Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

Here is the start of my topic for the HMS Winchelsea. She was launched in 1764 and is a Niger clas frigate. I am mideling her as she appeared during teh American Revolution. The plans were drafted from the originals in the NMM. I am also using a contemporary model to reconstruct the carvings and other details missing in the drafts. There is also a wealth of primary source correspondence from the desighner, captain and shipyards. She was designed by Sir Thomas Slade.


Here are some photos to date including those of the NMM model to show what she will look like. I am building her POB much like the Confederacy although I plan on adding even more detail. The model will be fully rigged at 3/16" scale. I am using boxwood for the entore model except for the bulkheads and false keel and hull fillers. Those are ply or basswood. The port side will not be framed like the NMM model and there wont be a cut-away like Confederacy. This will be fully planked although I will leave half of the qdeck and fcastle open to show the deck framing.

To save time I have sent the bulkheads and false keel out to be laser cut. That should save three weeks time. I designed her with a large number of bulkheads. More than any other kit including the ones I designed. The head knee is completed and attached to the false keel. The false keel or "bulkhead former" is in two pieces. The head knee is built up much like the actual ship. Next I will add the actual keel pieces and then bulkheads. My earlier test of the bulkheads dry fit are shown next to the Confederacy about six months ago for a size comparison. They are the same scale. This catches up my progress to this point. I have a long way to go....

Chuck

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

I don't think there is any comparison of your work to other kit designs out there Chuck. Simply amazing.

How do you plan on showing the whole port side as a frame depiction with bulkheads in the way?

Dave

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

Thank you very much...both sides will be fully planked on this one. No exposed frames. Its goind to be fully rigged most likely and the exposed frames is not a good choice for that type of display. At least in my opinion. Tat makes the design much easier too. I do however plan on leaving some areas of the quarterdeck and forecastle unplanked to show the gun deck below.

Chuck

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

WOW! These pictures make me feel totally inadequate.
It is great to view such masterful work.
Alan

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

I have finally completed the skeleton for the HMS Winchelsea model. It is very similar to the design concept I used on the Confederacy and Syren. Now that it is completed I can start planking the hull. While doing that I will continue to draft the inboard details. Its moving along well although it is going slowly. But at least you can get a sense of the hull shape on this 1770's 32 gun frigate now.

I will be using Boxwood for the hull planking. Next up is painting the gun port openings and then planking will start, followed by treenailing.

Any questions or comments are welcome as always...

Chuck

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

Chuck, fantastic work! You make it all look so easy.

I've always wondered, since you laser cut the bulk heads would it be possible to fair the frame with the laser? Potentially adding the angles to the frames so that sanding is minimized? Or at the very least mark with the laser the depth of sanding needed on each frame. I know I spent allot of time sanding/checking/sanding and then still end up with too sharp an angle or too shallow frame requiring a shim.
This would go for the rabbit as well.

Dave

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

Thanks

The laser can only cut at a right angle or scribe and etched line on the surface. It cant crete angled cuts or complex beveled cuts at all. That would be a good thing to have though. At best, a reference line can be etched on one side of the wood to indicate the approximate bevel required. I did this on Syren's bulkheads. But on this project I am just doing it the old fashioned way. I rarely fair my bulkheads before gluing them into position. If anything, I will just give it a slight bevel to get rid of the obvious material but I never try and get close to the actual bevel required.

I always use battens incrementally at different levels to periodically check the fairing so I don't take it too far. In most cases I see the opposit is true however, most folks dont fair the hull enough.

Chuck

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

It's beautiful Chuck. Your photos are great. A little off subject but I was admiring the backdrop and lighting. Do you have an all white backdrop or off white and what kind of lighting?

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

Thanks Don...

Believe it or not, thats a white bed sheet on an old wooden table. The wall behind the table is simply painted white with house paint from Home depot. The lighting is directly above the table. Two fluorescent bulbs 36" long. No flash on the camera...its a simple point and shoot.

Re: Chuck's HMS Winchelsea 32 gun frigate
 

A simple setup indeed. What will her dimensions be when you are done Chuck?