MS Phantom Third Attempt
 

](*,) Hey all,
Just received my second replacement hull for my Model Shipways "Phantom". from Model Expo. The last hull, I think I really screwed up by cutting too much off the bow, in order to get the hull to fit the templates. afterwards, I couldn't get the bow area to look right, nor could I get the hull to look even on both sides as well.
Before I start to cut anything, or carving. I have taken a close look at this hull. It's lines are fair and even, and the bow does not seem to have the excess wood, nor are the sides lopsided as was found with the last hull.
My first question is, where should I trim the excess wood to conform with the keel templates? The print on both the plans and the practicum is hard to read, and I can't tell if it reads, stern, s t e r n; or stem, s t e m.
Next, How is the best way to measure, mark and draw, the center line along the keel.
I think that once I have the proper area trimmed, and the center line drawn, I can mark where the templates go, and begin sanding the hull into shape. Dan Pariser has recommended a building jig to try that I think will help.
Any help or suggestions would be appreceatted. I am determined to complete this ship.
Thanks again.

Re: MS Phantom Third Attempt
 

Ralph,

Do you have a copy of "The Neophyte Ship Modeller's Jackstay" published by Model Shipways? It can help answer many of your questions.

Bill

Re: MS Phantom Third Attempt
 

Ralph, as far as marking the center line on the keel I would take a steel ruler if you have one and measure the width in a couple place and pick the center of that width and scribe a line.

You should be able to download a PDF version of the practicum and then you can make the text larger if you're having trouble read it the text.



In the photo above my hull was about 1/2 longer than the templates, did you encounter this on your first hull and then tried to sand or remove wood the make the template fit? I think the hull is milled longer than it needs to be. So be careful sanding this time. That extra half inch would hurt any thing. I would make the hull fit the profile on both ends and not worry matching it in the middle. That extra little bit won't hurt.

Re: MS Phantom Third Attempt
 

Ralph,

I'm right there with you. I just received my third hull also. I messed the other two while carving the bulwarks. Trying to get them thinned to 1/32" is proving difficult.

I just checked the new hull and it's about 1/8" too long. But, that is expected. Interesting, after I cut the templates out, I placed them on the drawings. The location of the bulkheads on the keel template didn't match up with the drawings. I would double check the templates against the drawings before you begin carving this time.

Re: MS Phantom Third Attempt
 

Don,
The second hull was about 1/2 inch too long. When I cut off the excess was when my problems started. I hacked the cut a bit, and I couldn't make the lines fair out again. Also, when I looked down the length of the hull from either end, I noticed that the slope of the hull on one side was steeper then the other. I tried to even that as well and couldn't get that to match up either.

Automerged Post:
Jesse,
Dan Pariser, from the NRG gave me some good advice. He said that end the end it's your model, and to build it the way you want. If that means making the bulwarks a little wider, then do it. The only one who will probably know will be you. So have fun.