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HMS Alert Set

Marta - yes a woman! - has started to build this model of HMS Alert from ShipYard. She has also agreed to share some thoughts and pictures from BoatModelling.com. This is what she had to say so far about the set:

"I must say the the content of the box impressed me. All items have their place i.e. masts, cloth for sails, blocks, paints, brushes etc. All card pieces are laser cut.

I start building log with few pictures of hull’s frame. At the beginning I was a bit scared having seen the amount of details and as read from the manual that all parts must be manually fitted to each other. My concerns were completely unnecessary for each part fits on its own to its designed spot, well with my small help so to speak. Slightly burnt vertical lines on the hull’s plate were very helpful also.

HMS Alert Set

hulls frame

frame's stern

Currently I am working on second layer of planking which is nicely shaped and fits the bulkheads and so far I had no issues what’s so ever. We will see how it will go further, but the beginnings are good.

On the pictures below you can see that all elements neatly fit to each other. Each one had to be shaped separately before gluing onto the frame:

planking process	first layer finished	first layer finished
the deck and stern's supports

According to the manual next stage should be painting of the main deck and smaller stern deck. I must confess that I was really scared about that part since I had never been good in this area. But I was smart enough and made number of tests on separate piece of card board. Having gained some experience I started to work. For painting wooden deck planks I watered the paint a lot so it was quite thin and I covered the deck few times.
Decks are nicely designed. Their planks are engraved and despite the painting they are clearly visible.

painting the deck	thin paint and the plate	decks and installed bulwark
decks planks	second layer of planks	second layer of planks

Second layer of planks has nicely printed markingf for THIRD and final layer. Alert has three layers planking. 

third layer of planking

third layer of planking

third layer of planking

In the meanwhile Alert's hull has been painted with acryl paints included in the set, also her keel has been attached. Yellow colour I was applying step by step making sure not to cover engraved planks' markings on both ports. Also insde bulwarks have been added. They a bit darker than the deck:

And finally, I mean till now, I placed hulls decorations. They are printed on high quality carbon paper. Only to cut them out and place on marked spot on the hull.

To be continued. 

HMS Alert 1777