P36

Taking a compass with some means of locking the legs in position run the metal pointed leg against the lower edge of the previous laid plank as in the sketch. If you find the card sags just make a mark directly over the top of the bulkhead itself.

This will form a series of dots or short marks that will be joined later to give the cutting line. Take the opportunity to mark the stem rabbet shape at this time to the card.

When this operation is complete remove the card from the hull and lay it over the piece of selected timber. Due to the shape of the spiled plank a wider plank than the normal planking timber is going to be required. This wider material of course needs to be the same thickness as the other planks being used. This rule applies to first as well as second layers of planking. Lay the card paper over the top of the wood, pin it into position to prevent it moving as you cut the shape. If you have used the dot method described above take a plastic ruler and possibly with a willing helper use the ruler on edge to join the dots using at least three dots at a time. Bending the ruler to suit this will form a graceful curve similar to the bending of a plank. Next mark the width of the plank using the spiled line as a guide. This plank should theoretically be the same width as the normal planks of the model. OK cut the outlined shape allowing a slight margin for sanding and snug fitting. You should wind up with something looking like the lower sketch in figure 28.

Discard the piece of card marked as scrap in the sketch. However retain the lower section as this shaped piece may be the next spiled plank required. A lot depends on the shape of the hull; it may be useful maybe not. Take you newly made plank and trail fit it to the hull, some sanding will probably be required to obtain a snug fit so take your time to get it right as you will be very aware of this plank as you made it. Pin to the hull look along its length if there are no gaps and all appears well glue it into position as in figure 29. Good job eh?

*****************************************************************************************************

Read the Next Page, Read the Last, Or return to Table of Contents?