Having seen Tomicks recent post on cutting the gun ports I began to wonder a few things, NOT about the quality of the kit, NOT about the location of the gun port or even the cutting of the gun ports at this stage, but of the framing of the gun ports.

After looking at the model show on the front page from DeAg they seem to show the framing as flush with the main hull and different type of wood, this has prompted me to ask a few question regarding the gun port lids, as I'm sure a lot will know the gun port lids when closed were flush with the hull, also as a lot are going to be doing here will want to paint them red.

See below a few pictures as an example of what I'm trying to talk about.

An AL build



this is a Jotika build, but shows the gun port framing inset and painted red



So I wonder if we can frame the gun ports prior to planking, this mean finding the position first, yes I know more work, but the end result if this is what you want would be more authentic?

Again if any of use wanted the gun port lids closed for example, or like me would like to go for a more natural look then the choice of wood for the framing would look odd.

Framing the gun ports have been done before on other models, again the Syren build (yes less gun ports) were framed prior to planking.
I guess as the planks go down it could be done in conjunction, ie lower deck framing completed before those planks are fitted, then as the official build continues we moved up the hull and frame and follow.

I hope this doesn't sound like a ramble, ITS NOT, and in no way is it questioning the offical kit..ITS NOT:)

Its a simple case of looking ahead and seeing what could be done and what for me I would like to see in a finished model.

Hi Colin

Been thinking about this one for a while now and the best solution I can think of is double planking i.e. do the first planking cut out the gun ports and frame them, and then neatly double plank leaving a rabbit on the ports.
Its not going to be easy to cut the ports out and frame them neatly so the double planking method will make it far easier

I can see and understand where you are coming from on this one Colin, and thanks for raising the subject mate, as regarding the gun port frames and them being flush with the hull, I have seen them on other builds where they are slightly countersunk into the hull, if you get my drift? I shall be doing mine that way now that you have drawn my attention to the subject, and I shall try an source out some thinner wood for the framing..and of course, just above the gun ports the hull planking stands slightly prouder of the rest where the gun port covers have small chain or rope attached to it...perhaps an extra plank could be added to the hull above the gun ports to make irt look more authentic too...

Hi everyone,
Just thought I would add my own thoughts on the subject I agree with Mike on the availability of some up front planning .In the video that came with issue one. Way on in the build it shows plans for the masts yards and rigging The planking and gunports in my book are the two biggest factors in the build get those wrong and you are in dead lumber and will have wasted a lot of money surely some where when this build was in its infancy plans would have been drawn why are we not privy to these I f you bought the kit in full from artisania plans would have been included as with any kit. I agree Tomick is doing a superb job but it would be even better if we had plans to look at and knew exactly what the complete kit consisted of

As mentioned in my build diary, the cutting of the gun ports has been broken down into three phases, the idea behind it being that you won't then have to cut all ports at once, its a long tedious task which needs care and patience, and remember safety first if you use a blade to cut them out, as an alternative method of removing the centre's, you could use a mini drill/dremel with a router bit, and then carefully file/cut-out the sides to the marked lines and finish, just be carefull the bit does not pop out of the port and across your model , the main thing is to measure and check twice before you start drilling/cutting!

As for their lining, at this stage I'm unsure when this will be done or what will be supplied for the task, but as soon as I know I'll post the info.

i was asking about this a couple of weeks ago..i wanted to find the size of the gun ports so i can build all the frames b4 we plank,maybe i wasnt clear enough but i wanted to set the port frames as we plank so when cut out the frames will be set back but nobody really entertained my question

hi colin i cant remember but i posted a question about..i wanted to know the size of the gun ports because i wanted to make a jig to get them all the same size my thoughts were to place the frames as we plank but me being me i wasnt clear with my thoughts..if the planking is a mil thick then the frames could sit behind the planking and they could be cut out as we go leaving a nicely positioned frame

Yeah I see what your saying, but one thing keeps coming up and that's advance information, ie PLANS, plans for the location of the gun ports and then we could attempt the framing prior to planking.

Tom


No ideas yet tom, that's why I've made this thread, for me and people like you to bash some ideas around.



I dont think I will wait till the hull is fully planked, I do have an idea but really think I need to try it on a mock up first, to be honest as Tomick mentioned it could make the whole process of cutting the gun ports easier the official way as there is so many.




No idea again, sorry, to early yet for that, first I/we need to decide how rather than with what.

Agreed, and some good points coming in. This is turning into an interesting thread with lots of different ideas offered up for suggestions. Its threads like these that make this forum a pleasure to be a part of.

Tom