Plans

[DocF225]

For those of you who don't know, I build scale models. Built the first one at age 4 and been at it 38 years now. I build for museums, private collectors and technical companies.

I really want to build a modle of a true pirate schoner or sloop but plans are like hens teeth.

I found a third generation copy of a Schooner "three view" set in a book but the enlargement is grainy at best.

None of my usual plan companies are of any help.

Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Cascabel]

Just build a rendition of a typical sloop of the period, and add a few cannons and a Jolly Roger !!!! That is how it really happened, so it should be accurate....

>>>>> Cascabel

[Captain Jim-sib]

You got it , Casabel !!!

Doc, The Model Expo Kit of the " Virginia Sloop" is pretty much what

Blackbeard's Adventure & Bonnet's Revenge looked like. As for Blackbeard's Queen Anne Revenge...there is a poster published, I believe by the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, of master modeller Frank Gaskill's QAR. At that time, 1717, jib sails were fast replacing the bowsprit square sails. Yet no one can give a difinitive answer of what the QAR looked like. Perhaps she had the double bowsprit square sails when Benjamin Hornigold first captured it...and later gave it to Teach.

As for finding plans...lotsa luck. I have recently completed a 3' model of the sidewheeler blockade runner CSS Nashville. Had to build it based upon period Harper's Weekly etchings and comparision of similar period vessels. Twas challenging to say the least. After doing many models myself, Casabel's comment is dead aim.

Acquiring plans from the Smithsonian is very slow. Their

person in that department only works 10 hours per week...they do not take phone calls...or respond to phone messages. Best source of period plans would be the Howard Chapelle books...History of American Sailing

Ships & The Search for Speed under Sail. Most of the Smithsonian's available plans are Chapelle's and are found in his books. Just enlarge them to your scale and modifiy to your needs

You can view some of my pirate vessels at:

http://www.carolinasib.com

[DocF225]

Why thank ye Mates.

Oi wondered about the Expo Virginia Sloop kit. It's in their sale catalouge this month. May have to invest in it.

Cap'n Jim that be some loverly work in them bottles on yer site.

[Desert Pyrate]

How detailed do you need in the way of plans?

If lots o' photographs and some measurements would work... there's always the Royaliste!!!

[faucon de mer]

I am building my first wooden ship, a plank on frame privateer. I have found that bending the planking to obtain a smooth and equal contour of the hull much more difficult than I anticipated (probably my technique). What method do you use to bend the hull planking, soaking or a plank bender? Also do you know of any good forums such as Naval Inst Forum and Seaways shipbuilding forum that are worth while? I find reading books can not help with every situation.

Thanks

[Captain Jim-sib]

Faucon...

Plank bending depends upon the thickness of the wood. For a 1.5mm or greater, soaking & bending to form gives good results. For thinner pieces, you can do a variation of the paper curling trick with a pair of scissors. Get a sharp metal edge (I use my bandsaw table), place the plank at about 45 degrees on the metal edge, place a couple of fingers of the other hand on the plank and add a little pressure, and then give a quick pull. As you pull, friction heat and finger pressure will bend the wood. Do this several times to get the desired curve. Also, trim the plank before you bend it in this method. You will break a few planks getting the hang of this...but they can be used in the short stern and bow spacing pieces. As for the electric plank benders or model forums...I have not tried them. Perhaps Doc has. Also, if your hull is going to be painted, there is nothing wrong about using wood filler. A good book for ship model beginners is The Neophyte Jackstay. Lots of luck & fun to you.

[DocF225]

I use three methods of plank bending.

First and most often used is a plank bender. To get consistant, even bends you can't beat a good plank bender but I admit they are a bit pricy.

The soak and bend method is good as long as you're confident you can reproduce the bends from plank to plank.

The curling ribbon method with a blade or scissors works best on thinner stock.

My favorite "Low Tech" method the "pipe and rubber matting"method. The best stuff is the matting they sell to put under machinery to stop it vibrating or "walking". Check Sears or Home Depot/Lowes.

Place the plank on the mat back side up.

Take a metal or hardwood dowel or pipe ( Sched 40 PVC pipe works real well too). Place the pipe squarely on the center of the plank and press down while rolling the pipe from the center out to the end and back to the end of the plank.

The plank will begin to curl up at the ends and work to the center. Keep rolling until you get the bend you need.

Some tips:

More pressure equals sharper bends.

Smaller diameter pipe equals sharper bends.

Thinner planks will bend faster than thicker planks.

if you get the bend too sharp, you can flip the plank over and work in reverse.

This method will work on wood, plastic and metal strip as well.

Hope this helps

[scurvy_morgan]

Dont add the typical jolly roger look through different pirate flags and pick a unique one...too many pirate ships with jolly roger alot of us forget that each group of pirates had their own flag they all didnt sail under the jolly roger.

Mike Kirby