Sunday, April 14, 2013

HMS Race Horse Build Log - Day 1


Brief History Background of HMS Race Horse

The ketch, a vessel with two-masted rig characterised by a main and mizzen mast, was often said to be "ship without a foremast". The Race Horse is a ketch.

In the 18th century, bombs comprising hollow metal spheres packed with explosive and with a  fuse were fired from large, short powerful cannon called mortars or bombards. Ships firing such large artillery pieces needed special strengthening to prevent their timbers moving apart or even breaking under the massive recoil. Racehorse is equipped with two bombards. The Racehorse and her sister ship Carcass were both fitted out and strengthened at Chatham dockyard in preparation for an arctic exploration - the exploration of 1773 in which Horatio Nelson served on the Carcass as midman. It was the strengthening to withstand the arctic pack ice that made these ships eminently suitable for use a bomb vessels.. 

During the war with Russia, the Britain Navy used twelve of these vessels, among which was the Race Horse. Race Horse was then converted to Thunder.

Day 1 - 5 hours Work

I purchased my Race Horse from Cornwall Model Boats on the 28th of December 2012. It is really a great model ships online store, with good services and price (always without tax for foriegners!!!). And I received my ship only after 2 weeks!!! 

Here it is!!
Race Horse of Sergal Mantua

And everything is good.
I added 10 sets of Cannon with carriages, some Cannon balls, 1 set of gratings, and a bell!
Items Inside the Box

Before making a model ship, you'll always need a clamp to hold it. You can either purchase one, or you can DIY!!! So, this is how I make it!
Not really diy actually.. just added a clamp on my tripod ballhead!! :D
My DIY Clamp
In order to protect the wood from over-clamping, I added rubber on it. It's actually badminton grip, kinna effective. :)
Added Rubber to Protect False Keel from Over-Clamping

This is how it looks like when holding a model ship.
Race Horse on Tripod

First problem...
Although laser cut, but still not so through. You can see there's no laser mark.
I haven't cut out the ruddle (on the most right, in case u can't figure out :P), will take it out next time when I am in a good mood.
Still with Quality Issues


So, here's my plan..
I want to make an extra hatch on deck (that's why I bought extra gratings), since there's a big empty space!
So, I cut off another 'square' there which is parallel to the bombard docking area..

Draft on the Extra Hatch Area

This is how it looks like after cutting out that area... I actually cut it smaller than planned, so that the gratings can sit on the border.

Extra Hatch Cut Out
I don't do this just for decoration!! But I want to make a 'signature' in my ship!! 
By using this!! An old Stamp Seal!!
Stamp Seal to make Signature
A 'board' will be added inside the ship, to hold my signature.

However, when I again put the deck on the bulkhead only I noticed that the half deck (alignment bar) is actually blocking it to see through..
Alignment Bar (Half Deck) is Blocking the View of Expected Signature Location
So, I removed that part that blocking.. within bulkhead 6 and 7..
Half Deck within Blocking Region Removed
Hope this won't cause a big deal in future.. since I can't rely only on the alignment bar to secure all my bulkheads in position.

Then, an accident happened. 

When i decided to make the board for my signature... I cut myself.. =.=
ON THE VERY FIRST DAY I MAKE THIS SHIP!!!
Deep Impact on the First Day

I'll have to stop working on today...


- End of Day 1 -

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