After much tought, planning and preparation, here is my very own build thread for my first ship: Another Bismarck! (Just love that ship) I thoroughly enjoyed reading the build thread from all of you, I think it is now my turn to try to entertain you! A caveat though: While there is so many good "how to do", this my build does not claim that title...This will mostly describe how I fumble my way in what I think is the forward direction! Some more precision before running straight ahead: This will be a 1/144 scale ship. While I do not plan to battle with it (unless I can convince my group of friend to join me) I will try to follow IRCWCC ruleset for fast gun, just in case. But at the end, this will be mostly a "For show" ship, probably armed only with water jet canon. On with the planning! Just received my set of Plan from Strike Model. Stephen been real helpful in handling the manual order for me, poor Canadian living the other side of the border. Next logical step was then to get the Ribs template out. Along the way I discovered a small 3% mismatch in vertical dimension between the two main plan sheet. No problem, I quick scan-resize-print fixed the issue. And then of course, I want to see what to expect! so a weekend of modeling enabled me to see this: Status: I do not like the ribs spacing I do not like the ribs number I am unable to skin in 3D... So back to the drawing table, I tried 2 new set of ribs, one planned for 3/8 ribs, the other for 1/4 ribs. the 1/4 pattern allow me a nice evenly spaced set which feel nice. I will now redo a new 3D pass to get an update on the overall if I use this last set, but so far I am satisfied with that last set. I everything get out right, the next step will be to get the wood and start cutting! Which bring me to a question (first of a long list I fear...) I am planning to use 1/4 plywood for ribs and keel. 1/4 caprail and 1/8 deck. Issues is: Locally I have limited selection of wood type I can choose from. The 1/4 is easily available in either Fir, Spruce, Birch, (or even more if I continue looking for) The 1/8 on the other hand, I have only been able to find in Lauan (Meranti), and some local website hinted that perhaps Oak can be found too. No trace of Birch in this thickness locally. While I have worked with different wood type in the past, I never put my hand on that Lauan. Do any of you have a good advice or a suggestion on which way to go? For the 1/4 I am leaning toward the Birch (non maritime grade) since I like tis hardwood characteristics. Anyway, thank you for your help!
I to love the Bismarck alas my two attempts at it have failed miserably. I look forward to your build progress updates... Pictures are always a good thing Good Luck!
The wood can be a pain to source in a decent quality. Luckily, I am close to a hobby store that regularily stocks 12"x48" sheets of aircraft ply in 1/4" & 1/8". The 1/4" is either Midwest brand (or something similar) 5 ply birch, the 1/8" was some weird brand out of finland but 6 plys (very strong, also expensive). Try calling your local hobby stores (hopefully you are near or in a major city as it seems to help), and see what they have for aircraft plywood. Failing that you can try Michaels (not sure if they are in your province), or maybe a specialty wood supplier like for those people who make cabinets. If you are willing to go with a fibreglass hull, i know Ralph Coles in Nova Scotia probably has atleast one of his excellent Tirpitz hulls available (cheaper and better looking than the hull Strike sells), i can message his email to you if you are interested, just a thought.
I love these wood builds. I understand that fiberglass is supposed to be easier, but there is something to making the thing with your own two hands. Don't let the nay-sayers discourage you. Also, don't be too put off if it takes a couple of tries to get it right. I am prepping to start my 3rd serious attempt at a wood build. I learned a lot from looking at threads here and from the other two failed builds. Keep going! Oh, a list of the wood build threads on here, for your reference: Jstod's Tirpitz http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/442709/afv/topic/Default.aspx Dustin's Alsace http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/442566/afv/topic/afpgj/8/Default.aspx Powder Monkey's Boston http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/407761/afv/topic/Default.aspx RCENGR's Roanoke http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441624/afv/topic/Default.aspx hairy_apple's destroyers http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441681/afv/topic/Default.aspx RichelieuBB's Erin http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441678/afv/topic/Default.aspx Buddy's Ise http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441928/afv/topic/Default.aspx Kotori87's Mikasa http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441805/afv/topic/Default.aspx Gettysburg114th's Kirishima http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441158/afv/topic/Default.aspx 11561's Kormoran http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/440755/afv/topic/Default.aspx Nick's Mehoshi Maru http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/440784/afv/topic/Default.aspx Buddy's Arkansas http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441478/afv/topic/Default.aspx RichelieuBB's Omaha http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441485/afv/topic/Default.aspx slow_and_ugly's Detroit http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441489/afv/topic/Default.aspx RichelieuBB's Verite http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/441322/afv/topic/Default.aspx Tugboat's Evstafi http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/408345/afv/topic/Default.aspx CaptainCook's Utah http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/tabid/58/aff/566/aft/440713/afv/topic/Default.aspx
The species of wood isn't nearly as important to me as the number of plys. Just grab one with as many as you can get and go from there. I can get *reasonable* 1/4 inch with around 5 plys. No Baltic birch by any means, but it has worked pretty well.
Birch would be the best. I used luan for all of my ribs and keel on my Suffren. It was what I had on hand, and it was free. Now it did work, but I probably wouldn't do it again. I ran out of that a while ago, so I picked up a birch 4 by 8 sheet at my local Lowes to finish the sub-deck. Very nice choice of ship. She's been a favorite ship of mine, but I probably won't ever build one. I prefer ships that nobody else would build, of something that isn't very common. I'm very much looking forward to seeing this build progress. Keep us posted, ~B~
Even the cheap 1/4" sand pine will hold up for years, just give it a good coat of epoxy or 2 coats of spar varnish. I'd use something nicer for the decks, but for the structure it's okay
Wow! You guys live up to the reputation you made for yourselves. I have been reading you fro the past few months and was amazed by the sense of community and support you shared. This, (and your awesome looking ship) is the prime reason of me joining in. But I was not expecting such answer and reply to my very first post! You guys took the time and effort! This is greatly appreciated! Daniel!
So with all the good advice, I continues my roam of the city to find some good Plywood. first half of town provided my only with faint hope of lousy wood: Seen lots of Luan, which I immediately hated. that wood is scary flimsy, even got multiple ply ungluing on my right there on the shop. Looks like finding a proper 1/8 will be hard! Second half of town improved my odds a but further: Discovererd a stack of 1/8 Oak in sufficient quantity and quality. At least I have a backup plan!, and then 2 sheet (Top and last sheet of a bundle) of Birch... Those where badly damaged though... Then Bingo!, The one shop I never go to because I never seems to find what I'm looking for... Baltic Birch! 1/8, 1/4, 1/2... name it, they have it. Anywhere from 5 to 9 ply! Only strange parameter (To me at least!) they come in sheet of 5 x 5 feets! (No 4 x 8) Anyway, the occasion is too good to pass, bought some of them... Second surprise! They are stuck with them since a whiole and decided to grant a nice discount !!! They are now back in the shipyard, which you will see later, but lets not jump ahead, the drawing bureau as not released the full pblueprint set yet! Speaking of which, here is my last night restart of 3D planning, now that I know precisely which ribs set and thickness I am looking for. Bonus point to those who discover why you should not try planning late at night!
I normally don't worry about using "marine" plywood... the main issue is the amount of plys. The cheaper plywood from lowes or Home Depot is just that, CHEAP, it will warp as soon as the humidity climbs.. go with a good aircraft ply.. anything 5 or over in layers. I tend to use the 7 ply stuff from online sources. Be sure to add a note in your purchase to give you flat stock only... In a pinch I get stock from a Woodcrafters outlet near my house. I just hate going in there as I buy more crap that I dont need... aircraftproducts.wicksaircraft.com/...mil-p-6070
Begging the admiral's pardon, but it's not necessarily going to warp as soon as the humidity climbs. Having built some boats from it in south Georgia, I feel I'm reasonably placed to opine on the subject
Ah, but you have to realize this is Spudsy we're talking about. 0.00001 mm of deviation and he'll scrap the whole boat and start over!
I never was able to find good 1/8 locally, had to order it online. It does seem that true baltic birch comes in a wierd size..... metric i always assumed. A metere and a half square maybe?? And yes, these guys are awesome at trying to answer questions so ask away! Did you mention which ruleset you are building for?
Ordering online may not be possible for him as he is in Canada. The last couple places I tried to get baltic birch from wouldn't ship to Canada because they didn't have a certificate of origin. Regardless, I'm sure he can find a good supply local and save the obscene international shipping charges.
Effectively, ordering online is a last ditch measure, after all else failed. Delivery price is excessive, and delay to clear custom is horrendous, if at all possible. still, nothing that compare to shipping heavy machinery to China in wooden crate. They have more stringent requirement on the packing than the goods itself! But that Baltic birch was a struck of luck. I would have settle for less, but the occasion was to great to pass at that price.
Cannonman: I am building following IRCWCC fastgun, but will be mostly a "For Show" ship. Water gun will probably replace the BB guns...
Silly question time. Most ship I have seen so far try to use an "open" water channel between the two keels. Often that water channel is plated at the bottom by a single strip of thin wood. I am wondering if it is worthwhile to improve the structural integrity of the ribs and bottom of ship by not using a "completely open" water channel? My idea can be seen below, but would still use the usual system, bt instead of completely removing the ribs matter between teh keels, some large apperture would be created along the lower surface to allow the water to go through. This would of course slow down the maximum amount of water that can follow the channel, but I that can be mitigated by "linking" the holes in a single larger one if needed... Any though on that idea?
Water channeling can be an art in and of itself, but basically speaking more flow is better. What I would envision happening with the design you have proposed is the passageway getting plugged with bbs and broken pieces of Bismark Hull. What I would suggest is making the channel sides keyed in to the ribs, then cut the center of the ribs out after assembly, before waterproofing. Structural integrity is not usually an issue. You would be surprised how sturdy these things are after all the fiberglass is on and everything is coated in epoxy.
