HMS Unicorn Build Log 1 - Intro & Fitting Bulkheads

Brief Introduction

Scale: 1:75

Length: 840mm

Height: 730mm

"Historically, the frigate Unicorn has left as no tales of outstanding war feats or important enterprises, those which often mark the career of a man of-war so that be remembered even after his disappearance. All we know is that this ship has been designed by F.H. af Chapman for H.M.S Fleet in 1700s. On the other hand we have many accurate data regarding its construction. In fact, Chapman, member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences in his admirable volume "Architectura Navalis Mercatoria" printed in Stockholm in 1768, gives an extremely detailed account of the calculation relating to the design of the ship and not only the constructional ones, but also those relating to the study hydrodynamic-resistances. All this together with a most beautiful drawing of the frigate, which have used to develop this model. The results of Chapman hydrodynamic investigation are clearly visible in the lines of the hull which are quite advanced for the epoch in which the ship has been built."

- Corel

In conclusion, even Corel itself has no idea whether their kit is historical accurate! :D I've tried searched through the net and found that there were actually more than 6 Unicorns between 17th to 18th Century according to Wikipedia. And among those, the Unicorn which serviced from 1747 to 1771 has the closest description to the Corel kit. (which found out by another forumer who is building the same kit ;))

Anyway, historical accurate or not, I'm gonna modify it :D So... Let's start it!! 

Laying Keel and Fitting Bulkheads

So, 29th of September 2013 marks the day I started my Unicorn. It was a good day and I am in a good mood for modelling. :P 

Just one week before this, I've already made my DIY keel clamp for this build. The previous one which I used for my Race Horse is no longer strong enough to hold a ship size like this. So, this is how it looks like:

DIY Keel Clamp

I was planning to share my making of the Keel Clamp, but since it's kinda easy.. I will skip it. :)

START!!!

First problem... the bulkheads don't fit to the keel. :(

That really change my impression to Corel kit!!

Almost Fit

Besides the Keel Clamp, I've also made myself a DIY drill press. It's not completed yet, I'll still need to add compound table to it. Anyway, it helps a lot on sanding the bulkheads' slots wider.

Here it is:

DIY Drill Press

There's actually a screw at the right which it to stop the drill at desirable position. To fix the slots, I used a HSS square router bit. It works well so far :)

Widening Slot

So, after like 45 minutes I've done them all, and I thought they can now all fit... And then I found that I was wrong... EVEN some slots on the keel are not wide enough too to fit the bulkheads!!! OMG!! COREL!!

Again...

And then some issues usually seen...

Deck Slot Doesn't Fit Bulkhead

So, a whole long night of fixing and sanding.. I can finally put my decks and bulkheads on. This is how she looks like now. :)

Decks and Bulkheads In Position

Anyway, they are not glued yet. Just sitting in place so that I can plan on my modification to be made. Hope it won't take too long. :)

- Day 1 Ends -