Hull Planking - Part #1
While i was assembling the hull framework and deck platform, I was juggling around in my head, which plankings did i want to do first......hull or deck. the absence of waterways meant that the entire deck is to be planked. if I was to plank the deck first, I would have to shield it from the intense sanding and dust from the hull planking. I also wanted to keep separation lines {housings, furniture, ect} to a minimum.....as stated in previous builds, it's one of my peeves. this little touch alone, the relation between the housings and the deck planking, sets up the basic realism of the build, so that anything done afterwards, expands the ideas of the builder. I would build the various structures for the deck, mark them out onto the deck and plank around them. border strips and caps added as needed, will clean up the lines, lending a "seamless" assembly to the build.
after the framework was sanded to the contour desired, the bulwarks were installed. the sections did not meet each other evenly, sanding would have to be done in order to create the natural curve of the bulwarks before the rail caps are installed.
while this was going on, I decided that I would do some of the deck work.....housings and structures that I wanted to mark out onto the deck. I started with the pilot house and the winch frame while the bulwarks were drying.
by this time, the bulwarks had dried and I was able to continue. the keel rabbits were the next parts to be installed before I started with the planking. the first few planks are full length, above the waterline. the next ones that followed are segmented planks, designated on the instruction sheet with letters, to aide in the utilization of the planking. as you are doing this, it is best to mark these planks, as to not lose track of the order in which they are used.
as the planking continued, I found that not doing to the stern in the way that I did in my previous build, might not have been a good idea......it wasn't coming out as I would like it to. the size and scale of this kit may also be a factor in this as well. I made a pair of rabbits to fit between the ninth and tenth ribs in anticipation that this might be a problem. as the planking started to layer around the bend towards the keel, the edges of the planks jutted out, like the siding of a house......I started to think I was doing something wrong. but, i continued though, thinking that sanding will cure the problem.
Part 2 of the hull planking will finish this off.....then i can worry about shaping and smoothing out the hull......paying close attention to be sure to seal in between the planks as I go. I can't wait to see this completed......I'll be making the same type of cradle for it. I will not forget to illustrate this step, like i did in my build of the Nordkap.
