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 -

Quick Intro to Ship Modelling

"Now sails are past, and still the sail ship grips the carpenter with wood dust on his hair, and down below his fashion from slim strips the rakish models of the ships that were." 

- Charles Norman.

So, What is a Ship Model? Well... quite straightforward isn't it? 
Ship model is a model of a ship! That's it!

OK, jk... here's the following: 
...and it can range from 1:6000 scale to miniature up to a big vessel that can hold up people!! One good example is The Interceptor in PoTC. The scene where it is blasted off by Hector Barbossa was a big model ship scaled around 1:5!! Filmmakers wouldn't have that budget to destroy a full-scale ship!! :D 

The Interceptor Destroyed by Barbossa

This is why we need model ship!!! XD

In modern era, with the invention of LASER technology, model ship building becomes more and more popular, especially in Europe and America. Famous ship model companies like Amati, CalderCraft, OcCre, Mantua, etc. are companies with decades of experience on ship modelling, provide numerous choices of model ships to customers, and with brilliant quality. And there are also Professional Model Ship Builder who make model ship for living.

Xebec from Amati

H.M.S Race Horse from Sergal Mantua

H.M.S Victory from CalderCraft

The very first step on ship modelling is Choosing A Model... Don't choose an intermediate level of ship for your first model!! Seriously!! I've done this!! and my Pearl was done with ERRORS!!! 

Secondly, Read the Plan! Every model ship kit comes with plans, which guide you throughout your whole ship making process. Some companies plan include Tools preparation, some don't. If it doesn't guide you on tools preparation, you might need to list down by your own by studying all the plan first!

Thirdly, Start Doing with Enthusiasm!!! But not as quick as possible!!! Follow all the steps guided in the plan sheets, search for solution from the net if not written clear in plan, and do them patiently. Enjoy the process!

Finally, Show Off!! :D

Making a model ship requires a lot of patience. It takes months or even years to complete.  Enjoy the process is what I can recommend you, or post your buildlog to model ship forum to share all model ship lovers!!! That'll really help on keep you going!!!

Summary:

1) Choose a Model

2) Read the Plan

3) Start Doing with Enthusiasm and Enjoy the Process (put your deadline aside)

4) Show off!