example which shows both types

Having a pig of a problem with this ship. mostly the launch.
Thought I'd lay the keel first as I thought this would help with the planking, when I reached that point. I'm glad that I tried it before I glued it, as I always do. The different heights and widths of the ribbing is amazing for something that was precision cut.
At fist I thought I'd put them (ribbing) in the wrong order.

That build looks absolutely brilliant. You should be rightly proud of producing such a wonderful piece of work.